USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 44
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MRS. CHRISTIAN BLACKI.IDGE.
The subject of this sketch was the mother of Harvey T. and Oliver Blacklidge, of Anderson, and John J. and James Blacklidge, of Richland township, all prominent and well- known people. She was one of the old-time women who knew the trials and hardships of the dear old pioneers who settled in the wilderness of Indiana. She was born in Wash- ington county, Virginia, on the 22d of October, 1806, and re- moved with her parents to Rush county, Indiana, when but a little girl. She was married to Joel Blacklidge, October 26, 1826, and settled in Franklin county, where they resided for a few years, and ultimately located in Madison county, Novem- ber 18, 1837. Here she stayed until the time of her death, which occurred in the month of April, 1881. Her husband, Joel Blacklidge, died on the 23d of April, 1847. Mrs. Black- lidge, in her early life, was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, but inasmuch as there were but few members of that denomination in those days in this section of the country, she
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withdrew from that organization and united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which she was a prominent mem- ber until death called her home. In her old age she was of a cheerful, sunny disposition and was dearly beloved by her children and acquaintances, who gathered around her. If all people were to live as she has lived and to die as she died, it would not seem to be a great sorrow to be called away from earth. The remains of Mrs. Blacklidge were interred in the Anderson cemetery beside those of her husband. Her body was followed to the grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives.
SAMUEL RICHARDS.
Of all the names connected with the history of Anderson that of Samuel Richards, the artist, stands out in singular characters. He was born in Spencer, Indiana, April 22, 1853. His father, Harlan Richards, was a lawyer of considerable ability and high character. From his mother he inherited the sunny, vivacious temperament, which was one of his chief charms, as well as the artistic traits, which were to develop into such marked recognition.
With nothing in his environments or associations to foster a love of art, except the picturesque setting of his native town and the beautiful scenery of the river and hills of Owen coun- ty, he nevertheless, from infancy, began to exhibit artistic tendencies, which could not be smothered, notwithstanding most strenuous opposition, and attempts to make anything, rather than an artist, out of the boy, who loved pencils and brushes better than all the enjoyments and diversions of the ordinary lad.
On account of the lack of opportunities in his own town and State, he early formed a resolution to go to Europe to study, and to satisfy that consuming ambition, which knew no bounds. At the age of fourteen he entered upon a clerkship in Spencer with the sole purpose of earning money enough to take him to the Old World, where he could devote himself entirely to art, and see her wonders. He remained in this position four years saving his earnings, but which at the end were swept away by an unfortunate speculation. In the beginning of 1874 he re- moved to Franklin, Indiana, where, on September 7, 1875, he was married to Miss Louise Parks, daughter of Rev. R. M. Parks, a prominent Baptist minister.
In the spring of 1877 he came to Anderson, where he lived until July, 1880. During the three years of his residence
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here, he became identified with the people and the interests of the place to that degree that his memory will ever be held in most affectionate remembrance, and his place in the history of Anderson be referred to with pride.
Having obtained orders for copies from pictures by the Old Masters, which he hoped would enable him to study one year abroad, he sailed for Europe the latter part of July, 1880. His progress in the Royal Academy of Munich, Bavaria, Germany,
SAMUEL RICHARDS.
was so marked, and he met with such unqualified success there, that he finally concluded to extend his stay indefinitely.
Notwithstanding the fact that he spent only one half of his time in the Academy at his study, as he took the other half for filling orders, which came in faster than he could execute them, he was awarded an Honorable Mention on his work at the close of the academic year in 1882. In 1883 he was given a bronze medal on his drawing, and in 1884 another medal in painting.
He had now come to be spoken of by his professors as one of the most promising Americans who had ever been in the
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Munich Academy. In 1885 he left the Academy, and devoted himself entirely to his original compositions. In 1887 he began his masterpiece, " Evangeline", but a few weeks before its completion in the spring of 1888, the already delicate constitu- tion, overtaxed by the absorption in the work on his great picture, succumbed to the terrible strain.
