noon
In fence corners and under trees , along every approach to the town , horses were hitched -- many of them with heaps of provender on the ground before them , that they might feed at any hour which suited their appetites ; and vehicles of every known pattern , from family coach to ox-cart , thronged the highways . It was a gala time for the slave-buyer , stock-trader , horse-jockey , and itinerant packman , as well as for the politician and the militia men . Not only was there much trading and political speech-making , but also horse-racing , cock-fighting , gambling and drunkenness ; for society , even in the good old times , contained a large rioting element . At Fayette County court , however , the chief interest was usually the political ; and the most popular rendezvous was the tree-bordered enclosure surrounding the court-house , until the noon hour ; then the center of interest was the tavern , which , though but a two-storied log house , having only eleven rooms to serve all purposes of dining-hall , office , kitchen and guest chambers , was a famous resort . The sleeping apartments were large , and each was furnished with four beds . Always as many as two guests to a bed , and frequently as many as three , was the economical rule of the house -- an arrangement which , though possibly inconvenient in some respects , was one likely to encourage a spirit of democratic sociability . Abner Dudley accepted Major Gilcrest 's invitation to accompany him in his coach to Lexington upon a certain court day which was an occasion of unusual excitement .