Among the earliest of these town-builders were Hugh McGarry, James Harrod, and Benjamin Logan.

The first named was a coarse, bold, brutal man, always clashing with his associates (he once nearly shot Harrod in a dispute over work).

He was as revengeful and foolhardy as he was daring, but a natural leader in spite of all.

Soon after he came to Kentucky his son was slain by Indians while out boiling sugar from the maples; and he mercilessly persecuted all redskins for ever after.
Harrod and Logan were of far higher character, and superior to him in every respect.

Like so many other backwoodsmen, they were tall, spare, athletic men, with dark hair and grave faces.