For weeks his life was in the balance, but his indomitable will sufficiently triumphed, that he was finally able to finish his picture. It was then exhibited for several weeks in Mun- ich, and immediately after in the World's Fair at Paris in 1889. Afterwards it was brought to America, where it was on exhi- bition in the principal cities of the United States.
From September, 1888, until the same month of 1891, he spent most of the time in Switzerland, where he painted his last large picture, "The Day Before the Wedding," exhibited in the Kunst Verein of Munich. He then travelled in Italy, having already visited many of the principal cities and galleries of Europe, and seen most of the great pictures of the world.
While in Davos, Switzerland, he became the intimate friend and associate of the great English scholar and author of the "Italian Renaissance," John Addington Symonds. Dur- ing his residence there Mr. Symonds was engaged upon his extensive work, "The Life of Michel Angelo Buonarroti," in the preface of which he gracefully recognizes Mr. Richards' assistance in the following lines :
" My friend, Mr. Samuel Richards, the distinguished American painter, assisted me with technical and critical ob- servations upon several intricate details of Michel Angelo's work, and, furthermore, enabled me to give the right solution of the action intended in the colossal statue of David at Flor- ence."
Late in 1891 Mr. Richards returned to America, but on account of his health was obliged to make his home in Denver, Colo. There he rallied sufficiently to take the directorship of an art school, which gave promise of being one of the best in the country ; but again failing health compelled him to resign. On November 30, 1893, he finally yielded up the heroic spirit and was laid to rest under Colorado skies, in view of the ever- lasting hills of the great Rockies.
His principal pictures are : " A Wanderer," owned by Miss Margaret Hamilton, of Fort Wayne, Ind .; " Blissful Hours," owned by Mr. David Gebhart, Dayton, Ohio; "A Letter," owned by Mr. Blew, Cleveland, Ohio; " Peasant
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Stories," owned by United States Senator John R. McPher- son, Washington, D. C .; " Evangeline," owned by the Detroit Museum of Art ; " Day Before the Wedding," owned by Mrs. Platt, of Chicago ; "Study Head," owned by the National Academy, New York. On Mr. Richards' return from Ger- many he presented to the Anderson Club several of his paint- ings.
MARION DAVIS, AN OLD-TIMER.
Marion Davis was one among the many early and promi- nent farmers of Madison county who resided south-west of the city for a number of years. He was a man of more than ordi- nary common sense and a great reader of public events and a strong advocate of his political convictions, being an ardent Republican. He was born in Connersville, Fayette county, in 1817, and died on the 10th of June, 1888. He came to Madison county in 1839, after which he returned to his native place and resided there but a little while, and then again re- turned to this county in 1848 and settled on the farm where he died. During his early life he was an active Whig and worked with that party until it disbanded, and upon the formation of the Republican party he became a member of its ranks. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861, and served until February, 1863. At the time of his death he was a promi- nent member of the Madison County Historical Society, in which he took great interest. Mr. Davis left behind him an interesting family, several of whom reside within the county, and a large number of friends to deplore his loss.
A SKETCH OF HON. J. H. M'CONNELL.
The Hon. James H. McConnell was for many years a fa- miliar figure in the courts of Madison county, and generally known throughout the commonwealth. He was one of those old-school Kentuckians, whose dignity was shown in every move he made, whether at the bar of justice or in the social circle. It was his nature to be polite, and if in a fit of anger it became necessary to give opposing counsel, or an enemy, a tongue lashing, it was done in the most dignified manner. He never stooped to use vulgar epithets, or language unbecoming a gentleman, even though the occasion might seem to war- rant it. He was a brave man and did not fear to express his opinion on any subject. This came near causing him to lose his life on one occasion, in Centerville, Indiana, in a political
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fight during the war. He was a Democrat in whom there was no guile, and strongly espoused the cause of that party's battles. And more than once during the war and immedi- ately after, while the blood was yet warm, "Mac," as he was familiarly called, came near having serious trouble. But when the smoke of battle cleared away and the war feeling began to clear up there was none more ready to meet his for- mer antagonists with the hand of fellowship than James H. McConnell. He at one time represented Daviess county in the Legislature, and was one of its influential members. He re- moved from Daviess county to Centerville, and from there he came to Anderson, in 1866, where he resided until his sad death, which occurred on the 1st of December, 1880. He was on his way home from his office, walking down Eighth street, when in front of the Harter block, that was then occu- pied by the Exchange Bank, he lost his footing on the icy pavement and fell with such force as to cause injuries from which he died before he could be taken home. This was one of the saddest deaths that ever occurred in Anderson. He left behind him a widow and a most estimable family, who are yet living in Anderson. His eldest daughter is the wife of the Hon. W. S. Diven, and his youngest daughter is now Mrs. L. H. Gedge.
