USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 43
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A FATAL FALL.
In the month of August, 1866, James Noland, a son of ex-Treasurer W. W. Noland, of Anderson, fell from the second story of his father's residence on South Central avenue, and was killed.
He was a very popular young man and was universally liked by the community. Ile was at the time a deputy in his father's office. He had been out the night before with some friends, among whom were Daniel F. Mustard and David A. Ranck, two of his intimate associates, and on separating he went to his home and went up-stairs to retire for the night, when, it is supposed, he sat down in the open window to take off his shoes (as the weather was very warm and the windows were open), when he lost his balance and fell back ward, alight- ing on a cellar door, killing him instantly. None of the family knew of the circumstance until the next morning, when they were horrified to find his lifeless remains.
It was a heart-rending scene for the father and mother, who idolized him, to behold, as well as those of his friends
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who enjoyed his good friendship. His funeral was one of the largest that ever took place in Anderson. The services were held in the Christian church, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Franklin, there being scarcely standing room in the building for the people.
The remains were interred in the cemetery at Chester- field, the former home of the family. " Jimmy," as he was familiarly called, was one of the foremost young men in all society events, and was missed by the young people for many years. His father and mother removed to Riverside, Cali- fornia, several years ago, where Mr. Noland died a year or two previous to this writing.
A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.
A very distressing and unfortunate accident occurred in Anderson on Saturday evening, May 29, 1886. Mr. George Woerner, a merchant tailor, who at that time had a business in Anderson, lived on what was then known as Hannah street. He had a little step-son, by the name of Charlie Lavery, who was a cripple and unable to walk. He was a very bright boy and a great favorite with his family and neighbors. On the evening above named, Charlie Helms, a playmate, having secured a shot gun.that belonged to a son of E. A. Platter, went to the house where young Lavery was at play with some others. They amused themselves by snapping the gun, and having no caps. as a substitute they took the shell of a cartridge and putting a match within, they placed it on the top of the gun and in this manner they would cause a report. They had no idea that the gun was loaded. Mr. E. A. Platter was sitting on his porch facing Mr. Woerner's house, reading a paper, and saw the boys playing with the gun and cautioned them to throw it down, but they disre- garded his admonition and continued in their sport. Young Helms had the gun in his hand and in a playful manner pointed it at Lavery, when it was discharged. The load took effect in his neck. The wounded boy fell out of his wagon, of which he was a constant occupant on account of his inabil- ity to use his limbs, and expired in a few moments. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Woerner were at home at the time and Mr. Platter hastened to the scene, gave the alarm to the neighbors and notified Mr. Woerner who was at his store. It was a sad blow to Mr. and Mrs. Woerner, who idolized the boy who had been a constant care to them from his earliest boyhood.
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Mrs. Woerner was prostrated with grief and required medical treatment, and it was all that friendly neighbors could do to enable her to survive the terrible shock. Mr. Woerner was deeply afflicted over this accident.
The remains of the boy were interred in the Catholic cemetery and it was not long before the family removed from the city to make their home elsewhere.
A CRAZY MAN SHOT AND KILLED.
