USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 46
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This story of Mrs. Mawson was disconnected in a good many respects and but little faith was attached to it. The real facts as they afterwards were developed were to the effect that she had had some trouble with her son Thomas, and Mrs. Hoppes, her daughter ; that Albert was her youngest child, and that she had doted upon him, and had placed great confi- dence in him becoming a good and useful man, while her elder son was somewhat reckless, and disposed to be something of a spendthrift. The mother at that time deeded her lands or a portion of them to Albert, intending at her death that he should come into possession of the property that she might leave. In the meantime Albert himself had to some extent grown reck- less, and had desired to stray away from home occasionally, and
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at one time had entered the service of a railroad company as brakeman on a freight train. This displeased the mother and it is thought the supreme motive which compelled her to com- mit this horrible crime was to get possession again of the real estate which she had deeded to him. There could hardly have been any other motive for the commission of the act, as he possessed no money or other valuables and she did not want any one else to come into possession of the real estate, and it is said that after deeding away the land that she brooded over what she had done, at times, and that her son Thomas and her son-in-law and daughter harrassed her about it so as to cause her much trouble. Several instances connected with the affair pointed very strongly to Mrs. Mawson as being the guilty party. She told William Fosset, a teamster, who resided in Anderson, and who was hauling wood from her farm to the city the following story :
Fossett testified that about ten days prior to the finding of the body, while he was driving along the Columbus Pike, he met Mrs. Mawson near the residence of one David Pittsford. She halted him in the road and gave him the first information that he had received that Albert was absent. She told how good she had been to him and what she would have done had he remained with her, and then she said that someone had killed him or buried his body in the woods or in a well, and that he would be found some time just as certain as she was looking in Fossett's face. During the conversation she re- iterated three or four times her story about the burial of the body, and that it would be found. She was terribly affected and once or twice broke down crying. She also spoke with much levity about other matters and even told Mr. Fossett a joke during the conversation. Suspicion pointed to Thomas Mawson, the brother, as being an accomplice. The Coroner ordered his arrest and Marshal Cornelius Daugherty, of Ander- son, accompanied by Mr. Newton Burke, left immediately for Luray, a small town in Henry county, situated between Muncie and New Castle, in which place Thomas Mawson was living.
On entering the village the officers soon ascertained the whereabouts of Mawson, who dwelt in a frame building, a part of which was used as a store. When the Marshal knocked at the door Mawson arose from his bed and asked what he wanted. The Marshal requested him to come down to the door, but he refused and told them to go away. The officers then called him by name, when he swore if they did
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not go away he would get a gun and shoot them. At this they withdrew. They then aroused several of the citizens and surrounded the house. When Mawson opened the door to speak to one of his neighbors who called him, he was seized by Mr. Burke, who made a prisoner of him without further resistance. Marshal Daugherty asked him for the trunk of clothes that had been sent him by his mother. He pointed to an old trunk which was found to contain nothing but some old rags. Further search revealed another trunk which contained two pairs of pants and two vests, which Albert's mother said he had worn away with him. Thomas told them that these were Albert's clothes, and that there was also an overcoat hanging on the wall which belonged to his brother. Thomas Mawson was brought to Anderson, placed in jail, and held for further investigation. He was eventually indicted by the Grand Jury of Madison county, and was placed upon trial, being defended by the HIon. Wm. R. Myers and Calvin D. Thompson, Esq., and after a full and complete hearing of the case was acquitted on the plea of an alibi, having proven to the satisfaction of the jury that he was at the home of his father-in-law, John Geddis, in Henry county, on the night of the murder. Suspicion also pointed to Daniel Hoppes, the son-in-law, and Jane Hoppes, the wife, the daughter of Mrs. Mawson, as being accessories to the crime. The Coroner also ordered the arrest of Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes. They were promptly taken into custody and arraigned before Mayor Wm. L. Brown for examination. They were also defended by the Hon. Wm. R. Myers and Calvin D. Thompson, Esq., and after a full and impartial hearing, were also acquitted of the crime.