One of Mr. McConnell's traits was cleanliness ; no one ever saw him without faultlessly clean linen, and his boots were always shining as though he had just emerged from a barber shop. James H. McConnell will live long in the mem- ory of Anderson's old citizens, and there is none whom the writers would rather remember in these pages.
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CHAPTER LIV.
IN WHICH A NUMBER OF HOMICIDES, SUICIDES AND OTHER MATTERS OF A CRIMINAL. NATURE ARE RELATED.
HOMICIDE OF JUDSON J. LEARNED.
On the 7th of November, 1876, the day on which Ruth- erford B. Hayes was elected President of the United States, a riot occurred at the polls, in Anderson, in which Judson J. Learned lost his life at the hands of Cornelius Daugherty, City Marshal, in the discharge of his duty. About half past 2 o'clock in the afternoon. John Jackson and a colored man, whose name was unknown, became engaged in a quarrel near the intersec- tion of Ninth and Main streets. While they were thus engaged B. F. Whitelock, a blacksmith, approached the negro and struck him on the back of the head with a stone. This caused the negro to turn his attention to Whitelock, and the two en- gaged in a fight, which naturally drew about them a crowd, one of whom was Learned.
The attention of Marshal Daugherty was also drawn to the disturbance, and he hastened to the place to quell it and to disperse the crowd, which by this time had become much excited and was making serious threats against the negro. The Marshal succeeded in separating Whitelock and the ne- gro, and then made an attempt to get the negro out of the hands of the mob, but was for a time prevented by Learned, who insisted that the negro should be let alone, and endeav- ored to carry out his purpose by grasping hold of the Marshal to release his hold on the negro.
The crowd continued to grow more threatening, and a serious riot became imminent. The commands of the Marshal to disperse were unheeded. In his efforts to release himself from the impending danger and to check the rush of angry men, he struck back over his left shoulder with a piece of a billiard cue which he carried. The blow struck Learned and felled him to the ground. Learned immediately got up and put on his hat, but still made further demonstrations toward the Marshal who commanded him to leave, or he would arrest
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him. This had the effect to disperse the crowd, and Learned walked to the drug store, and had his head bathed with arnica by Garrett W. Brown. The blow was on the left side of the head just above the temple. At that time it had indicated nothing serious, the skin being but slightly broken.
After having his head bathed he went out on the street and returned in about twenty minutes to pay for the service ren- dered. He was then smoking a cigar and appeared to be all right. About five o'clock he complained of nausea and went home. A little later he complained of being chilly, pulled off his hat and went to bed. In a very short time he became de- lirious, and about six o'clock on that evening, died.
Peter Madara, a next door neighbor, came down town to inform a number of the citizens of the turn of affairs. . Coro- ner Sims was called and an inquest was held at the residence of the deceased on South Central avenue on the next morning. The Coroner's jury was composed of the following named gentlemen : H. L. Trueblood, E. B. Hartley, W. W. Jack- son, Joseph I. Seward, James A. Thomas, and Andrew K. Rockenfield. Drs. Chittenden and Jones were witnesses in the case, having examined the body. Drs. B. F. Spann and C. S. Burr concurred in the opinions rendered by Jones and Chittenden as to the cause of his death.
After a full investigation of the affair, the following ver- dict was given : " That we, the undersigned jurors, empan- eled and sworn on this 8th of November, 1876, at the resi- dence of the deceased in the City of Anderson, Madison county, to inquire into and to make a true presentment in what manner and by whom, Judson J. Learned, whose body was found at his residence on the 7th of November, 1876, came to his death, after having heard the evidence and exam- ined the body, we find that the deceased came to his death by being struck on the left side of the head by the butt end of a billiard cue in the hands of Cornelius Daugherty, on the after- noon of the 7th of November, 1876."