A fatal shooting affair occurred in Anderson on the 15th of January, 1878, in which Charles Brothers, a son of Malachi Brothers, who lived west of the city, shot and killed John Beaver, a half-witted epileptic who lived at Germantown, Wayne county, but who led a roving life having no particular business, being almost an imbecile from the effects of epileptic fits. Brothers had for some time been sleeping in the store of II. Funk, which then occupied the corner of Main and Twelfth streets. On the night in question, Brothers heard some noise in the back part of the building and got up to see what was the cause of the trouble. He ascertained that some one was on the roof and supposing that they were trying to gain ad- mission for the purpose of burglary, he went back into the store and procured a revolver which was near at hand. Slip- ping out the back way he got on a board fence about twenty- five feet in the rear, from which he got a full view of the roof. In the hollow formed by the roof of the two buildings he saw a man who was acting in a very suspicious manner ; he called to him to come down or he would shoot him, covering him at . the same time with the revolver. The man on the roof clam- bered down and picked up a piece of scantling lying close by and came at Brothers, and threatened to strike him. Brothers came down from the fence and as the man approached him he ordered him to surrender. The man, however, paid no atten- tion to him and struck viciously at his head with his wooden weapon. Brothers jumped aside and received a slight blow on the arm. The assailant again rushed at him when he dis -. charged his revolver, the shot taking effect at the base of the neck tearing its way through. The range was short and the ball effective. The wounded man uttered not a word and turned and ran up Twelfth street to Meridian where he dropped and expired. Brothers ran to his home, but a little distance away, in great excitement and told his folks that he had killed a man. The alarm was given and the City Marshal
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notified. The body was carried to the Mayor's office and thence to an undertaking establishment. The Coroner's jury was assembled the next day and after a full and complete ex- amination of all the testimony available a verdict was ren- dered of justifiable homicide and Brothers was released from arrest. The deceased, John Beaver, was a harmless and unfor- tunate wanderer and while suffering from one of his fits had crawled to the top of the building without any intention of harming any one.
This building had been on several occasions burglarized and Mr. Brothers had been selected to sleep in the building for the purpose of defending it against any marauders, and the cir- cumstances surrounding it made it plausible to him that the man was there with evil intent. Mr. Brothers was a respect- able young man and no one ever attached any blame to him for this affair.
A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.
There have been numerous accidents in Anderson that have caused the community to shudder, but none has caused a more profound impression than the accidental killing of James H. Jackson, which took place in May, 1858.
Mr. Jackson was out squirrel hunting in company with a friend, Mr. James Collis, the father of Mr. E. M. Collis, who now resides in Pendleton, and is engaged in the jewelry busi- ness. He was also accompanied by his favorite dog " Tofno" who was his constant companion. Mr. Collis and the dog were the only witnesses to the accident. Mr. Jackson had just shot a squirrel, and had brought the gun down by his side with a load remaining in one of the barrels.
He was walking around a tree looking upward to see where the squirrel was that he had just shot, when in some manner the hammer of the gun caught on something, and caused it to be discharged. The discharge took effect in the rear part of his head killing him almost instantly.
His companion gave the alarm, and in a very short time the citizens of Anderson were out en masse to see the remains. Mr. Jackson was very popular and well known by every one, and the accident caused much excitement and grief in the town.
The Coroner held an inquest, empaneling a jury, which returned a verdict of accidental shooting in accordance with the facts.
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He was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows and they took charge of the remains, and gave him all the attention due an honorable member of that most worthy order.
His burial took place in the old cemetery, on the 16th of May, 1858, under the auspices of the order, a band of music being in attendance.
The ceremonies made a great impression upon the com- munity, and gave the Odd Fellows quite a good place in the hearts of the people of Anderson.
The Lodge met and took proper action in regard to Mr. Jackson's death by appointing an appropriate committee to draft resolutions of respect to his memory.
The minutes of the meeting that passed the resolutions were signed by Isaac M. May, Noble Grand, and Enoch M. Jackson, Secretary, both of whom are now dead.
Major May lost his life on the field of battle at Gainsville, at the second fight of Bull Run, and Enoch M. Jackson died in Anderson a few years ago.
This dreadful occurrence took place in " Sparks Woods," now the park in North Anderson. It occurred just where the street railway crosses a ravine near the entrance to the park.
Mr. Jackson was by trade a painter, but had quite re- cently before his death been engaged in the grocery business with Geo. W. Kline as his partner.
All the older citizens of Anderson remember Mr. Jack- son, and his sad ending is frequently talked of among them when assembled together.
Mr. Jackson left a wife and two children, who yet live in Anderson. These incidents dating back to the time Ander- son was a mere village are food for the old inhabitants to refer to, and cause many sighs of the heart of the old-timer, as they are called to memory.
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CHAPTER LIII.
PERSONAL SKETCHES OF MEN AND WOMEN.
