Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 78, 1897

Chapter 78

This civil jurisdiction contains nineteen and one-half square miles and is the smallest township in the county. It is bounded on the north by Richland township, on the east by Delaware and Henry counties, on the south by Adams township and on the west by Anderson township.

"Ordered that a new township be laid off from Anderson township to commence at the corner of Section 23, Township 19, Range 8, thence north to the north corner of the county, thence west three miles to the north-west corner of Section 4, Township 22, thence south to the south-west corner of Section 12, Township 19, Range 8, thence to the place of beginning, being known and designated as Union."

The township was originally covered with a dense growth of valuable timber, the principal varieties being black walnut, poplar, ash, sugar, oak, hickory, beech and elm. The township was named no doubt after the Federal Union, although it has been claimed that it derives its name from the circumstance of its being situated opposite the line where the counties of Delaware and Henry unite. The lands are generally level excepting along White river, which flows through the township from east to west, where bluffs and hills abound.

The celebrated mounds - a complete description of which is given in a previous chapter - are situated in this township, and near them, but across the river, on the land that was originally entered by Frederick Bronnenberg, the paternal ancestor of the numerous family of that name, w^as, no doubt, situated the burial ground of the mysterious people who built them.

William Dilts has the distinction of being the first white man to settle in the township. He came from Montgomery county, Ohio, in March, 1821, and located near Chesterfield, on what is known as the Willard Makepeace land. He erected a cabin and cleared a few acres of land, but not having sufficient means to enter it and acquire a title, a man of the name of Joshua Baxter entered the land in 1824, and he moved to Delaware county. He returned, however, a few years later and entered 160 acres of land in the same section, but south of where he had first located. He built a double log house, where he furnished entertainment for travelers passing through the new countrj'. This was the first tavern in the township. In 1835 Mr. Dilts erected a two-story brick house, near the same building, where he continued to entertain the public for many years. This building was the first brick house erected in the township and is still standing. The property now belongs to John Dusang and is the oldest house in the township, save one - the old frame Makepeace residence in Chesterfield.

The next settler in the township was Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr., who came to the township in June, 1821. Mr. Bronnenberg was on his way with his family to the "prairie country" of Illinois when one of his oxen gave out at " Stup Hollow," or what has since been kno\vn as " Shiner's Hill." Mr. Bronnenberg called upon Mr. Dilts for assistance and that gentleman prevailed upon him to go no farther west. An Indian trader of the name of McChester had built a cabin in the vicinity a year or two before, which he abandoned, and Mr. Bronnenberg took possession of it. He remained here until the following spring, when he built a cabin north of White river, on what is now known as " Larmore's Hill." This land was a school section and he soon after entered the land that is now owned by his son, Frederick, and cultivated by his grandson, Ransom Bronnenberg. The mounds are situated on this land.

Following Mr. Bronnenberg came David Croan, of Ohio; Isaac K. Errick, of New York ; Daniel Noland, Joseph Carpenter, William Woods, John Martin, Jason Hudson, of North Carolina, and John Suman, of Maryland, all of whom were heads of families except the latter, who made his home with William Dilts. Amasa Makepeace, of Massachusetts, also settled in the township about this time, and in 1827 Bazil Neely, of Ohio county. West Va. (at that time Virginia), came to the township where, in 1833, he purchased eighty acres of land. This land was a part of Section 35. He cleared up a farm and resided here for a period of sixty years. Mr.

Mills And Stores

From 1821 to 18'.5 the early pioneers of the township were compelled to take their corn to the Falls of Fall Creek to have it ground. But some time during the latter year Amasa Makepeace, with the assistance of the settlers, built a "corncracker" north of the present site of Chesterfield, on what was afterward called Mill creek. This mill was a great convenience to the pioneers of this part of the county.

In 1887 Frederick Bronnenberg built a sa\v-mill on White river where his son, Carroll, now lives. A run of buhrs for corn and wheat were soon after added to the mill, and subsequently a carding machine, the first and only one ever in the township. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1847 and never rebuilt. Soon after the completion of the Bellefontaine (Big Four) railroad to Chesterfield, Brazleton Noland erected a large flouring mill near the line of the road at that place. Afterward J. B. Anderson built a steam saw-mill, which was also located near the railroad. Both mills in their time did a large business, but are now things of the past. There is not a grist mill at the present time in the township, and but one saw-mill.

The First Store

Shortly after the Makepeace mill had been completed, in 1825, Allen, son of Amasa Makepeace, opened a store in a log cabin near the mill. His goods were of that character most needed by the pioneers and were hauled from Cincinnati in a wagon. Mr. Makepeace continued in active business for a great many years and accumulated a fortune that was estimated at the time of his death at a quarter of a million dollars. He left but two heirs to inherit his wealth, a son, Qiiincy Makepeace, who resides in the township, and Mrs. John E. Corwin, of Middletown, New York.

Church Societies

The first church organization in the township, perhaps, was that of the United Brethren in 1840. The society was organized in the neighborhood of Chesterfield by a Rev. Mr. Smith, who selected Henry Russell as class leader. The societj- at one time numbered about forty members, and built a brick church on what is now the poor farm, where religious services were held regularly ; but through deaths and removals from the township the society dwindled in numbers, services were discontinued, and the little house of worship, built by the contributions of citizens of the township, was abandoned to decay. A portion of the ground where this church stood was devoted to burial purposes, and many of the pioneers and early settlers of the township are buried here. This, it may be added, was the first public burial ground in the township. The late Allen Makepeace is buried here.

A Baptist society was organized at Chesterfield in 1869 through the activity of J. B. Anderson, who was chosen clerk of the organization. Rev. J. C. Skinner was pastor. The society did not prosper, and the members transferred their membership to the Baptist church at Anderson.

In 1870 a Methodist church was organized at Chesterfield by Rev. John Pierce, Robert Goodin and others. In 1871 a place of worship was erected, and for a time regular services "were held therein once every t^vo weeks. The society did not prosper, however, and the church was dropped from the circuit.

In 1890 the vState Spiritualist society purchased of Carroll Bronnenberg thirty acres of land, situated just north of Chesterfield, for a camp ground. Workmen were at once employed to clear up and improve the grounds. A large auditorium, capable of seating five hundred people, was erected, together with several cottages for the use of mediums or others ^vho desire to remain on the grounds during the meeting, which is held yearly and usually during the month of August. Spiritualists from every part of the State, and from almost every portion of the country, assemble here annually to confer with each other and enjoy a revival of their peculiar faith. The society is responsible financially, and is adding many substantial, as well as attractive, improvements to its property. Interest is also increasing in the meetings held here, and the society is rapidly growing in numbers and influence.

There are several school hou.-ies in the township, and seven teachers. In 1858 there were 214 children of legal school age in the township; in 1874 the number was 288, and this year 237. The population in 1850 was 623 ; in 1860 it was 858 ; in 1870 it was 851 ; in 1880 it was 917, and in 1890 it was 897, showing a decrease for the past decade.

Chesterfield

This village is one of the oldest in the county, and at one time one of the most prosperous. It was laid out in 1830, by Allen Makepeace, and was originally known as West Union. At the September session, 1834, of the Commissioners' Court, the name of the town was changed. The petition for the change was signed by the citizens generally and was presented by Allen Makepeace. It set out an act of the Legislature on the subject, and other important reasons for such change. The Board, after due consideration of the matter, made the following order :

" It is ordered by the Board that the name of the town of West Union be changed, and that the same be henceforward known and designated as Chesterfield."

At the time of the completion of the Bellefontaine railroad to this point, and for many years afterward, considerable business was done by the mills and other enterprises located here, but owing to certain causes the place entered upon a decline about the year 1860, from which it has never recovered.

