USA > Arkansas > A pictorial history of Arkansas, from earliest times to the year 1890. A full and complete account, embracing the Indian tribes occupying the country; the early French and Spanish explorers and governors; the colonial period; the Louisiana purchase; the periods of the territory, the state, the civil war, and the subsequent period. Also, an extended history of each county in the order of formation, and of the principal cities and towns; together with biographical notices of distinguished and prominent citizens > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
Richard H. Johnson, son of Judge Benjamin Johnson, was born in Little Rock, February 22d, 1826. On February 22d, 1855, on the twenty-ninth anniversary of his birth, he was married to Anna Newton, a daughter of Thomas W. Newton. The surviving children by this marriage, in the order of their birth, are: Allen Newton, Junius James, Sidney Jordan, John Adams and Anna. Colonel Johnson was Private Secretary to Governor Elias Conway during the eight years that gentleman was Governor of Arkansas, and was the founder of the "True Democrat," a newspaper that made a very strong and able fight for Democracy in the latter part of the fifties. In 1860 he was the nominee of one wing
777
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
of the Democratic party for Governor, but was defeated by Hon. H. M. Rector, who ran as an independent Democratic candidate. In the spring of 1878 he became the editor of "The Gazette," holding the position until January, 1881, when he resigned to become the Private Secretary of Governor T. J. Churchill. Colonel Johnson died in Little Rock, Sat- urday, September 7th, 1889, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. Mrs. Anna Johnson, his wife, died during the year previous.
Judge Daniel Ringo became a resident of Little Rock in 1833, forming a law partnership with Colonel Chester Ashley at that date. He was born in Kentucky about the year 1800, and came to Arkansas in 1820, stopping at Little Rock for a time, but locating permanently in Arkadelphia, Clark county. He was Clerk of the county from 1825 to 1830, when he moved to Washington, and entered into a law partnership with George Conway, and afterwards with Judge Edward Cross. In 1833 he came to Little Rock. In 1836 he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court till 1844. In 1849, upon the death of Judge Benjamin Johnson, he was appointed by President Taylor United States District Judge, which position he held until 1861. After the war he prac- ticed law. He died at Little Rock, September 3d, 1873. Of his family of five children, only one-a daughter, Lillie Ringo-is now living.
Sterling H. Tucker came to Little Rock in the autumn of 1833, and opened a drug store. He was then with the firm of R. C. Byrd & Co., and next engaged in merchandising for himself. He became a prominent banker, well known throughout the State. He was born in Franklin county, North Carolina, and with his father came to Memphis in 1828. He was twice married. His family consists of six daughters, and a son, Sterling W. Tucker, General Passenger Agent of the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad.
mi. itmu-
%
AmMintor
GENERAL ALBERT PIKE.
779
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
Governor Elias Nelson Conway became a citizen of the place in 1833, and still resides there. A fuller account of him will be found in the mention of his administration, in Chapter XV.
Albert Pike moved to Little Rock from Fort Smith in 1833. He was born at Boston, Massachusetts, December 29th, 1809. At the age of sixteen he entered Harvard College, and shortly afterwards became a teacher. In the spring of 1831 he went west, and went on an expedition to Mexico, but turned back from it, and after walking 500 miles on foot, reached Fort Smith, and began teaching. In January, 1835, he purchased the "Advocate" newspaper of Charles P. Ber- trand, and became its Editor. While editing the paper, he also devoted himself to the study of law with such assiduity that he readily mastered it, and eventually became a great lawyer. He was Reporter of the Supreme Court in the years 1836 to 1845. His practice at times embraced cases of great magnitude, especially for Indian claimants. During the Mexican War he served with distinction as a volunteer. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he organized a command of Cherokee Indians, and fought with them at the battle of Pea Ridge, and in other engagements. In 1864 he was a Judge of the Supreme Court. His home was in Little Rock until after the war, when about 1866 or 1867. he moved to Memphis, where he edited the "Memphis Appeal" in 1867 and 1868. After this, about 1868 or 1869, he moved to Washington City, where he has since resided. He formed a law partnership there with Robert W. Johnson, the firm being Pike & Johnson, which continued until 1882, when Colonel Johnson returned to Arkansas.
