Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 76, 1897

Chapter 76

This township contains an area of twenty-eight and onehalf square miles and is situated in the eastern central part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Monroe township, on the east by Delaware county, on the south by Anderson and Union townships, and on the west by La Fayette township. The land is as rich and productive as can be found in Central Indiana, and hence the township was christened " Richland." It was organized in 1884, or about four years after William Curtis entered and settled on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 31, where he built a log cabin - the first erected by a white man in the township. Soon after Mr. Curtis located in the township, David Penisten entered a part of what is now known as the David Croan farm. John Shinkle was the next settler. Following these two early settlers came John Beal, William McClosky, James and William Maynard, Adam Pence, Joseph Brown, Joseph Bennett, Peter Keicher, Samuel Stephens, J. W. Westerfield, John Hunt, Christian Lower, J. R. Holston, Thomas Thornburg, Michael Bronnenberg, Randolph Chambers, Jonathan Dillon, John Coburn, Weems Heagy, Jacob and Michael Bronnenberg, Jesse Forkner, Jacob Stover and others. The first settlers were compelled to cut their way through a dense forest as the township was heavily timbered and the underbrush so thick that travel on horseback or in wagons was impossible. In the fall of 1830 the State road from Shelby vi lie to Fort Wayne was laid out and, as it passed through this township, the settlers soon had an outlet to Anderson.

Big and Little Killbuck flow through the township and are its only streams. The former in an early day furnished water power for several mills, all of which have disappeared save one, the Broadbent Woolen Factory. Among the mills that once stood on the banks of this unpretending, but important stream was a saw-mill built in 1838 by Matthew Fenimore in the extreme south-west corner of the township. Soon after this mill was built, William Curtis and James Barnes erected a small grist-mill near by it. These mills both used the same dam, but divided the water until the saw-mill was abandoned. The grist-mill was afterward purchased by Robert Adams, an Englishman, who, in 1850, converted it into a woolen-mill, which he operated successfully for many years. This mill was situated at the intersection of the road now known as the Alexandria pike and the road running east and west along the south line of the township. It was destroyed by fire in 1876. It was thought at the time that the fire was the work of incendiaries, and a number of the employes at the factory were arrested on the charge of arson, but nothing could be proved against them and they were acquitted. Benjamin Walker built a saw-mill on Killbuck on Section 28 at an early day, and in 1840 added a carding machine, which he operated with indifferent success for a few years. Not long after this John B. Purcell built a woolen factory near the same site, which he operated for several years, when he sold the property to Stephen Broadbent.

A small class of Methodists was organized at an early day in the edge of Monroe township and their meetings were held for several years in private houses. The class or society afterward held its meetings in the Holston school house for a number of years and in 1860 erected a neat place of worship on Section 8 at a cost of |I,200. This church was christened "Wesley Chapel," and is as widely known as any place of worship in the county. The membership at the present time is about thirty. Among the early ministers who held services regularly every two weeks at this church were Revs. B. H. Bradley, Isaac King, H. Smith, Joseph Marsee, J. H. Hall, J. R. Lacey and J. H. Jackson.

In 1882 the Asbury M. E. Church was organized by Elias Hollingsworth and Joseph Barnes near the Union township line, and in 1883 Elias Hollingsworth, Samuel Shinkle and Joseph Barnes were selected as a Board of Trustees for the purpose of erecting a permanent place of worship. On the 28th of December, 1883, Joseph Barnes and wife deeded to the trustees one and a half acres in Section 28, on what is still known as the John Nelson farm, where a log church was subsequently erected. Meetings were held here for many years, Elias Hollingsworth officiating. In 1870 the society built a new place of worship on the bank of Killbuck, a short distance west of the old meeting-house. This building cost about .'fl, 500, and was dedicated September 13, 1870, by Rev. Dr. Bowman, President of Asbury, now DePauw, University. Among the early members of this church siiould be mentioned the names of Samuel Shinkle, Joseph Barnes, Daniel Goodykoontz, David Tappan, and their wives. The church maintained a flourishing Sunday school for many years.

In 1854: Hiram Chambers and wife, John Chambers and wife, Susan Chambers, Mary Chambers and Nancy Scott organized what has since been known as the Chambers Christian Church. Hiram Chambers deeded the society a small piece of land on Section 27, and in 18(39 a place of worship was erected there at a cost of about $1,500.

What was known as the Wesleyan Camp Meeting Association flourished at one time in this township, and meetings were held annually for many years and were largely attended by people from all over the country. Meetings have not been held for several years past. The camp grounds were situated on the old J. R. Holsten farm near Wesley Chapel.

The Schools

In 1858 the township had 401 children of legal school age; in 1868 it had 398 ; in 1872 it had 386, and in 1896 it had 239,. or a decrease of forty-three percent in thirty-eight years. The township has seven school buildings, five of which are brick and two frame, and employs seven teachers. Mr. Joseph Keicher is the present trustee of the township.

Other Statistical Matters

In 1835 Zimri Moon laid out a town on Section 15, which was afterwards known as " Moonville." From 1838 to 1840, or during the time of the construction of the Indiana Central Canal, considerable business was done here, but with the collapse of that enterprise Moonville began to decline and is today its site is now devoted to agriculture. The farm where the village stood is owned by Joseph Hancock, of Anderson, and his son, William H. Hancock, cultivates it. Among those who did business in Moonville were Abraham Adamson, Nathan Williams, James Trimble, and James Swaar, Riley Moore, Samuel and Joseph Pence, John C. Gustin, and John Winslow. The late John W. Westfield was the only resident physician the village ever had. He practiced his profession here in the latter '80s. At that time the locality of the village was very unhealthy, but it is now one of the healthiest sections in the country.