Prominent among the professional and business men who have resided here are : Dr. Henry, the first physician. Dr. Godwin, Dr. Ballingall, Dr. William Cornelius, Dr. J. W. Crismond, Dr. T. Kilgore, Dr. Kelly, Dr. M. H. Pratt, Dr. C. L. Armington. Dr. Downey is the present and only physician in the village. The merchants have been Allen Makepeace, Jacob Shinier, J. M. Dilts, J. D. Carter & Bro., Trueblood & Dusang, A. J. Cornelius. James K. Trimble for many years kept the only hotel in the village.

At the crossing of the State road and the Pan Handle railroad, one mile south of the residence of Daniel Noland, in Union township, there once stood what promised to be the metropolis of that locality.

This village sprang up after the building of the Pan Handle railroad, in 1855, and was for a while quite a little trading point for the neighborhood, Ballingall & Tucker being the merchants and in charge of the post-office. A saw-mill was also added to the industries of the town, and for a while did the neighborhood sawing.

Miscellaneous Matters

The first distillery in the township was built by Samuel Suman. Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr., afterwards built and operated a still on his farm. This distillery was destroyed by fire.

Among the prominent citizens of the township who have been elected to county offices, are Hon. William C. Fleming, Representative ; Brazelton Noland, County Treasurer ; William Noland, County Treasurer ; Henry Bronnenberg, County Commissioner.

In 1894 the grade of the Chicago & Southeastern railway was constructed through the township. William Cronin was the contractor and superintended the work.

The late Michael Bronnenberg, of Richland township, was the first child born in the township and the second male child in the county. He was born on the 24th of November, 1821, and died of heart disease, either on the night of the 22d or early in the morning of the 23d of October, 1896, as he was found dead in his bed on that morning. He had been in Anderson on the 22d to attend a political meeting at which the Hon. William J. Bryan, Democratic candidate for the Presidency, spoke, and appeared unusually lively during the day. He returned home in the evening in his usual health, and retired without a premonition of his approaching dissolution. During the night he expired, but at what hour will never be known.

Superintendent Of The Infirmary Assaulted

John W. Kinyoun,who for so many years served as superintendent of the County Infirmary, had a thrilling experience with an inmate of that institution on the 20th of April, 1886. James M. Willetts, a deaf and dumb inmate, whom he had punished for some misconduct, made a most vicious assault upon him. Willetts was armed with a table knife ground to a sharp point, with which he struck Kinyoun a blow in the right breast, inflicting a gash that bled profusely, and making an ugly wound. About four inches of the blade of the knife was broken off, and was afterwards removed by a physician who dres.sed the wound. Dr. Spann, who attended the wounded man, was of the opinion for some time that the wound would prove fatal. Kinyoun was affected to such an extent that for several hours he had severe internal hemorrhages, but, being a vigorous man, he overcame his affliction and is yet living. Willetts was a man about thirty-two years of age, and had been an inmate of the institution at different times ever since 1860, and was sent there from Pipe Creek township when but a lad of six years of age. After this cutting affray he disappeared from the poor farm, and his whereabouts was never known.

Burning Of A Barn

William B. Bronnenberg, son of County Commissioner Henry Bronnenberg, had his barn consumed by fire on the 5th of October, 1887. About 11 o'clock at night the barn was discovered to be on fire, and was soon in ruins. The barn had just been rebuilt and overhauled, the carpenters having finished their work the day before the fire.

A number of persons attracted to the place saw a man running away from the building in the direction of the woods, but he could not be recognized, and no one ever knew who the guilty party was.

Mr. Bronnenberg, the owner of the barn, is one of the most prosperous young farmers of Madison county. He rebuilt his barn immediately, and is still a resident of that township. He is quite an inoffensive man and has no known enemies, and why the torch should have been applied to his property is a thing unaccountable to himself and his friends.

Killed By A Train

On Saturday night, the 9th of March, 1878, James Wesley Dagget, of Vorktown, was run over by a Bee Line train and his body was ground to atoms, near the village of Chesterfield. On the night mentioned the citizens of the village were on the streets discussing the results of the primary election, when the news came that a man had been run over by the cars and killed at the dirt road crossing of the Middletown and Bee Line Railway, half a mile west of the village. The

Coroner was notified and soon eight of the section men, under John Fitzgerald, left Anderson in a hand-car to go to the scene of the accident. On arriving at the crossing they discovered the dead body. From the crossing running east for a distance of a quarter of a mile, they found the scattered fragments of a human body and particles of his clothing along the track. They also found upon the deceased a number of letters fully identifying him as James Wesley Dagget, of Yorktown. The remains were gathered up as best they could be and placed, together with the shreds of clothing, in a box and conveyed to the passenger depot in Anderson. On Sunday morning the Coroner empaneled a jury and held an inquest over the remains. Facts were developed at the inquest that Dagget had been in Anderson on Saturday and that he was intoxicated. Samuel Pence had sold for him on the streets a rifle gun for the sum of $2.50. It is supposed that with the proceeds he purchased the liquor and became drunk, and either sat down on the rails and went to sleep or had fallen, and being unable to rise, was struck by the train. His remains were taken to Yorktown by his friends on the Sunday evening following the accident, where they were interred in the village cemetery.

An Incendiary Fire

The venerable Frederick Bronnenberg, whose familiar face is every day seen upon the streets of Anderson, for many years resided on his magnificent farm in the edge of Union township, near the Mounds, upon which was located a large barn. On the 24th of June, 1864, this barn was destroyed by fire, it being the work of an incendiary, whose identity was never established. At that time politics was at fever heat. Mr. Bronnenberg, being an ardent Republican and very free in expressing his political convictions on all occasions, had many enemies in the opposite party. For years he has loudly proclaimed that the destruction of his barn was due to his political opponents, but cooler heads in the community discredit such an idea. While there was no doubt existing in the minds of many at that time that the fire was the work of a miscreant, there was no one who would believe that there was a Democrat in that locality mean enough to resort to such means to get even with a political enemy. All efforts to bring the guilty parties to justice failed. The citizens of the community, regardless of their party feeling, lent all assistance in

Unearthing Of A Monstrous Skeleton

In the month of August, 1890, wliile a man of the nam? of Frank Martin was engaged in making an excavation for a cellar on the farm of Edwin Gustin, three miles south of Chesterfield, he unearthed the bones of what was supposed to be the skeleton of an Indian of gigantic size. The bones were in a good state of preservation, and judging from their size, it is estimated that the Indian, when alive and erect, must at least have been seven feet in height. The teeth ^vere very much worn. There had been several skeletons found previously near the same place, at different times. The earth at that place appeared to be full of bones of those who had once ' inhabited this county, and the locality was, perhaps, at one time the seat of an Indian village, but it must have been long ago, as no history is given of it within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant. No account is given either of any cemeterj' or burj-ing place for Indians ever having been established there.

Killed By A Bee Line Train

On the :?lst of August, 1890, Moses Decker and Lyman Prefton went to sleep on the Bee Line railroad track, near the brick yards at Chesterfield, and were instantly killed by a passenger train. The engineer saw by his headlight the two men lying on the track, but the speed of his engine was too great to check in time to prevent it from running aver them. The train was an hour beiiind time and was running at a fearful rate of speed. The men were both in a drunken condition. The train stopped at Chesterfield, which is only about sixtyrods from the place where the accident happened. No one knew of the casualty except the engineer, and he said nothing about it. At Yorktown, the next station, he passed a westbound train, and there he informed the engineer of that train that he had killed a couple of men near Chesterfield. The Coroner was immediately notified, and after holding an inquest returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts. The bodies were found by Peter Bushaw, a farm hand in the employ of Thomas Bronijenb'erg, who while passing along stumbled over the corpse of Lyman Preston. A few feet head was severed from his bodj' and whose legs had been cut off at the knees. Preston's head was mashed to a pulp, and his features were unrecognizable. Young Preston was about twenty-one j'ears of age and unmarried. He had relatives living at Chesterfield who took charge of his remains. Decker was about thirty-five years old and had no relatives living in this part of the country, and had been brouglit to Middletown when a lad, with a company of waifs from Xew York City. He was a quiet, peaceable fellow, but was very fond of intoxicating liquors. This was the fourth occurrence of this character at this fatal spot.

