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Martin
Van Buren Bates:
The
"Giant Of Letcher County"
In
Novia Scotia Bates Met Miss Ann Swan, Who Stood One Inch Taller
Than He. They Were Married In London, England.
In
1837 as data tells it, Martin Van Buren Bates became the 11th
child of John W. and Sallie Bates, pioneer settlers in a simple
log cabin home on the Henry Potter place of today in Letcher
County, Kentucky. The ten other children were normal, but something
unusual began to develop in Martin. He began to grow remarkably
rapid, so much that his parents became alarmed. At 13 Martin
became the real wonder of the countryside, and his wonderful
anatomy became the talk far and near. His weight, at that time,
was 300 pounds. The youth's forebears were only average in weight,
and the phenomenon created consternation everywhere.
Martin grew on until his stature stood at seven feet and 11 inches
and his weight at 525 pounds, which made him the world's largest
man. Bates became well-educated for those days, though his opportunities
were vague. He taught school before the War Between The States.
When the tocsin of war was sounded over the country deep in turmoil,
Bates volunteered his services to the Confederacy, serving under
the command of Captain Enoch A. Webb (Dutch, an uncle of the
writer) and he made a splendid soldier. So tense was the division
among the people that brother was oft opposed by brother or father
against son. The antagonistic spirit pervaded the country.
Criticized by all were the guerrilla bands that pillaged, murdered,
and robbed. There were those in this country. They were driven,
however, into Virginia. The bands, of course, opposed both the
"Blue and the Gray." Early in the conflict Bates was
chosen to drive back these marauders, though some of them were
his neighbors. Bates at length became a captain in his division
as he was brave and relentless. He and Captain Webb succeeded
in driving them even further back into Virginia. The Crane's
Nest section of the band became so rampant that Bates, with Captain
Webb and Colonel Ben Caudill of Letcher County, Kentucky, took
an army over there to suppress them. Locating their enemy in
the dead of night a fire was hurriedly built. The flames spread
upward, lighting a considerable distance and the soldiers put
themselves in readiness. The guerillas swooped down to see about
the conflagration, when hundreds of shots rang out. Twelve of
the band fell, rolling down the mountainside. Twelve or 15 more
were captured. The ruse worked well.
The war over, Bates decided to travel. He wanted to see the world.
He and a companion set out on foot for Cincinnati, walking the
entire distance. He wanted to join a circus and there he did
so. He was to receive $100 a month, a good salary in those days.
He toured the country from east to west. Later Bates joined Robinson's
circus at a fancy $400 a month salary. The first trip of Robinson's
was to Novia Scotia. This interested him greatly. In Novia Scotia
the world's biggest man met, wooed, and won Miss Ann Swan. She
stood one inch taller than Captain Bates. They were married.
Fate had decreed that two of the world's largest people were
to "get together" for life. The occasion of the wedding
brought countrywide comment and occurred in London, England.
Bates was still with Robinson's circus, likewise, Mrs. Bates
became associated with it at a salary equal to that of her husband.
In the meantime, Queen Victoria of England met the big pair.
She was charmed by them and presented to them each a mammoth
gold watch. They cost more than $1000 and were presented by the
Queen of England. They were held priceless and sacred.
Within a few years Captain Bates was mourning the death of his
wife, who passed unexpectedly, although she had enjoyed the best
of health.
Some time later while on a vacation in Cincinnati, he met Miss
Anna LaVonne, and in the very beginning Bates became attached
to her winning disposition, and they were married. His second
wife was small in stature, "tipping the beam" at a
little more than 100 pounds. Several years later Bates, though
not far advanced in years, severed his connection with Robinson's
show and retired to his home in Seville, Ohio. He died years
later soon after he had entered his 80th year. Bates was revered
and loved by all. The country mourned his passing.
Perhaps there will never be his equal in all the world.
Today there are many surviving relatives of the Kentucky giant
in Letcher County, Kentucky, mainly through the Bates and Wright
families. Dr. Wright, Seco; Booton Bates, Neon; Henry Bates,
Thorton; and Jesse Bates, Jenkins being of the number.
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