USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 27
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 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
The company at drill were terribly exeited when Coykendall eom- municated his news, and at once, by common consent, separated, with the understanding that they would meet and fort at Holcomb's, whose house was the most roomy in the settlement. Holcomb's house was a cabin with two rooms, and situated on the prairie. Ho had no stable, but on the ground, ready for raising, had the logs for a small log barn. The men were wonderfully expeditious in collect- ing their little families at Holcomb's,-so expeditious, indeed, that not a man of them had thought of his arms. When all were asssem- bled, the scene would have beggared the pencil of Hogarth to paint all its serio-comic and tragic effects. Women with disheveled locks were praying ; men palsied with fear, and children screaming with affright. Some one suggested that a fort must be built about the house. The suggestion was grasped at, as drowning men grasp at straws. Old Mr. Holcomb siezed a spade, and rushing out before his door, began to excavate. "What on arth are you a doin', old man ?" shouted his wife. "Diggin' a fort," said he, as he frantically exhumed spadeful after spadeful of the rich, black loam.
It was soon discovered that the supply of barn logs would not be sufficient for a stockade ; so it was decided to build a breast-work. This was soon completed, and was only about three feet in height. Then was discovered a dire calamity. Here was a breast-work, and here were brawny defenders, but there was only one gun that was serviceable. Breast-works are a good thing in themselves, but with- ont arms their strong points in defensive warfare could not be brought out to advantage. What was to be done ? So much time had been occupied in preparing their fortifications that it was not probable there would be time to return to their homes for arms before the murdering savages would be upon them, and then, the women have since suggested, their lieges were too much-well, say demoral- ized, to venture so far from the fort. Some one suggested elubs : and as there happened to be a convenient thieket, the suggestion was at once adopted. Clubs, those primitive weapons of warfare, were out in such abundanee that Mrs. Isaac Fellows persists to this day in saving there were fully four wagon-loads,-enough to keep the Holcomb family in wood until long after eorn-planting.
While the young and athletie men were engaged in the club bus- iness, old Mr. Strickland, who weighed nearly three hundred pounds and was too fat to venture so far as the thicket, engaged in impro- vising for himself a weapon more formidable than the elub. Pro- curing a bayonet with about one-third of the point end broken off, he fastened it to a hoe-handle ; then stationing himself before a win-
303
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
dow in an arm-chair, he poised his blunt spear, and with an expec- tant look, pronounced himself ready to send whoever of the red-skins should present himself at that window to his last account. A.s Strickland sat expectant, waiting, watching, he prayed,-for he was a religious man,-watched and prayed, determined to die at his post,-and no Indian within fifty miles! While Strickland was preparing his formidable weapon, old Mrs. Stewart, who weighed nearly as much as that old hero, was loading and doubly loading the only serviceable gun.
Still the Indians did not come, and men and women began to breathe easier. Finally one bold pioneer volunteered to go down the road toward Canton and see if he could discern any signs of the enemy. He soon returned with hair erect and eves dilated, and declaring that the " Injins" were coming, marching in solid column, at least a thousand strong ; and now Pandemonium was a quiet place compared with Fort Holcomb. Men, women, children, all were screaming, all were praying, all were-but why attempt to describe what is indescribable ? Had Black Hawk, with any of his braves, been within a mile, the noise then and there would have frightened them out of the country.
Still the Indians did not appear. Dark came, lights were extin- guished, and in darkness and doubt the frightened people watched and waited. Twelve o'clock, and still no ruthless savage. Dawn, rosy dawn, came, and still the wary savage failed to make morn hideous with his terrible war-ery. And now came a suspicion, faint at first, but gradually growing stronger until it crystallized into con- vietion, that the scare was without foundation, and then, all at once, men became brave. Messengers were now found willing to go to Canton to learn the extent and cause of the alarm. They soon re- turned, bringing the good news that there was not an Indian within, perhaps, one hundred miles of the county line !
