Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 77, 1897

Chapter 77

This township derives it name from Stony creek, a small stream that flows through the north-west part of the township. It has an area of twenty-eight square miles, and, notwithstanding the axe and saw have been busy in the forests since its first settlement in 1823, there is yet considerable timber left, more, perhaps, than in any other township in the eounty. The township is bounded on the north by Jackson town,ship, on the east by Anderson township, on the south by Fall Creek and Green townships, and on the west by Hamilton county.

In 1823 D. E. Studley, Thomas Busby, John Anderson, George Reddick and two or three others settled along Stony creek, near the present site of Fishersburg. They were followed by Benoni Freel and Henry Studley, the former settling on Section 21, near the present home of David Conrad, and the latter on Section 28, on what has since been known as the Hoffman farm. Each built a log cabin and began the arduous task of clearing up a farm. Mr. Freel came from Ohio and first settled in Jackson township, opposite the present site of Ferkinsville, in 1828, when he moved to the vicinity of the present site of Lapel. He had in the meantime married the widow of Benjamin Fisher, who had been killed by the Indians, while chopping down a tree, near where Strawtown now stands. Besides his wife, he left several children, among whom was Charlefe Fisher, who is still living and a resident of Lapel. Mr. Fisher is the oldest resident of the township and one of the oldest in the county, having been born in Ohio in 1819.

In 1831 John Fisher, of Clermont county, Ohio, settled on the tract of land lying between Fishersburg and Lapel, that is now owned by Charles Fisher. About the year 1835 James and Jesse Gwinn, of Virginia, settled on section 23, and in 1836 W. A. Aldred located in the same neighborhood. About this time Arbuckle Nelson located on what is now known as the Bodenhorn farm. Other early pioneers were Peter Ellis, Newton Webb, Isaac Milburn and Noah Huntzinger. Many of the descendants of these men reside in the township and cultivate large farms.

The First Road

The first public road through the township was laid out in 1832. This road was laid out from Strawtown to Pendleton, and that portion of it passing through the township afterwards (1865) became the Fishersburg and Pendleton pike. It was purchased by the county in 1888, and is now a free gravel road.

The Methodists in this, as in the other townships of the county, were the first to organize a society. It is thought that the first religious society in the township was organized about the year 1836, and afterwards became a part of the Noblesville circuit. The first meetings were held at the homes of the membership, but after the erection of a school house at Fishersburg the meetings were held there until 1843, when the society built a small building. This place of worship was occupied for about thirteen years, when a more pretentious building was erected and dedicated, free from debt. Among the early ministers were Mr. Miller in 1838, Lucien Berry in 1840, W. Smith in 1842, and James Scott in 1846. This church is in a prosperous condition.

Rev. Nathaniel Richmond organized a Baptist society here in 1843 and a year afterwards built a small house of worship in Fishersburg. The society was never strong in numbers and after a period of about twenty years passed out of existence.

In 1860 Forest Chapel Christian church was organized with a membership of sixteen and in the following year a neat little place of worship was erected on Section 32. Rev. B. F. Gregory was pastor here for sometime, but the socictj- did not prosper and regular services were discontinued.

The Schools

The first schoolhouse in the township was built in 1835, and was situated near Stony creek, a short distance southeast of the present site of Fishersburg. There are at the present time nine schoolhouses in the township, including Lapel, and a total school enumeration of 633. The school at Lapel is

Towns And Villages Fishersburg

This village was laid out in May, 1837, by Rev Fletcher Tivis. It is situated on Section 28, on the west bank of Stony creek and near the Hamilton county line. Z. Rogers built the first house in the village. It was constructed of logs and stood near the point where the Anderson road joined the Pendleton and Fishersburg pike. William and Benjamin Sylvester were the first merchants in the place, having brought a stock of goods here in 1844. They afterwards sold out the stock to Charles Fisher, who increased it and conducted a general merchandise business for about ten years. In 1858 a postoffice was established here and Charles Fisher was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by W. A. Fisher; he by J. W. Fisher; he in turn by J. W. Taylor and he by George Dunham in 1867, ^vho held the office for a number of years. Christopher Bodenhorn is the present postmaster. Considerable business was done here previous to the completion of the Chicago & Southeastern railroad to Lapel in 1876, since which time its trade has been absorbed by the latter place. At this time there is but one store in the village, that of Bodenhorn & Son. Ainong the professional men who have lived here have been Drs. Daniel Cook, J. M. Fisher, J. A. Aldred and L. P. Ballinger. Dr. Cook is the only physician now in the village. Dr. Fisher resides between Fishersburg and Lapel and cannot be said to be a resident of either place.

