Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 46, 1897

Chapter 46

Until within the last few years there stood on the banks of Green's Branch, fronting on Eighth street in Anderson, on the thoroughfare which was known at that time as the "Strawtown road"' " the One-mile House," and which was a familiar object to nearly every old inhabitant of Madison county. In fact it was one of the landmarks in this community. This book would not be complete without taking notice of this building and the many interesting incidents connected therewith. The writers could not give a better account of it than by reproducing what was said of it by the BiiUctin in the year 1888, in which the editor says : " Old Anderson is fast passing away and but few of the old landmarks remain to remind a person of sixty years ago of ' Andersontown.' Perhaps the oldest and most historical object of that period in history is the old one-mile house, a log cabin on the north side] of West Eighth street, a mile west of the court house. At Xo. 546, near the site of the old cabin, now lives Mrs. Margaret Harris. She is a pleasant and intelligent old lady of seventythree years. Her memory is bright and her descriotion of the events that occurred sixty years ago is very vivid. Her account of this building is to this effect, that in the year 1826 David Harris, her husband's father, left Licking county, Ohio, and came on foot to Indiana, looking for government lands upon which to settle. He was then thirty-seven years of age, strong and full of that spirit of adventure and restlessness that once characterized the pioneers of the North-western territory. 'Andersontown' was one of his stopping places and it was here that he found such a spot as he had been looking for. All of that part of the city afterwards known as Hazlett's addition, extending from the cemetery bridge to the fair grounds, was then an Indian corn field. This magnificent territory, a mile long and a half mile wide, is now covered by the American Straw-board works and hundreds of fine residences. About three thousand Indians were living in the White river valley between ' Muncietown ' and 'Andersontown;' each of these places were important villages of the Delaware Indians.

" Chief Anderson, of the Dela wares, had his wigwam at the foot of the hill near where Norton's brewery now stands. Harris went west of the corn field and there found such land as pleased him. He then walked to Indianapolis where at the government land office he entered all of the lands ^vest of where Madison avenue now is, to the old toll gate, and south from the river to West Eleventh street. This tract included the Harter farm, "Hillside," and hundreds of acres of valuable land. Returning from Indianapolis he camped' under a honey-locust tree just north of where the one-mile house was afterwards built. A cabin stood at the spot where the gravel pit on Peter Bliven's land now is, and to this home the pioneer Harris brought his family. He lived about one year after his family removed to this place and then died. His remains were interred in the Indian burying ground on East Ninth street, and were no doubt hauled away at the time the Pan Handle company opened a gravel pit at that place.

"In 1839 his widow built the ' One-mile House.' At that time it was considered one of the finest houses in the western country. When it was 'raised' the people from miles around were invited and hundreds were present on that occasion. Among those who were there who afterwards became prominent in Madison county, were the Harpolds, the Elliotts, the Shauls, Robert N. Williams and Colonel Nineveh Berry.

"The house was erected for the purpose of a tavern. It known from the settlement on the Wabash to the Alleghany mountains. Soon other settlers began squatting about the place. About this time John Berry built a frame house near the corner of Meridian and Eighth streets, that was considered a greater one than this, but the big log house still continued to be the principal stopping place for many years. The Strawtown road at that time was famous all over the nation, and was especially known to emigrants who were seeking homes in Western States. Strawtown, situated several miles west of the county line and in Hamilton county, w^as known further abroad than Indianapolis or any other town within five hundred miles of it. The scene along the road from early spring until late in the autumn was that of one continuous stream of covered wagons. These with two horses and two oxen hitched to them inoved the pioneers to their Western homes. Nearly every team in those days stopped at this old tavern. Some of the parties not being able to partake of the hospitality and pay money for their lodging mere!}' stopped for the purpose of watering their stock. The house continued to be a place of entertainment for travelers until about the time the railroads reached Anderson.