One of the noted characters of Moonville was a man of the name of Zachariah Cook who kept a lodging house on his farm near the village. Mr. Cook had a handsome daughter, Eliza, who was a general favorite and is still well remembered 'by the old-timers in that and other parts of the county. She was a fearless horsewoman and won many premiums for superior riding at county fairs.

Pittsborrough was a village situated on the Alexandria turnpike, just north of the present site of the village of Prosperity, in Richmond township, on the old Beal farm. John Beal was one of the founders and sold considerable real estate in the town. It was in the days of the building of the canals through the country, and towns sprang up all over the county near the scene of the works. Pittsborrough contained several houses, stores and a " tavern." Of course it had its place where liquors could be had by the small, and Jeremiah Judd was the man who dealt it out to the thirsty laborers on the public works. At the March session, 1839, he was granted a license by the Board of Commissioners, as follows :

"On petition presented and duly supported by a competent number of freeholders, it is ordered that Jeremiah Judd be allowed a license to vend groceries and liquors by the small in the town of Pittsborrough, in said county, for the term of one year from this date."

Among those wlio once owned real estate in this village were William Coburn, John Beal, Ninevah Berry, Sims Garrison, James Carroll, Martha Shinn, Lewis Maynard and Isaac Snelson. Many others held lots there whose names do not now come to mind.

James Hollingsworth, an old resident, says many fights occurred in this place during the construction of the canal between the different sets of hands employed, generally happening on pay day. The stores and business houses were log cabins, such as were common in that day. There is nothing now left, save tradition, to tell where Pittsborrough once stood.

Mount Pleasant

Among the many towns and villages that sprang up along the route of the projected canal that passed through the county. Mount Pleasant, in Richland township, is one that is almost forgotten. It was situated in the neighborhood of the Dillon and Thornburg farm, adjoining the Jacob Bronnenberg land. Joshua Shinkle, who is yet living in Anderson, owned the land prior to the laying out of the village. It was not a success as a business venture, as but few lots were disposed of. It came too late in the days of canal fever, as the work had been abandoned in 1839, the year it was laid out, and the enterprise was never resumed. John Thornburg purchased a lot and built a house there, which was the only residence in the town. All traces of the place as a town have long ago been obliterated, and it is only now and then that an old settler calls to mind that there was ever such a place in the county.

Prosperity

Prosperity, the only village now in the township, was founded by John Beal and Hiram Louder, who opened up a small general store there at an early day. The place prospered for a time and a postoffice was established for the convenience of the inhabitants and the farmers of the surrounding country. In the course of a few years, however, the postoffice was removed, and the place went into a decline, from which it has never recovered. The individual who gave the place its name is not known, but it has been suspected that he was something of a wag.

since its organization, as follows : Dr. John Hunt, State Senator and Treasurer of the county ; Hon. David Croan, Representative ; John Coburn, County Commissioner ; Weems Heagy, County Treasurer, and Jacob Bronnenberg, County Commissioner.

Among other citizens of the township who were well known and highly respected in their time were B. F. Walker, Dr. William Parris, Samuel and Madison Forkner, Peter Keicher, Isaac Sellars, John Nelson (known throughout the county as "Hog" John on account of his extensive dealings for many years in hogs), John Matthew, Staman Croan and Joseph Pence. The late Dr. William A. Hunt was also a resident of the to\vnship for many years. Of the old-timers who are still living may be mentioned John and James Blacklidge, Curran Beall, Chauncy Vermillion.

Miscellaneous

The first schoolhouse in the township was erected in the fall of 1831 on the Harrison Canaday farm, and the first school was taught by an Irishman in the spring of 1832, John Treadway taught school here in 1834.

The first graded country school in Madison county was taught by W. M. Croan at " College Corner" schoolhouse, in which the first graduating exercises in the country schools of Madison county took place.

" It is ordered by this board that a new township be organized in the county, to be known as Richland township, to be bounded as follows, to-wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of Section §3, Town 20, Range 8 east, running thence east with the line dividing Townships 19 and 20, north to the east line of said county, thence north, with the county line, to the northeast corner of Town 21, on said line, thence west to

The Old Killbuck Woolen Mills One Of The

Away back, perhaps as far as 1838, Benjamin Walker, an old citizen of Madison county, who in an early day lived in Richland township, but who ended his days in Anderson a few years since, erected a dam across Killbuck and built a small saw-mill for the purpose of doing the neighborhood sawing. It was a rude affair, but served well the purpose in its day. After running it for several years he sold the mill and site to .John Purcell, who, about the year 1840, transformed it into a woolen-mill and '- carding machine," where he did business of that kind for several years. He afterward sold the mill to Stephen Broadbent, who has for forty years done the carding, spinning and weaving for the north part of the count)-. It is the only factory of this kind now in Madison county.

It is known far and wide as one of the best mills of its kind in the country. Mr. Broadbent not only does a local trade, but is a large buyer and seller of wool in season.

Mr. Benjamin Walker, the first owner of the property, was the father of Mrs. Nathan Armstrong and Mrs. J. E. D. Smith, well known in Anderson and vicinity.

The scenery surrounding this old mill is one of varied beauty. In the summer time, when the trees are bearing their foliage and the fields are carpeted with their green coverings of grass and growing grain, the little mill situated on the rippling stream would be a subject for the artist's hand that could not be surpassed in Madison county.