Discovery Of A Skeleton

While some workmen were digging a gas trench, near Chesterfield, on the 24th of August, 1889, they unearthed a skeleton that had been buried two feet under ground. It was in a sitting position with the head severed from the body. The arms occupied a space of two feet wide bj- three feet long, the lower limbs having been bent forward and the body curved to one side. The Coroner of the county was summoned, and on examination he pronounced the skeleton to be the body of a white female. The skeleton was remarkably well preserved, the skull indicating that the person was of more than ordinary' intelligence. It was in a secluded spot, but none of the neighbors remembered anything about the mysterious disappearance of any woman. It was the supposition that a foul murder had been committed at some distant point from here and that the remains had been brought to this locality for burial. But who the principals in this dark tragedy were will probably never be known. It is an old proverb that "murder will out," but the saying in this case will probably never prove true.

A Sudden Death

The first death to occur at the Spiritualists' camp grounds at Chesterfield, came suddenly to Professor F. M. Davis, on the 1st of August, 1896. He was a medium in attendance at the meeting, his home being in Iron Valley, New York, where his family was notified of his decease. He was found dead in his bed in a cottage on the grounds, and Coroner Sells, with an ambulance, took charge of the remains. A letter was found on his person addressed to M,ary Brown, at Iron Valley, New York, and |200 in money was found in his clothing.

Wesley T. McDowell was a young man of about twentyfive years of age, who was left an orphan when quite young, and had to make his way through the world by his own labor. When he was quite a young lad he went to live in the family of James Forkner, and worked on the farm in summer time, and in the winter months attended school. After he had grown to manhood he had an ambition to become a telegraph operator, which he since commenced to learn in an office in Anderson, in the year 1871. He had to work out on the farm a part of the time to earn enough with which to pay his way. He, in due cour.ve of time, finished his cliosen profession, but had no one to push him to the front, so he was not successful in getting emploj'ment, and he went back to the farm. In the meantime his old friend and benefactor, James Forkner, had died, and he took up his home with Alfred Forkner, a son, and lived with him until. the 17th of July, 1876, when on that day while he was alone in the field he was suddenly stricken down with death. No one ever knew what was the cause of his sudden taking off, but it was the supposition of the Coroner, who held the inquest, that it was sunstroke. Wesley was a favorite with those who knew him, and his death was the cause of much grief among his friends. He was a quiet, inoffensive young man, and strictly honest in all his dealings.

An Awful Crime

On the 20th day of December, 1854, one of the most foul murders in the history of the county took place at Chesterfield, in Union township. Two Irishmen, who were companions traveling together on what was then called the Bellefontaine Railway, got into an argument, which resulted in oneof them, David Alexander, losing his life, by having his throat cut by his fellow traveler, Alexander Hays, near Chesterfield, after which he threw Alexander from the rear of the train for dead. The murdered man did not die immediateU-, but managed to crawl into a mill close b}' and remained there until morning. When the men who worked at the mill came in the morning, they met a horrible sight. The man's clothing was saturated with blood from head to foot, and a ghastly wound was in

He could not talk audibly, but managed to tell enough about the occurrence to inform those who found him, that he had been assaulted on the train the night before, and that his name was David Alexander; that he had a brother in Galena, Illinois ; that he had recently landed in Philadelphia from Ireland, and was on his way to visit his brother at Galena. What led to this atrocious crime has never been fully explained, but it was reported at the time that it arose over a dispute about their religion. It was said that Alexander was an "Orangeman," and Hays was a Catholic. The feeling in those days being very bitter between those two sects, it did not take much to work up bad blood between them.

The community in which this occurrence took place was terribly wrought up, and when Hays was apprehended it took cool work and the exercise of the best judgment of the neighborhood to keep him from being lynched.

He was captured by Simon Landry, \\'illiam Scott, and Henrv Bronnenberg. Landry was for hanging him to the first limb without the form of a trial. It is said he procured a rope, and being a very resolute man it was difficult to keep him from swinging Ha3S up.

This dreadful murder took place so long ago that the facts are hard to ascertain for the reason that there are so many different versions of the affair, given by the few who yet live in the community where it happened.

We have in our possession a copy of the Anderson Gazette of the 28th of December, 1854, which gives a meagre account of the crime, which we reproduce as follows :

He said: " A stranger - a countryman - came on the cars at Union Citj- who soon made his acquaintance and importuned him to drink. The conversation was disagreeable, and he tried to avoid it and changed his seat. Soon the stranger was at his side, and before reaching Chesterfield he became suspicious that he was not safe in the cars. As soon as they stopped at the depot he told the conductor he believed there Avas a man on board who purposed to kill him and thought he would get off. The conductor replied there was no danger - ' Go back into the car and I will take care of you.' He then passed out onto the platform of the rear car, where he was violently shoved to the earth by his unwelcome accjuaintance, his throat instantly cut, and the perpetrator jumped back upon the moving train. He minutely described the dress and person of the miscreant, who, without provocation, had slied his blood. The foregoing was committed to writing. Early the next day the unfortunate man expressed a desire that, if possible, he should be kept unburied until the arrival of his brother from Galena, for whom he had previously telegraphed, and died with a calm serenity that bespoke a conscience at peace and a hope that brightened in prospect of immortalitv.

" On Monday following a person was observed to pass the depot where the murderous deed occurred. Some individuals, after the person had passed by, remarked upon the similarity of his appearance to that described by the dying man. Suspicion increased - he was followed and brought back. On comparing this description with his person and apparel the correspondence was so similar it ^vas judged proper to delain him until the cars on which were the brakeman and conductor alluded to should again pass. The evening following a legal examination took place before Samuel Gustin, Esq., and the man who gave his name as Alexander Havs was fullv committed to stand trial in the Circuit Court on a charge of murder."

In the month of June, 1876, John Lemon, a highlyrespected and iniluential farmer of Union township, ran a thorn into his foot, breaking it off and leaving a portion imbedded in the member. After suffering for several days, he came to the office of Dr. Horace E. Jones to have it removed, and he requested the Doctor to administer chloroform before undertaking the operation, which the Doctor declined to do, from the fact that he might not be a proper subject. Lemon insisted, and finally Dr. Jones informed him that if he would have Dr. Spann or some other reputable physician called in and that if, upon examination, they thought he could stand the treatment, he would administer the chloroform and perform the operation.

Mr. Lemon returned home, but the next morning came back again and made the same demand. Dr. Jones then sent for Dr. Spann, who responded to his call, and, after an examination of Lemon, endeavored to dissuade him, but without effect. Then they proceeded witli the operation. He was placed on a table, and had taken but a few inhalations, perhaps eight or ten, of the chloroform previously poured on a muslin rag, allowing time and free ventilation, according to modern methods, when Lemon rose up, struggling with the physicians for a while, as if trying to get off the table, and then fell back in a spasm dead.

An inquest was held by the Coroner of the county, and Drs. S. W. Edwins. B. F. Spann, V. V. Adamson, C. S. Burr and N. L. Wickersham all testified that Dr. Jones had used the necessary precautions in administering the anjtsthetic, and that he was whoUj' blameless in the matter.