DEATH OF ROBERT G. WORTH, ONCE A PROMINENT CITIZEN OF ANDERSON.
Robert G. Worth, who died in the city of Anderson, on the 7th of July, 1882, was at one time a prominent railroader and filled the honorable position of General Train Dispatcher for the Bee Line railroad system. He was among the oldest and best telegraphers in the country. From 1854 to 1858 he was in charge of the lines of the Bee Line and the old Madi- son and Indianapolis railroads under the superintendency of the late Governor John Brough, of Ohio. For many years he served as private secretary and confidential man to the Gov- ernor, by whom he was held in the very highest esteem.
Mr. Worth was a man of natural ability at anything he took hold of, and was a man of more than ordinary common sense; he was very genteel and polite in his deportment, and was universally respected by all who knew him. From 1858 to 1875 he worked at his chosen profession in the principal cities of eleven States in the Union. During the war he was the chief telegraph operator in the Army of the Potomac under Gen. George B. McClellan.
In 1878 he removed to Anderson where he resided con- tinuously up to the time of his death, and was engaged in keeping an eating house and restaurant on North Main street. His wife, who yet survives him, was the daughter of the late Judge Wm. H. Mershon, and a sister of the wife of the IIon. Wm. R. Myers. Mr. Worth left two daughters, the older of whom is married to Mr. Morss of the Daily Telegram, of An- . derson ; the other daughter is the wife of Scott Bone, late of the Anderson Democrat, but now connected with the Wash- ington Post.
Men admired Mr. Worth for his natural ability, and his sunny disposition. While he had faults, like all frail human nature, his many virtues covered them all and left standing out in bold relief : Robert G. Worth, a man.
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HON. WILLIAM CRIM.
The Hon. William Crim, of Anderson, died at his home in Anderson on the 14th day of October, 1891, leaving a large estate and an interesting family behind him. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1821. In early life he removed to Indiana and settled at Middletown, where he re- sided for several years. He at one time lived at Yorktown, and was postmaster there, and also resided for a short period at Alexandria. In April, 1849, he removed to Anderson, then a small village, and engaged in the grain business, He was one of the promoters of the agricultural interests of Madison county, and was one of the pioneers in that line in the State. He was for many years a member of the State Board of Ag- riculture, and was for two years President of the Association, being known throughout Indiana for his activity and zeal, la- boring to promote agricultural enterprise. For several years he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and serveil one term in the Indiana Legislature as a Represent- ative from Madison county. He also served two terms as a member of the City Council, and in every capacity of his public service was one of the most faithful and upright serv- ants the county ever had. In the year 1866, he, in connection with Joseph Fulton, organized the Exchange Bank, and was for many years the sole manager of that institution. Many other enterprises engaged his attention, including mercantile pursuits and banking, and the selling of grain, and he was at one time a partner of the late James Hazlett, in that line of business. In his general demeanor he was unpretending and was very modest in his demands upon the public. In every instance where he was called upon to serve his people in a political sense, it might be said that the office sought him in- stead of him seeking the office. He was true to his convic- tions and pursued the even tenor of his way with a fixed purpose and determination. He was a Democrat of the old school and was firm in his fealty to that organization. He had on many occasions presided over conventions and meet- ings of his party. He possessed, as an executive officer, the distinction of being a man of sound judgment.
He was married to Amelia Scott on the 6th of July, 1845. Six children were born of this union, and all preceded him across the dark river except two, Mrs. H. J. Daniels, and one son, Otis. Mr. Crim will be remembered by the older citi-
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zens of Madison county, perhaps, as long as any person who lived in the community. Although a man close in his bus- iness transations, he was generous to the poor and charitable to the faults of others. He was a strict advocate of temper- ance, and at times differed with the leaders of his party in that .respect. He was a strong advocate of the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution of Indiana prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, but in his differences with his party, on this subject, he never allowed such sentiments to sever him from his connection with that organization. Mr. Crim was a member of the Masonic Order, and was for many years a leading member of that society. His funeral took place from his late residence on West Eighth street, his remains being followed to the cemetery by one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in the county.