The Westerfield scare was communicated to the Moores' Grove settlement by a runner, who crossed below the Lewistown bridge and made his way to Harvey Crosswait's. Crosswait communicated the alarm at once to his neighbors, inviting them all to take refuge at his new log house, which was quite roomy and tolerably well cal- culated for defense. Between Crosswait's and Joshua Moores' there was a ravine that, on account of the melting snow, had been con- verted into a raging torrent. Crosswait went as nearly to Moores' as this torrent would permit, and hallooed across to old Mrs. Moores. The old gentleman was now quite old, and Walters, his son-in-law, had just been killed at Stillman's defeat. Old Mr. Moores gathered up his siek wife in his arms and, followed by his daughter Jennie, her sister, and their four children, they started for the expected place of safety. On arriving at the slough, they waded in across the bottom for some distance to a foot-log across the small stream, Mr. Moores carrying his wife, the two daughters wading, each carry- ing a child and leading one. When the foot-log was reached, Mrs.
304
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Moores expressed her belief that the alarm was false, and insisted on being taken back home; but at length, yielding to the entreaties of her children and the expostulation of her husband, consented to go forward. The whole party crossed over, the old folks by crawling on their hands and knees, and the younger women by wading through the swift current, carrying one child and dragging the other. This was not accomplished without danger, as the water was deep and the current swift.
When the two young women reached the shore, they noticed close behind them a neighbor woman, Mrs. Robinson, with two children, wading through the overflowed bottom toward them, and at onee determined to wait for and assist her across. When Mrs. Robinson reached the foot-log, Mrs. Walters called to know where he was. Mrs. Robinson replied, "I don't know. He and his brother were with me until we got to the creek, and then disappeared : I don't know what has become of them." It proved that both men, I who were young, stout and hearty, had deserted the poor woman to her fate, and in company had started, as fast as their frightened limbs would carry them, for Springfield. They did not return for more than three weeks. Mrs. Walters and her sister aided Mrs. Robinson to cross the stream, and accompanied her to Cross- wait's where the company, with many of their neighbors, remained until dark, when another runner arrived from Jacob Ellis's, inform- ing them that there had been no danger.
John Orendorff, Esq., relates the incidents of the Westerfield scare occurring east and south of Canton. Orendorff and Richard Addis had started to Hazael Putman's place-since known as the "Woods Farm,"-to attend the muster of their militia company. On the way- across the Canton Prairie, and when near the mound, they met Richard Tompkins, who informed them that Peter Wester- field had just come home, and brought word that the Indians were killing everybody north of Canton ; that Barnes' folks had all been killed, and the danger was imminent. "Who has seen Westerfield ?" asked Orendorff. "George Anderson," was the reply. Orendorff expressing doubt of the truth of Anderson's statement, to some ex- tent re-assured Tompkins, and he consented to return and go with Orendorff and Addis to Westerfield's house. Westerfield resided on what is now known as the "Capps Farm." On arriving at Wester- field's they found the place deserted, Westerfield having fled to the woods with his family for shelter. They accordingly turned and rode over to Putman's. Here they found the militia company in consultation as to the course to be pursued. Esquire Orendorff was called upon for his opinion, and, after questioning Anderson, who was the only person present that had seen Westerfield, he ex- pressed himself in favor of sending a messenger at once to Canton to ascertain the facts, and volunteered to go himself on that errand. Addis at once volunteered to accompany him. The company agreed to remain together at Putman', until their return.
305
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Orendorff and Addis set out at once on their mission, and had scarcely struck the high prairie before they discovered Peter West- erfield coming from toward his place, and evidently with the inten- tion of joining them. Westerfield was mounted, bare-backed, on v sorrel, raw-boned animal ; his head was "enturbaned" with a red bandana handkerchief; he carried his rifle and shot-pouch by his side, and wore a look of grim determination. He was evidently going to war, and his courage would not fail him. Westerfield communicated his news to Orendorff and Addis, said he had hid his family, and was going to the fort at Canton to aid in its defense.
On arriving at Canton they found the scare had subsided, Henry Andrews having come in from the Barnes farm with news of their safety, and that no Indians were in that vicinity. When Westerfield heard this, he grasped Orendorff's arm and exclaimed, "I tell you, Orendorff, it is true, I know. Didn't I hear them and see their trail ?" It was no use telling Westerfield that his senses had be- trayed him.