Lapel

This town was laid out April 27, 1876, by David Conrad and Samuel E. Busby, and incorporated January, 1893, the first officers being O. C. Shetterly, James Armstrong, E. R. Rambo, Trustees, and J. C. McCarty, Clerk. It is situated three-fourths of a mile southeast of Fishersburg, on the Chicago & Southeastern Railroad, and is one of the prettiest towns in the county, the residences of a number of its citizens being as fine and neat as can be found on the fashionable thoroughfares of any of the cities in the county. For several years after it was laid out the town consisted of a few scattering houses, but since the discovery of natural gas it has grown rapidly, having an estimated population at the present time of 1200.

Lapel is supplied with two large flouring mills, a flint bottle factory, planing mill, tile works, pump and gas regulator factory, and several other industries of minor importance. These manufactories give an air of thrift and enterprise to the little city such as but few places of equal population can boast. It is surrounded by a fertile country, its people are moral and industrious, and there is no reason why the place should not continue to grow and prosper.

Religious Societies

There are three churches in Lapel, the Methodist, Lmited Brethren, and Friends. The Methodists have a large congregation and a handsome place of worship. The membership is growing and the church is in a prosperous condition. This may also be said of the United Brethren society.

Fraternal Orders

The following fraternal societies have been instituted at Lapel : White Oak Camp, No. 29, Woodmen of the W^orld ; Knights of Pythias ; Onaway Tribe, No. 50, 1. O. R. M. ; also a Pocahontas Council. Besides these orders there is Hiram G. Fisher Post, G. A. R., with a membership, at this time, of twenty-five.

Among the leading professional and business men are Drs. Jones and Moore ; Woodward & Woodward, millers ; G. E. Bird & W. J. Huffman, hardware; Oliver, Thomas & Shetterly, millers ; David Conrad, general business; N. W. Clepfer, grocer and postmaster.

Statistical Matters Miscellaneous

The first marriage in the township was that of Samuel Shetterly and Jane Freel. The event occurred on the 8th of July, 1834, and was solemnized by Ancil Beach at the residence of the bride's father, Benoni Freel. The first death in

A Tradition

There is a tradition that the lands of vStony Creek township were once the favorite hunting grounds of the Indians, not only of the county, but of the tribes living to the north along the Mississinewa, Wabash and Eel rivers. Excavations made in recent years have discovered bones and other remains indicating that the red men were at one time numerous in this part of the county. It was in this township that the " Dismal " was situated, a tract of land several miles in extent that was noted for its dense underbrush and dark, dismal appearance. During the early settlement of the county and for many years after Anderson had become a town of considerable importance, the " Dismal " was esteemed the best hunting ground in this part of the county. This locality that was once so forbidding is now one of the fairest and most productive portions of the county.

Burning Of Woodward'S Mill

On Tuesday morning, the 16th day of August, 1886, the large flouring mill owned by Woodward Brothers, of Lapel, was discovered to be on fire, and before assistance of any kind could be rendered was entirely burned to the ground. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Margaret Woodward, wife of William Woodward, ^vho alarmed her husband and he sprang to the window in time to see one of the incendiaries calmly standing by watching the result of his work.

Upon examination a one-gallon stone jug was found near the mill, which contained about a quart of coal oil that had been left after the remainder had been used to pour on the building before applying the match. The loss on the mill and its contents was estimated to be .$15,000, covered by !}!3,(KK) insurance. There were nearly five thousand bushels of wheat in store, one car load of bran and five hundred bushels of flour; in the cribs were about one thousand bushels of corn that belonged to the owners of the mill.