The verdict of the Coroner's jury as to the manner of Albert Mawson's death was substantially as follows : " That on the 21st day of October, 1874, Albert Mawson came to his death by a blow inflicted with an axe or some other hard sub- stance, in the hands of Nancy Mawson, which the jury finds to be the cause of the death of the victim."
The verdict of the jury was signed by the following named gentlemen : Geo. W. Hughel, J. I. Seward, P. J. Carr, John Allen, Caleb Brown, John R. Stephenson, Thomas E. Smith, Geo. W. McGraw, John H. Stanley, and Philip H. Kellar.
This murder created the greatest excitement not only throughout the county but throughout the country. The Cin-
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cinnati and Chicago papers had representatives here during the Coroner's investigation and also at the preliminary hear- ing of the case. Miss Laura Ream represented the Cincin- nati Commercial in which journal she gave a very full and detailed account of the murder, and the family history of the people supposed to be connected therewith.
During the progress of holding the Coroner's inquest, at the residence of Mrs. Mawson, she very kindly prepared din- ner for the Coroner and the jury. Mr. Maynard, the Coro- ner, from some cause became suspicious that some motive might have prompted the hostess to be so clever, so they ex. cused themselves and did not partake of her hospitality. It was afterward told in the neighborhood that the dinner was given to the dogs and that they died from eating it. Some are of the firm belief that she intended to poison the whole crowd. We do not vouch for the truth of this, but give it as a matter of common rumor at the time.
Mrs. Mawson, after the hearing before the Coroner, was placed under afrest and incarcerated in the old Madison county jail that stood at the corner of Ninth and Jackson streets, to await the action of the Grand Jury. On the 25th of October, however, she put an end to this celebrated case so far as she was personally concerned, and paved the way of escape for others in the crime, by taking her own life with a dose of arsenic. It is almost a certainty that she had contem- plated this long before she was placed in jail; perhaps from the time she committed the deed. In consequence of the ru- mors which had overtaken her as to being one of the guilty parties, she had concluded that this was the best plan of pat- ting an end to it. She had evidently intended to kill herself before arrest, but she did not carry out her purpose until she was placed in confinement. As she had no way of obtaining the poison after being placed in jail, she undoubtedly had it about her when she was put behind the bars. Sheriff Albert J. Ross testified before the Coroner who held the inquest over her remains that on the evening prior to her death he had noticed that she was sick. On going to her cell she told him that she had had a chill and asked for some water to drink. It being supplied to her she drank a copious quantity of it and seemed thereafter to be in great pain, accompanied with severe cramps. She told Mr. Ross that her stomach felt like it was burning up. She ate a hearty breakfast but de- clined any dinner. As she grew worse the Sheriff called in 34
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Dr. C. S. Burr, but Mrs. Mawson refused positively to take any medicine. Dr. Burr testified that he was called to see Mrs. Mawson and found her very feeble and cold and in a state of great perspiration. Her symptoms indicated poison- ing. His opinion was that she had taken arsenic or anti- mony. Two or three witnesses were examined, among whom were Dr. L. Harriman and Dr. Horace E. Jones, who corrob- orated the statements made by Dr. C. S. Burr as to her symp- toms. After her death a considerable quantity of arsenic was found sewed up in a little bag in one of her dresses, which confirmed the belief of many, as already stated, that she had had under contemplation for some time her own death by suicide.
Mrs. Mawson's body on being removed from the jail was placed in a neat coffin and conveyed to her residence, from which her funeral took place. Her remains were interred in the Bucco cemetery, south of town, and thus ended one of the most fearful and inhuman crimes that was ever commit- ted within the borders of Madison county.
Thomas Mawson, the brother, who was accused of being a party to this crime, is now living, as is also his sister, Mrs. Hoppes, with her husband in Henry county, this State. The real facts of the murder will, perhaps, never be known, Mrs. Mawson having put herself out of the way and her evidence never having been given before any court in defense of herself or against other persons. It has always been thought that had Mrs. Mawson lived until such time as she could have been placed on the witness stand before a court and jury, that she would have finally broken down and told the plain, simple truth, and that if there had been any others implicated with her, she would have revealed that fact. It seems impossible that Mrs. Mawson, as frail as she was, could have killed her son and conveyed his body to its hiding place without help.