General Pike has given much of his attention to matters of Freemasonry, and is the highest in that Order in the entire world. He became a member of the Order in Little Rock, in 1850. He will, perhaps, be best remembered by his poet- ical productions, of which he has published a number, and
780
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
some of which have attained a wide celebrity. For instance, "Hymn to the Gods," 1831, republished in Blackwood's Magazine" in 1839, with high commendation; "Every Year," and "The Fine Arkansas Gentleman," having for its subject Major Elias Rector, of Fort Smith. In 1834 he mar- ried Mary Ann Hamilton, of Arkansas Post. There were born of this marriage five sons and two daughters, of whom two sons, Luther Hamilton Pike and Yvon Pike, and one daughter, Lillian Pike, are now living. Mrs. Pike died a number of years ago, about the year 1868 or 1870. In 1840 he built the large brick house on Rock street, between Seventh and Eighth, now the residence of Captain John G. Fletcher.
Lorenzo and W. R. Gibson located at Little Rock in 1833, and engaged in merchandising; Lorenzo Gibson afterwards practiced medicine, and was a prominent physician of his time. His name is represented in those of his three sons, James Gibson, a 'druggist, Frank Gibson, and Dr. L. C. Gibson. His daughter was Mrs. Charles C. Farrelly, but who has now been dead a number of years.
William B. Wait came to Little Rock from the Post of Arkansas in 1834, and went into merchandising with Edward Dunn, as Wait & Dunn. Mr. Dunn died in 1836, and Mr. Wait returned to the Post, and went into business there with Charles Notrebe, son of Frederick Notrebe, with whom he had been engaged as clerk in his first residence at the Post. Charles Notrebe dying, Mr. Wait returned to Little Rock in 1843, and has lived there ever since. From 1843 to 1854 he was engaged actively in merchandising, but at that date was burned out, and afterwards, up to 1861, engaged in collection and exchange business. Since 1861, and after the war, he was engaged in many business enterprises ; was Vice-Presi- dent of the Merchants' National Bank, and a large property owner. He was born in Groton, Connecticut, January 10th, 1808, and came to Arkansas in 1830. He was twice married. On the IIth of December, 1838, in Little Rock, he married
1
78I
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
Miss Martha Lavinia Reardon. By this marriage there were four children, only one of whom is now living, to wit: Prof. Charles Edmond Wait. Mrs. Wait died December 31st, 1863. On the 20th of May, 1867, he married Mrs. Fannie Esten Tyler, widow of Lieutenant Wm. H. Tyler, of the United States Army. By this marriage there was one child, a son, Robert E. Wait.
Henry M. Rector, who was Governor in 1861 and 1862, became a resident of Little Rock in 1835. A fuller notice of him will be found at the mention of his administration, Chapter XVI.
Dr. W. W. Adams settled at Little Rock in 1835, and lived there until his death, in 1883, at the age of seventy-five years. He was born at Leverett, Massachusetts, in 1808.
Rev. William P. Ratcliffe, of the Methodist Church, came to Arkansas in 1835, and was stationed in Little Rock in 1836. He was in Helena from 1845 to 1849, and in Little Rock again in 1850 and 1851. In 1851 he moved to Camden, and remained there until his death, in 1868. His name is represented in that of his son, Hon. William C. Ratcliffe.