Soon after the fire the Woodwards commenced a systematic effort to ferret out and convict the parties guilty of the crime. They employed a detective by the name of Thomas McMillan, of Indianapolis, who called to his assistance a man by the name of Lloyd, and also one by the name of P. A. Randall. After the detectives had examined the premises thoroughly they started on their trail. The first place they visited was Pendleton. Here they learned that John Cottrell, who was under suspicion, was stoppino; there in the house of a friend. Cottrell was found, placed under arrest, brought to Anderson and lodged in jail. Suspicion also pointed to Thomas Ford, son of James Ford, and to George Ford, his nephew. James Ford was a very prominent farmer in that neighborhood. A warrant was sworn out for the arrest of Thomas Ford and Detective Randall went to the residence of James Ford, on the Anderson and Fishersburg turnpike, and arrested Thomas Ford. In the meantime a warrant had also been sworn out for the arrest of George Ford and it was put in the hands of another officer, and his arrest was effected. Thomas ford was released on .$1,000 bail the next day; his father, James Ford, went security for his appearance at the preliminary trial. George was released on the evening of the following day. James Ford and William Ford became his sureties to appear before 'Squire E. M. Jackson the next day in a preliminary examination.

Young Cottrell was taken before 'Squire Jackson Tuesday morning and a court of inquiry was held, which resulted in binding him over to the Madison Circuit Court.

At the preliminary trial of George and Thomas Ford much interest was manifested in the proceedings, there being a large number of witnesses present from all over the western section of the county. The defense offered no testimonj', and there was no argument made in the case. 'Squire Jackson rendered a decision of guilty, and, in accordance with the testimony and with the law in such cases, bound them over to the Circuit Court at the October term in the sum of $2,500. Thomas Ford gave bail, while George, failing to give the necessary security, was returned to jail. A change of venue was taken to Hamilton county, and at the December term, 1886, of the Hamilton Circuit Court, these cases came up for trial and held the attention of the court for one week. The}- were hotly contested on both sides. Judge Winburn R. Pierse, Hon. Charles L. Henry and Hon. D. C. Chipman appeared for the defense, while Colonel M. S. Robinson and J. F. Neal, the Prosecuting Attornej-, conducted the State's side of the case. After a hard legal fought battle it was given to the jurj', and after a few hours deliberation they found a verdict of guilty against the prisoner, George Ford. His sentence was fixed at nine years in the State's prison, and he was fined $1,000. One incident of the trial was that young Cottrell swore that he had burned the mill himself, turning State's witness and testifying against the Fords. This testimony created considerable doubt in the minds of the people as to the guilt of the Fords, and many doubted their connection in any way with the crime.

James Ford was an old and respected citizen of the county., and he spent almost his entire fortune in the defense of this case. He had the sympathy of a large portion of the community. The Woodwards, who owned the mill, were also residents of the county. They are yet living at Lapel and are engaged in business there. Their uprightness and honesty has never been brought into question.

The only incentive that could probably be assigned as the cause of this incendiary fire was a rivalr3' in business. There were two mills in the village, one of which was owned b}' the Woodwards, and the other by James Ford. And as a result, the mills were both desirous of doing a large business and became active competitors. Nothing, however, occurred to arouse any suspicion, nor had there been any such feeling between the proprietors of the two mills. The Woodwards continued to do business and had the confidence and respect of their patrons, and had secured some customers from the other mill. This fact is said to have caused some ill-feeling on the part of Thomas Ford, but this did not come to light until after the burning of the mill.

At the March term, in the Hamilton Circuit Court, at Noblesville, Thomas Ford was convicted as an accessory to the crime and sentenced to four years in the State's prison, he having taken a change of venue from this county. Hon. David W. Wood was the Prosecuting Attorney who conducted the case for the State, and gained for himself quite a reputation as a lawyer. He was ablj' assisted by Colonel M. S. Robinson.

Young Cottrell having been promised immunity in consideration of " turning State's evidence," was not tried or convicted for his connection with the crime.