Orendorff and Addis now rode back to Putman's to notify the com- pany that the danger was imaginary ; but on arriving there they found that the valiant militia, taking a new scare, had run to their homes and were hiding out their families.
Thus ended the most exciting day in Canton's pioneer history.
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
The war went on, resulting in the defeat of the Indians and the capture of their leader. The rangers came home and were dismissed from service. They received therefor the remunerative sum of 86 cents per day for self and horse. Afterwards the general Government was kind enough to give each participant 80 acres of land.
INCIDENTS.
The following incident was related by one of the few remaining veterans of the war: One day the General (Stillman) and some of the officers started out reconnoitering on a high hill. Some of the boys thought this presented an excellent opportunity to play a good joke on their commander and officers. Accordingly they fixed themselves up in blankets to look like Indians, skirted the hill and appeared to the scouting party from the bushes. The General and party of course thought them Indians, discharged their guns at them and started on a general stampede into the camp, yelling, "Indians! Indians !" and immediately called all the men into line. On dis- covering their mistake the boys had a merry time over the seare, and it was a standing joke on the officers as long as the campaign lasted.
Theodore Sergeant was Lieutenant of the Canton militia company during the Black Hawk war, and in that capacity for a considerable period of time had command of the company. After Stillman's de-
306
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
feat, an order came from the Governor to Sergeant for seven men from the Canton company. Sergeant at once mustered his men in front of Child & Stillman's store, and read the requisition, calling upon those who would go to fall in after the music, which was at the same time ordered to march and counter-march. Up and down tramped the musicians before the company, but not a man fell in behind them. Sergeant was equal to the emergency. Ordering the music to cease, he went into the store and bought two gallons of whisky, which he passed down the ranks treating every man. "Now boys," said he, "I've got to have seven men or I'll draft them. Music ! forward, march ! Boys, fall in, you who want to go." Either the whisky or the threat, or patriotism, proved potent, and nine more than the required number at once fell in.
€4
CHAPTER IX.
CRIMINAL RECORD.
The criminal record of Fulton county, as the dark contents of this chapter will clearly show, brings her to the front rank in this partie- ular, as she stands in every noble one. Since the day wicked Cain slew his brother Abel in the very morning of the world's history, the earth has been bathed in human blood shed by jealous, angry or infuriated human brothers. In Fulton county it seems that life has been held as of little value by many of our people. Men and women for slight pretenses have taken the life of their fellow ereatures. The knife, pistol, gun, poison and other weapons have been used with a prodigal hand. For the most trivial offense the knife has been plunged to the vitals of the victim, the fatal bullet sent to his heart, or the deadly lotion dealt out. By the observant it will be noticed as a significant fact that in the following list of murders com- mitted the offense to cause the deadly act to be done has been gener- ally slight. Seldom justifiable, it seems to an impartial observer, yet it will be noticed that the punishment meted out to the criminal has invariably been light. Not one in the long list of murderers has been punished with the death penalty. We are not claiming that in any particular case such should have been done, but wish to record the facts impartially as we find them. As above mentioned, it would seem from this state of public sentiment that life is looked upon as not very saered or valuable by many persons of this county. To illustrate further the slight value placed upon life by some, aside from the terrible facts recorded below, we will refer to a trial once brought before a justice of the peace of Liverpool township. Two neighbor women were brought to trial and prosecuted for the attempt upon the life of another neighbor woman. One of these, while making soap in the open air, had contracted with the other for a very small sum of money, only a few dollars, to kill the third woman referred to. The committal of the dark deed was thoroughly dis- cussed, and plans laid to carry it into execution. The woman who for a few dollars had bargained to take the life of one of her neigh- bors intended committing the deed with a garden hoe. We do not wish to reflect upon the high moral standing of the citizens of Fulton county in general, but as faithful historians we must impar- tially record things as they exist.
We have not attempted to give a list of the persons who were in-
1
308
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
dieted for manslaughter. There is a very long list of these, many of whom are not murderers simply because they failed in aim, not because they did not intend to commit the deed. We give every case where a person was indicted and tried for murder.
James Ogden.
