USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 16
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The scenes around the public square in Anderson on this bright day were a sad commentary on human nature. Among the eight or ten thousand people assembled, all the talk was of the hanging. There was much boasting among some of the people of the number of criminals they had seen launched into eternity at the rope's end. A man who had not seen more than five men hung did not command much respect from the crowd. The twenty-five or twenty-six execution man could secure the attention of the crowd, and the returned Californian, who had witnessed ninety-three hangings, was looked up to with a feeling akin to awe. Old men gaped
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with open mouths, and young boys stood by with staring eyes with the noble ambition to see as many hangings as possible, so that they might boast a little when the down on their chins ripened into stiff beards.
At one of the corners some men were bleating out the attractions of a side show, "The wild men of Afghanistan," and were splitting many a sensitive tympanum with their vociferous shouts to walk inside the dirty canvas and view the wonders of nature in the shape of a couple of idiotic negroes. To and fro among the crowd were numerous young men selling pictures of White, and who earnestly protested that they were bona fide photographs of the man who was about to be hung.
During all this time, within a few rods of this scene a poor wretch strode miserably to and fro in his cell, counting each tick of the clock which brought him nearer to the frown- ing gallows, the dreadful noose, the yawning grave and the dark, dread hereafter, which not even the best of us can face without a shudder.
PREPARING FOR THE MARCH.
At 12 o'clock preparations were made to take the prisoner to the scaffold. The rope, artistically knotted and well greased, was examined and found all right. The jurors, county officers, reporters and others entitled to admission within the enclosure, were assembled in the jailor's room below, and when all was ready proceeded up stairs. The sheriff opened the cell of the condemned man who walked out into the corridor. He looked calm and self-possessed with the exception of the restless wan- derings of his eyes, here, there, everywhere, but resting upon nothing. His arms were now pinioned, the rope was placed around his neck, and he was escorted down to the front gate of the jail yard.
The crowd was large and densely packed, and it required guards with fixed bayonets to keep them back. The prisoner was then seated on his coffin, which had been placed in a com. mon spring wagon, the Rev. Father Crawley on one side, and Sheriff' James H. Snell on the other. The reporters and others fell in behind, and the guards with bayonets turned outward, formed a line on each side, and thus the procession began the dead march. From the prison the procession marched to Anderson, now Eighth street, and turned west down that beautiful thoroughfare, lined on each side with elegant dwell-
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ings. The cortege passed slowly along amid a cloud of dust, the crowd pressing frantically forward to get a view of the prisoner, and were unmindful of the bayonets. Hundreds of women, many of them with babies in their arms, were borne along with the crowd, their dresses torn and dragging in the dust, and themselves in danger of being trampled to death. Many of the verandas in front of the residences were full of people, while from behind the green leaves of the vines shone the fair faces and bright eyes of young ladies too modest to show themselves on such an occasion, yet with enough of morbid curiosity to make them look upon the dreadful sight.
Throughout the horribly tedious march the prisoner was unmoved. He sat with his eyes closed and with his ear inclined to Father Crawley listening to the exhortation of that good man. He seemed to have gathered strength as he went on, and his nerves acted as if made of steel. He spoke rarely, and then only in response to questions asked him by Father Crawley. Occasionally, as some epithet would fall upon his ear, he would look quickly up, and a tiger-like gleam would for a moment flash from his eyes. He was decorous and dig- nified throughout, and his conduct put to shame many of those who followed him to the grave.
THE GALLOWS.
Arriving opposite the gallows, which had been built in a thick forest of oaks about half a mile from the city, and two hundred yards north of the main road, the procession filed down the narrow county road with a thick undergrowth of hazel bushes on either side. The gallows was a plain platform with a railing around it, a trap in the center and a crossbeam over- head. It was surrounded by a high enclosure of green oak trees, capable of holding 200 persons. The scene around the gallows was at once striking and humiliating. Ten thousand persons were scattered through the woods, while probably five hundred had climbed to the tops of the neighboring trees, and hung like squirrels among the branches, almost determined to break their necks in order to view the final proceedings. Adventurous women followed the prisoner to the gallows, and looked up enviously at the fellows in the trees who had the opportunity of viewing the execution from an elevated standpoint, seeming to regret the right vouchsafed to man that was not granted to woman, that of climbing a tree.