Cottrell testified that at a meeting between him and the Fords, a conspiracy was formed whereby he was to fire the mill ; that he was merely a tool of the Fords.

P. A. Randall, who acted as a detective and did some very fine work in this case, is yet a resident of Lapel, and was formerly a grain merchant of Anderson. He has almost a national reputation from the fact that he publicly denied the statement made by General Abel D. Straight that he (Straight) was the moving spirit in the escape of the prisoners from Libby prison during the war. He wrote many newspaper articles on this question that were copied and commented on from Maine to Mexico.

The Killing Of Young Hershberger

A most distressing accident occurred on the Bee Line Railway about four miles south of Anderson, at the crossing of the railroad and the Pendleton and Anderson State pike, whereby a boy by the name of Hershberger, son of J. W. Hershberger, of Stony Creek township, was instantly killed, on the 1st of October, 1887, particulars of which are about as lows : The young man was, in company with his father, employed in hauling heading to a factory in Anderson, and they were on their way home when the accident occurred. The father was driving the foremost team and w^s somewhat in advance of his son, and had succeeded in passing the crossing in safety, but the son, however, owing to the growing darkness and the woodland that fringed the track at that point, was not aware of his peril until the team was on the track and the engine was within a few feet of him. Before he could think, the team was struck by the pilot of the locomotive and scattered on either side of the track. One of the horses was instantly killed. The wagon was shattered into fragments, and the other horse was stripped of his harness, though unhurt. The train was stopped as soon as possible, and the passengers got off to render such assistance as they could. A search for the body of the driver was instituted along the track, but no sight of it could be had for some time. At last one of the passengers found the boy lying upon the pilot of the engine, dead. The position in which the body was found was an easy and natural one. But for a small pool of blood on the iron, he might have been thought to have been asleep. The lad was evidently struck on the head, thrown onto the pilot, and met instant death. His remains were brought to Anderson on the fatal train and sent to Pendleton on the next train. This was a great blow to the father, who suffered great distress, but bore up under it like a philosopher.

Mr. J. W. Hershberger is yet living in Madison county, and is now one of the most prosperous and highly respected men in Stony Creek township.

Shooting A Burglar

Mr. C. C. Bodenhorn has been for many years operating a country store at the vilhifre of Fishersburg, and in a quiet way has gained for liim;elf a snug competency, and has become one of the leading mercliants in that locality.

On the 11th day of May, 1885, a bloody tragedy took place in his store that will be remembered by the participants therein, as well as by the people in the immediate vicinity.

In the month of September prior to this occurrence, Mr. Bodenhorn's store was broken into, the safe blown open and rifled, several hundred dollars in money and notes taken, and a - considerable amount of clothing was stolen from the stock. After that time, Mr. Bodenhorn employed a night watchman, a young man by the name of William Stanford, who, in company with the clerk, James A. McCarty, slept in the store.

On the night above referred to, a party of three men made a descent upon the store. They effected an entrance by taking out the west front window of the building, removing both sash and glass. The store consisted of two apartments connected by a wide doorway. The west room was filled mostly with clothing, boots and shoes, the east room with dry goods and groceries. Stanford and McCarty slept on a cot in the east room, and were both armed, one with a shot gun and the other with two revolvers. The burglars after effecting an entrance had stacked up nearly two hundred dollars worth of clothing, and carried it to the front part of the store, and piled it up ready to take away. There was but one man at \vork on the inside of the store, the other two stood guard on the outside. After the clothing had been carried into the room, the burglars started into the east room, and stopping at the doorway they struck a match, by the light of which they distinguished Stanford and McCarty, who were aroused by his light. The burglars immediately opened fire upon them. One ball passed through the sleeve of Stanford's coat, and burned his arm, another buried itself in the walls of the building. McCarty immediately responded with two shots, but neither of them took effect. About this time Stanford, who had secured his shot gun, took deliberate aim and fired with the result that about seventy-five number three shot took effect in the burglar's head and face. After receiving the injury he walked to the center of the store room and fell. He soon the rear of the store, climbing over on the inside of a counter that stood there, and then walked back the full length of the room to the front of the store, where he was dragged through the door by his confederates. They helped him across the street north to an alley, about two hundred feet from the store, where he was deserted and probably left for dead. He lay in this condition until near daybreak, when he was discovered by some passers-by. The condition of the ground indicated that there had been a fierce struggle during the night. The wounded burglar was carried into Searle's drug store near by, and Dr. George N. Hilligoss, who was then a resident physician of the village, dressed his wounds.