"Many instances in this locality of interest to old settlers are related. The earliest settlers of the county remember with a shudder the blackened stake that stood just back of where Bliven's gravel pit was. This stake was used bj- the Indians as a post to which prisoners were burned. A j'ear before iSlv. Harris came to White river a French trader who killed an Indian squaw was captured and burned alive at this stake. The ground around it had been tramped and beaten until it looked like a circus ring. When some of the oldest Indians would get sufficient fire water in them to loosen their tongues they told that many captives, both white and red, had been burned at this stake. But little is said about the matter now ; but if the reader will ask any one who lives in that vicinity, he will say that when Indian summer comes and the nights are crisp and pleasant, that the ghost of this Frenchman, who was burned alive at the stake, appears. It is said to have been seen flitting around on many occasions, one leg being burned ofT above the ankle, and the fierce flashes from his eyes, and the blue flames can be seen issuing from his nostrils. For many years superstitious old women and small children in that locality could scarcely be induced to leave their door steps after dark during Indian summer. In 1828 the Stover family came from Pennsylvania and entered what is now known as the Forrey land, north of White river. It was Margaret Stover who, at the age of seventeen years, was married to John Harris, and who is the author of the reminiscenses given in relation to this old hotel.

"One of the diseases incident to the country at the time the Harris family settled here was 'milk-sickness,' which was prevalent in the country for many years, and many people died from it. No cause for this peculiar malady was ever discovered, but as the country became clear of its heavy forest and was put into cultivation, the disease disappeared.

"A one-story log school house at one time stood in this neighborhood, near where the third district school building is now located, and in which Bartholomew Williams, the father of R. N. Williams and the grandfather of A. D. and Gus. Williams, was the teacher, and also the late Colonel Nineveh Berry taught a few terms of winter school in that building.

" When about fifteen years of age, John Harris and another young lad went about fifteen miles down the river to a mill. Darkness overtook them on their return home. The blazed trail through the woods was lost and the wolves began snapping and running around about them. The boys tied their horses to a tree near where the village of Hamilton now stands, where they gathered a lot of brush and started a fire and remained up all night fighting off" the ravenous beasts with fire brands.

" Mrs. Harris also related a few historical facts not directly connected with the 'One-mile House,' but of much interest in relation to Anderson of that day. She said this city was named after the famous old chief, Anderson, the same as was Muncie named after the Muncie Indians and Kokomo named after a Miami chief. Anderson was an old man when the whites first came to the banks of White river."

Prior to the year 1880 there stood at the corner of Eighth and Main streets on the site of the present structure owned by John W. Lovett, and which is now being remodeled, one of Anderson's old landmarks and which was at the same time, a monument to the thrift and enterprise of one of its former wealthy citizens. It was a two-story brick building with business rooms on the first floor and offices above. It was erected by Alfred Makepeace in 1843, being the second brick building erected upon the public square. In it Mr. Makepeace carried on for several years a general merchandising business such as dry goods, groceries, hardware, and other articles which he exchanged for butter, coon skins, ginseng and various other country products. There was but very little business done then in purely cash transactions. His business extended into every part of the county. There was no railroad into Anderson for many years after the building of this house. The people came along distance to trade with Mr. Makepeace, and his store was a general rendezvous for all classes. The building stood at the edge of a grove of trees in which there was a burial ground of the Delaware Indians extending as far north as Martin Gruenewald's residence. This ground is now partly occupied by the present modern residences of Major Doxey, and Thomas Norton.

Mr. Makepeace was one of the shrewdest traders and business men of Anderson. He sold his goods to his customers on any length of time they might request, and at the end of the year he took their notes for any balance appearing against them adding thereto interest. He amassed a snug fortune in his business venture. In the year 1876 he died, leaving tohis heirs considerable real estate in different parts of the city. He was the father of Captain A. I. Makepeace who yet resides in Anderson, and H. B. Makepeace, at present township trustee for Center township, at Indianapolis. There were several other brothers and sisters whose names are not at present remembered by the writers.

The occupants of the building after Makepeace left it, was the firm of Crim it Hazlett who there began a dry goods business, Mr. Crim afterwards organizing the Exchange Bank, the immediate predecessor of the National Exchange Bank, which is now doing business at the corner of Ninth and Main streets. !Mr. Hazlett was at various times engaged in general merchandising, the buying of grain, and in manufacturing. He was twice elected mayor of the city, and finally ended his days at Riverside, California, only a few years ago. Crim & Hazlett disposed of their stock of goods to ."> f.i m styling themselves, Cook & Rhodes, whose whereabouts are now unknown.

Sharp engaged in the grocery trade in the lower room of the building and did a thriving business. Eglin subsequently removed to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged in the produce and commission business. Joseph Sharp is still a resident of Anderson,, and is at present the proprietor of the Columbia Hotel.

Samuel A. Towell, ex-chief of the Anderson fire department, for a short time also ran a grocery in this place, and was succeeded by Sparks & Branham, who remained there until 1876, when they retired. !Mr. .Sparks who was a very prominent business man in Anderson in his day, died only a few years since.