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Several seemed on the point of trying it, but in deference to public sentiment, their better judgment prevailed.
. ON THE SCAFFOLD.
All who had tickets marched into the enclosure, and the armed guards set about the task of keeping out the crowd. Sheriff Snell, Father Crawley, and the prisoner mounted the scaffold, and the latter was set on the proper place over the trap. He was a large man, nearly six feet in height, and weighing about 200 pounds. He was dressed in a complete suit of black cloth ; he wore gaiters, had on a black felt hat and a white collar. He was cleanly shaven with the excep- tion of a mustache and chin whiskers, which partially con- cealed the sensual and cruel expression of his mouth. Many women would have pronounced him good looking, even hand- some, in fact, one's first impression would be, that he was not a bad man. There was nothing repulsive in his appear- ance to the casual observer except his eyes, which were set closely together, and had a suspicion of strabismus about them.
Sheriff Snell read the death warrant to him, but White heard it without moving a muscle of his countenance, keep- ing his eyes steadfastly. fixed upon the floor. He then knelt with Father Crawley on the trap, and repeated after him the Lord's prayer, and the Ave Maria, the Apostles' creed, and other prayers of the church. His voice, though low, was clear and distinct, without the slightest suspicion of tremor.
It had been expected that the prisoner would make a pub- lic confession upon the gallows, which, however, he failed to do. Sheriff Snell informed us that he made to him and another gentleman, a sort of confession in which he asserted that he did not himself commit the deed, but that it was done by a respectable farmer of Madison county. This is under- stood to have been a gentleman who severely horsewhipped White while he was a boy for cutting up his harness, and against whom White held malice ever since. This alleged confession was considered as not being entitled to any sort of credence. The prisoner may have probably confessed to Father Crawley, but what he confessed is between Father Crawley and God alone.
THE DROP.
The rope was finally adjusted to the right length after several trials, during which the prisoner stood erect with every
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muscle as rigid as iron. There was no sign of failing except the limpid expression of the eye, and an occasional gulping motion of the throat as if trying to swallow something. While the rope was being adjusted he stood firm, and occasion- ally cast a glance at the fastening which sustained the trap. Sheriff Snell drew the black cap over his head as the poor wretch cast a last and lingering look upon the world and the scene around him. The cap was drawn tightly over his face and tied under the chin, shutting out forever from his gaze the glorious sunshine.
The sheriff then took a sharp hatchet, and with one quick, nervous blow, severed the cord. There was a sickening thud as the body, with a fall of three feet, shot through the trap, making the beam overhead quiver. Thus was the body of Milton White suspended between Heaven and earth, while his guilty crime-stained soul went into the presence of its Maker. His neck was broken by the fall, and not a single muscle moved after the body fell.
CONCLUSION.
But little remains to be told. Whatever may be thought of capital punishment, the people of Madison county are well enough satisfied that Milton White is out of the way. The execution was well managed, and Sheriff Snell is entitled to much credit for his coolness and self-possession.
Father Crawley proved himself a devoted friend to the condemned man and stood by him to the last. Everyone was disappointed by the demeanor of White in his last moments. It was believed that he would be unmanned, but on the con- trary, no man ever met death with less sign of trepidation. . The behavior of the crowd at the execution was commendably quiet.
The body hung twenty-seven minutes, after which it was taken down, and examined by Drs. Thomas N. Jones and Stanley W. Edwins, who pronounced life extinct. It was placed in a coffin and buried in the Catholic cemetery, whence it is possible it may have found its way into some doctor's dis- secting room. If the articulated bones of Milton White assist some medical student in his study of anatomy, it will be prob- ably the first good use to which they were ever put."
As many newcomers of Madison county are not familiar with the scene of the execution, we will state that it took place on the old fair ground, on what is now known as west
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Eighth street. The gallows was located on north Madison avenue about 150 yards northwest of the palatial residence of James Donnelly.