Near Little Killbuck lived Samuel Eppard, an old and respected citizen. He was one of the oldest inhabitants of the neighborhood, and was generally liked by all. On the 20th day of August, 1887, Mr. Eppard had gone down the road from his residence, and was about to cross the iron bridge that crosses the stream at that point, where he met Wilson Heagy and John Staggs, with whom he indulged in a pleasant chat. During the conversation Mr. Eppard took his seat on the railing of the bridge, and in some manner lost his balance and fell over. The descent was about twelve feet to the ground, where he struck his head on a stone, killing him almost instantly. He breathed but two or three times when he was picked up by Wilson Heagy.

He was a widower, and left two sons to inherit his possessions. He was seventy-two years old, a native of Virginia, but had lived in Madison county for nearly forty years.

Coroner William Hunt held an inquest, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. Samuel Eppard will be remembered by the older citizens of Madison county as an honest, upright business man, and one who attended strictly to his own affairs. He was a good neighbor, and was generally beloved by his acquaintances.

Life With A Pistol

For many years the family of Thomas Thornburg resided on a farm on the Killbuck turnpike road in Richland township, being one of the wealthy and highly respected families in that locality. They reared a large family of children \vho were most genial in their associations with one another, and kind and generous to others. The Thornburg home was in all respects a model one.

Several years ago a mysterious package was left on the door step of the Thornburg residence which, on investigation, was found to contain a newly born infant. The particulars of the life and death of this unfortunate child can best be given in this volume by qtioting an article on this subject which appeared in the Democrat of the 14th of March, 1879 :

1862, the family of Thomas Thornburg, residing three miles north-east of Anderson, were awakened from their repose by a violent shaking of the front door. On going to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, Mr. Thornburg found on his door-step a little baby warmly clad and sleeping quietly in a little basket, which also contained a fifty-dollar gold piece wrapped in the following note :

" ' This child is named Emma, and is of respectable parents, but was left to the mother to care for. Knowing that you are "Quakers"' who would take good care of her, we leave her to your charity, and may God bless her.

" No second appeal to the kind-hearted Mrs. Thornburg was necessary, for she at once took the little homeless waif into her motherly arms and heart, and from that day to the day of its death was to it all that a kind, loving, and indulgent mother could be. As the little one grew in years she twined herself so closely about the hearts of the kind family that she became to them an idolized child, and her sudden, death cast them all into the greatest sorrow.

" Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg desired to keep the mystery of her birth a secret from her, but as she grew into womanhood, this could no longer be done, and they were forced to tell her that she was the child of unknown parents. This was some time prior to her death, but it is believed to have had nothing to do with it. A letter came to the house regularly for four years after the little one had been left there, containingmoney and a request that they should still care for the child^ The letters were always mailed from different States. They were invariably answered by the members of the Thornburg family, giving a full account of the life of the little girL Finally letters ceased and no tidings came to say that the little one was not forgotten. So year after year rolled on until she had reached her seventeenth year, but still no news of the unknown parents, and then the life which began in mystery ended in mystery.

" On the morning of the 11th day of March, 1879, she was found dead in a room in an upper story of the house. A short time before, she was in conversation with Mrs. Thornburg and told her she intended to go up stairs and get some writing paper from her brother John's trunk, as she wanted to answer a letter which she had received the previous evenr ing. Mrs. Thornburg afterward said that she never saw her in a happier or more joyous mood than she was then. Yoimg Thornburg had in his trunk a revolver, which he had received a few days previous from a friend, and had placed it there for safe-keeping. The young lady remained a long time, and Mrs. Thornburg stepped to the door and called her. Receiving no reply, she waited a moment and then called her by name again, and still receiving no response, she stepped up stairs and found that the young w^oman was dead, and at the same time discovered a revolver lying in her lap, and noticed a bullet wound just above her right eye. The neighbors were notified and the Coroner summoned, who held an inquest and returned a verdict of suicide. Many strange rumors were put afloat as to the cause of her death, some attributing it to suicide, while others claimed that it was accidental ; some supposing that she was merely handling the revolver and examining it when it was accidentally discharged. It was also said that the young lady had been informed by school-mates of her mysterious origin, and that it had preyed upon her mind so that she temporarily lost her reason, and that this was the -cause of her taking her life. It was generallv believed, however, by the Thornburgs and others, that her sad death was the result of an accident. Who the parents of this unfortunate girl were, is still an undeveloped mystery, and will probably never be known."

On the 22d day of August, 1862, Cliiiton Gutherie, of Lafayette township, and Wilson Relf, of Richland township, were drowned in the Mississippi river while on their return to their command in the army. They had been home on veteran furlough and were on their way back to the front, when the boat upon which they had taken passage sank, losing many who were on board.

These young men were well known by the people of Madison county and the event was severely felt by the community in which they lived. They were neighbor boys and comrades in the same department in the army.

Relf's father, Malichi Relf, lived in Richland township and Gutherie's folks lived where Linwood now stands, in Lafayette township. The father of Gutherie was at one time a. resident of Anderson and operated a tannery there.

ison county, was a passenger on the ill-fated boat, but got off without harm to himself. He is yet living and is a resident of Indianapolis.

Gutherie had been previously wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge. He was a member of Company B, Eighth Indiana Volunteers. Relf was a member of Company G, Forty-seventh Indiana.