The locality in which this crime occurred seems to have been a fated spot, as within sight of the house where Albert Mawson was so brutally murdered is the place, in a small ra- vine in a little strip of woods, where Milton White, with a large sassafras club, killed Daniel Hoppes, in the year 1867, a full account of which is given in another part of this volume.
Thomas Mawson, and Daniel Hoppes and wife, being the only heirs to the real estate left by Mrs. Mawson and her son, came into possession of the same and all of Mrs. Mawson's
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personal effects; they derived but little benefit from it, as it was nearly all absorbed in attorney's fees and court costs in de- fending themselves from the charges made against them.
Another theory for the commission of the crime, upon which there was considerable testimony adduced at the time, was that Mrs. Mawson seriously objected and feared that her son Albert would marry a Miss Lane, who lived in that neigh- borhood, and who had instituted criminal proceedings against him, so it was said. One of the witnesses testified that he had heard Mrs. Mawson repeatedly say that Albert was dead, and that she would never see him again, and that she would rather a thousand times that he were dead than to see him marry the Lane girl.
A SUICIDE BY HANGING.
On the 2nd of August, 1891, Allen Stanley, an old bach- elor living with William Stanley, his brother, in Anderson, killed himself by hanging. He was found in an out-shed with a rope around his neck, hanging to a beam, stone dead. IIe was a very peculiar old gentleman, scarcely ever speaking to any one unless being first spoken to, and then simply respond- ing to the question asked. He was a brother of William Stan- ley, the engineer who had charge of the boilers in the Walton mill when the explosion took place, an account of which is elsewhere given, and was in the mill when the explosion took place. No reason could be given for his desire to take his life, other than a wish to be out of the way of his friends. Having no family, he for many years made his home with his brother, and it is supposed he felt that he was in the way and ended his troubles by ending his life.
THE TRASTER MURDER.
For many years the firm of Traster Brothers, composed of Robert and William Traster, owned and operated the Moss Island Merchant Flouring Mills, west of this city. They did a prosperous and thriving business. Their brand of flour was known far and near. In addition to furnishing all of the Anderson merchants they made large shipments throughout the country.
Tne Trasters were very popular with the people. Their mills were a favorite place for the surrounding country and city folks to congregate for sport and pastime. The island near the mills was, and is yet, a favorite resort for picnic and
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fishing parties. It is no uncommon sight in the summer sea- son to see forty or fifty Anderson fishermen perched upon the old water-gates, like turtles on a log, fishing from morning until night.
The Trasters had in their employ, as teamster, a young man by the name of Granville Dale, a good-natured inoffen- sive fellow, intelligent and industrious, given a little to drink, but not sufficient to in any way interfere with his duties. He was a " trusty " for the firm, had care of the teams and did all of the chores. He often came to town with loads of " mill stuff," and returned with the cash proceeds. One Sunday morning, on a bright April day in 1867, a party of Ander- sonians, consisting of ex-Sheriff Ben Sebrell, Captain Ethan Allen, R. C. Reed, with others whose names are not now remembered, all friends of the Trasters, started for Moss Island for a day of fun and fishing and a good dinner at the miller's homestead. Fishing tackle, canteens and other ac- coutrements necessary for such an expedition, were in ample store ; in fact the party was well fixed for a day's sport. A merrier lot of good fellows never left Anderson, nor one that was more capable of enjoying such an occasion.