Many stories are told of White in his younger days being of a naturally cruel disposition. It is said that he would catch pigs, goslings, young ducks and other fowls, and cut their legs off in order to see them hobble around in their misery.
James H. Snell, the sheriff, who executed White, is still a resident of Anderson. Dr. Thomas N. Jones, one of the physicians who examined the body, died in the year 1875, while Dr. Stanley W. Edwins is at this writing a prominent physician of Elwood.
The club with which Hoppes was killed was kept in the county Clerk's office until the destruction of the court house in December, 1880.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
REMINISCENCES TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF THE ANDERSON GAZETTE, A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN ANDERSON IN THE EARLY FIFTIES, WHICH WILL BE OF INTEREST TO OLD-TIMERS.
In the issue of the Anderson Gazette, of April 8th, 1853, we find the business card of the law firm of Buckles & Sans- berry, in which they offer their services to the public as solic- itors at law and solicitors in chancery, and state that they will promptly attend to all professional business entrusted to their care in the courts of Madison county.
" The professional business entrusted to the care of Mr. Buckles in either the supreme court of this state or the district courts of the United states will be promptly attended to."
These two gentlemen afterwards became famous at the bar. Mr. Sansberry is yet a prominent citizen of Anderson. Mr. Buckles lives at Muncie, Ind.
In the same issue appears the announcement of L. Antrim, proprietor of the Railroad House, as follows :
" The Railroad House is centrally and conveniently situated directly opposite the court house. No attention will be spared to render the accommodations of the Railroad House of a most acceptable character. The livery stable of Richard Lake has been procured for the accommodation of the house, where a hostler is always in attendance, and a hack will run regularly to the depot for the accommodation of railroad passengers."
The Richard Lake above referred to is the Hon. Richard Lake, Ex-Judge of the Common Pleas court, who has for many years been a member of the Anderson bar.
In the issue of April 15th, 1853, we find the following editorial announcement :
" We are happy to inform our readers and those who are interested in the completion of the Cincinnati, Logansport and Chicago railroad, that it is progressing at a steady rate : Mr. Creighcraft, the contractor here, is shoving things as they
ยท
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ought to go; if the weather will permit there will be a large amount of work done this spring, and we may confidently look for the speedy completion of this great work. When it is completed Anderson will be between two great thorough. fares, and who shall say that it will not be a business place?"
In the same issue the returns of the township election for Anderson township are given, as follows :
" For township trustees, William Crim, for a term of three years ; Samuel Myers, two years, and Lanty Roach for one year ; for township clerk, Enoch M. Jackson ; for town- ship treasurer, Elon Merrill : for constables, David Henry. Gerry T. Hoover, and William Mustard."
At the same election the question as to whether Anderson township should have licensed liquor saloons was submitted to the voters and the anti-license people carried the day by a big majority.
The issue of the Gazette of April 22d, 1853. appeared in full mourning, having all its column rules inverted, in mem- ory of William R. King, Vice-President of the United States, with the following announcement of his death :
" After we had gone to press and had worked off a large part of our edition we received the mournful notice of the death of the Hon. William R. King, Vice-President of the United States, who departed this life at his residence in Dallas county, Alabama, on the evening of the 18th of this month."
It will be remembered that William R. King was Vice- President of the United States, elected on the ticket with Franklin Pierce in 1852.
In the issue of July 1st. 1853, an account of the celebra- tion by the Masonic order and other societies at Pendleton. appears as follows :
" The celebration by the Masons, the Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance was well attended by the members of their respective orders at Pendleton on the 24th of June. Reuben A. Riley, of Greenfield, opened the public speaking on behalf of the Sons of Temperance and his effort is said to have been a very able one. Mr. Boyd next addressed the audience on the part of the Odd Fellows, and lastly Dr. Ferris, of New Castle, delivered a discourse on behalf of the Masonic fraternity. After the speaking a large number repaired to a grove near by, where a sumptuous repast awaited them, hav- ing been prepared by the Rev. Nathaniel Richmond for this occasion. From the table the procession marched to the site
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of the New Masonic hall about to be erected by Madison lodge No. 44. . Here the corner stone was laid in due form in the evening, with appropriate ceremonies, and then a cotillion ' came off ' at Liberty hall, after which all the vast throng. estimated at three thousand people, dispersed to their homes, well pleased with the. festivities they had enjoyed at Pen- dleton."