Finding Of The Skeletons Of Aborigines

In the month of June, 1S89, while some workmen were opening a gravel pit on the farm of Simms Garretson, in Richland township, they unearthed fourteen human skeletons. They were all in a remarkable state of preservation, but when exposed to the air immediately crumbled to dust. All appearances indicated that they were aborigines, the skeletons being quite large. They were buried in the earth to a depth of about five feet, huddled close together. The people of that vicinity did not remember that there had ever been a cemetery located in that neighborhood, but it is supposed that the skeletons were the remains of Indians, a tribe of which had at one time settled there. The remains were gathered up and re-interred in the locality where they were found.

A Large Barn And Valuable Horses Burned

Silas Jones, one of the oldest and most influential farmers of Richland township, met with a severe misfortune on the 28th of May, 1889, in having a large barn, which he had just completed, destroyed by fire, entailing a loss upon him of all his hay, corn and oats ; also vehicles, harness, horses and farming implements. The loss amounted to nearly !i!8,000. There were six horses in the stable at the time, all of which were cremated, among which was a fine stallion valued at $500.

The origin of the fire was not known, but was supposed to have been the act of an incendiary. When the fire was first discovered the entire building was wrapped in flames and almost ready to fall in. Mr. Jones was only partially insured, carrying policies to the amount of !j>l,200. Immediately after the destruction of his property he rebuilt the barn, which can be seen from the Anderson turnpike road by the passer-by on his way north, and is one of the finest structures of its kind in Madison county.

Madison Pence was born and reared in Madison county, and was well known to all the older citizens in the neighborhood of Anderson, Richland, and Monroe townships. He was considered a harmless, inoffensive man, and was afflicted with epilepsy, which on certain occasions, rendered him non compos mentis. He would often go from place to place, being from home for weeks and months at a time.

On Friday, the 27th day of September, 1889, a man was shot and instantly killed by Emsly Wright, living near Indianapolis ; the man was supposed at the time to be a tramp, and having been seen in the neighborhood, had been directed to Wright as a man who would probably employ him. When he reached Wright's place it was dark, and being very cold, he started a fire in the barn -yard some distance from the building. Wright noticed the fire and seizing a gun went out with two other men to ascertain what was the cause of the fire. In his testimony at the Coroner's inquest, Wright stated that he had ordered the man off the premises, who refused to go, and taking a club the man started at him as if he would strike him, at this Wright fired upon his assailant, killing him. It was some time before the body could be identified, as no clew as to who he was could be had in the neighborhood. When the Coroner of Madison county was called a scrap of paper was found upon his person which had the advertisement of L. M. Cox, of Anderson, printed upon it. Mr. Cox was notified, and parties from Anderson went to the scene of the tragedy in order to determine who the dead man might be. Upon examination he was identified as Madison Pence, half brother of Frank Pence, ex-Commissioner of this county.

His friends in Anderson were notified and his remains were interred by them. Pence had at one time been married, but his domestic life was a very unhappy one, and his wife obtained a divorce from him. At one time he was the owner of considerable real estate, but by bad trades and the intrigues of designing men, he was left a penniless wanderer.

Killed While Raising A Barn

In the summer of 1870, Joseph McKinnon was killed on the farm of Madison Forkner while raising a barn with "block and tackle." He was in the act of placing a large timber in position on the building, when in some manner it swung

He was well known in Anderson, where he lived. His widow is still living there. He was the father of William McKinnon, the well known "sport," who has given the Anderson police much anxiety in looking after his " wellbeing." McKinnon was a hard working man, and was not considered a bad fellow, only for the fact that he was a little too fond of his " tea." He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and was said to have been a brave and courageous one.

A Horrible Accident

A very distressing accident occurred on the farm of Joseph Dillon in the year 1859, in which young Jesse Dillon was killed, his body being horribly mangled and cut by a reaping machine. Young Dillon was helping to cut the harvest on his father's farm, his part being to drive the horses attached to a McCormick reaper. In some manner one of the horses became tangled up in the harness and began kicking. This frightened the other horse hitched by his side and resulted in the team running away. Young Dillon held to the lines and made every effort in his power to stop them in their mad career, but to no avail. They swept on until finally Dillon was thrown forward, falling in front of the machine, cutting him in a frightful manner, from the effects of which he died in a short tinie. Jesse Dillon was a bright young lad of about seventeen years ; universally liked by all the neighbors, and his taking off caused a gloom over the whole community for a long while after the occurrence.

The farm on which this accident occurred is situated near the old Thornburg place in Richland township, being directly across the turn-pike road from the Thornburg home. The Dillons are highly respected people in that neighborhood and the news of this shocking accident soon spread over the township, causing much excitement and great sympathy for the family. It was the talk of the neighborhood for years afterward. The field in which it occurred being along the Killbuck pike it was often pointed out to the traveler, and the sad affair told to him by the people living along that highway.

Every neighborhood has its incidents and accidents. But this one will always hang like a pall over the surroundings of its occurrence so long as any one who lived in that locality survives.

Among those who witnessed the accident, besides the immediate family of the deceased, was Curren Beall, a neighboring farmer who was assisting in the work of harvesting. It made an impression on his mind never to be erased.

The Dillons and Thornburgs were very close neighbors, and the families were so nearly related that it was almost as severe a blow to the Thornburgs as to the Dillons. Mrs. Dillon, the mother of the unfortunate young man, was a sister of Mrs. Thomas Thornburg. They settled together in an early day in Richland township on three hundred and twenty acres of land along a country road dividing their possessions, and so well did they get along that for many years they held their lands in common. In the latter days of their life they finally divided the lands and the older members of the family have now nearly all passed away.