The burglar was placed in care of the ofHcers and taken to Anderson, where he was placed in the hospital cell of the county jail. Dr. Charles Diven, county physician, was called to make an examination, and found that his forehead had been filled with shot, some of which had penetrated to the top of the skull. The sight of both of his eyes was permanently destroyed. It was thought that the wounded man could not possibly recover; his left arm was paralyzed, and hung limp at his side. No clue could be obtained for a time as to his name, or whence he came. The only thing found upon his person in the shape of writing was a song that had been written upon a piece of foolscap paper in lead pencil, on the back of which was the name of Walter Ellston. He, however, subsequently revealed his real name, and gave it as John Kathnian, and requested that his mother, who resided in Cincinnati, be notified of his condition.

On the Sunday following the occurrence, Mrs. Kathman, the mother of the wounded man, came to Anderson to visit her son, in obedience to the summons of the .Sheriff of Madison county, who had notified her of the happening. The meeting between the mother and her wounded boy was affecting in the extreme. After Mrs. Kathman had recovered her strength sufficiently she related her story. She attributed her son's recklessness largely to the fact that her husband, an ill-natured and vicious man, would not allow him to remain at home with any satisfaction, and thus compelled him to abandon the paternal roof. She seemed to know but little of her son's

In another interview young Kathman related to his mother in the presence of the officers a brief history of his wanderings and some of the thrilling incidents in connection therewith, in which he stated that after he had left his home in Cincinnati he started out to peddle trinkets with a partner by the name of Shive, near the city. They made considerable money, frequently as much as five dollars a day. One day when they were at a place called "Devil's Gulch," a woods about three miles from Cincinnati, they had a dispute over the division of some money, when he (Kathman) drew a revolver and shot his companion twice in the head, killing him instantly. He said he left his body where it fell, and three days afterwards it was found. No one had seen the murder committed, and no one had suspected him. After this he went to Louisville, Ky., and engaged to work on a farm. He subsequently stole $3(J0 from his employer. He was shortly after that placed under arrest on suspicion, and was placed in the House of Refuge.

An affidavit was filed before the Mayor of Anderson, charging Kathman with burglary, but was withdrawn, with the consent of the Prosecuting Attorney, D. W. Wood, based upon a certificate of Drs. C. E. Diven and B. F. Spann, who stated it as their opinion that the prisoner could not recover from the effects of his wounds. Upon this Sheriff Moore gave his consent to have the young man removed to his home, for which they started on the following Monday night.

It has been reported with some authority that after being taken to his home he recovered sufficiently to be able to travel about, and that he is yet living, for the accuracy of which statement the writers do not vouch.

C. C. Bodenhorn is yet a merchant in Fishersburg. The whereabouts of the two young men who were in the store at the time of this event is unknown.

A Gas Explosion

On the 3d of January, 1895, an explosion of natural gas took place in the extensive tile works of D. B. Davis, situated in Stony Creek township, whereby the kilns were destroyed and Davis narrowly escaped losing his life. It seems that the fire had been turned out in the kilns and that the gas was escaping through some broken joint or valve unknown to Mr. Davis, who was in the factory at work. Being used to the odor of the fluid, which escaped about the place, he went about his work not noticing the danger he was in. After a sufficient amount of gas had accumulated in the furnace it came in contact with a lighted burner and in an instant the whole structure was blovv'n to pieces. Mr. Davis was hurled a considerable distance through the flying debris and was badly burned about the head and face, but fortunately received no fatal injuries.

The explosion was heard for quite a distance in the neighborhood, and large crowds of people from the surrounding country hastened to the scene expecting to find Mr. Davis killed. This unfortunate affair worked quite a hardship on Davis financially. But, like the brave man that he is, he immediately went to work, rebuilt his kilns, and is still at this writing doing a large and lucrative business, being one of the most successful tile makers in this section of the country.

