ARRESTING COWS?

On November 3, 1889 the local Lexington newspaper reported a problem on the city's south side:

"There comes a complaint from the south side of town in regard to the wholesale arrest of cows that are found on the State College grounds.  It seems the gates leading into the college enclosure are left open and cows stray in to nip the tempting Bluegrass.  As soon as the college authorities see them the police are telephoned for and the poor cows are arrested and locked up.  This entails considerable trouble and expense on the owners of the cows, and at the same time there would be no such arrests if the gates mentioned were kept fastened."

It seems that in addition to his myriad duties of teaching in the academy and overseeing the construction of the first women's dormitory, the UK President's brother, Walter K. Patterson also had to contend with the trespassing cows.

The newspaper reported four days later that:

"Mrs. Caden's cow was permitted by her to trespass on the grounds of the State College, to which Professor W. K. Patterson objected and had Mrs. Caden's cow arrested by Officer Reagan."  

The case against Mrs. Caden and her wandering cow was heard in the local court and after some delay the case was dismissed, no reason given.

James K. Patterson's own cows grazed on the campus in the area where UK began playing football on Stoll Field.  Perhaps that was one reason that President Patterson opposed the establishment of football at his college.