And His Neck Broken

On the 4th day of March, 1871, John Nelson, Michael McGuire, Samuel Fossett and a man by the name of Trudelle had been in Anderson and in the evening started home - Nelson in one wagon and the others named in another. They were all friendly and having a good time, going up the Killbuck turnpike. They had been drinking somewhat in Anderson, and had supplied themselves with a bottle of whisky to take home with them.

McGuire had the bottle, and he would occasionally take a drink from it and finally offered Trudelle a drink, which he accepted. Fossett was driving the team and noticed McGuire and Trudelle drinking, when he asked McGuire " why he did not pass the bottle to him." McGuire, in a rather insulting manner, replied, "Drive on your cart," but did not offer Fossett a drink. This angered Fossett, and he dropped the lines and grappled with McGuire, and, it is said, hit him once or twice. After considerable of a tussle, while the wagon was moving, McGuire was thrown from the rear of the vehicle, and in the fall had his neck broken. He died very soon, without uttering a word. Trudelle jumped from the wagon and hastened to McGuire's side, but found that life had left his body. He immediately called Nelson, who was in the other wagon, and they took his body to the roadside and laid it out on the ground for awhile, when it was placed in Nelson's wagon and taken to the Nelson home, which was but a short distance away.

The Coroner of the county was notified, and on the following day, March 5th, John J. Sims, who was then Coroner, impaneled the following jury, which proceeded to investigate the cause of McGuire's death :

The following day Fossett was placed under arrest for manslaughter and taken before William Roach, a Justice of the Peace of Anderson township, and a hearing had. the result of which was that Fossett was bound over to the Circuit Court in the sum of $1,000, which bond he at once gave and was set at liberty until the next term of court, at which time a true bill of indictment was returned against him.

He was subsequently tried, and a jury in the Circuit Court acquitted him, on what ground it seems hard to tell, as all the circumstances appeared to be against him.

This occurrence took place near the iron bridge that crosses Killbuck at the old Sam Forkner ford, in the neighborhood of the farm that was so long owned by John Nelson and was for many years used by Madison county for a poor farm.

Mr. Fossett is yet living some place in Madison county. John Nelson died at Daleville a few years ago, and the whereabouts of Trudelle is now unknown. Trudelle and McGuire were old cronies and were nearly always together, spending much of their time about Anderson, when not at work in the country.

Fossett was an inoffensive sort of man, with no murder in his make-up, and this affair was in no way premeditated on his part. It was one of those occurrences that often happen when a man is in his cups, that cause remorse and regrets as long as life lasts.

It was in the trial of this case in the Circuit Court, before the Hon. James O'Brien, Judge, that John Nelson got in his quaint answer to a question propounded to him.

There was some sparring among the attorneys and witnesses. Nelson was being cross-questioned pretty severely, when the Judge broke in : " Mr. Nelson, you mean to say to the jury that the man was dead when you got there?" "Dead; he was deader ne'r hell," John replied, without noticing that he had broken or transgressed the rules or etiquette of court. Nelson's earnest manner convinced the Court that he meant no harm, and was not fined for his rudeness.

In the earlier days of Richland township the people who lived in frame houses were few and far between ; in fact, there were but very few who made such pretensions. Jacob Bronnenberg was one of the prosperous farmers who had grown rich enough to abandon his log cabin and build for himself what was then considered a very fine frame residence, into which he moved his family and had just begun to enjoy life, when, on the 16th of November, 1857, it was swept away in a jiff'y. Fire having caught through a defective flue in the rear of the house, and there being no way to fight the flames, it was soon laid in ashes, and Mr. Bronnenberg and his family were homeless. He had, fortunately, left standing the old Indian cabin that he vacated when he moved into his new home, and he removed the remnants of his household goods saved from the ruins, into it, where he remained that winter. The house that burned was a large two story frame and stood on or near the site of the brick residence now standing on the farm, owned and occupied by Benton Bronnenberg. As soon as spring-time came Mr. Bronnenberg commenced the making and burning of a kiln of brick and erected the handsome brick house that he so long occupied prior to moving to Anderson. The brick residence built by him was by far the largest and handsomest in Richland township at that time; and, in fact, it was with scarcely a rival in the county. The loss to Mr. Bronnenberg was about $2,000. He lost many of his household goods and valuables that he could not replace. He was a man to easily overcome such a disaster, and in a very few Years he was so well and comfortablv fixed that it was not noticeable, even to himself. This fire was the largest that that locality had witnessed up to that date and of course was talked of for a long while in the community.

James W. Holsten Accidentally Killed

On Sunday morning, September 9th, 1894, a most distressing accident took place at the residence of J. A. Holsten, of Richland township, in which James W. Holsten lost his life.

He and a young man by the name of William Kinyoun, who was employed by Mr. Holsten as a farm-hand, roomed together, and had gotten up in the morning and gone to the barn to feed the stock while the family were preparing the morning meal. In a short time they were followed by Mr. Holsten, who chatted with the two companions for a few minutes and then went about his work.

After the young men had completed their labor they begun scuffling, and had taken out their revolvers and were flourishing them in a friendly manner, when in some way the pistol in Kinyoun 's hand was discharged, taking eflect in young Holsten's heart, killing him instantly.

Mr. J. A. Holsten heard the shot and hastened to the scene to see what was the cause, when, to his horror, he found the victim in the last agonies of death.

The neighbors were aroused by the ringing of the farm bell, and soon two hundred people had assembled at the place of the accident. The Coroner, Dr, C. L. Armington, was notified and an inquest held. It was shown that young Holsten and Kinyoun were the warmest of friends, and that the fatal shot was purely accidental. Kinyoun was acquitted of any criminal intent by the Coroner, and no arrest was made.