Mr. Branham, the junior member of the firm was the father-in-law of Dr. George F. Chittenden, at whose residence he died about ten years ago.

In the second story of this venerable pile was, for many years, located the Anderson SlaiiJard , which was published at one time by J. Fenwick Henry. He was a fluent writer, but a man of many eccentricities, who will be well remembered by the older citizens of Anderson.

E. V. Long, late Judge of the United States District Court at Las Vegas, New Mexico, was once the editor and publisher of the Standard while it was being printed in this building.

C. E. Jones who published a paper in 1845 and 1846 in this place, was succeeded by Dr. Mendenhall, who published a weekly paper there for several years. In 1856 Thomas W. Cook took charge of the Democratic Standard, and published it up to some time in the sixties, when it passed into the hands of Charles I. Barker, who subsequently disposed of it to William E. Cook, who published it for about two years and then sold it to Fleming T. Luse, present editor of the Crawfordsville Rcvic-i.\ Thomas \V. Cook is now a preacher in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is laboring under the firm belief that he is Jesus Christ.

In 1882 John W. Lovett bought this old piece of property from the heirs of Alfred Makepeace. Mr. Lovett had it torn away and replaced with a new structure. Thus the old Democratic headquarters passed away. The building now standing there is, at this writing, being remodeled, and, will be, when completed, one of the handsomest in Anderson.

Ix Honor Of Dr. Hexry Wymax

In mentioning tlie physicians who practiced medicine in ^Madison county, the name of Dr. Henry Wyman appears among many others in another place in this volume. He was one of the early physicians, as stated already, perhaps the first regular physician who practiced medicine in this community. He resided for many years in Anderson and then removed to Blissfield, Mich., which he made his home until a few years ago, when he died.

In the month of June, 1887, Dr. Wyman returned to Anderson to visit the scenes of his early life, and to mingle among his early associates and spend a few pleasant days with them. On this occasion the physicians of Anderson gave him a banquet at the Doxey House, which took place on the evening of the 22d of June in that year. The banquet was a very fine affair. When the eatables had all been disposed of, the gathering resolved itself into an evening devoted to reminiscences and speech-making. Manj' jokes and stories were told concerning the history of Anderson in its primitive days. Although manj' of the guests were infirm and feeble from age, the spirit of the occasion was bright and buoyant, and the evening was one of rare social enjoyment. Dr. William Suman presided at the table and acted in the capacit}' of toast-master. The toast of the evening was proposed by Dr. William A.Hunt, "Our honored guest, the first physician of Anderson." In announcing this toast Dr. Hunt spoke very feelingly, and among other things said, "That he remembered in his boyhood days when Dr. \A'3'man was spoken of as THE physician of Anderson and of Madison county. There was a Dr. Ruddle who came here before or after Dr. Wyman, but I believe it can be safely said that our present guest is the first doctor who practiced in Anderson. He came from New York in 1831, sojourning for a while in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, thence to Clarke county, Ohio, and thence to Richmond, Indiana, where he studied medicine with Dr. Warner, one of the most eminent physicians in his day. We had other physicians here at the time he located with us, but none north of White river possessing any medical education."

Continuing in this strain. Dr. Hunt gave an interesting account of the practice of medicine in earlv days, and gave the names of those who represented the medical profession at that period.

In response to Dr. Hunt's address, Dr. Wyman made a very happy speech in which he said ; " What can I say that will be of interest to you ? Can I say that I came here when Anderson was in hazel brush ? When I first arrived here, there were about sixty people, old and young, living in nine families. Among them I only know of Addison D. Williams and Augustus Williams who were citizens at that time and who are still living. The country north of White river had just been opened for settlement. Between here and Alexandria there were six log huts that formed the homes of as many settlers. In that part of the county only the townships of Pipe Creek and Richland had been organized. There was a grist-mill located about one mile north of Anderson that made pretentions to grinding corn. They had a granite rock there cut out so as to break the grains into two or three pieces, and this formed the corn meal, the chief article of diet. A smaller mill was located on White river, between Strawtown and Perkinsville, and these two mills were the only institutions of the kind in the countj'."