John Lemon was one of Madison county's solid farmers, and was highly respected in the community in which he lived. He was strictly honest, and always prided himself upon paying his obligation the daj' it matured, and not the day after. He left an interesting family, who yet survive him, and who live in the neighborhood in which the deceased resided at the time of his death.

Dr. H. E. Jones was then a young physician, just beginning what has since terminated in a large and lucrative practice, being now recognized as one the best physicians in Madison county.

A Suicide

Suicides were of less frequency fifty years ago than at the present time, and wiien an unfortunate took his or her own life it caused great excitement in the community in which it happened, and was long talked of and remembered by the people. One of these sad occurrences took place in Union township.

On the 16th of March, 1853. Isaac Shimer, a man about fifty years old, hung himself on a dogwood tree on the " Shimer Hill," which is about three and a half miles east of Anderson and a little west of the Mounds. The tree stood about 200 yards north of the road. Mr. Shimer was living on his farm in Randolph county, near the present site of Parker, and was visiting his brother, Harry Shimer. No cause other than ill health was given for his self-destruction. He left a family, some of whom yet live in this county.

A Shooting Afkrav

At Chesterfield, on the 28th of November, ISTO, Moses Crutchfield was shot in the arm by Charles Clatterbaugh, but not seriousl)' wounded. The shooting was the result of a grudge of long standing between the Crutchfield and Clatterbaugh families, both being desirous of running the town, and a jealousy existed between them that culminated as above related. Crutchfield was the aggressor, and at a trial before Mayor Dyson, of Anderson, the verdict was self-defense, and and Clatterbaugh was acquitted.

A Terkihle Murder

On the :2l)tli of February, 187:2, one of the most horrible murders that ever took place in Madison county, occurred in Unioci township near the Delaware county line, at the residence of Josiah Remsberg, in which Willis Williamson killed his daughter, Melissa J. Williamson, by cutting her throat and otherwise stabbing her with a knife, from the effects of which she died almost instantly.

The facts in the case are as follows : Mr. Williamson, the murderer, lived about two miles north-east of Yorktown, in Delaware county. His oldest daughter, IMelissa, was engaged to be married to a young man of the name of George Landry, of good reputation and a neighbor of Williamson. Williamson, from some cause, objected to her marriage with Landry, and endeavored to induce her to give up her determination, and threatening her if she did not. The daughter being stern in her intention to marry Landry, became tired of her father's threats, and finally, on the 2.sth of February, left her home and went to her uncle's, Josiah Remsberg, near Chesterfield, where arrangements were made for her marriage with Landry, who on that evening went to Anderson to procure a marriage license, but not having the written consent of the girl's father, and not having a disinterested person who could make the necessary affidavit as to her age, the license was refused by the Clerk of the Court, and Landry returned to Remsberg's residence the next morning to get some person to make the affidavit. On reaching Remsberg's place, instead of finding his expected bride in life and health, he was horrified to behold her corpse. Her life had been taken by the hand of her father. On the dav previous to this event Williamson had been to Munc e and had purchased a knife with which he committed the crime. From Muncie William- son went to Remsberg"s in the evening, wiiere he remained all night. During the evening he made supreme efforts to induce his daughter not to marry Landry, but she was firm in her purpose. Williamson became angry and boisterous. Remsberg told him he must He'-i^t in his course or leave the house. The next morning AV'illiamson and Remsberg arose at the same time, and ;ifter building a fire Remsberg left the house and went to feeding his stock, while Mrs. Remsberg was preparing breakfast.

^\'illiamson went to the room where his daughter was sleeping and seated himself on the side of her bed, resumed conversation with her about the marriage. He asked her if she was still determined to marry Landrv. " Yes," said she, "if I have to wade in blood to niv knees." At this Williamson drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed her twice, once in the arm and once in the throat, severing the jugular vein and wind-pipe, from the effects of which she died.

head. The ^vounds he inflicted upon himself were not at first believed to be fatal. The bullet had entered his forehead, glanced, and was extracted from the top of his head, having passed between the skin and the skull. The Coroner of Madison county was called and an inquest over Miss Williamson's remains was held, and a verdict of murder leturned against the father in accordance with the facts above mentioned.

David K. Carver was .Sheriff of Madison county, and Stephen Metcalf, the present editor of the Anderson Herald , was his deputy. Williamson was arrested and placed in custody by SherifT Carver, and was attended at the jail by physicians until, a few days after the murder, he died from the effects of his wounds.

It seems that Williamson had no serious objections to the character of Mr. Landry and really had no cause for the murder, but the daughter was dearly beloved by him and he could not bear the idea of her marrying and leaving home. This was the only reason that he assigned for the rash act. Miss Williamson was a voung lady of more than ordinary beauty, and of good attainments for one having the limited opportimities of education given by the country schools. She was well liked bj' the people in her neighborhood.

Young Landry was a hard-working, frugal and honest young man. He was a brother of Mrs. Thomas J. Fleming, of Anderson, Mr. Fleming being at that time Clerk of Madison Circuit Court. After the murder Landry moved away from the county and became a resident of Missouri, \vhere he now lives. He was subsequently married and raised a respectable family.

On the 9th day of March, LS78, Charles McLaughlin, a sober and industrious laborer of Middletown, who was very deaf, was walking upon the Fan Handle railroad track near where the little station of Sly Fork once stood, was run down by an engine, to which was attached a heavy freght train, being instantly killed. He left a wife and quite a large family of small children who were dependent upon him for support.

The engineer, ^Villiam Schultz, testified before the Coroner that he saw the deceased on the track while his train was going at the rate of thirteen miles an hour. The engineer stated that he had just stepped out on the engine to extinguish his headlight, when on returning he discovered a man on the track, about forty-five rods in front of him. He immediately got into the cab and whistled down brakes. The man was inside the track, on the left side rail, when the engine struck him. The train passed over him and ran some distance before it could be stopped. The engineer went back and found him in the middle of the track. He was dead when they reached him, and his flesh was still quivering. He was going towards Anderson, the same way the train was running.

The First Case Of Insanity

A great deal of the early histor\- of Madison county is traditional. Newspapers in those days were few and far between, and no records of events were kept, as in the present time.

The first insanity case that can be traced to any authentic source is related to us by Dr. William Suman. who is an old resident of Madison county, well posted on pioneer history, with a good knowledge of men of early times and a wonderful memory. We quote him as follows :

" The first case of insanity in this county was that of Isaac Van Matre, who committed suicide July 2, 1884. He was at the time living on his ' place,' east of Anderson about two miles, near the Larimore ford, now owned bv Mrs. James Gray, of Anderson. The particulars of the incident are as follows : Van Matre had been visiting his son, William Van- Matre, who at that time lived north of Daleville. On the morning of Jul3-2d,in company with another man, he started toward home. Both men were on horseback. After thev had gone a considerable distance, Isaac \'an Matre, who was demented at the time, struck his horse a terrible blow and left his companion far behind, who was unable to keep up with him, and saw him pass under a tree and was swept oft' the horse by a limb. Picking himself up he rushed wildly through the woods and was soon lost sight of by his pursuer. He was found two days afterwards, hanging to a tree witiiin sight of his home, by ^^'illiam Dilts, one of his neighbors. His son William, whom he had been visiting, killed himself one year afterwards, while out hunting, by shooting himself accidentally."

Murder Of William And Isaac Isaxogle

One of the most atrocious crimes ever committed in jSIadison county occurred in Union township on the 17th of March, 1868, whereby William Isanogle, aged twenty years, and his brotlier, Isaac Isanogle, aged sixteen years, were stabbed to death by George Stottler.