Natural Gas Accident

On Saturday, July 6, 1890, while an engineer by the name of Whetzel was running a traction engine over an exposed gas pipe, that supplied the heading factory at Fishersburg, the pipe snapped in two and the escaping gas ignited from the flames in the furnace of the engine and enveloped it as well as the engineer, Whetzel, and Eddie Bodenhorn, a fourteen-year-old son of Christian Bodenhorn, a merchant at Fishersburg. Young Bodenhorn was riding on the platform of the engine at the time, and escaped with a few severe, but not dangerous burns. Whetzel was burned in a most shocking manner, and it was thought for a while that he could not possibly recover. Several others who assisted in the rescue of the unfortunates from their perilous position were more or less burned.

Boy Shot At Lapel

Two boys, sons of James and William W^oodward, about thirteen years of age, were playing together near the residence of their parents on the 5th day of February, 1890, when the son of James W^oodward picked up a revolver that was laving on the table, and playfully pointed it at his little cousin, who was sitting in a chair. As he extended the revolver it was accidental!}' discharged, shooting the boy and inflicting a dangerous wound. Both families were very much distressed over the unhappy occurrence, and much excitement was caused in the neighborhood.

Suicide Ov John M. Anderson

John M. Anderson, a farmer of Stony Creek township, committed suicide on the 31st day of April, 1894, by hanging himself to a beam in his barn bj- the means of a plow line tied about his neck. Soon after his death his wife discovered his body and gave the alarm. The neighbors immediately gathered in; Samuel Huntsinger and Cole Garrett were the first to respond, and cut his body down. There was no seeming cause for the act, as Mr. Anderson's home relations were said be pleasant, and he was fairly well to do in the world; he was looked upon as being a kind and generous man, a good neighbor, and an upright citizen, being well liked by those with whom he associated.

William Huntzinger Robbed

William Huntzinger, an unpretentious farmer, who for many years lived in Stony Creek township, about eight miles south-west of Anderson, was the victim of a daring robbery on the 27th of March. 1889. About eight o'clock at night his residence was entered, the door being opened by two men who had large clubs in their hands. As it happened, no one was at home except Mr. Huntzinger and his wife. One of the men stood guard with a bludgeon held over Mr. Huntzinger's head, while the other made a rapid search of the house. They succeeded in finding 1100 in money and a silver watch, with which they departed. No clew was ever obtained as to their identity. Mr. Huntzinger was quite an old man and infirm, and the nervous shock resulting from this aft'air came near causing his death. He did not recover his sensibilities until some time after the robbers had departed with their booty, and he was too feeble to go after them and have them arrested.

Shooting Of John J. Johnson By Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins was for many years a resident of Stony Creek township, in the vicinity of Johnson's Crossing, on the Midland Railway. He was one of the wealthiest and most highly respected citizens in that neighborhood. Nearby his residence was a neighbor by the name of John J. Johnson, with whom the best of relations had always existed. This lasted up to the year 1883, when a very bitter feeling was aroused between them over the construction of a large ditch running through the neighborhood.