"Anderson Forty Years Ago," was the subject of the toast proposed by Mayor Hazlett, who gave a brief synopsis of the appearance of Anderson as a town in those times, and dwelt upon the peculiarities of some of the people. " Judge Eggleston, of Madison, Indiana," he said, '- then presided over the court at this place. On one occasion his decision in some matter was overruled by the Associate Justices, and he became so enraged that he left the court room forgetting his hat, and it was stated, too, that he forgot his horse, and started for Richmond on foot. Some of the attorneys started after him and had considerable trouble to induce him to return to continue the session of the court. At that time there were three judges, one the President of the Court and two Associate Judges, and in cases arising before the court, the Associate Judges would occcasionally decide against the president and overrule his decisions."

The exercises of the evening were closed by all present joining in singing the doxology, after which Rev. W . 11. Ziegler, pastor of the Presbyterian church, pronounced the benediction just as tlie bell in the court house tolled the hour

S98 History Of Madison County, Indiana

As a historical fact it may be stated that Dr. \Vyman came to Anderson in May, 1832, and at once took a leading part in the affairs of the county, being a man of ability and integrity. In 1837 and 1838, he represented Madison county in the state legislature. He was also identified with the Pioneer Press. In 1835, he was editor of the Western Telegraph, and so continued for a long time, besides attending to the large and lucrative practice of his profession.

Stabbing Of Henry Vixvard

A serious stabbing affray occurred in Anderson on the 18th of December, 1866, in which Henry Vinyard, a once well-known character in Anderson, came near losing his life. The occurrence took place in front of a saloon occupied by John Morrow, on South Main street, very near the place now occupied by Michael Costello, between Ninth and Tenth streets. Mr. Vinyard received three stabs in the right breast, one of which entered the lung. His assailant was a man of the name of McClintock, whose home at that time was at Wabash, to which place he had just returned from California. McClintock was reported by those who knew him, as being a rather dangerous and desperate man to encounter in a battle, Vinyard, while not at heart a bad man, was rather bluff in his manner, especially to people of understature, and to those whom he thought he could bully-rag and bluff. Both parties had been drinking quite freely a few hours before the aiTray, and they had had a quarrel during that time and separated without coming to blows. Then meeting again in the saloon, words passed between them, and Vinyard, in a frenzied way, drew a pistol and fired a ball, missing McClintock, but entering the south wall of the saloon. Both men then engaged in a scufHe, and fell out of the saloon to the pavement, and while lying there Vinyard received the stabs from the knife in the hands of McClintock. Immediately on recovering his feet, Vinj'ard started in search of a physician, staggering along as far as the barber shop, which at that time was owned by James Lucas, situated on the ground floor now occupied by Philip Brehm's saloon, on South Main street, where he fell to the ground from loss of blood. Physicians were summoned who applied restoratives and dressed the wounds. He Avas taken to the Ross

House, where he was confined to his bed several weeks, but finally recovered. McClintock was arrested, and on a preliminary hearing was admitted to bail in the sum of .$200, to appear in the Circuit court at the next term to answer to the charge of "assault and battery with intent to kill." He immediately gave bail and was set at liberty. Vinyard having been the aggressor, McClintock was held to be justifiable in his act, and was never incarcerated for the crime.

In the month of July, 1880, while tearing away the old building that for many years occupied the corner of Ninth and Main streets in Anderson, known as the United States Hotel, the workmen in removing the foundation walls unearthed a full kit of counterfeiter's tools and crucibles, such as are used in the manufacture of spurious coin. The articles also accompanied by some portions of block tin and other metals in which antimony formed a part. The crucibles were of a material very much like fire-clay and were similar to ordinary cups, holding perhaps a third of a pint. Before the old brick building had been erected a frame had stood on the ground and was used for the carrying on of various kinds of business, but it is not known whether these articles had been there before the old United States Hotel building had been erected.

Dr. M. A. Bird, of Anderson, for many years a practicing dentist, has had possession of two of these relics. In all probability the molds for making the money were some place in the neighborhood described, and could have been found. The oldest settlers of the town could not imagine who could have made use of these articles or placed them in this hiding place. It was a matter of common remark for a number of years that counterfeit money had been made in Madison county by a number of the then leading and most prominent citizens, but no direct evidence was ever obtained against them whereby conviction could have been made. The bogus money made by them was evidently taken out of the county and placed in distant localities, as but little of it had found its way into circulation in Anderson.

master at this time, and he had his office on the west side of the square in the room now occupied by Mr. August Biest. The safe was blown open, and the contents were removed. Much other damage was done. The furniture of the office was considerabl)- injured. The front part of the room was used by A. H. Jefferson as a candy and confectionery store. An entrance was effected tlirougli the basement by forcing the lock of a trap door which was in the floor.