Young Holsten was the son of ex-SherifT David H. Watson, of Anderson, who was killed February 2, 1862, and was adopted by J. A. Holsten when a small child and took his name. He was a brother of Mrs. John L. Forkner, of Anderson. He was a popular young man among his associates, and had no bad habits. He was devotedly fond of his adopted parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Holsten, and always made his home with them, never having married. He was thirty-five years old when the accident occurred. He was a member of the Alexandria Tribe of Red Men, and was buried by that order in the Anderson cemetery.

Confirmed Hypochondriac

On the 25th day of October, 1883, a most distressing occurrence took place in the quiet precincts of Richland township, which shocked the citizens of that locality. Mattison Hitt. a young man of that neighborhood, who had been an invalid for a long time, committed suicide bv shooting himself. He lived with his mother, Mrs. Mary J. Hitt, a widow. He was about thirty years old when he committed the deed, and no reason could be given for his actions other than dispondency. He at one time had a severe spell of sickness and to all outward appearances had recovered, but would never have it that he was well. He kept his room constantly for seven years previous to his suicide ; although he seemed at all times quite sane, it is quite certain that he was not. When he first took to his room he was only a medium sized youth, but grew so fleshy in his self imposed confinement that he weighed about 200 pounds at tlie time of his death.

Hurt In A Horse Race

In speaking about Madison county's old-timers, there are few who date back much farther or who are more worthy of notice than Michael Bronnenberg. Michael now lives in peaceful retirement in the refreshing shades of the classic stream of Killbuck, where he can sit in the twilight of a summer's evening, as the sun hides itself behind the western skies, and look upon his 1,000 acres of Killbuck bottom, the best land in Madison county's borders, nearly all of which he has accumulated with his own hands. Michael has worked hard in his lifetime, but has had lots of fun. The world has but few cares for him. His motto is,

Michael's residence in Madison county dates away back to the early '20s, when his father, Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr. , camped upon the banks of White river, near what is now the town of Chesterfield, upon the land owned by Carroll Bronnenberg. It is said that while there in camp a child of the Bronnenbergs took sick and died and was buried in that then dismal locality. The family could not reconcile themselves to moving farther on and leaving the child in the wilderness, so they permanently located on the spot, purchased the land and made it the future home of the Bronnenbergs.

The father of the Bronnenberg family built a mill on White river, near the original camp, which served for years to furnish corn-meal and other feed for the early settlers of that neighborhood. There he reared a large and respectable family, obtained a goodly store of riches for himself, and finally ending his life, at a ripe old age, on that camping ground. Michael Bronnenberg was one of the best boys the old man had. That is, he had lots of " git up and git." He never let the grass gro^v under his feet. He loved recreation and amusement as well as hard labor. While he was piling up his riches he was also having good times and laying up treasures in Heaven. One of Michael's early pastimes and enjoyments was horse racing. It is one of the traits of the Bronnenberg family to love a good horse. Some of the fastest running horses of this country have been bred by the Bronnenbergs. Michael, when young and active, would rather straddle a horse and ride a race than to eat a meal when hungry. But horse racing, like all other sports, sometimes has a serious ending. So it did in his case. He nearly always had a good horse and never allowed any one to ride the length of a "neck" ahead of him.

One cold wintry day, away back in 1852 or' 53, Mike and Wm. Nelson, had been to Anderson together. After spending the day together in town they took up their journey for home. They being neighbors they had to travel over the same road together. There had been a big rain, after which it had turned cold, the ground freezing up suddenly, but in many places there were holes in the road that were not solidly closed up. The two rode and chatted along together until they came to a nice, straight stretch in the road when one of them bantered the other for a chase of a " quarter." No sooner said than off went hats, spurs applied, and away they went up the road neck and neck at a mile a minute gait. Each rider plied the bud, whooped and hallowed, their horses with nostrils spread and leaping for life. The end of the stretch was near at hand when in an instant Bronnenberg's horse plunged headlong upon his fore (juarters, plowing his head along the ground catching for a new footing. At last regaining himself he sped on, dragging his rider at his side with foot fast iield in the stirr'up until his almost lifeless form released itself in some waj' from the saddle and lay upon the ground in a badly mangled condition. His companion by this time had reined up his horse, dismounted, and picking Bronnenberg up discovered that he was still alive, but unable to speak or move. He was taken to his home but a short distance oft' and medical aid immediately summoned. It was ascertained that he was most frightfully battered and bruised. His jaw was broken and other serious injuries sustained. It was thought for a while that he could not recover. His jaw was set in shape and a modern appliance placed in his mouth liolding it in position until the bones knitted together, during all of which time Mike had to be fed through a hole in the wooden bandage.

Mike is now away up in his seventies. His jaw is a little crooked from the mishap in the horse race, but his tongue and faculties are all right, and there is not a livelier old man in the United States or one \vho enjoys himself better than he does. Since writing the above Mr. Bronnenberg died, on the 22nd of October, 1896.