ALBERT A. SIDDALL.
No citizen whoever resided in Anderson was better known or more generally beloved throughout the county than was Albert A. Siddall. At an early day he identified himself with the business interests of this community, which he kept up constantly until the time of his death. He was undoubtedly one of the most popular merchants that ever stood behind a dry goods counter in this county. Ile was known by every man, woman and child who came here and purchased their supplies.
He was born in Richmond, Ind., in 1823, and died in Anderson on the 5th of June, 1883. He first came to An- derson in 1841 and engaged in the cabinet-making business, going into partnership with James Collis. After following this vocation for a short time he retired from the firm and accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store with Robert Wooster, in which he remained about one year, after which he engaged with Enos B. Wright in the dry goods trade. He also became a partner of the late William Crim, who was doing business in the same line of goods. During his partnership with Mr. Crim he was married in 1852 to Sarah A. Sparks, who yet ยท survives him.
He was engaged in mercantile business at different periods with other firms, among whom was L. M. Cox, with whom he carried on business in the building now occupied by the White House, at the corner of Meridian and Ninth streets.
Mr. Siddall was very devoted to his family and indulged
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them in everything that their hearts could wish for. It would be safe to say that he never denied them any request that was at all reasonable. He was a close friend and a genial com- panion. He was a great joker and enjoyed all kinds of jokes, even at his own expense. In another place in this volume will be given some pleasantries in regard to Mr. Siddall. He was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, and also of the Knights of Honor, who took charge of his remains, which were interred in the Anderson cemetery.
ONCE AN EXPRESS MESSENGER.
One to look at Judge E. B. Goodykoontz as he rises in his dignity to address the court in some important case, would never suspect that at one time he was a messenger in the employ of the American Express Company, yet such is the case. From August, 1855, to 1858, he was a route agent on the " Bee Line " railroad, making regular trips daily through Anderson, handling many thousands of dollars, as at that time the banks did not do such an extensive business as they now do, and nearly all the money in transit passed through the hands of the express companies.
To be a messenger on the railroad at that time was an honor equal to being the president of a railroad company in these days. A man in that capacity had a " pull " with all the pretty girls along the road and was a man to be courted by fond and doting mothers. The Judge continued in this business until the year of 1857, when he was married to Miss Emma Hazlett, a daughter of the late James Hazlett, of An- derson, when he retired from the road and entered the law office of the Hon. John Davis and read law, after which he became one of Anderson's ablest lawyers, and at one time Judge of the Circuit Court. He was for many years the law partner of the Hon. J. W. Sansberry, during which time the firm enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.
THE THARP FAMILY.
It is the pleasure of the writers to give proper credit to the worthy pioneers of Madison county, who braved the storms and hardships of early life in the wilderness, who felled the forests that once abounded here, and who by their labors, have succeeded in making it one of the most beautiful sections of the State of Indiana.
Among the many people who at an early date made their
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way into this locality, none were more prominent than the family of Collins Tharp. Mr. Tharp and his wife were born in North Carolina, and at an early period in their lives emi- grated to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained about ten years. They then went to Daviess county, Indiana, and from that point they came to this county, and settled on what is known as the Washington Pettigrew farm, in the south- eastern part of Greene township. This was in the year 1820. At the time of their removal to Madison county, where fertile fields now greet the eye, was one unbroken wilderness, and but a single pathway through the forests and thickets. One horse carried all the property that these good people owned. They also had another horse on which Mrs. Tharp rode, her husband walking at her side and making his way through the woods, and driving before him a cow and a few hogs.
There were at this period but six white families in the county : T. M. Pendleton, Thomas McCartney, Stephen Mat- thews, Judge Shaul, Samuel Holliday and Elias Hollingsworth.