Mr. Johnson was postmaster of the village, and on the evening of the 5th of December, 1883, took a mail pouch to the station to place on the train. He met Mr. Hawkins on the platform at the depot. When the train had left, Hawkins, arising and stepping alongside of Mr. Johnson, asked him " what he had to say about the ditch matter, if there was not some way by which its construction could be stopped and a compromise effected." Johnson answered that he had told Mr. Hawkins on a former occasion what he was willing to do and that that was the end of it. A*^ this remark Hawkins drew a revolver and Johnson told him to put it up, that he did not want any trouble with him. Johnson then walked away, when Hawkins fired upon him, the shot taking effect in the back just left of the spinal column and below the shoulder blade. Johnson ran into the stationhouse and closed the door after him. As he shut the door another pistol shot was fired, the ball just passing the door. Hawkins then rushed to the window, about six feet from the door, broke out a pane of glass, and fired four or five additional shots, two of which took effect in Mr. Johnson's body, one on the left side of the face and the other in the forearm. One shot passed through the stove pipe in the room and another through the ceiling. Johnson now opened the door and ran out past Hawkins into a field that led to his residence. Hawkins, having emptied the chambers of the revolver, drew a second one and resumed pursuit of his victim. He fired four additional shots, one of which lodged in Johnson's right shoulder. Four bullet holes were found in his coat in different places where his body had escaped injury. Johnson ran until his strength was fast failing, when he turned upon his pursuer and clinched him, forcing him to the earth. At this moment Miss Rosa Johnson, a daughter, having heard the firing at the station, ran in that direction and came up to the two men as they locked arms in a hard struggle. She took hold of the pistol and wrenched it from the hands of Hawkins. John Hawkins, a resident of the neighborhood, was also attracted to the scene and separated the men. Upon getting up Hawkins remarked that if Johnson would let him go he would let go of him.

west a few rods and entered a field, which he traversed in a southerly direction, towards a barn on his farm. His wife also had heard the shooting, and, fearing something was wrong with her husband, as she had seen him going in that direction but a few moments before, started out to look for him. She saw him going towards the barn from across the field and started thither, in company with her son Rufus. Before they reached the barn the husband and father had entered a shed, hiding himself from their view. Just about this time the sharp report of a pistol was heard. Hastening to the spot they found Hawkins sitting upright against the side of the shed, with a splash of blood on his left cheek, just below the eye ; in his hands he grasped the revolver with which he had committed the awful deed. He was unconscious when his wife and son arrived, and died within a few minutes.

Mr. John J. Johnson, his intended victim, lived for many years after this occurrence, having to all out^vard appearances fully recovered from the effects of the shooting, although he carried in his person four 82-calibre leaden balls up to the day of his death, which occurred at his home near the scene of the tragedy only a few years since.

As stated above, the cause of this act was due to what often happens in such cases where a bitter feeling arises over the construction of a ditch. Johnson's farm lay above that of Hawkins', and the natural drainage of the former was upon the latter. For three or four years Johnson had tried to prevail upon his neighbor to give him an outlet, so that he might drain his land. For some reason Hawkins steadily refused to grant the request, notwithstanding Johnson had been compelled to pay an assessment for the construction of the ditch through the property of Hawkins, and which could be of no value to him at all unless he was allowed to drain into it, Johnson, after all his persuasive powers had failed, had resorted to the courts to force an outlet through the land of Hawkins, which so wounded the latter's feelings that he committed this awful deed. The prominence of the parties and their good reputation in the community placed them above the suspicion of anything of this kind. It caused great excitement in the neighborhood and grief among the friends of both families.

The pistols with which Hawkins committed the crime were purchased of Nichol & Makepeace. Hawkins bought one of them on a certain day, and another on the day follow-

Johnson was sixty-one years of age and Hawkins about fifty-five when this tragedy took place. Hawkins was a man easily enraged, and was vicious for the time being with all -about him, but generally was of a verj' pleasant disposition. Johnson, on the other hand, was one of those sympathetic, quiet, good-natured men, who scarcely ever become angry, and was highly respected by everybody who knew him.

The remains of Coleman Hawkins were interred in the Anderson cemetery, over which was erected a handsome granite shaft that can be plainly seen from the Alexandria road as the traveler turns to the right after passing out of the iron bridge crossing White river.

The widow of Coleman Hawkins yet resides on the old farm, and has earned for herself the reputation of being one of the best farm managers in the county, having carefully preserved the fortune left her by her husband.

Suicide Of Henry Dewitt

Henry DeWitt, a farmer about thirty-five years of age, a resident of Stony Creek township, took his own life by hanging, on the 18th of September, 1896. He was discovered by some one who was passing the barn where his dead body was found hanging to the end of a rope, and he in a half sitting position. No cause could be assigned for his commission of the deed as he was happily married, and seemingly in good health, and in fair circumstances in life. Coroner Sells was notified and rendered a verdict of suicide in accordance with the facts.