After a full and fair investigation, it was decided that the Marshal acted in the discharge of his official duty as Marshal of the City of Anderson, and no indictment was ie- turned against him by the Grand Jury of the county:
Mr. Daugherty immediately after he learned that Mr. Learned was dead, surrendered himself to Deputy Sheriff Biddle until an investigation could be had, and gave bond for
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his appearance to answer the charge on an indictment that might be brought against him.
Although politics was up to fever heat in that memorable campaign, that could not be assigned as a cause for this terri- ble occurrence, from the fact that Daugherty and the victim were both of the same political belief, being ardent Repub- licans.
Mr. Learned was at the time of his death twenty-five years of age and married. He left a wife and one child.
No one regretted this occurrence more than Mr. Daugher- ty, the Marshal. He was not even conscious of whom he had hit until told afterwards, his aim being only to quiet the riot and to preserve the peace. Mr. Daugherty is yet liv- ing, and is an honored and respected citizen of Anderson.
A TRAGEDY THAT SHOCKED ANDERSON.
Louis Titherington was a cab driver who lived in the house now occupied by Dr. J. W. Fairfield as a sanitarium at the corner of Meridian and Thirteenth streets.
Titherington went to his home on the 19th of October, 1876, in an intoxicated condition and became engaged in an altercation with his wife and sister-in-law, a Miss Jenkins, who lived in the family. He was in the act of severely chas- tising Miss Jenkins, and, it is said, had whipped his wife, when Daniel Jenkins, her brother, came into the house and ยท ordered him to desist in his abuse, when he turned upon Jen- kins and made threats of violence, whereupon Jenkins drew a revolver and opened fire upon Titherington, filling his body with leaden missiles, causing almost instant death. Jenkins was placed under arrest and indicted by the Grand Jury, and on a trial in the Circuit Court was acquitted on the ground that the killing was justifiable.
On the trial was exhibited a large lock of hair which Titherington had pulled out of the head of one of the women. Titherington was a familiar personage on the streets of An- derson for a quarter of a century, having been at one time a half owner of the 'bus and transfer line, which was a good paying property.
" Lew," as he was known by the people, was not a bad man when not drinking, but disposed to be unruly when im- bibing to excess. He was mixed up in a great many street fights and other troubles, the result of too much liquor. His headquarters for many years before his marriage was at the
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old United States Hotel. He was known by every traveling man from New York to San Francisco who stopped in Ander- son.
John Alderman was for many years his partner and they made money fast and spent it with lavish hands. One of the jurors who tried Jenkins said after the trial was over that " the jury thought that he was not exactly justified, but that Titherington needed killing anyway, and that they just voted to let him off."
Neal Daugherty was City Marshal at the time of the killing and arrested Jenkins. Andrew J. Griffith was Sheriff and Randle Biddle his deputy.
Titherington left a widow, but no children. He was a brother to Robert Titherington, who yet lives in Anderson.
KILLED BY AN ASSASSIN.
Thomas Walden was a boy born and reared in Anderson, where he lived until he reached his maturity, when he started out in the world to do for himself. He finally arrived at Springfield, Ill., where he secured work in a rolling mill. He was a son of Samuel Walden, an old citizen of Anderson, and a half brother of the late Elijah Walden, once Trustee of Anderson township. His untimely death was the result of a feud between union and non-union laborers in the neighbor- hood in which he was working.
On the 12th of April, 1883, a party of men left the works and walked towards the railroad, near by which there was a co-operative coal shaft. 'They had reached the crossing, when a shot was fired, apparently from the lower works of the shaft or from some empty cars that were standing close at hand. This was followed by an order to fire, delivered in a loud voice, and instantly a rattling volley was poured in upon the men, who had not recovered from the surprise of the first shot.
Mr. Walden was struck by a number 34 ball, which killed him on the spot. It was never known to a certainty who did the deed, but it was known to have originated out of an ugly feeling that existed between the two labor elements in that locality, young Walden being a non-union man.