Ben Sebrell was the master of ceremonies. He was a brother-in-law of the Traster boys and was one of those big- hearted men, full of life; did not care which way the wind blew and was always ready for a "time." The journey to the mill was soon made; the fishing party assembled on the bank of the river and business set in. Jokes and stories went the rounds, and an occasional whiff at the canteen was indulged in, until the party became quite merry. At last a tap on the dinner bell announced a repast for the party. They packed their tackle in response to the cry, "Come to dinner." On their way to the house the party halted at the barn. The can- teen was again passed around. Dale, the teamster, was at- tending to the horses. A slight misunderstanding came up between him and William Traster. Angry words followed. Finally Traster made some move toward chastising Dale, when the latter stooped to the ground. picked up a rock the size and shape of a goose egg, hurled it at Traster, and hitting him on the head, felled him to the ground never to rise again. It flashed across Dale's mind in a minute that, in a rash mo- ment, frenzied with drink, he had killed his employer and best friend. The fishing party was summoned to the scene. Traster's body was taken to the house and every means re-
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sorted to to bring him back to life, but all proved of no avail. Thus the party was abruptly broken up. The Coroner was notified and an inquest was held, and a finding made in ac- cordance with the facts. Dale gave himself up to the Sheriff. He was incarcerated in the Madison county jail until court convened, when he was indicted by the Grand Jury, tried and convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in the Northern Indiana Prison at Michigan City, where he served his time. After the expiration of his sentence he went to Indianapolis, where he was for many years a cab-driver. He never returned to Anderson. He never made any pretentions to deny his guilt, but spoke of it with regret. The man he killed was his best friend and had given him em- ployment, for all of which he felt grateful. They were both under the influence of liquor at the time. Traster was a large, muscular man. Dale was small and delicate and feared that if Traster got hold of him his life would be in danger ; hence his resort to the stone. He had no idea of killing Traster.
The stone he used was for many years kept in the Clerk's office, with many other relics of early-day tragedies, but was destroyed by fire when the court house burned in 1880. The killing of William naturally broke up the business of the Traster Brothers. He was the sturdy wheel-horse of the firm. When he was gone the business soon went down. The old mill stands there, a silent witness to the many scenes of joy and sorrow which have taken place on that famous retreat, Moss Island.
A HORRIBLE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.
On the 24th of January, 1882, the citizens of Anderson, in the neighborhood of the old Mary Croak residence, on South Meridian street, situated on the ground now occupied by W. W. Read & Co.'s wholesale grocery store, were horri- fied to find that David Englefield, a German bachelor, about forty years of age, had cut his throat in the basement of that building, which he used as a shoemaker shop.
He was alone at the time, and no one knows just how long he had been lying in his own blood before he was dis- covered, which was about half past 3 o'clock in the morning.
The family of Mrs. Mary Croak, who occupied the floors above his room, heard him making an unusual noise and went down to ascertain the cause, when they were horrified to find him in this condition.
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Captain Amos Coburn was then City Marshal, and was called in, when he had him removed to a place where he could be cared for, and a physician was called. It was ascer- tained that he had taken a shoe knife, and, at one "slash," had cut his throat from ear to ear, almost severing his wind pipe. He was very fleshy, and the wound presented very much the appearance of a hog that had been butchered and hung upon the "gamling sticks."
The sight was a most sickening one, and will linger long in the memories of those who beheld it. Dave was an inof- fensive, good-hearted German, who followed "cobbling" for his living, and always had his shop in some basement or cellar, seldom ever coming out, only to buy some eatables, he having always done his own cooking.
His habits of living under the ground gave him the name of "Ground Hog Dave," by which he went by the people who knew him. There were few people in town who knew his real name at all.
He had no relatives in this part of the country except a brother at Logansport, who was said to be well fixed in life.
Despondency and ill health from his long life in damp cellars was the cause of his rash act.
He evidently aimed to make good work of his attempt at self destruction, as he left lying on his work bench the fol- lowing note :
"My sickness is getting worse, so I do not wish to live longer. "DAVID ENGLEFIELD."
The doctors sewed up his wounds and he was removed to the poor farm, where he was kindly cared for until he re- covered, and then he was sent to his friends, and is, in all probability, living yet.
This was one of the most wonderful cases on record, where a person had so nearly cut his head off, and was then brought back to life. All of the older people of Anderson well remember "Ground Hog Dave."
SUICIDE OF ELIAS SKINNER.