In their haste in looting the safe, many registered letters were dropped upon the floor, where they lay covered up by some papers, and were overlooked, as was some money in the cash-box under the delivery window. In order to deaden the sound of their work the handle of a broom was broken off, and drawn through the bush^- part of the broom, around which a towel was wound, and it was then tied around the safe. With all this precaution, however, the noise of the explosion was heard by George Daich, who lived in the adjoining house, and ^vho was aroused in consequence thereof. He thought it was some one splitting wood in the back yard, and paid but little attention to it. The burglary was committed between 1 and 3 o'clock in the morning. It was generally thought that the crime had been done by '' local talent," but no clue was ever obtained as to the guilty parties. The tools used ^vere obtained from the blacksmith shop of Thomas A. Loftus on North Main street. The only occupant of the room at the tiine of the robbery, was " Grant," a large dog owned by Postmaster Metcalf, which, it seems, made but little resistance or noise while the robbery was being accomplished. It was believed that he was drugged by the burglars, as he ^vas usually on the alert when anything wrong was going on.

The loss by this robbery was estimated to be $1,000. No private letters were disturbed, nor was anything of \-alue to private parties touched.

Accidentally Killed

A sad accident occurred at the farm of Thomas Harmeson, about three and a half miles south of Anderson, on the 15th of June, 1883, in which George Harmeson, his son, was accidentally killed by the discharge of a gun. The young man had taken the gun in the morning to spend a day hunting. His father, being busy upon the farm hauling wood, requested the boy to accompany him to the woods to help. The gun was taken and after the wagon was loaded the boy spent his time in Inmting. Tiie second load had been placed on the wagon, when he told his father he was going to visit the district school in the neighborhood and that he would leave the gun at the wood-pile.

After having been gone some time he returned with the intention of taking the gun away, when in some manner it was discharged, the contents entering his left side, ranging upwards, passed through the heart and causing instant death.

Upon returning toward the team Mr. Harmeson was told by a smaller son that his brother George was asleep, and, hastening to the place, they found him lying dead. Coroner George Armstrong was immediately summoned and after an inquest a verdict of accidental shooting was returned. Young Harmeson was a boy well-liked by all the neighbors and was a favorite of his parents.

Thomas Harmeson and his estimable wife, the father and mother of this young man, are both highly respected citizens of the township and are living upon the farm where this occurrence took place.

Isaac C. Pennisten Killed

On Wednesday, the 21st of July, 1880, a railroad accident happened in Anderson, near the Big Four station, in which Isaac C. Pennisten, a brakeman, wag killed. He was on top of a freight car at the time getting ready to couple the car on which he stood with one in front of it, when a ear to the rear of the one he was on came rolling along, striking it and knocking him off. He fell on the track and was crushed by the wheels, which passed over his left arm and his breast, killing him instantly. He was about twenty-three years of age and left a family, consisting of a wife and two children. At the time of this accident he resided in Indianapolis and ^vas well known in this county, where he had lived several years. He was a brother of Geo. T. Pennisten of Lafayette township, and also o*f the wife of Carl Bronnenberg, a prominent farmer of Union township. His wife was a daughter of 'Squire J. W. Heath, of Chesterfield. He had been in the employ of the company for about two years, was popular among the men along the line of the road, and generally respected by all his associates.

Shooting Of Edward B. Chittenden

City ^Marshal. The Republicans put up as liis opponent, Augustus Heagy. The city was then very close politically, and a hard and bitter fight was made for this position which ended in the defeat of Mr. Ryan, and the election of Mr. Heagy.

On Tuesday, the 2d of May, late in the evening, after the returns of the election had come in, it was found that Mr. Heagy and the other candidates on the Republican ticket had been triumphant. According!}- a crowd assembled upon the streets and had a jubilee over the result. As the night wore on, the boisterous spirits of the crowd concluded to have a good time, a band was brought into service, and the successful candidates at the polls were treated to a serenade. While the band was playing near the Doxey hotel several persons were on the south veranda listening to the music and enjoying the scene. Dr. Edward B. Chittenden, then a young man about eighteen years of age, who %vas enthusiastic over the election of the successful candidate for Marshal, gave vent to his feelings by cheering loudly for Heagy. At this moment some person standing on the opposite side of the street fired two pistol shots at the persons congregated on the veranda, one of which took effect in young Chittenden's body, passing entirely through him below the pit of the stomach. Chittenden immediately ran into the hotel and announced that he was shot. The crowd cried out that he was merely joking or playing a trick upon them. He tiien stripped off his clothing and showed them the wound, after which he was taken to his home, where his father. Dr. Geo. F. Chittenden, and other physicians, who were friends of the family, dressed his wounds. Young Chittenden soon recovered from the shot and is j-et living, and is one of Anderson's most prosperous physicians.