In the issue of June 3d, 1858, appears the professional card of J. & M. S. Robinson, counsellors at law, in which they announce that they will attend to all business entrusted to their care in the Superior and inferior courts of the state, special attention being paid to the collection and security of claims. Office up stairs in G. W. Bowen's " Open Front," east of Atherton's Corner. The M. S. Robinson above referred to is the late Col. Milton S. Robinson of Anderson, who was then quite a young lawyer just starting on a long and successful career.
It appears from the issue of June 3d, that the agitation of building a plank road from Anderson was talked of, as the fol- lowing notice appears in the Gazette of that date :
" A meeting of the citizens of Madison and Grant coun- ties will be held at Alexandria on Saturday, the 11th day of June next, for the purpose of determining as to the propriety of constructing a plank road from Anderson, in Madison county, to Jonesboro, in Grant county. Every person inter- ested is particularly invited to attend."
This scheme was never carried out, and the road was never built, but afterwards a portion of it became a graveled and macadamized thoroughfare.
In the same issue we find that the editor of the Gazette had communicated with G. W. Lennard, of the New Castle Courier, asking for the name of the first locomotive on the Cincinnati & Chicago railroad. Mr. Lennard promptly in- formed him that the name of the engine was the "Swinette ." The writer can verify the correctness of Mr. Lennard's state- ment from the fact that he has seen that engine and it pulled the first train upon which he ever rode. It was a small affair, without any cow-catcher in front, and presented a very odd appearance. Further details will be found in reference to this engine, in another place in this book, under the head of early railroads.
In the issue of June 17th, 1853, we find the announce- ment of River's Equestrian and Dramatic Circus, in which it
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is announced that an exhibition will take place at Anderson on June 18th ; doors open at 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock p. m. ; admission, 25 cents ; positively no half price ; performance will consist of an array of brilliant performers selected from the cream of the most celebrated establishments of both Europe and America. The entertainment will be rich, rare and un- equaled. Among the leading features will be an ample hip- podrome and set of performing horses incomparably superior in beauty and training to those of any establishment on earth, a troup of equestrians and a dramatic company of rare histri- onic ability. The Rivers family of equestrians, whose names are familiar in every capital of the new and old world, will also be present. Mr. J. W. Myers, the chaste, witty, origi- nal, exquisite clown and humorist, will also be present in the arena. A whole family of diminutive trick ponies will be one of the leading features of this exhibition.
We also find in the same issue the announcement of Ray- mond & Co. and Van Amberg & Co.'s menageries united, in which they announce an exhibition in Anderson on Saturday, June 25th, admission 25 cents, children under ten years, 15 cents. They also announce that the cavalcade will arrive in the town in the morning about 10 o'clock, and the grand pro- cession will take place, consisting of carriages, cages, and vans containing the animals, drawn by one hundred and twenty splendid horses, headed by the companies' celebrated brass band. They will pass over the principal streets to the pavilion where the exhibition will take place. And thereby will give the public the benefit of beholding one of the most enormous processions ever witnessed. Mr. Van Amberg, the most renowned of all lion conquerors, giving an exhibition in person by entering the dens of the lions, tigers and leopards in the presence of the audience. A rhinocerous or unicorn and an Arabian zebra will also be among the features of this grand entertainment. The monster elephant Hannibal, the finest specimen of his race in the known world, will also be in- troduced.