Samuel H. Hempstead came to Little Rock in 1836, from St. Louis, and began the practice of law. He was born in New London, Connecticut, November 26th, 1814, son of Joseph and Celinda (Hutchinson) Hempstead. At an early age he moved with his father to St. Louis, where he grew to manhood, and studied law in the office of Edward Bates. He was Clerk of the House of Representatives of the Arkan- sas Legislature of 1836 and 1838, and Adjutant-General of the State Militia, under Govenor Yell. He formed a law partnership with Robert W. Johnson, as Hempstead & Johnson. He was Prosecuting Attorney in 1842, and United States District Attorney in 1856. In that year he published a volume of Reports of the United States Court of Arkansas, called Hempstead's Reports ; the first reports of that court,
---....
n
AmMinton
SAMUEL H. HEMPSTEAD. Solicitor-General, 1859,
783
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
and only one ever issued confined exclusively to Arkansas. He was Solicitor-General of the State, 1858, and as such made a valuable compilation of Swamp Land Laws, which is still a standard work with courts and officers. He was several times Special Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and as such prepared and rendered the decision of the court in the case of Kelly's Heirs against McGuire, in which the law of descents and distributions is fully and exhaustively stated. Others of his legal achievements worthy of note are his defense of the Cloyes' Heirs case; and his defense of the State's interest in suits in which the Real Estate Bank matters were involved. From 1841 to 1853 his residence was on lower Markham street, next west of where Wing's foundry now is, and from 1853 was at the place now occupied by the Forest Grove School. On the 10th of August, 1841, at Little Rock, he married Miss Elizabeth R. Beall, formerly of Bardstown, Kentucky. Of this marriage there were born seven sons and one daughter, of whom three sons are now living, Beall Hempstead, St. Louis; Fay and Roy Hempstead, Little Rock. He died in Little Rock, June 25th, 1862, aged forty-eight years.
George Brodie was also a citizen of that date, 1836. He came from Scotland in 1833, to Boston, where he remained three years, and then came to Little Rock, 1836, and at first settled near the place, but afterwards lived in the town, where he resided until 1855 or 1856, when he moved to Jefferson county, and engaged largely in planting ; living near Plum Bayou, where he died in 1879. The members of his family were three sons, of whom two, James Kirkwood Brodie, and George A. Brodie, a resident of Portland, Oregon, are living ; and a daughter, Abbie K. Brodie, who is Mrs. Dickinson. The third son, P. Renton Brodie, died some years ago.
Major C. B. Moore was born in Little Rock, March 31st, 1836, son of the Rev. J. W. Moore, a Presbyterian Minister, who came from Pennsylvania, and established the first church
784
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of that denomination in Little Rock and the Territory at an early date. Major Moore graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, in 1857. Returning home he began reading law in the office of Judge John T. Jones, of Helena, and was admitted to the Bar in 1858, and commenced the practice of law in his native city. On the breaking out of the war he entered the Confederate Army, and served to the close of the war. After the war he resumed the practice of law in Little Rock, becoming associated with John Wassell, as the firm of Wassell & Moore, which continued till the death of Mr. Wassell. In 1880 Major Moore was elected Attorney- General of Arkansas, and again in 1882 to 1884. In 1868 he married, at Little Rock, Miss Lou B. Green, daugh- ter of Rev. Joshua F. Green, an eminent Presbyterian Minis- ter of Little Rock, from 1847 to 1854.
Judge John J. Clendennin came to Little Rock in 1836, and was made Private Secretary to Governor James S. Con- way. He was born at Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1813. In 1840, 1844, 1854, 1858 and 1874 he was elected Circuit Judge. From 1849 to 1854 he was Attorney-General of the State, and in 1866 was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, but was ousted therefrom by General C. H. Smith, Military Commander of the Sub-District of Arkansas, under the Re-construction Acts. He died at Little Rock, July 4th, 1876. The only member of his family now living is his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Royston.
David Bender came to Little Rock from Pittsburg, Decem- ber 14th, 1839, and engaged in merchandising, and is still a resident of the city.
D. J. Baldwin located in Little Rock in 1838. He was born at Orange, New Jersey, January 17th, 1818. On mov- ing to Little Rock, he entered the law office of Ashley & Watkins; he was admitted to the Bar in 1842, and became the partner of General Albert Pike. About 1850 he moved to Galveston, Texas, and afterwards became United States District-Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.