In 1840 there was a house-raising at JJohn Morris', in Union township, near Troy Mills. Among those present was James Og- den. While at dinner Ogden thought he was insulted by another party, and being of an irritable temperament he became very cross, angry, abusive and profane. George Morris, a young man, became incensed at Ogden's abusive manners, and made his feelings known. The two soon got into a fight. Ogden kicked Morris very hard during the tussle. When parted, Morris remarked that he was badly hurt. He was taken into the house and laid upon a bed, no one supposing that he was seriously hurt; but within fifteen minutes he died. After some time had elapsed Ogden gave himself up to Sheriff Lamaster, was tried, found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary for one year. He served a portion of his time and was pardoned by Gov. Carlin. We are told that his treatment while at the penitentiary was very mild, he being permitted to drive a team through the streets of Alton and do general outside work.
Nehemiah Northup.
About noon one day in the summer of 1847 or '48, Norman Bea- mas was married in Liverpool. In the evening of that day, Nehe- miah Northup, a resident on the north side of Liverpool island, got to carousing around with women's clothes on, and endeavoring to be a whole "shivarec" of himself. He was not known to have any particular charge against either Beamas or his new wife ; but when it was about dusk he met Beamas on the common, passed a few words with him and started off with a gun on his shoulder, waving it up and down. At the distance of a few rods, walking with his back still turned toward Beamas, he fired off the gun, and lo! the shot struck the bridegroom on the neck and lower part of his face, shat- tering his lower jaw to pieces and killing him instantly. Northup was arrested and bound over to court under a moderate penalty, but he finally left the country and has sinee never been heard of. It is related that only a half-hour before the death of Mr. Beamas, the bride was dozing in a rocking-chair and had a very distinct dream of seeing her husband murdered !
Jackson Louderback, Daniel Louderback and John Curless.
These parties were indicted March 6, 1849, for the murder of Abraham Littlejohn, of Woodland township. The history of the case, as we have been informed, is as follows : Some time previous to the murder two brothers by the name of Baldwin came into the
309
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
neighborhood preaching a new religion. They were formerly fish- ermen, we are told, and came from Havana. Their education was limited, but what they laeked in knowledge they made up in zeal and earnestnes, and consequently found many converts to their views. Among them were many of the best and most respected people of that portion of the county. In derision their followers were called Baldwinites, but Union Baptists was the name they claimed. They were infatuated with their new religion and held meetings very often. It was at one of these meetings that Little- john lost his life. It was held at a school-house, or church, and he was appointed to keep order. It seems that the Louderbacks and oth- ers came to this meeting expressly to create a disturbance ; at any rate they did so, and while Littlejohn was putting one of their number out of the house JJackson Louderback reached in from without and cut him in the abdomen with a knife. From the wound made he soon died. Jackson made his escape and never has been captured. Daniel and JJohn Curless were arrested and liberated on bail. Dan- iel's case was postponed from time to time until the November term, 1851, when he came to trial. Julins Manning assisted the prosecu- tion. Wead & Gondy and Lewis Ross defended. The case was a sharply contested one. He was acquitted. The other cases were then stricken from the docket.
Nancy Wilcoxen.
Nancy Wilcoxen, a woman of questionable character, was in- dicted, March 17, 1852, for the killing of William Weston. She went from her home in Liverpool township to Liverpool on the day of the night of the murder, and purchased a knife for the avowed purpose of killing Weston. He was at her house, and it is said he bore but a little better reputation than the woman. That night she killed him. Her attorneys were Manning, Ross and Blackwell, while Wead & Goudy assisted the prosecution. She was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for six years. She was pardoned, however, before her term of service was completed, came back to this county, and subsequently went to Sangamon county, where she died.
Rebecca Dye.
