USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
KILLING OF MARTIN ROGERS.
On Thursday, the 16th of March, 1876, as the gravel train on the Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis Railroad, now known as the Midland, was going to unload some gravel in ballasting the roadway, an accident occurred just east of the crossing which resulted in the death of Martin Rogers, one of the laborers on the road. Rogers was sitting on the side of a flat car, his legs hanging over the edge. As the train neared the fence, which was built up close to the side of the track, there was not sufficient space between the ends of the rails and the side of the car to permit his legs to pass in safety. Rogers attempted to hold them up above the fence until the car passed by, but as he did not raise them sufficiently high his feet were caught in the rails and he was dragged off. In falling he was thrown under the wheels and his arm and side horribly mangled. His head was severely cut and bruised ; besides, he received internal injuries.
The train was stopped and the unfortunate man taken up and brought back to his boarding-house, where he lay in great suffering until two o'clock the next morning, when death came to his relief. He was attended in his last moments by Rev. Father Crawley.
Rogers came to Anderson from Peoria, Illinois. He was a single man and had a brother living in New York. He had no friends in this part of the country and was employed by Burnett Brothers, railroad contractors, who did everything in their power to alleviate his sufferings, and when Death had taken his victim they also met the funeral expenses, for which kindly act they won the plaudits of the public.
This was the first fatal accident that happened on this railroad.
DROWNING OF JOHN CRAWLEY.
John Crawley, who was a son of Michael Crawley, brother of the Rev. Father J. B. Crawley, for many years pastor of the Catholic church of Anderson, was drowned
550
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
while bathing in White river, near the Pan Handle railroad bridge, on the 25th of July, 1888. He had gone to the place with John Lavery and Eugene Metcalf for the purpose of enjoying a swim, this being a favorite place of resort for the Anderson youth. The lad got beyond his depth, and is supposed to have been seized with cramps, and being unable to extricate himself, gave the alarm to his companions, who did all in their power to rescue him but without success. A large crowd soon gathered upon the bank, having been at- tracted by the cries of the boys who were in company with the unfortunate young man. A search was immediately com- menced for the recovery of the body when, it was rescued by Robert Striker, near the spot where it had gone down, having been in the water nearly an hour.
The young lad was about fifteen years of age. An inquest was held by the Coroner, William A. Hunt, and a verdict of accidental drowning was rendered.
Young Crawley had for several years made his home with his uncle, Father Crawley, who was very much attached to him, and was deeply affected by his sad ending. It had been Father Crawley's intention to send his nephew to St. Mary's college, Kansas, and give him a good education.
The funeral services took place from St. Mary's church, after which the remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery.
KILLING OF SIMEON GOODING.
During the fair held at Anderson in 1874, on Friday, the last day of the exhibition, Simeon Gooding and wife and two grand-children were returning home when they met with an accident which was the cause of Mr. Gooding losing his life.
They were driving a span of small mules attached to a common road wagon. After crossing Whitinger's ford on White river, and while they were in the act of ascending a steep hill at that point, the team, from exhaustion, came to a stand-still, and the wagon started backwards and was over- turned in a ravine by the side of the road.
Gooding jumped clear of the wagon and fell heavily in the road. Mrs. Gooding threw one of the children out, and, with the other in her arms, jumped, and as the wagon turned over it fell heavily upon them.
Mr. Gooding was resuscitated after considerable effort, and with the help of friends, who soon arrived, he was re- moved to a house in the neighborhood, where he died before
1
551
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
medical aid could be procured. He was about forty-eight years of age, and well known in the township where he resided.
SUDDEN DEATH OF W. H. FERGUSON.
During the summer of 1890 William H. Ferguson was a familiar character in Anderson and the vicinity, by reason of his having a contract and of superintending the work of con- structing the extension of the C. W. & M. Railway to Rush- ville. He was a boarder at the Griffith House, where he met his death, and was well liked by all those who made his ac- quaintance. He was seemingly in the best of health until a few moments before his taking off, which occurred about 10 o'clock on the 5th of September, at which time he was stricken with apoplexy. The only indication of illness that he gave out was that he complained to his bookkeeper, a Mr. McGinty, of feeling a depression about his heart. He passed Mr. McGinty's room and laid down upon a bed and then re- quested that a physician be summoned. Dr. M. V. Hunt re- sponded, but on entering the room he found Ferguson in the throes of death and past all medical aid. Ferguson's brother and wife were at Evansville at the time, where they lived, and were notified of his death. On their arrival the remains were taken to his home for interment. He was a man about forty years of age, and left an interesting family to mourn his loss.