785
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
In 1839 the Vance Brothers, James and William, located in Little Rock, coming from New York, and built a two-story frame house at the corner of Main and Third streets, which stood until 1880, and was at that date occupied by Otto Menke as a furniture store. The house was pulled down shortly after that date to make way for the brick building which now occupies the spot. In 1846 both William and James Vance moved to San Antonio, Texas, where William died about 1873 or 1874, and James died in 1878.
John P. Karns became a citizen of Little Rock in 1837. He was born May 4th, 1815, either in Virginia or while his parents were en-route moving to Ohio, in which State he was raised. In 1839 he built the house corner of Rector avenue and Fourth streets, in which he now lives, and has occupied it since 1848. From 1861 to 1869 he was Sexton of Mount Holly Cemetery. On the 10th of December, 1847, he married Miss Araminta Butler. The children born of this marriage now living are three daughters: Mrs. Joe H. Ward, Mrs. Louis Muller and Miss Lillie Karns, and a son, Fed B. W. Karns.
William Gilchrist came to Little Rock about 1837. In 1840 he built the frame house on Scott street, between Eighth and Ninth, east side, now occupied by William H. Field, and lived there until the date of his death, September 5th, 1843.
Henry Griffith settled at the place in 1839, and in the same year built a frame house on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, west side, just north of the Clock building, which he occupied as a family residence. The house was built in the edge of a corn field, which embraced a large sweep of space to the west. Henry Griffith was born in 1817, and died April 13th, 1868, aged 51 years.
Jacob Brack settled in Little Rock in 1839. His name is represented by two sons, Gottlieb and Otto Brack, and a
18
786
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
daughter, Miss Mollie E. Brack. The eldest son, Frederick, was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. Gottlieb Brack was born in Little Rock, June 26th, 1844. On the 28th of May, 1874, he married Miss Lavinia Dolive, daughter of Robert Dolive. Otto Brack was born in Little Rock, October 20th, 1846, and in March, 1874, married Miss Lucy Beauchamp.
James M. Curran settled in Little Rock in 1840, and began reading law with Colonel Chester Ashley and Judge George C. Watkins. He was born at Batesville, Arkansas, Decem- ber Ioth, 1821, son of Thomas Curran, who was a merchant and early settler of the Post of Arkansas. Being left an or- phan at an early age, he was taken and reared by his uncle and aunt, Judge and Mrs. Townsend Dickinson-Judge Dickinson having married a sister of Mr. Curran's mother. In 1844 he became a law partner of Judge Watkins, the firm being Watkins & Curran, which continued until 1848, when Judge Watkins became Attorney-General of the State. Mr. Cur- ran then became associated with Major George A. Gallagher, as Curran & Gallagher, which continued till his death, which occurred in 1854. In June, 1849, he married Miss Sophia Fulton, daughter of Governor William S. Fulton. By this marriage there are three children now living, to-wit: Wil- liam S. Curran, a lawyer, residing at Richmond, Little River county ; May, who is Mrs. Francis Johnson, and Alice, who is Mrs. Frederick Elias Conway.
In 1840 Samuel M. Weaver moved to Little Rock, from McLean's Bottom, Crawford county, where he had previously resided since 1828, and lived here until his death, April 21st, 1864. The members of his family surviving him are his widow, Mrs. M. E. Weaver; his sons, George V. Weaver and Samuel M. Weaver, and a daughter Mary, Mrs. Ben. Field.
In 1841 Luke E. Barber became a citizen of the place, and lived here the remainder of his Ilfe. He was born in St.