One dark night away back during the days of the Rebellion, when party strife ran high; when one neighbor eyed and scrutinized every act of another ; when to do a crime was more lightly thought of than now, on account of the turmoil and strife going on throughout the countrj', it was, perhaps, the year 1863, the heavens became aglow with the flash of fire north of Anderson. An investigation of the matter disclosed the fact that the large barn owned by Sims Garretson, upon Killbuck, on the Alexandria pike, was on fire. How did it get on fire? Was it the work of an incendiary? If so, what could be the cause of it? Sims Garretson was an honest, upright citizen, without a known enemy in the world. The neighborhood was soon aroused and came to the scene of the conflagration, but no aid on earth could save the barn and its contents from destruction. As the cro\vd gathered two dark objects, supposed to be men, wSre seen to disappear across the small swamp or low grounds in front of the Garretson homestead toward the old canal that ran toward Alexandria. Pursuit was made and in due time the persons were captured. They proved to be Saul Nelson and William Howard, who lived farther north in this county. They were placed under arrest with the charge of arson against them. The grand jurj' indicted them and they were tried in the Madi.son Circuit Court. Howard, before the trial was ended, weakened and "turned State's evidence," thereby saving himself, but let Nelson go over the road. He was convicted and served a long term in the State's prison, while Howard escaped.

It was shown at the trial that they had been to Anderson together and got drunk. Going home that night they reached Garretson's place, and, without any cause whatever, touched a torch to the barn that soon doomed it to the flames.

They never had any grievance against Garretson, and why they should burn his property was a mystery to all at that time. Many tried to make politics out of it, attributing the cause to that, since Garretson was an open-out Republican, an old-time Abolitionist and a strong war man, and not in the least reserved about making his views known to his political opponents. But the men who did the burning were not men who took stock in the politics of the country and were not in the least interested in that way. It was urged at the time that they were put up to it by the Democrats, but that was evidently a mistake as no such things were developed on the trial, and had not the fever of war been ripe 'in the country and friends and neighbors arrayed against each other through political excitement, no such thought would have entered people's heads. It was purely a drunken freak that took possession of the men, who would in sober moments never have dreamed of such an act.

Time has eflfaced and obliterated all hatred and ill-feeling between people who lived in those stormy times, and now those who were deadly enemies for political causes are the best of friends.

Quid Of Tobacco

David Thompson, Marshal of Anderson in 1872-3, was one of the boys. He was what might properly be called "a rough diamond." A better heart never beat within a human breast. He would get up at the dead of night to attend a sick friend, and would do anything in his power to relieve distress or help his fellowman. He was rough in his manners and seemed to take delight in his uncouth way of addressing people, but that was all that was bad about him. The writer has seen him stand beside a dead friend and weep like a child, his tears coming from real sorrow and not for show. He was raised near Prosperity, in Richland township, near where Uncle Sims Garretson lived. Uncle Sims was a local preacher and a great success at a prayer meeting. A protracted meeting was being held in the neighborhood. Uncle Sims was one of the leading spirits. One night the house was crowded to suffocation. Uncle Sims was leading in prayer. He had a habit of swaying to and fro when praying. On this occasion he was rolling from side to side, his voice was at its highest pitch, and the deacons and elders were chiming in with loud amens ; his mouth was wide open and he was just uttering the words, " beyant the grave, ah," when David Thompson, who was present, could not stand the temptation, took a large quid of tobacco and tossed it down Uncle Sim's throat. This stopped the prayer, as well as the meeting. Uncle Sims coughed and sneezed, and rocked and tossed, but prayed no more. Many of those present saw Dave throw the tobacco, and he was now in the closest place of his life. A prosecution was commenced against him. His only way out was through mercy. The next night he attended church again, was converted and joined the congregation, got happy and became one of the leading members. He was diligent in his devotions to the church for a period of two years, when he publicly informed the brethren that two years had now elapsed, the statute of limitations barred any action against him and he would now bid them good-bye. Dave stepped out into the cold world and never afterward belonged to any church, but in his goodness of heart and kindness to the sick and distressed, did many acts that would be a credit to any Christian.

Old Uncle Tommy Thornburg, who recently died in Anderson, was one of God's noblemen. He was honest as the day is long, lived for what life was worth, was cheerful ^vith his family, and hospitable to the outside world. The writer has many times gone out to Uncle Tommy's on Sunday, for the sole purpose of getting a good dinner and a whiff of his hard cider. He was droll in his ways and at all times " up to snuff." It was a very slick citizen that took him in on a wild scheme. One time a lightning rod peddler called-at his house. He portrayed all the good qualities of his rod, and explained its superiority over all others. Uncle Tommj' listened very attentively, with an occasional "yes, yes." The peddler said he had put one on the court house and many private houses in Anderson. While explaining the benefits of lightning rods, he said they would protect buildings for three miles around. About this time the dinner bell rang. Uncle Tommy kindly invited the peddler to dine with him, and had his horse put up and fed. After eating a good dinner and smoking a cigar, the peddler thought he had Uncle Tommy solid. " Well, Mr. Thornburg, I guess we might as well put up this rod, had we not.'" " Let me see, how far did 3'ou say it would draw the lightning.?" " Three miles," said the peddler. " W^ell, I guess that one you put on the court house will do for me, as it is only two miles and a half from here," chimed Uncle Tommy. This settled the whole business, and Uncle Tommy went on through the journey of life without any lightning rods on his house.

Among the many old-time people produced by Madison county, William Shelly, who used to live at Prosperity, the capital of Richland township, was as good as the best of them. William was " an old soldier with a wooden leg," but he could run, jump and hop in about as lively a manner as though both his legs were flesh and blood. William's great forte was horse trading. The man who traded horses with Bill Shelly never died rich, especially if he kept it up any length of time.

Bill had many odd ways about him, but was, on all occasions, equal to the emergency. After " doing " every one in his own county in the horse trading line, he sought other fields and pastures green - other foes to conquer, being for a long while absent, as you might say, without leave. His neighbors did not know where he was. Many supposed he had mounted the pale steed and flown to the fields of the long hereafter, until some one from Madison county happened in Washington City, and was looking through the capitol building, when who should he run across but Bill Shelly, standing guard in the treasury department.