A HORRIBLE BOILER EXPLOSION.
At about the hour of nine o'clock on the morning of Oc- tober 19, 1889, when the busy wheels of industry had just begun to move in the many factories of Anderson, a terrific sound broke out on the balmy atmosphere, as if the whole city had been blown up by some awful explosive. People ran out of their houses to see, if possible, what had happened. It was but a short time until word was received at fire head- quarters, that R. J. Walton & Co's. saw mills had exploded their boilers, and that several men had been killed, Terrible excitement prevailed in all parts of the city. From nearly every quarter of the city, men were employed in the mill. Men, women and children, hurried to the scene to see if some loved one had been killed or wounded. When the dust and smoke had sufficiently cleared away a rescuing party com- menced the task of removing the dead and wounded. It was soon ascertained that Horace Kuhns, an employe, was
552
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
killed, having his skull crushed by falling timber; Walter Mingle, the swayer, was horribly hurt, having his skull frac- tured ; Allen Stanley, a bystander, was slightly injured; William Rumler, of Ovid, a customer of the mill, was in- jured about the head and shoulders; Samuel Cooke, an em- ploye was hurt somewhat, and several others about the mill received more or less shaking up. Mr. R. J. Walton, one of the proprietors, was standing just outside of the mill talking to a customer when the explosion took place ; the flying tim- bers and a part of the boiler went over his head, and his escape was certainly providential. William Stanley, the engineer, was standing inside the mill near the boilers when they went out, and how he escaped from being instantly killed is unexplainable. As it was, Stanley was only slightly shocked, and received no serious wounds. The mill was a complete wreck. It was simply wiped from the face of the earth, with hardly a thing left to tell where it stood. The cause of the explosion has always been a mystery to those who were in charge of it, as the engineer is certain that he had plenty of water in the boilers. He was a sober, compe- tent man, and had run the engine steadily for six years prior to the accident, and was noted for never being absent from his post of duty. The mill was the property of Robert J. Walton and John L. Forkner, doing business under the name of R. J. Walton & Co. The loss was complete as they had no insurance against explosions.
This was one of the most horrible explosions that ever occurred in Anderson. The boiler was thrown two hundred yards from the mill, and the frame work was scattered in all directions. The mill was immediately rebuilt and was opera- ted on the spot of the fatal accident until it was sold to T. J. Riggs & Co., and removed to Logansport, Indiana.
Kuhns, who was killed, was a married man about twen- ty-five years of age, and left a widow and one child.
THE SAD DEATH OF J. E. D. SMITH.
James E. D. Smith, who was for many years a resident of Madison county, met an untimely death near the village of Hamilton, in Jackson township, on the 14th of October, 1864. He was engaged in hauling logs to the sawmill at Anderson, and while loading one on a wagon the ropes in some manner slipped or gave way, and the log rolled back, catching him beneath it and instantly killing him.
558
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
He was a worthy citizen of Anderson, and was at one time the partner of his brother-in-law, Mr. Nathan Armstrong, in contracting. His widow is yet living in Anderson, with her daughter, Mrs. R. P. Grimes.
Mrs. Smith, the widow of the deceased, was the daughter of the late Benj. Walker, a prominent and old-time resident of Madison county, who for many years prior to his removal to Anderson, resided in Richland township.
The death of Mr. Smith caused unusual regret in Ander- son and wherever he was known.
He built the palatial home now occupied by the Hon. John H. Terhune, on West Eighth street, where he resided with his interesting family at the time of his death.
KILLED BY LIGHTNING.
On the morning of June 19, 1868, Pryor Shaul, a young un- married man who lived with his mother on the farm now owned by the McCulloughs, about three miles southwest of Ander- son, was going into the field to plow corn, riding a horse with harness on. It was almost a cloudless day ; the sun was shin- ing brightly, and he was thinking, no doubt, of anything else but being suddenly called to his account, when in the twink- ling of an eye a sudden flash of lightning knocked him and his horse to the ground, killing them both instantly.