Hannibal, the elephant above referred to, was one of the largest ever exhibited in this country. He was very sullen and mean in his disposition, and finally had to be killed. David K. Carver, Ex-Sheriff of Madison county, while travel- ing with this caravan in the capacity of a vender of ginger- bread and circus lemonade, had an experience with old Hanni- bal that will bear repeating. While in one of the southern
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cities after the exhibition was over Carver had at night pur- chased from a bakery in the village, a large amount of warm ginger-bread which he had stacked in his wagon and was ready to leave the camp, when the elephant smelled the cake and immediately made his way to Carver's outfit. Raising his trunk he smashed the wagon into smithereens and then gobbled up the bread in the twinkling of an eye, leaving Car- ver badly in the lurch, as he had invested about all he had in the outfit and the articles which it contained. Hannibal's keeper endeavored to prevent the destruction of the Carver outfit, but no power on earth could have retarded him, and he was not satisfied until his appetite was appeased by eating the last ginger cake in sight.
We also find in the issue of June 24th, the announcement of a meeting held at the M. E. church for the purpose of tak- ing steps for the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1853, at Anderson. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held and the following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted.
" Resolved, that the 4th of July be celebrated by the Sab- bath schools of Anderson ; secondly, we cordially invite all the Sabbath schools and citizens in the county to participate with us on this occasion ; Jasper Myers be and is hereby selected as the reader of the Declaration of Independence ; that Judge David S. Gooding be invited to deliver an address: that Captain George W. Bowen. of the Madison Guards, be invited to take part with us in military style, and to bring a band of music, the procession to be formed at 10 o'clock under the command and direction of Colonel Ninevah Berry, who is hereby se- lected to act as marshal of the day ; that the procession march to the grove north of the town ; that the editor of the Gazette be requested to publish the foregoing resolutions."
The committee who signed the above were P. A. Leever, Mr. Pence, F. P. Siddall, and Luther P. Stone. This celebra- tion will be pleasantly remembered by many of our ,old-time citizens.
The grove north of town was on a piece of ground now in the heart of the city, being on north Meridian street, near Fifth street.
In the issue of June 24, 1853, the editor of the Gazette makes an earnest appeal to his subscribers to pay him, and uses the following language :
"We want on subscription wood, bacon, flour, butter,
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eggs and, in fact, everything used about the house. If our friends will only keep us in such like, we guarantee them a paper regularly each week." He also announces that he " will give the highest market price for any amount of good clean rags on subscription to the Gazette."
In the issue of July 8, 1858, the editor makes an appeal to his readers in behalf of the American Express company, which was the first company of that kind to do business in Anderson. He says :
"We advise our readers who wish any article from the city, to have it brought by the American Express company if they desire to have it quickly and certain. P. F. Siddall is the agent in Anderson, and he uses every endeavor to accom- modate to the fullest extent, and secures the highest prices for all who do business by express."
In the same issue, the advertisement of Cyrus P. Pence, the father of John W. Pence, the genial cashier of the Citi- zens' Bank, of Anderson, appears as follows :
" Vegetable and mechanical process of tanning all kinds of leather. The subscriber is now prepared to teach the above process of tanning by written instructions, or by being present with the person desiring to receive the instruction, by letter or otherwise on very accommodating terms, for the sum of twenty-five dollars. The tanning of skins in the short space of one day, and other qualities of leather in proportion to their bodies. He professes to be able to give to any one who may favor him with his custom, general satisfaction."
In the issue of July 29th an editorial appears, announc- ing a fire in Anderson, and calling the attention of the citizens to the necessity of fire protection :
" On Friday night last, about one o'clock, fire was dis- covered in the stable belonging to John Davis, Esquire. So fierce were the flames that before they could be extinguished, a stable belonging to Samuel Myers caught, and was con- sumed with all in it. Mr. Myers' horses, three in number, with a colt, were burned to death. Mr. Myers' loss was about $400, while that of Mr. Davis was very small. The fire originated from the hand of an incendiary. Under the new law it is obligatory that every property holder in the corpora- tion should furnish buckets and ladders, and if they refuse to procure them, the authorities may do so and recover the amounts from them in spite of themselves. We hope our citi-
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zens will see the necessity of preparing for the worst of all elements-fire."
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