Stottler had been to Anderson on the day of the murder, and late in the evening had gone to the Isanogle home in an intoxicated condition, where he demanded the use of a horse for a few hours and on being refused became engaged in a cjuarrel with the two young men, which terminated by Stottler stabbing them both to the heart with a knife that he had purchased at the drug store of Brandon iS: Hunt in Anderson on that day. Early on Sunday morning following the tragedy, news was brought to Anderson of the horrible deed that had been tonimitted on the previous night. The excitement became very great, and knots of men gathered on the street corners discussing the particulars as they were gleaned from those who brought the news, and an intense feeling was expressed that no trial should be granted the murderer, but as soon as captured he should be hung on the nearest tree. A searching party was at once formed, headed by Cornelius Daugherty, who was at that time Marshal of Anderson. The roads were in a horrible condition from the fact that heavy rains and snow had fallen a few days previous, yet this did not deter the people from town and the country from engaging in the chase. A small companv started out on horseback for Delaware county ; others scoured the country in the direction of Daleville and other points, while crowds of people went through the country in every direction in quest of the murderer. There were fully five hundred people armed with shotguns, revolvers and clubs on that bright Sunday morning, looking for Stottler. Hay stacks, barns, out-houses and the woods - in fact everj' place for miles around was searched in hopes of capturing him. Finally, at the hour of II o'clock, about one-half mile west of the scene of the murder, lying asleep behind a log the murderer was discovered by Marshal Daugherty, A. J. Hunt and Ira Harpold, who were together. The signal was given and fifty persons surrounded the murderer within five minutes. The majority of the crowd was in favor of hanging him then and there and came very near carrying out their wishes : but a few determined men held them

The murderer said that immediately after the killing of the two boys he had started on a long tramp, determining to get out of the country before daylight, but after two hours journey found himself only a mile from the scene of the tragedy. The fact was that the night was so very dark that he could not see his way and soon became bewildered and went around over and over the same ground until he became tired out and laid down to rest, having no idea at the time where he was. He said that it seemed to him after\vard that there was something that held him to the fatal spot ; that do what he might he could not retreat far from it although having several hours the advantage of his pursuers. Immediately after the tragedy a party was made up by those in the neighborhood to overtake him, but the darkness of the night enabled him soon to be beyond their reach.

Stottler was confined in jail several months before his trial and threats were made during his incarceration to pull down the jail and hang him, but owing to the stern determination of Sheriff James H. Snell such a scene was prevented. Finally Stottler's attorney, Hon. Alfred Kilgore, of Muncie, secured a change of venue to Delaware county and he was taken there for trial. After a hard fought legal battle, in which he was ably defended b}- the Hon. Alfred Kilgore, Hon. H. D. Thompson and Hon. C. D. Thompson, of Anderson, the State being ably represented by Mr. Brotherton, of Muncie, and the Hon. Jonathan W. Gordon, of Indianapolis, Stottler was convicted of the crime of murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life and was incarcerated in the Michigan City prison, where he is at this writing serving out his time. A visitor to the Northern prison not long since gave a brief account of Stottler as follows : " Sitting on a chair with his arms hanging by his side, his cold eyes fixed intently upon us as we gazed at him for a second, was George Stottler, the principal of the great tragedy in Union township in 1868. We did not interview him, as we had no desire to do so, but a man upon whom he fixed his eyes can never forget their expression. Being a life man Stottler takes things easy and is not compelled to work hard, but like the caged hyena, pants for freedom. Stottler has made several attempts through attorneys and friends to be pardoned or to get out on parole, but all his efforts up to this time have been without avail. He has been the longest in

Since the election of the Hon. Claude Mathews as Governor of Indiana a strong petition was presented to him in Stottler's behalf, signed by a large number of the citizens of Madison county, and urged by the Hon. J. W. French, the warden of the Northern Prison, and the governor had about made up his mind to release Stottler from his confinement when opposition arose among the friends of the Isanogles, many of whom made threats of violence should Stottler be released, and upon these grounds the governor refused to pardon him.

Stottler was known during his residence in Madison county to be of a malicious disposition, reckless in his conduct, a man of undoubted courage in a combat, and when in an intoxicated condition a person to be strictly avoided. On the day of the "hanging of Milton White, in 1867, for the murder of Hoppes, Stottler was present and climbed to the top of the highest tree near the place of execution in order that he might witness the awful scene, little expecting that within one year his own life would be in jeopardy for a like crime. Outside of the many friends of the Isanogles there has been for years a strong sentiment among some of the citizens that Stottler, having spent an ordinary lifetime behind the prison walls, and suffered sufficiently for his crime, ought to be released, but as long as those are living who are related to the Isanogles, it is not probable he will ever gain his freedom. The Hon. J. W. French, the ex-warden of the prison, gives Stottler the credit of being a model prisoner, although during the first years of his incarceration he was verj' unrulv and hard to control, the guards having at all times a close watch upon him. At one time, while working in a cooper shop in the prison, in order to avoid his task he cut ofl' two of his fingers with a broad-axe, but during his latter years an entire change has come over him, and he is altogether a different man in his demeanor. Since the above was written Governor Claude Mathews pardoned Stottler in January, 1897, and he is now in Illinois.

Imprisoned On An Island

Max Miller, a German, who, for many years, has been a resident of Union township, had a thrilling experience on the 8th of August, 1896. He had gone to a field, situated on an island near the Spiritualist camp grounds, with a two-horse team, in quest of a load of fodder. The heavy rains caused the river to rise rapidly, and whilst there, he was entirely surrounded by the waters, and attempted to drive his team out, when both horses were drowned and Miller narrowly escaped with his own life. He v^^as a prisoner on the island, threatened with submersion for several hours, until a raft could be constructed and men went to his relief. This was one of the most sudden rises in White river that has been known for many years. It was caused by the bursting of a cloud near the head waters of the stream, and the heavy rains that followed.

Found Dead

On the 18th of July, 1894, William Wayts, a farm hand, was found dead at the roots of a tree, on the farm of James Gold, of Union township. He had been on a protracted spree, which he was accustomed to take, and had laid out all night, and died from exposure or from over stimulation. He was a harmless fellow, well liked by those who employed him. He was a slave to alcohol and could not resist it. He was at one time a resident of Anderson and was employed by A. J. Ross as a hostler, when Mr. Ross was Sheriff of Madison county.

Brick Factory Destroyed By Fire

A disastrous fire occurred at Chesterfield on the night of the 19th of April, 1890, by which the extensive brick works of the Gold Brothers were totally destroyed. The loss was about $3,000, covered with insurance. The fire originated from a burning flambeau that was left in the building in the evening when labor was abandoned by the crew who did the work in the plant.

The works were rebuilt, and afterwards passed into the hands of the Chesterfield Brick Company, and is now one of Madison county's best manufacturing establishments. The Trueblood Brothers are the principal owners of the stock, and operate the factory.

They make large shipments of brick to Indianapolis and other points. Col. Roswell Hill, e.x-State Treasurer of Indiana, was until quite recently a stockholder in these works.

"There was, during the '40s, a sect known as the jSIillerites, who were quite strong in Madison county, some of whom are yet living and hold to their faith. They were always looking and predicting the end of the world. On a certain day in January, 1844, it was prophesied by these people that the last day would come. That it would commence to snow on the day before. That it would turn to oil, catch fire and the elements would melt with fervent heat and all should be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Christ, with one foot on the sea and one on the land, proclaiming that time shall be no more.

" From the circumstances which followed, one is made to believe that the subject had been pondered over by everybody in the neighborhood, which was in Union township, and occurred at the 'Auterbine' brick church, one mile west of Chesterfield.