Elias Skinner, who was well known to many of the older citizens of Anderson, committed suicide at the Pan Handle Hotel, on the 25th of December, 1894, by taking poison. It is said that troubles of a domestic nature caused him to com- mit the act. He was a rather good-natured, inoffensive man,
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who had no known enemies in the world, and seemed to have a disposition to get along in the world as well and cheerfully as possible. His wife was Miss Emma Hixon, a daughter of Matthew Hixon, who formerly lived in Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner had been separated some time prior to this oc- currence, and it is said he had taken to strong drink after the separation, and undoubtedly grew melancholy, and while laboring under this condition took his own life.
KILLING OF MRS. ALVIN VINEYARD.
Mrs. Vineyard; the wife of Alvin Vineyard, was instantly killed at Florida, in LaFayette township, on the 6th of April, 1894. She had been to the village doing some shopping, and in attempting to cross the railroad track, coming from behind a building, which obstructed the view along the railway, she did not see an approaching train, which was running very fast, and being unconscious of its approach, walked immedi- ately in front of it, thus meeting instant death. Her body was thrown a considerable distance, receiving such injuries as caused her death. Mrs. Vineyard was a very estimable lady, well known in the neighborhood in which she lived as well as among the people in Anderson.
SUICIDE OF ELIJAH J. WALDEN.
For many years Elijah Walden was one of the prominent figures in Madison county. He was a large dealer in grain, lumber and merchandise for a number of years, and at different times was associated with other leading men, notably, A. J. Brunt. He and Mr. Brunt carried on the largest lumbering establishment in Madison county ; they had their yards near the Pan Handle railroad station.
Mr. Walden was, during his earlier life, one of the best fixed men, financially, in Anderson, and in his day was the owner of much valuable real estate. He was twice elected to the office of trustee for Anderson township, and on several occasions was prominently spoken of in connection with the County Treasury. Later on in life he became involved in speculations to such an extent that it was the cause of his finan- cial downfall and finally of his death. On the 25th of June, 1885, Mr. Walden visited Indianapolis for the purpose of hav- ing an interview with his daughter, who lived in that city and whom he desired to see for the purpose of securing from her help in his financial troubles. When he reached the city he
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became disheartened and went to the Bates House, where he addressed a letter to his family at Anderson in which he said that he could not bear the idea of asking his daughter for relief, intimating at the same time that he intended to commit the rash act which he afterwards carried out. On the same even- ing he returned to the city and went to his home on South Fletcher street, where he immediately retired, after taking a large dose of morphine. His family did not realize what had happened until it was too late for medical relief to do him any good. The wife was at first attracted by his heavy breathing and attempted to arouse him, but without success. Dr. G. F. Chittenden and other physicians were immediately summoned and did everything known to medical skill, but without avail. Mr. Walden breathed his last at 1 p. M. on that night. He left a wife, two estimable daughters, and one son, who yet survive him. His two daughters, who are married, reside in Indianapolis ; his wife and only son, Robert, are yet residents of Anderson. Mr. Walden was a prominent Mason, being a member of Anderson Commandery of Knights Templar, which organization took charge of his remains and buried them in the Anderson cemetery with all the honors of the order. He was a man of good habits and was generally and socially liked by every one in the community. He was very secretive in his disposition as to his business affairs and no one in the city real- ized that they were in as bad a condition as they were.
SUICIDE OF MISS EVA PIPER.
On the 28th of November, 1890, Miss Eva Piper, a domes- tic in the family of John S. Davis, in Anderson, committed suicide by hanging herself in an out building on the premises. She was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Piper, who lived near Pendleton, but for several years had been a member of the household of the Davis family, who esteemed her very highly. The cause of her rash act was said to have been the result of disappointment in a love affair. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were very much affected over the affair, as well as the relatives and friends of the unfortunate girl.
SUICIDE OF FRED. W. IRWIN.
On Saturday morning, May 18, 1895, a handsome, well- dressed stranger, threw the population of Anderson into a fever of excitement by committing suicide.
He entered East's hardware store and selecting one of
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the best revolvers in stock, loaded it carefully, and muttering, "I believe this would kill a bull dog," placed the muzzle to his right temple and ended his existence by sending a bullet through his brains.
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