The occurrence caused great commotion in the surround- ing neighborhood, and was considered a strange freak of na- ture, from the fact that it was on a clear day, and no report was heard of the explosion for any distance around. Had the horse not been killed it would have been thought that young Shaul had come to his death from some other cause.
It happened in a field in the neighborhood of the large brick house standing on the Mccullough farm, near the Big Four railroad, and was pointed out for many years as the fatal spot where Mr. Shaul so suddenly lost his life.
KILLING OF JOHN WALLACE.
A most distressing accident occurred on the farm of J. H. Stanley on the 9th of July, in the year 1865, whereby John Wallace, an Anderson boy about seventeen years of age, was killed by the accidental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of Patrick McGraw, an engineer on the Bee Line railroad. Young Wallace was in company with McGraw and Thomas McGord, a fireman on the same road, hunting. When on the
1
554
HISTORY. OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
farm of J. H. Stanley, near the river, the party scared up a muskrat, and, in attempting to get a shot at it, McGraw hav- ing his gun in a horizontal position, with the muzzle in front of him, it was discharged prematurely, the contents taking effect in Wallace's back, killing him instantly. The gun lock caught on a grapevine, and both barrels were discharged simul- taneously, with the above result.
Young Wallace was a brother of Morris and Richard Wal- lace, who yet live in Anderson, and was a young man well re- spected. The affair caused much grief among the friends, and regret of those connected with the accident.
McGraw was the man who headed the Fenians who left Anderson in the spring of 1866 to invade Canada, and was their captain.
SUDDEN DEATH OF LIMON M. COX.
Limon M. Cox, a prominent citizen of Anderson, died suddenly at the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago on the 24th of July, 1895. He had left Anderson at noon the day before his death, going to Chicago for the purpose of buying clothing to replenish his stock. On his arrival in that city he called upon his friend, Mr. Don Carlin, of whom he was in the habit of purchasing goods. After chatting with Carlin a few mo- ments, Mr. Cox complained of feeling sick. Mr. Carlin in- vited him to the Auditorium Hotel, where he placed a suite of rooms at his disposal. After seeing him comfortably situ- ated, Mr. Carlin returned to his place of business.
About two o'clock in the afternoon one of the maids of the hotel entered the room in which Mr. Cox had been left by his friend and was horrified to find him sitting in an upright position in the bath tub dead. An alarm was at once given, and those in charge of the hotel promptly notified Mr. Carlin, who at once telegraphed to the friends and relatives of Mr. Cox in Anderson.
The news soon spread throughout the city and caused great surprise and much grief to the friends of Mr. Cox. Mr. Clem. Hooven and Charles Cox, a brother of Limon, imme- diately went to Chicago to bring the remains to Anderson for burial. Mr. Cox was a prominent member of the Masonic Order and was buried by that fraternity with all the honors of that society. Mr. Cox was one of the most public-spirited citizens that ever resided in Madison county. He was liberal in donations of money and real estate to induce capital and
555
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
manufacturers to locate their establishments here, and much of the thrift and enterprise of Anderson is due to his efforts, along with others with whom he was intimately associated.
He had at different times during his residence in Ander- son been connected with various manufacturing establish- ments, and was at the time of his death one of Anderson's leading clothing merchants. During the panic of 1893, like many others, Mr. Cox became somewhat embarrassed finan- cially, but being a man of iron nerve and excellent financial ability, and having a host of warm friends among those who could command money, he was soon on the road to recupera- tion, and had he lived another year he would have regained his place at the head of the column among the successful busi- ness men of Anderson.
No person ever died in Anderson who left warmer friends to mourn his loss, or whose death was more universally re- gretted than that of Mr. Cox. He was of a kind and cheer- ful disposition, scarcely ever becoming angry, and if at times he did so, his anger was but of short duration. He was al- ways willing to reach forth the hand of friendship and to ex- tend the olive branch to those with whom he had any misun- derstanding, and when his remains were covered over and the evergreens were placed upon his grave, it is doubtful if there was a person living in Anderson who did not deeply regret his demise.