"Everybody began to wonder if it would snow on that day, and as the time approached greater concern was plainly manifested. The day before the end every appearance of the sky, clouds, wind and the condition of the atmosphere were anxiously observed.

"When the sky became overcast with snowy lookingclouds, many times the question was asked " Will it snow?" and in this respect the prophecy proved true, for on that day snow fell to the depth of four or five inches. Now the people were amazed and began to observe among the animals on the farm to see if any strange or uneasy state among them could be seen.

"The day was one unusually dark and still, and not verjcold. To complete the climax on this occasion, I will relate what took place at the 'Auterbine' church on the night of that day. The Protestant Methodist church had organized a society at the home of Willliam Free, just across the river from the church. Thej' had asked the Trustees of the ' Auterbine ' church the privilege of holding meeting in their house, which was granted. Some four weeks previous to this an appointment was sent and it, by co-incidence, fell on the night of the day in which the world would end. Now this added to the day still greater concern, and everybody for miles around went to church, trudging through the snow, not knowing how soon it might turn to oil, when the conflagration would set in. thinking one place as safe as anotiier, possibly in the church

" The minister ascended the pulpit, announced the hymn : ever)' one sang or tried to sing. With all this there was a more than ordinarv solemnity. A prayer, a text, and the minister began to preach to a house full of people as still as death, possibly listening to hear the first crash of the world's ending. This state of the meeting went on for about fifteen or twenty minutes when all of a sudden two windows were crushed in, and a consternation then existed that is seldom seen. Nearly everybody jumped to his feet ; women screamed and crowded to the middle of the house, many of them having been struck with the fragments of the glass ; men were dumbfounded, waiting, seemingly, to see if the ne.xt crash would be the end of the world. The minister called out 'Be quiet, it is a mob. I will close the meeting, sing, " When lean read my title clear to mansions in the skies.'" ' A part of the congregation tried to help the preacher sing. The first stanza was completed, and just at the beginning of the second stanza, bang, jingle and crash came in two more windows, and each side of the pulpit where the preacher stood ; glass flying all over the house.

" The scene was now terrible ; women shrieking, some crying, the men all in a turbulent state, some calling out, ' a mob! a inob!' running to the door and picking up sticks of stove wood as they hurried out. The doxolog^' ended abruptly with no benediction.

" As soon as the men were out of the church thev began to search for the cause of the trouble and discovered men's tracks in the sno^v by the windows which had been broken in. The tracks were followed a short distance north of the church, when Frederick Bronnenberg, now of Anderson, with Brazelton Noland, recognized William Griffith and Richard Godwin as the perpetrators of the joke.

" The young men were very mad when they found that they had been discovered, and at once wanted to fight and whip somebody. In less time than it takes to tell it William Griffith was biting the snow, which had not turned to oil. The only sign of oil in the snow was where William had Iain, and that was mixed with his own blood.

" Upon further investigation it was found that these two young men had become intoxicated in Chesterfield and said that they would make the people believe sure enough that the world ^vas cominsr to an end. Their first intention ^vas to shoot an old ' swivel' cannon into the church through a window on the east side, where the women were sitting. They failed, ho^vever, in discharging the cannon, which caused them to break the windows. Had they been successful in discharging the gun it would have been a miracle if a number of women had not been killed, for those with their backs to the window were within fifteen inches of the cannon's mouth. Dr. George W. Godwin, father of Richard Godwin, at once went to see the trustees of the chuich and, if posssble, to settle the matter. The agreement was reached that the Doctor should repair the church and that William Griffith, with Richard Godwin, should come before the minister and trustees and confess that they had done wrong and would do so no more.

" Some time the following May a church full of people saw William Griffith and Richard Godwin go forward to the altar and confess their error. The minister took each by the hand, forgave them in an earnest prayer urging them to be good men-.

Brazelton Noland, An Old Time Citizen

Noland filed on the 5th day of December, 1844, with the Board of County Commissioners : "A true statement of the amount and kind of funds now remaining in my hands as Treasurer. Three hundred and fifty dollars in par funds, one hundred and forty dollars in scrip, making in all four hundred and ninety dollars. December the tenth, 1844."

"B. XoLAND, Treas ." He served two terms, retiring from the office with credit to himself and the general respect of the public. After the expiration of his term of office he engaged for a short period in thfe dr^'-goods trade, after which he removed to Chesterfield, and there built, in 1853, a large steam saw and flour mill, which he operated until 1855, when he sold it and moved to Illinois, where he remained until 1865, when he again removed to Indiana. In the year 1878 he removed to Riverside, California, where he resided until the time of his death. Mr. Noland at one time owned the farm on which the suburb of Shadeland, in Anderson, is now situated.

Wonderful Career Of A Slick Citizen

In the spring of 18G1, about the time of the breaking out of the rebellion, a stranger appeared in Anderson hailing from the South. He was finely dressed and of verj' polished manners, and soon ingratiated himself into the confidence of those with whom he caine in contact. He took up his abode with a prominent farmer of Union township, where he had rooms and board. He made daily visits to the city of Anderson, and gave his name as Henry V. Clinton. He will be well remembered bv the older citizens. He was a finely educated man, being a graduate of Princeton College, New Jersey. He came from a good family in New Orleans. He was tall and slender, very stylish in appearance, and wore a moustache and " burnside' whiskers. He was reputed to be very wealthy, and expressed a desire to get away from the excitement of his southern home on account of the political feeling prevalent there.

He had not been in this locality verj' long before he gained the confidence of Mr. Berryman Shafer, the farmer alluded to above, and at whose house he made his home. His intimacy with the Shafer family resulted in his courting and marrying the eldest daughter. In the spring after this event, he and his young wife removed to Anderson and boarded among some of the best families in the city. He made many trips south during his residence in Anderson, ostensibh" to visit his relatives.

Upon his return from these trips he would exhibit large sums of money wiiich he claimed had been given him by friends at his old home. In the spring of 18(52 his father-in-law, Mr. Shafer, became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the ofHce of Sheriff of Madison county. Mr. Clinton took charge of his campaign and spent many thousand dollars in his behalf. It is a fact that Mr. Clinton introduced into Madison county the first money campaign that ever took place for nominations, and educated the people in that line to such an extent that for many years it became an absolute necessity in making a successful race. This campaign placed him in close ]^elation with many of the leaders in the Democratic party, notably with William W. Noland, who was at that time Treasurer of Madison county. He succeeded so very thoroughly in gaining the confidence of Mr. Noland that he and his wife were taken into the Xoland family as confidants. During his stay with them he made many valuable and handsome presents to the Noland family, among which was a very fine silver set. His visits to the south took place as often as once or twice a month ; upon his return each tim^he made Mr. Noland's office a place of deposit for his money and at times deposited as much as $15,000.00, taking Mr. Noland's receipt for the same. On one of these occasions it was noticed a few days after he had made a large deposit that a package containing $4,000 was missing from the treasurj- safe and suspicion pointed strongly towards Mr. Clinton, and it is said that he made the shortage good. When Mr. Noland retired from the treasurer's office he came out short in the sum of $17,000. It has always been believed by Mr. Noland's friends that the money was taken by Mr. Clinton, although no positive proof was ever introduced on the subject, nor did Mr. Noland openly accuse him of the same. Clinton was mixed up in many different crimes, prominent among which was one in Rochester, New York, in the year 1867, where a gang of robbers and burglars was organized. Prominent among this gang were George Wilkes, the famous forger; Philip Hargreave, Joe Randall, and Joe Chapman, who are now serving life sentences in Smyrnia, Turkey-. George and Loftus Brotherton, McCay and Charles Moore were also in the band. The Brotherton brothers were placed in prison in Sacramento afterward for the term of twelve years. Peter Burns, of Philadelphia, had to pay several thousand dollars at one time on account of the men having obtained money on forged checks on the Philadelphia bank.