The meeting of the two old Madison county acquaintances, of course, was very cordial. Bill told his story of how he got there about as follows :

" I was roving around, out of a job. I came to Washington as a matter of sight-seeing, raore'n'any thing else. I, of course, took in all the sights. I strolled into the departments looking around. I concluded I would like a job as one of the guards. I tackled our Indiana congressmen, but did not seem to do much good. They put me off from time to

"Hon. John Sherman was Secretary of the Treasury. One day I saw him coming down the hall and I thought I'd tackle him, ' make or break.' I hustled up to him; saluting him, I tackled him for a job. He looked at me and wanted to know what I could do.

"I said, 'turn that big two-legged loafer over there out and let me have his place. I can do that job as good as he can,' pointing to a two-hundred pounder standing guard at the treasury department. My manner seemed to strike him.

"Looking me all over he took my address. In a day or two Sherman sent for me to come to his office. He gave me this job and I've been holding it down ever since. I've witnessed the count of the money in the treasurer's vaults several times since I've been here. Once when Arthur put in a new man, and when Cleveland changed the treasurership, and it all came up to a cent, I guess they run it pretty near on the square in there."

Bill was still on duty the last heard of him. His everlasting self-assurance and general good knack of getting at a man " soaked in" whenever he applied it. His good luck in getting this place was his own exertion. Well, why not let Bill Shelly, with one leg off, stand guard over Uncle Sam's money bags as well as any one else? He'll be as faithful as old dog Tray, and nothing will ever be missed by any of his connivance or neglect. This is a lesson for all horse traders. No telling what they may come to if they try.

Whitmill Stokes And His Ditch Assessment

When Jacob Bronnenberg was County Commissioner, he was always on the alert as to county expenses. If anything ever went through the Commissioners' court that was against the interests of the tax-payers, if he knew it, it was done over his protest. His eye and ear were always open to "catch on" to all that was going on around him. During his term, nearly every free pike in the county and a great many of the public ditches were made. Mr. Bronnenberg was opposed to the law on general principles, because he thought it was a burden upon the people ; that it was severe in its mode of taking from the tax-payers, the assessments, without a sufficient scope for redress. The people, generally, understood his position on the question, and looked to him to help them out. One of his neighbors, Whitmill Stokes, an old man with only forty acres of ground, had two assessments against him at the same time - one for a pike and the other for a ditch; both were up for hearing. The old man was the picture of despair, when the lawyers brought the case up. His heart sank within him when he thought of the monstrous bills he would have to pay on his little farm. He took his place beside Mr. Bronnenberg, sitting as close as he could get to him, from the time the case was commenced until it ended. He watched every move that was made. The pike assessment was finally passed upon, Mr. Bronnenberg took exceptions as to the amount against Stoke's land. " That's right, 'Squire ," chimed in Whitmill. Finally the ditch case came up. Stokes kept his seat as close as he could, keeping an eye on every move that was made. The assessment was duly fastened onto Stokes, whereupon he raised up in open court, with fire in his eyes, and clinched fists, and proceeded to lacerate every one in the whole outfit, from petitioners down to court and attorneys, winding up by saying : "If you d - d rascals take my land for that infernal pike assessment, I'll be damned if ever I'll ditch it. Would you, 'Squire.'" He looked at Bronnenberg and brought his fist down on the table, upsetting a large bottle of ink in Uncle Jake's lap. The assessments, however, were made just the same. While it was a hardship at the time, it has added many hundred dollars to the little farm in value.

Murder And Suicide

One of the most horrible murders and suicides that has ever taken place in Madison county occurred in Richland township on Monday, the 22d day of November, 1886, in which Ethan A. Maynard was the principal actor, William H. Biddle being his victim. Maynard, after shooting Biddle four times, left him in a field to die, and returned to his own home, where he was met by his wife, who had heard the pistol shots, and after embracing her told her to give the alarm by ringing the bell, after which he bade her good-bye, saying that he was going to Anderson. He went to the barn as though he was getting his horse, but instead of that he was on altogether a different mission. Mrs. Maynard had hardly time to gather

'her wits, after the first shock of the shooting, until a sharp report rang out from the stable. She knew too well what it meant, and hastened to the spot, where her fears were realized. There, weltering in his own blood, was the lifeless body of her husband. She hastened to the house and rang the farm bell, and in a short time the whole community was aroused. The news soon spread, and it was but a short time newspaper reporters, doctors, lawyers and business men from Anderson were on the scene of the crime. The Coroner, Dr. William A. Hunt, was soon on the ground, and an inquest was held. Biddle was very poor, and his wife had left him through the connivance of Maynard, and the sight that met the view of those who beheld the scene will never be forgotten by them. Biddle was lying on the bare floor with his little orphaned children surrounding him, they being only half clad, and with the appearance of being poorly fed, some of them too young to realize their condition. This atrocious crime was the result of an illicit love affair between Maynard and Mrs. Biddle that had been going on for some time before the crisis came. Maynard left a young and handsome wife, who is yet living, but has since remarried. This is another instance there being "no telling for taste," as there was absolutely nothing prepossessing about the Biddle woman, while Mrs. Maynard was rather handsome, and is said to have been very kind to her husband. Biddle's children were taken to the Orphans' Home, and afterwards provided with homes. Biddle forty-two years old. His remains were buried at Wesley chapel. Maj'nard was buried in the Anderson cemetery.