Suspicion at that time pointed to William Ryan, son of the defeated candidate for Marshal, as having been the party who fired the shot. He was placed under arrest for assault and battery with intent to kill, and upon trial in the Circuit Court after a hot legal battle, was acquitted. He was defended by the Hon. James W. Sansberry. The prosecution was conducted by W. A. Kittinger and the law firm of Robinson & Lovett. It was not proven on the trial that Ryan had fired the ball which pierced the body of Chittenden. Another saving clause in R}-an's behalf was that he entertained no malice or ill-will towards Chittenden, but was one of his devoted friends from boyhood. In the estimation of the jury which tried the case there was no provocation for Mr. Ryan to do this unlawful act. ^Ir. Will. Ryan is yet a resident of Anderson, and is at this writing filling the honorable position of shipping clerk for the Indiana Box Company.

Shooting Of A Tramp

In the year 1879, there was a great number of tramps roaming over the country, many of whom, in May of that 3'ear, camped on the banks of White river, in what is now known as " McCullough Park," situated directly east of the Pan Handle railwa\' station. These fellows made themselves offensive to the community by calling at the residences of the people and demanding food of the female occupants in the absence of their husbands, \vho were away attending to their daily business. One of these parties, who gave his name as John Kelly, and his residence as New Haven, Conn., came to the home of Hiram Peden on the 22d day of May, and demanded that Mrs. Peden should give him his supper. Carrie Peden, a little daughter, informed him that there was nothing for him. The tramp then sought Mr. Peden, ^vho was working in the garden, and made a similar demand of him. Mr. Peden reiterated the statement of his daughter. At this the tramp became exasperated, and used vile and filthy language, and abused Mr. Peden unstintedly. He was ordered off the premises, but refused to go. Mr. Peden advanced toward him, and the trump then put his hand in his pocket, and told Peden he would shoot his brains out if he came any nearer. Peden then raised a hay rake he had in his hands, and went toward the tramp, who at once turned and fled.

Mr. Peden afterward notified the marshal of the city of this affair, and in a little while Deputy Marshal Amos Coburn arrived upon the scene. The tramp had gone in the direction of the river bottoms, and Peden and the officer went thither, where thev found him with five others. Kelly was pointed out to the officer, who placed him under arrest. The tramp refused to accompany the officer, who then struck him with a " billy." At this Kelly's comrades, standing near by. advanced upon the officer in a threatening manner, when Coburn ordered them to halt, warning them not to encroach upon him, and at the same time drawing a revolver. The tramps seeing this, for a time desisted. Soon, however, one of them, who called hjmself Robert Carson, became very demonstrative and moved toward the officer, having in his hands a piece of rail about twelve feet long, which he raised over Coburn's head, at the same time cursing and abusing him. Carson dared Coburn to shoot. Carson still persisted in his threatening manner, approaching the officer. Coburn seeing this, fired at him and brought him to the ground. The officer then took charge of Kellej', whom he landed in jail. A wagon was sent for, and Carson, the wounded man, was carried to the United States hotel, where he was attended by Drs. Cullen and Spann. Carson's wound was in the left side, just above the groin. He was unable to be removed for some time, but as soon as his condition permitted he was taken to the County Infirmary, where he eventually recovered.

Carson had every appearance of having at one time been a sailor, as his body was covered with tattoo marks peculiar to that class of people. On his breast was a picture of a huge monument covering nearly the entire front of his body, and on it was inscribed, " Sacred to the memory of my Mother."" There were additional inscriptions upon other portions of his bodv. Mr. Coburn surrendered liimself to the officers of the la'w, and demanded an investigation of his acts, and after a full and fair investigation, he was declared to be guiltless of any wrong. Carson upon recovering from his wounds, left the city, and afterward with some " pals " ^vent to the house of an old couple near Delphos, Ohio, and, taking a lighted coal oil lamp, held it to their feet and burned and tortured them until tliev gave up all the money they possessed. They were afterward captured and convicted, and served a nineyears term in the State prison at Columbus, Ohio.