Clinton's wife clung to him through her earnest love and fidelity, having followed him all over the Union and in many foreign countries. She finally left him, obtained a divorce, and is now the wife of a prominent farmer in Delaware county. Clinton was arrested for negotiating a stolen bond, and it is said his friends bribed the prosecuting attorney and he was released on straw bail. After the organization of theband a plan ^vas devised for robbing a bank in Sacramento, and Clinton was the one selected to do the job. On his way to that city he forged a check at a Danville, 111., bank for $3,000, and secured the money upon it. In a few weeks afterwards the famous bank robbery of that year was accomplished and over $100,000 was secured. The whole party left the town for the Isthmus of Panama by way of a Pacific steamer. Mrs. Clinton, upon receiving a cipher dispatch from her husband, proceeded to New York and there took a steamer for Aspinwall, Panama, where she met him. Their plans were to get off on a vessel for France or South America, and to get away before a draft that he had forged could be protested and returned, and before the news of the Cillifornia robbery arrived. This draft was cashed by a commercial agent at Panama, but the party missed the vessel they desired to get on and before they could get away the draft came back, dishonored. All the parties escaped, however, but Clinton and his wife. In the trunk of the latter was found packages of funds and bonds taken from the bank at San Francisco, and $2,000 in gold \vhich she claimed as her own private funds, but which were confiscated. Clinton was tried, convicted and sentenced for two years on the chain-gang, but soon escaped and walked to Aspinwall, where he boarded a vessel for Maitland, jSIexico, and there he boarded another vessel which came over to Florida. He soon tried to make a "raise" by forging another draft, but he was caught in the act and locked up. Information of his whereabouts reached Danville, 111., and a detective by the name of Rittenhouse was sent after him armed \vith a requisition. He secured his prisoner and started with him and got as far as north-western Ohio on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, when during a temporary absence of the detective from his seat, Clinton opened the window and made a desperate leap for liberty. The night was dark and the train was flying at full speed. Fortunately Clinton fell in a swamp of marshy ground and thus saved him from instant death. He was too severely stunned to get up. The train was stopped at once and backed to the place where he had jumped off. He was taken handcuffed to Danville, but the man upon whom he had committed the forgery, being an uncle of Mrs. Clinton, declined to prosecute him. He was afterwards arrested in Cincinnati for swindling a liquor firm out of a considerable sum of money, but his friends secured his liberation. From here he went to Philadelphia, where he was arrested on the charge of stealing a valise. In this transaction Clinton made the grandest mistake of his life. He was supposed to have shadowed a man who was said to have in his valise a large sum of bonds, and in getting off of the train Clinton snatched the valise in which he supposed the valuables were, and through a mistake he got hold of the wrong one, which contained an ordinary suit of clothes. Upon this charge he was incarcerated eighteen months in the Moyamensing prison, Philadelphia, and after the expiration of his term went to Baltimore, where he renewed his acquaintance with his former pals. They rented a room on the ground floor adjoining a national bank and opened a real estate office. A large map was hung on the wall next to the side of the safe of the bank and a high obstruction was erected in front to conceal the debris they took at night out of the wall behind the map.

One Sunday night they got to the safe and pried out one side of it, the lock was displaced, thereby giving them admission to the vaults, from which they purloined about $70,000 in currency and a large amount of securities, with which they made their escape. The bank officials upon entering the room found the safe door unlocked, but thought nothing of it at first as there was no outward indication of robbery. It was almost noon before they discovered that they had been the victims of a theft. This robbery was traced to Clinton, and he was again placed under arrest, but by some means got off without being imprisoned, the supposition being that he and his friends had refunded a large portion of the money upon a compromise for his release.

He was also at one time incarcerated in Sing Sing for some offense, but after having served a few months, through the influence of some friends a pardon was granted him by Governor Samuel J. Tilden. He was at that time known under the alias of Robert Clark. Tilden, in his comments upon the case in his report to the New York Legislature, stated that '-Clark" had been granted a pardon, he being represented as an erring and unfortunate, but really very worthy sort of person, whose pardon was recommended by Governor Letcher, and that Clark had a chance, if liberated, of becoming connected with one of the most influential newspapers of the South.

It is supposed that nearly all the letters of recommendation, and many of the petitions, sent to Governor Tilden, were the handiwork of Clinton.

We are indebted to tlie Bulletin for an article appearing in its columns several years ago for the facts contained in this statement. Mr. Clinton is said now to be a resident of Washington City. For many years he held the position of guard in one of the departments of the Capitol, and is, seemingly, thoroughly reformed. Whatever may be said of Mr. Clinton, there is no gainsax'ing the fact that he knew how to be a gentleman, for no more courteous, dignified or clev«r man ever lived in Madison county than he, and many of his charitable deeds to the poor who needed assistance will long be remembered by many of those who were the recipients of such favors.

David B. Simms, of Union township, late deceased, is on the list of old-timers. He was not a resident of Madison county all his life, but came from "in yonder" so long ago that he was always considered by the old settlers as one of their number. He was a son-in-law of old Uncle Billy Johns, who died a few jears ago, near Chesterfield. Mr. Simms was a jolly, good fellow, large and portly, making rather a good appearance among men. He was one of Madison county's best and inost prosperous farmers, which occupation he followed all his life, save a very short period which was diverted to politics. His political career was as brief as it was brilliant. David was naturally a Democrat, and always stood by the guns of that party in a fight, with one exception. In 1874 the Granger party came up like a mushroom in the night, bloomed like a big sunflower for a day, folded up its leaves and died in the twinkling of an eye.

Among the many Democrats who straj'ed away in that year and followed the new party, was David B. Simms ; glib with his tongue and naturally a little slick in his ways, he soon became a "leader." The county convention came on and Simms was placed on the ticket for the high and responsible position of Coroner. The Democrats had previously met in

The Republicans met soon afterward, and made no nomination, but indorsed David B. Simms and ordered his name to be placed on their ticket. This gave him double advantage over his opponent, and after a long struggle the votes, when counted, showed Simms to be the winner. He was the only one on either the Republican or Granger ticket who was elected. Soon after the election was over the Democrats concluded they would have a ratification meeting to properly ratify the grand triumph over the two other foes in the field. The time was set, the band engaged, bonfires were built, a store box was placed in front of where the National Exchange bank is now located for the speakers. All was in readiness, and the fun soon began. Colonel Pierse gave the crowd one of his most powerful and interesting addresses. Colonel W. C. Fleming for an hour held the audience in dilating upon the grand victory. Gus McCallister preached the funeral sermon of the Republican party, as only Gus could do. David B. Simms was present, and although it was not exactly his "funeral" he was glad to be "in it." His Democracy was stirred up by the oratory of his old comrade and friend who had just spoken. Stephen Metcalf, who was then editor of the Anderson Herald, the Republican organ, was in the crowd. He thought it would be a good joke to get Simms up to make a speech, supposing, of course, that as he was elected in opposition to the Democratic ticket, he would give the Democrats the devil and cause a rupture in the meeting. He urged Simms up to mount the box. Finally a time presented itself and Simms got up. His head towering away above the crowd, his long, flowing whiskers dangling in the wind, he sailed in. Stephen drew closer to the box to catch the words of oratory as they escaped from the speaker's lips. He didn't stay long. Simms took his text back in 1854, the time of the "bornin"' of the Republican party, giving the party and all its acts from that time up to date the devil. He spoke until the bonfires went out, the crowd wearied and Metcalf was home in bed. The band chimed in with a tune occasionally to shut him off, but a brass band was no place beside Simms' voice. He could be heard above everything.