This was a ease brought from McDonough county on a change of venue, but it was the most exciting trial over held in the county. It lasted nine days. The court room was crowded at every session, many ladies being constantly in attendance. On the evening of the 27th of May, 1854, Mrs. Dye killed her husband, James Dye, as it was alleged. David B. Burress was arrested as an accessory to the crime, but broke jail before trial. Mrs. Dye was tried at the April term of the Circuit Court, 1855. The prosecuting attorneys were Messrs. Goudy, of Fulton, Wheat, of Adams, and Schofield &
310
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Mack, of Hancock. For the defense, Messrs. Manning, of Peoria, Kellogg and Ross, of Fulton, and Cyrus Walker of MeDonough. Probably a more able array of counsel could not have been procured in the entire State. William C. Goudy opened the case for the people and Cyrus Walker for the defense. Some eighty or ninety witnesses were examined. The case was given to the jury after able arguments on both sides. It remained out for fifteen hours and brought in a verdiet of guilty, and fixed the punishment at eonfine- ment in the penitentiary for five years. She was pardoned long be- fore the expiration of her term, returned to Macomb, and died in 1874.
William Tait.
In November, 1857, Wm. Tait was indicted for the killing of Hamilton Brown at Astoria. One night while passing along the street Brown was struck upon the head with a stone or a piece of iron. From the wound inflicted he died. Tait was supposed to have thrown the stone and therefore was indieted for the murder. He was liberated upon bail fixed at $500. He was tried and ac- quitted. Cyrus Walker was his attorney.
Simon R. O. and John W. Hardy.
A fracas occurred in the little village of Slabtown Wednesday, April 27, 1859, in which Daniel Richardson was instantly killed and John O. Hardy severely wounded. There had been a lawsuit that day in which Richardson was interested, and it not termin- ating to please him, and, it is said, he being somewhat intoxicated, beeame quarrelsome. He attacked, as it was claimed, John (). Hardy, an elderly gentleman, and struck him two or three times, when young Hardy approached ; and as he attempted to draw a pistol Rich- ardson threw a stone, which struck the weapon, causing it to discharge its contents into the young man's thigh. The old man then drew a knife and stabbed Richardson to the heart, killing him instantly. The two Hardys were brought to trial at the June term, 1859, on the charge of murder. From 96 men a jury was chosen and the case given into their hands. They rendered a verdict of "not guilty."
Isaac Harris.
A young man by the name of Vaughn was murdered at Vermont, Tuesday, July 15, 1860, by Isaac Harris, another young man. The weapon used was a club. The young men had always been warm friends. They were traversing a road near Vermont, and Vaughn became so helpless from excessive drinking that he fell upon the ground and could not get up. Harris tried to arouse him by pounding him with a stick, but without suecess. He then took a fence stake and literally pounded the prostrate man to death.
311
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Vaughn was taken home and died that same evening. It seems that there was no ill-feeling between the two men : they were only drunk. Harris was indicted for murder and tried at the October term of the Circuit Court, found guilty of manslaughter and sent to the penitentiary for fifteen years.
Jackson Bolen.
In Nov., 1862, Bolen killed James Mahary, of Vermont. This occurred during the war, and it seemed the latter had charged the former with being a Missouri jay-hawker and thief. Bolen hearing of the charges, went to Mahary for satisfaction, when a collision en- sned, which resulted in Mahary being stabbed to death. Bolen was indicted Feb. 26, 1863, and tried at the March term of the Circuit Court and acquitted, the jury believing he committed the deed in self-defense.
Thomas Wright
was brought to trial at the March term of the Circuit Court, 1862, for the killing of a Mr. Helm. The case was dismissed during trial by the prosecution for want of evidence.
George W. Pottx.
Friday, JJan. 16, 1863, at Apple's school-house, four and a half miles east of Lewistown, Zachariah Shaw, jr., met his death, by he- ing stabbed with a bowie-knife in the hands of Geo. W. Potts. 1 spelling-school had been in session at the school-house, and imme- diately after its close an affray occurred between several persons, resulting in Shaw's death. Potts made his escape. He was indicted Feb. 28, 1863, for manslaughter, but he could not be found. The case ran along from term to term until Dec. 14, 1869, when it was stricken from the docket.
Eli Watkins, Abraham Pelham, Henry Schroder and Jackson Welch.
These parties, who resided in Menard county, killed an innocent and inoffensive boy near Havana, Mason county, and were brought here on a change of venue from that county. They were taking a drove of cattle through the county, and stopped at Havana and be- came intoxicated. They met their vietim, who was a German boy of twelve or fifteen years of age, in the road, and ordered him off, and without further provocation shot him down. They were all acquitted.
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.