787
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
Mary's county, Maryland, September 6th, 1806. On reach- ing manhood he studied law in the office of Judge Key of that State, and upon being admitted to the Bar, practiced law there until 1836, when he came to Arkansas, and settled in Jefferson county, and engaged in planting. He was a Mem- ber of the Legislature from that county in 1838. In 1841 he moved to Little Rock, and in 1845 was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court, which position he held from that time until his death, with the exception of a period from 1868 to 1874. He was Reporter of the Decisions of the Supreme Court from 1854 to 1868. In 1867 he was President of the St. John's College. In 1832 he married, in Maryland, Jane P. Causine, who still survives him. He was a devout mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, and for upwards of 40 years consecutively was a member of the vestry and senior warden of the parish. He was prominent in the Masonic Order, and was Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State for 12 years, from 1869 to 1881. He died June 13th, 1886, aged 80 years.
Hon. Pleasant Jordan located in Little Rock in the win- ter of 1842 to 1843. He was born in Henderson county, North Carolina, August 17th, 1812. After attending school in South Carolina, he taught school in that State until he had accumulated sufficient means to sustain himself while reading law in the office of Hon. Simpson Bobo, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He remained so engaged until the winter of 1842, when he came to Little Rock, and entered the law office of Colonel Absolom Fowler as a student. In 1843 he was admitted to the Bar, and opened an office for the practice. In 1861 he was elected Prosecuting-Attorney of the Fifth Circuit, which made him ex-officio Attorney-General of the State. He died at Little Rock, May 27th, 1863. In 1851 he married Miss Sallie E. Howell, daughter of Hon. Seth Howell, of Johnson county. He left surviving him two sons, Howell and Lee Jordan, and a daughter, Mrs. B. C. Brown.
788
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Ferdinand A. Sarasin first came to Little Rock, July 2d, 1842, arriving there direct from Frankfort on the Main, Germany. In a short while he went to Saline county, to live at a place then owned by Mr. Sandherr, but now owned by Attorney-General Garland, and called "Hominy Hill." He was engaged in farming at this place at the time of the break- ing out of the Mexican War, and enlisted from there. As he was ploughing in the field Benjamin F. Owens, a neighbor, passing by, on his way from Lawson's Mill informed him that volunteers were wanted for the war with Mexico, and a company was being formed in Little Rock for the pur- pose. He resolved at once to enlist, and taking his best horse from the range, came to town the next day and enlisted in Captain Borland's Company, the ninth man to be enrolled therein. He took part, with Yell's Regiment, in the battle of Buena Vista. After the regiment was mustered out he re- enlisted in Captain Gaston Meares' Company, and remained until the end of the war. After the close of the war he moved into Pulaski county, north of the river. In 1852 he moved to Little Rock, as book-keeper for Alex. George, lessee of the penitentiary, and has since resided here. In 1858 and 1859 he was a merchant with Frederick Kramer, as Sarasin & Kramer, and for several years recently has filled the office of Justice of the Peace of Big Rock township.
Dr. Roderick L. Dodge became a citizen of Little Rock in 1842. He was born in Hartland, Vermont, September 7th, 1808, and grew to manhood there. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1834, and subsequently at the Phila- delphia Medical College. In 1835 he went as a Missionary to Western Indians, and from there came to Little Rock, where he engaged in the drug business, which he conducted for many years. He was twice married. First to Miss Emeline Bradshaw, and after her death to Miss Eliza Brad- shaw. By the first marriage there were two children : Mrs. Sample, who died some two years ago, and Dr. S. D. Dodge.
ยท
789
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC. +
By the second marriage there were eight children. Those now living are George E. Dodge, Mrs. W. G. Whipple, Mrs. Fred. Staff, Mrs. D. L. Gray, Mrs. Charles E. Kidder and Mrs. B. W. Green.
Silas F. Field came to Little Rock, March 10th, 1843, and has resided there since. For a number of years he was in mercantile business with the late Samuel F. Dolley, under the firm name of Field & Dolley. He was born in Pulaski, Giles county, Tennessee, September 23d, 1832.