The first year after his arrival Mr. Tharp planted two acres of corn, but, owing to the ravages made by the squirrels, he harvested but a small crop. This was not the only trial which the new settlers experienced in their new home. They were compelled to undergo all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Their dress was of the rudest and coarsest mate- rials, composed principally of coon skins. On one occasion Mrs. Tharp's wardrobe was reduced to almost nothing. This was caused by the only dress she had taking fire, and being almost burned off her. To replace it Mr. Tharp was com- pelled to collect some coon skins, and then he went to New Castle and purchased material for a new dress.
During the second year of their pioneer life on the Petti- grew farm, after seed time had passed, the little clearing that they made presented such an interesting view to the eye, with its six acres of growing corn, that Judge Holliday became enamored of it and purchased it for fifty dollars.
Collins Tharp then moved with his wife farther north and purchased what is now known as the Jackson farm near Anderson, the entire portion of which is now laid out in city lots and on which is located the beautiful suburb of Hazel- wood, where the busy wheels of industry are heard revolving from morning till night.
The old cemetery in which Mr. Tharp was buried in 1845 was a portion of his new purchase. It has been long since
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abandoned and all the bodies that were once buried there were removed and taken to different places for interment, the great- est number of them, however, being buried in the new ceme- tery across White river, just north of Anderson, where Mr. Tharp himself now lies sleeping.
In the year 1838, Mr. Tharp bought more land adjoining his property on the west side, and soon after built a brick house, which is now known as the old Jackson homestead, on West Twelfth street. Collins Tharp afterward sold the property to Andrew Jackson, who then became the owner of this valuable residence, and occupied the old homestead until his death a few years ago, since which time that part of his farm was laid out and sold to different persons for residence property.
Collins Tharp was a very peaceable, law-abiding citizen. He never had but one law suit in his life, and in that he came out second best. It relating this circumstance he states that he had to sell his only horse to pay the costs of the suit. The case was heard in Noblesville, and he and his wife had to walk through the woods, a distance of nearly twenty miles, and Mrs. Tharp worked in the tavern in that place for their board, while the trial was in progress. Mr. Tharp died in the year 1845, being then in easy circumstances. By hard work and economy they had risen from comparative poverty to considerable wealth. They left behind them a respectable family, the eldest of whom was Mrs. Ann Allen, the wife of William B. Allen, at one time Sheriff of Madison county.
Mrs. Tharp died in 1852, and was buried by the side of her husband.
These old people were strong in the Methodist faith, and gave the lot on which was erected the first church of that denomination in Anderson. Mr. Tharp was a member of the first grand jury that ever convened in Anderson. He was prominent in business affairs, private and public.
The old cemetery spoken of was on the ground now occupied by the residences of John E. Canaday, D. W. Storer, N. L. Wickersham and others. The last bodies re- moved from that place to the new cemetery was in 1875, since which time there has been nothing to indicate that this was a place in which to bury the dead.
Mrs. Cornelia Carter, wife of the late Dr. Carter, of Randolph county, is the only surviving member of this family.
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MRS. ELEANOR GODWIN, A PIONEER.
Mrs. Eleanor Godwin, one of the old-time residents of Madison county, died at her home in Anderson, on the 1st of August, 1896. She was the daughter of William Dilts, one of the first settlers of the county who came from near Greenville, Ohio, in an early day and settled in Union township, near Chesterfield, when Mrs. Godwin was but three years of age. She had for her playmates, the little Indian papooses of the neighborhood, and learned to love them as she would other children. She grew to womanhood and married Edward Shimer in 1834, with whom she lived until his decease. in 1848. In a few years after the death of her husband she again married the late Doctor Godwin, of Chesterfield, who died in 1865, again leaving her a widow, since which time she has al- most continuously made her home in Anderson. She was the mother of Mrs. R. D. Scott, of Ohio avenue, where she made her home at the time of her death. The decease of this good lady has removed from this county another landmark, and has caused another vacancy that can never be filled. The pioneers are passing away ; but a scattering one here and there yet remains. In a few years more they will live only in the memory of the dim past ; their time of life and their customs will be only tradition; no human tongue will be here to tell the story, as they love to tell it now.
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