When he subsided he was wringing wet with perspiration, and his face was as red as a turkey gobbler's wattle. During Simms' incumbencv as Coroner, John W. McCallis- ter, the Sheriff, died. By virtue of his office Simms became Sheriff until another could be chosen. It was in the times when the Sheriff's office was a " snap," there being many large foreclosures and sheriff's sales, the Sheriff" being allowed five per cent, on all sales. The deceased had many sales advertised before his death that the Coroner and ex-officio Sheriff had to complete, thereby entitling him to the per cent.

The day of sale came around. Simms knew about as much about what he was to get for his services as a ten-yearold boy. He got one of the Deputy Sheriffs under the deceased Sheriff' to help him out. The sales were made, and the returns properly filed with the Clerk. His assistant, coming into the Clerk's office, handed Mr. Simm.s the magnificent sum of $65.00.

" See here, young man ; I want you to understand that I -will have no crooked business about this matter. I am an honest man and won't stand any robbery in this business."

From that moment forward, as long as David B. Simms lived, he was a candidate for Sheriff, but died before he reached the goal of his ambition.

William Johns, An Old-Timer

William Johns, late of Union township, was one of the old-timers who helped to make Madison county. He came here in an early day, locating in the neighborhood where he died in 1888. He was one of the men who lived for all life was worth. He came as nearly having a good time every day in the year as any man who ever lived in Madison county. He was an extraordinarily good story-teller, and always kept a lot of good " yarns" on hand.

It was his custom to come to town every Saturday to do his family trading and learn a new joke to take home with him. He was originally an old line Whig, until the formation of the Republican party, when he switched off" and became a Democrat.

After attaching himself to the Democratic party, he became one of its leaders in his neighborhood. His counsel was always sought in every political campaign. He was one of the best workers in the party in Union township. While he never cared for office himself, he glorified in the success of his friends. Uncle Bill, as he was faniiliarlv called, was one of the old-time fellows in his ways - built on about the same gauge as the late Colonel Berry, Joseph Howard, and such men as they, who came here about the time he did.

He despised a dude or a fop ; he was not opposed to neat and tidy dress, but any thing that bordered on foppishness disgusted him. He not only enjoyed joking others, but if it came on him it was all the same. He used to relate an occurrence that took place with him when he was a j'oung man, that he would laugh over heartil)'.

According to his storv, lie was rather a wild young man, not very bad, but full of fun. Among the young people with whom he associated, was a dashing belle, with sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks, with whom he was in love. He was her escort to all the apple-cuttings, husking-bees, log-rollings and wool-pickings. His love was fully reciprocated by the fair one, but like all cases of true love, it did not run smoothly. Her father was a local preacher. He knew Uncle Billy's short-comings and wild disposition. He seriously objected to his attentions to his daughter and so notified Billy. He was warned not to come about again, but the girl clung to him and they would meet at the gatherings in the neighborhood, in spite of the objections of the stern parent.

Things went on in this direction, until at last they reached a climax. One Sunday the two lovers met at a country meeting. After the services, Billy concluded he would boldly take his girl to her home, meet her angry father and take the consequences. So they strolled up the road, as lovers naturally Avould, until they came in sight of the house. They saw the preacher out on the wood-pile in front. Billy made up his mind that he would play the old man a big game of -'blufl'." He did not mention it to the girl, but marched squarely up to the preacher, staring him in the face and said :

" Now, sir, you have indulged in a great many inuendoes about me, and have forbidden me to come to your house. I am here to say that I am as good as you are m every respect. I owe you nothing. I care nothing for you, but I like your daughter. I have come to give you the d - dest licking you ever had."

Billy began to tpake motions to take off his coat, but he never got it off. Something like a cannon ball struck him between the eyes, and the- stars immediately came in sight. When he came to, he was on the opposite side of the road, with the preacher rubbing him back to life. Billy said if a mule had kicked him it could not have killed him any deader for the time. If lightning had struck him he could not have been more surprised. He supposed that when he tackled the preacher for a fight, he would either knuckle to him and apologize, or run, but in this he was mistaken.

Billy's motto ever afterward was, " Never tackle a country preacher for a fight." Billy and the preacher afterwards became good friends, but he and the girl " fell out " and never married. All old-timers will remember Uncle Billy Johns.

A Sketch

Dr. Valentine Dunham was one of the old-fashioned country doctors, who lixedin Union township for many years, and practiced the profession of medicine among his neighbors. Instead of going to a drug store and having his prescriptions prepared, he carried an old time pair of leather saddle-bags which he threw across the back of his horse, and rode astride of them through sunshine and storm, night and day, healing the sick and afflicted, who appealed to him for medical service. He was not a graduate of any medical school, but had an extraordinary amount of old fashioned common sense.

riis father, who was also a physician, died in 1850, and left his medical books and surgical instruments to his son, from which he gained all that he ever knew about the science of medicine, having no instructor whatever.

He died at his home in Union township, on the 2'2d of January, 1882, at the age of sixty years. Of a family of twelve brothers and sisters he was the last \vith but one exception, Ex-Mayor Dunham, who is now a resident of ^Vnderson, and a Justice of the Peace. He was married in 1852 and raised a large family, his wife having died in 1873.

Dr. Dunham was engaged in the practice of medicine for nearly forty years, and in his neighborhood was looked upon as being the father of medicine. Although he was not an educated man, his general good sense gave him about the right idea what to do in any ordinary case of sickness. He was quite successful in his practice, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his brother physicians throughout the county, who upon the occasion of his death met and passed resolutions of respect to his memory, the committee consisting of Drs. William A. Hunt, Horace E. Jones and Jonas Stewart.

Dr. Dunham was a frugal man in his habits and had amassed quite a fortune, being one of the largest land owners in his locality, and at his death left his family a snug competency, which thej" at this time fully appreciate and enjoy.

Death Of A Pioneer

In the Anderson SiaiiJard of June 24, 1858, we find the announcement of the death of one of the earliest settlers of Madison county, as follows :

" Died in Chesterfield in this county, of an affection of the heart, Betsey Makepeace, wife of the late Amasa Makepeace, aged seventy-four years.

" The subject of this notice was born in Norton, Massachusetts, June 3, 1774, where she was married about the year 1800, and shortly afterward, with her husband, moved to Chesterfield, N. H., where they remained until the year 1818, when, being unfortunate in business, they concluded to seek a home in the far West. Accordingly they packed up their goods and with a large family started for the headwaters of the Ohio river, which they reached after a long and tedious journey.

They made the journey by means of their horses, traveling in a wagon until they reached the Ohio river, when they constructed a raft, making their way to Cincinnati, which was then but a mere village. From Cincinnati they went to Lebanon, Ohio, where they remained two or three years, when they removed to Madison county, Indiana, where they remained until the time of their death. The husband's death preceded that of his wife by ten years, having lived together nearly fifty years. Mrs. Makepeace had therefore shared the toils and troubles of a pioneer's life. She was one of the first settlers of the count}-, the red man holding possession of the forests when she first beheld them.

" May her memory be still fresh in the hearts of those ^vho have received many a kind word and encouraging counsel from those lips that are now cold in death."

The Mrs. Makepeace above referred to was the mother of the late Allen Makepeace, who for many years lived at Chesterfield, and died there in the year 1872. Chesterfield was a mere Indian trading point at the time of the arrival of this worthy couple at that place. Mr. Allen Makepeace was a merchant in that village for nearly half a century, and amassed an immense fortune, which he left to two children who survived him, the eldest of whom is Elvira J. Corwin, wife of John E. Corwin, former President of the Madison County Bank, but now residing at Middletown, N. Y., and their son, Qiiincy Makepeace, who yet resides near the old homestead in Chesterfield.