Solon Borland became a citizen of Little Rock in 1843. He was born in Suffolk, Virginia, in 1809, the son of Dr. Thomas Borland, a Scotch physician, who came to America in 1796. Colonel Borland came to Arkansas in 1842, and lived first in Hot Springs and afterwards in Princeton, then moved to Little Rock. In 1846 he raised a company in Little Rock and Pulaski county for the Mexican War, and enlisted in Yell's Regiment. In 1848 he was elected United States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of A. H. Sevier, resigned, and was afterwards elected to the full term. He resigned to become Minister to South America. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted at once. Being much exposed in the service, his health was broken down, and in the latter part of 1863 he went to or near Houston, Texas, to recuperate. He died there January Ist, 1864, at the house of William Lubbock. He was thrice married. First in 1850, at Suffolk, Virginia, to Mrs. Huldah Wright. By this mar- riage there were two sons, Thomas and Harold. His second wife was a Mrs. Hunt, of Tennessee, who lived only a few months after the marriage. In 1845, at Little Rock, he married Miss Mary J. Melbourne. There were born of this marriage a son and two daughters. The son, George Godwin Borland, served in Woodruff's Battery in the Indian Terri- tory, in the war, where, becoming ill, he was discharged as unable to do duty, and on endeavoring to reach his family, died on the way at Clarksville, Texas, June 24th,
790
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1862. The members of Senator Borland's family now living in Arkansas are two: Harold Borland, a resident of Clarks- ville, and Mrs. O. C. Gray, of Fayetteville.
In 1843 John E. Knight located at the place. He was born at Newburyport, Massachusetts, September 20th, 1816. From 1846 to 1850 he was Editor of "The Arkansas Demo- crat," with William E. Woodruff, Sr. He is a well-read lawyer, and is specially expert in the compilation of books. From 1865 to about 1872 or 1873 he was in the law office of Watkins & Rose, and assisted in the preparation of Rose's Digest. He also assisted in the preparation of Gantt's Digest of 1874. In 1843 he married, in New York City, Miss Hannah Donnel. Of this marriage there was born a daugh- ter, Mrs. James S. Pollock.
Dr. Milus Killian came to Little Rock to live in 1843, and engaged in the practice of medicine. His former residence, which still stands just outside of the eastern part of the city, is one of the old landmarks of the place. It is a two-story brick house, but now in the last stages of dilapidation and decay. He was born in the year 1803, and died March 14th, 1868, aged 65 years.
Judge Thomas Johnson became a resident of Little Rock in 1844, being at that date elected Chief Justice of the Su- preme Court, and resided there or in the vicinity until his death. He was born in Saulsbury, Maryland, December 29th, 1809, and came to Arkansas in 1834, settling at Bates- ville, of which district he was elected Circuit Judge in 1840, and served to 1844, when he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and served for eight years. In September, 1856, he was elected Attorney-General of the State, serving till 1858. After that date he engaged in farming in the neighborhood of Little Rock, where he died March 25th, 1878, aged 69 years. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Crease. There are five sons surviving him, to-wit : Benjamin J., Jack and Thomas P., twin brothers,
791
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.
Peyton and Carter Johnson, all of whom are grown men, and residents of Little Rock or the vicinity.
In 1844 Dr. A. W. Webb came from Columbia, Chicot county, where he had been a practicing physician from about the year 1834 or 1835, and located in Little Rock. He be- came a prominent and leading physician. He and his son, Mott Webb, a promising youth about 18 years of age, were foully murdered on a night of September, 1866. He was a widower, and lived with his son, keeping house. On a morn- ing about the middle of that month, the servant going to the bedroom, discovered that both the doctor and the boy had been murdered while they slept, by blows from an axe. The deed had been secretly committed, and a night chosen for it which was stormy and tempestuous, in which no one would probably be abroad, the better to effect the robbery which was evidently designed to follow the murder. No clue to the perpetrators of the deed was ever obtained. The event created intense excitement, and a number of arrests were made, and trials of suspected persons or their accomplices up to the years 1869 and 1870, but the guilty parties were never ascertained so as to be brought to justice.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.