Mr. Cox had never held any political office, but was at one time a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Madison Circuit Court. He was for years a prominent member of the Anderson School Board, and always took great interest in educational matters. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the time of his death he was a widower, his wife having died about two years previously.
He left two interesting daughters to mourn his demise, Miss Emma and Miss Anna Cox, who both reside in Ander- son in the old homestead at Jackson and Twelfth streets.
DEATH IN A BALL ROOM.
On the 27th of January, 1893, Frank Moss, one of the best known gentlemen in Anderson, suddenly died in the ball room in the Doxey Opera House on North Meridian street. He was seated at the time listening to the music and watching the merry dancers as they went by. On that evening Mr. and Mrs. Moss attended a concert given by the Elks in the theatre
556
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
below the ball room, and early in the evening went to the ball, enjoyed the dance and participated in the grand march. After this they took part in a waltz. After making a few circuits of the hall, Mr. Moss became tired and with his wife, sat down to rest. He took his seat beside ex-Governor Will Cumback, who was at that time in conversation with his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Lovett. Suddenly Mr. Moss leaned over as if to make some remark to the ex-Governor who turned to listen, when he was startled to see Mr. Moss fall forward heavily to the floor. Dr. F. J. Hodges was in the room at the time and was quickly at the side of the patient. He saw at a glance that Mr. Moss was dead and that nothing could be done for his re- lief. Mrs. Moss was stricken with grief and was at once taken to the home of her mother, Mrs. E. B. Hartley, on Dela- ware street. Coroner Armington was notified but declined to hold an inquest it being very evident that the deceased came to his death from natural causes. Mr. Moss was about forty years of age, of a kind, genial disposition and whose home re- lations were of a very pleasant character. He was a brother of Sandford R. Moss, well known in Madison county and was engaged at various times in raising stock and farming. He was a prominent member of the Anderson Club, which or- ganization was convened by the President, E. P. Schlater, and memorial services were held and resolutions passed in memory of the dead. The body of the deceased was followed to its last resting place in the Anderson cemetery by a large concourse of people and many sorrowing friends.
THE KILLING OF WILLIAM BURKE.
The killing of Wm. Burke on Ohio avenue, in 1864, by James McKnight, has almost been forgotten by even the oldest residents of Anderson. The murder took place in a shanty on Ohio avenue on a Sunday night. The shanty was occupied by John Burke, a brother of the murdered man. They were brothers of " Paddy" Burke, who yet lives in Anderson. A quarrel had taken place between the Burkes and McKnight, and the latter had left the scene of disturbance and come up town, but soon started to return home and, coming in contact with Burke, some hot words were passed. Mcknight picked up an old ax and dealt Burke a terrific blow, splitting his head open and killing him instantly.
McKnight came up town immediately after killing Burke and, calling Sheriff Benjamin Sebrell out of bed, surrendered
557
.
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
himself. The murderer was locked in a cell in the old jail that stood on the lot at Jackson and Ninth streets. By this time the friends and relatives of Burke had learned of the murder. Great excitement prevailed. They demanded McKnight's life, and it required all of Sheriff Sebrell's coolness and courage to keep them from storming the jail and lynching the prisoner. The grand jury soon afterwards indicted McKnight for murder. The day for trial came. The excitement became more intense, and it was found necessary to summon a special jury to try the case. The jury was selected principally from the south part of the county. John Sommerville is one of the men yet living who was selected to try Mcknight. The evidence was con- clusive. In fact no denial was made, but the plea of insanity and justification were set up. The jury, however, took a little more latitude. McKnight was an old man, and a compromise verdict, sentencing him to the penitentiary for ten years was agreed upon. This was concluded to be equivalent to a life sentence, because no one thought the old man would live to serve his time out.
In this, however, all were mistaken, and about fifteen years ago old man Mcknight visited Anderson. He claimed that at the time of his arrest he had money and other valua- bles on his person which were taken possession of by the sheriff and never returned to him. When Mcknight was here he was in search of his valuables, but the sheriff was dead and gone beyond this bailiwick where he could not be reached. Mcknight was old and gray. He had so changed that but few knew him or of his presence. Ile made his stay very short and departed for parts unknown.
Burke left a family of two children, both boys, one of whom lives at Lafayette.