The Coroner held an inquest over the remains, and also notified Mr. E. J. Walden, of Anderson, who had the body brought to this city, where it was interred in the Anderson cemetery beside that of his father.
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SUICIDE OF A POPULAR YOUNG MAN.
On the 6th of October, 1878, William Arthur Hunt, of Anderson, took his own life by taking an extraordinary quantity of morphine. He was the youngest son of the late Dr. William A. Hunt, was born in Madison county, on the 17th of June, 1855, and had spent nearly his entire life in the county of his birth. He was well known and highly esteemed by the people generally, and was a man of noble impulses and kindly disposition. He was a machinist by trade, having learned that occupation in the Anderson Foundry and Machine Works.
Just before taking the drug he went to the Griffith House and requested the use of a room, which Mr. Griffith complied with. Young Hunt intimated that he contemplated self-destruction, whereupon he was informed that he could not have a room under any circumstances. He seated him- self in the hotel office and Mr. Griffith supposing the matter ended, turned to other duties requiring his attention. No sooner had he left the office than Hunt approached the porter and repeated his request for a room, who being unaware of the circumstances gave him one, at the same time supplying him with some writing material which he demanded. In a short time Mr. Griffith returned and made inquiries as to Hunt's whereabouts. On being informed of what had tran- spired during his absence, he hastened to the room and found that the door was locked.
He made repeated efforts to gain admission, but with no response. A view of the interior was finally obtained over a transom, and Hunt was discovered seated at a table, busily employed in writing. Mr. Griffith abandoned the effort to gain an entrance, but sent a messenger for the City Marsha! and for Hunt's father. They both arrived at about the same time, and the door was forced open, not however, until Hunt had destroyed what he had written. He then accompanied his father home, and at his request retired to his room to sleep off the excitement under which he appeared to be labor- ing. The method of self destruction was not, as yet, under- stood by his father, and it was not until some time thereafter, That he learned that his son had obtained during the day, of Pierce & Richwine, druggists, a bottle of morphine contain- & ng sixty grains. This alarmed the father who hastened to Eis son's room. Finding the door locked he forced an
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entrance, and found young Hunt lying on the bed in a coma- tose state from which he was aroused, when he informed his father that he had taken sixty grains of morphine, and had thrown the bottle out of the window. The Doctor at once notified the boy's mother, and sent for medical assistance.
It was but a short time until numerous friends of the family came and offered their assistance, and from that time until early next morning they did everything they could to save young Hunt's life, but without avail. He expired at half past five o'clock on Sunday morning without a struggle and, doubtless, without the consciousness of pain.
The causes which prompted the deceased to do the act are not known or understood, as he spoke very seldom of any trouble. It was supposed at the time to have been the result of a misunderstanding between himself and a young lady to whom he had paid marked attention for some months previous.
Young Hunt was an honest, upright man, and had been employed at one time by the express company as a messenger, and at another period was assistant to the corps of civil engi- neers who surveyed and marked out the right of way for the Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis railroad, now known as the Midland. He had many friends in the community who mourned his loss and sympathized deeply with his parents and brothers, who survived him.
KILLED ON THE STREET.
About 10 o'clock on the morning of April 10, 1893, the people in the neighborhood of Main and Ninth streets, were startled by the sound of a pistol shot. Hurrying to the scene, it was ascertained that John Moriarity had shot his neighbor, McLelland Streets.
Before the police arrived, a Mr. Ed. King, who was the first upon the ground of the tragedy, took Moriarity into custody and held him until the police arrived. He was taken to the jail, while his victim was removed to the office of Dr. C. L. Armington, where he was examined and found to be mortally wounded. He lived but a little while after being taken to this place, and was turned over to the Coroner, who held an inquest. It was ascertained that the shooting was the result of a neighborhood quarrel and a general disturbance of the people in that locality over some trivial matters. Moriarity had become so worked up that he had made up his
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mind to slay his enemy on sight, and carried out his design at the first opportunity.
It was a great surprise to all who knew Moriarity, as there was never a more peaceable man in Anderson than he. The writer will never forget the wild, vacant stare on the face of Moriarity when he first saw him, immediately after the shooting.
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