There has been a great change in the Irish population since that time. Then the Irish people of Anderson were mostly day laborers attracted here by the railroad building and other public works. They generally lived in shanties on leased grounds, and were mostly uneducated. Now there is no city of equal population in the whole country that can show so many intelligent, happy, prosperous Irish citizens as Anderson. They are up to the standard in education ; all own the property they live in, and many of them have large real- estate interests here. They are good citizens and Anderson is proud of them.
558
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN A. CAMPBELL KILLED.
On the 1st of September, 1881, John A. Campbell was employed by the Paxon Bros. as engineer in the planing mill and lumber yard, on North Main street in Anderson. During the dull season, while the mill was standing idle, he was em- ployed in stacking lumber in the yard. He was upon a high stack of boards when it became top-heavy and gave way. In the fall he was caught between the falling planks and terribly mangled, from the effects of which he died soon after being removed to his home,
. Mr. Campbell was a man well-respected in the commu- nity, and was of English birth. He came to this country when about eighteen years of age. After being in Henry county several years he was married to Miss Trobridge, the daughter of a prominent Methodist minister. He was a member of Company K, 36th Indiana Regiment of Volunteers, during the war.
He was the father of Bartlett H. Campbell, ex-Prosecut- ing Attorney of Madison county, and Joseph B. Campbell, a traveling salesman for Heath & Milligan, of Chicago, Il1.
Mr. Campbell was for many years a resident of Chester- field before removing to Anderson.
After removing to Anderson he was for several years em- ployed by George R. Deering as engineer in his mills.
Mrs. Campbell, his widow, is yet living in Anderson.
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Dr. William Robertson will be remembered by many of the old residents of Anderson. Ile lived about two miles south of the city on what is known as the Van Devender farm. Several years ago he married the widow Van Devender, owner of the place. On Monday, the 28th of March, 1887, while re- turning from the funeral of an acquaintance east of the city, in attempting to cross the railroad track in front of an ap- proaching freight train, Dr. Robertson was struck by the engine. Mrs. Robertson had succeeded in crossing the track in safety, but her husband, being infirm and feeble, was slower in motion and was struck by the pilot of the engine before he could escape. He was thrown several feet into the air and off to the side of the road. He was conveyed to the residence of James Clark, at the crossing, where he lingered in an uncon- scious condition for about two hours, when death relieved his
559
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
sufferings. He was seventy-five years of age at the time. He came to this locality from Randolph county a few years prior to his death, at which time he married Mrs. Van Devender and located on the farm owned by her. Here he made his home until the occurrence of this sad event. His widow was appointed afterwards as matron of the Orphan's Home, which institution she managed successfully for several years. The remains of Dr. Robertson were taken to Huntsville, Randolph county, for burial.
THE KILLING OF MISS TILLIE SEBERN.
One of the most horrible accidents that ever happened in Anderson occurred on the 1st of August, 1894, at " In- wood Park," east of the Pan Handle Railway tracks. Frank Stutskey at that time was operating a beer garden at the park and in order to attract people to his place had a grand balloon ascension at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The aeronaut who was advertised to make the trip into the clouds was Miss Tillie Sebern, a young lady about 17 years of age, hailing from Richmond, Ind. She was a novice in the business. At the appointed hour after the balloon had been inflated, in the pres- ence of several hundred people, and in the midst of the shout- ing of the throng, the rope was cut loose and the air ship started upward with its human freight. When it had reached a height of about 300 feet it bursted, thus allowing the heated air to escape so rapidly that it descended with great speed, landing its occupant with terrific force on the ground near the bank of White river, just at the east end of the iron bridge spanning the stream, killing her instantly. It was an awful scene; men with stout hearts turned their backs, not being able to look upon it. Her body was immediately taken to Stutskey's place where her attendants took charge of her remains. Her people, who lived at Richmond, were at once notified and came and took her remains to that city for interment. Great indigna- tion prevailed among the people when it was ascertained that the young girl was inexperienced in the business, and that that was her first attempt to make an ascension. Strong talk was indulged in of visiting summary punishment upon all those connected with the affair. Those who witnessed this incident will remember it as long as they live. Miss Sebern was the daughter of poor but honest parents, who were very much opposed to her engaging in such a reckless feat, and it
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.