USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 61
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
woods a mile or so and hitch it securely. The boy did as directed and when Blades discovered that his horse was gone: and saw the moccasin tracks, he concluded that the Indians. had stolen the animal. He at once went to Williamson and informed him of what had happened and asked him to take the lead in an effort to recover his property. Williamson said that the Indians had undoubtedly stolen his horse and that the proper thing to do was to gather the neighbors together with their rifles and go in pursuit of them. Blades mounted his remaining horse and, with Williamson's two boys, started out to arouse the neighbors. In a short time a small number of the settlers had assembled at the place where the horse had been stolen. Williamson gave directions as to the way the pursuit of the Indians should be conducted. It was agreed that if anyone should find the animal two shots were to be fired and these to be followed by two more in the course of a few minutes. After riding through the brush for an hour or so two shots were heard, which were presently followed by two more. Williamson had found the horse! He was soon surrounded by the entire party to whom he related a thrilling story of his pursuit of the Indians and capture of the horse. He said that he " pushed the Indians so close " that they had to abandon the animal. Blades was delighted to get his horse back and had no idea that he was the victim of a joke. The moccasin tracks were evidence enough to him that a prowling Indian had stolen his property.
On another occasion Blades was working on the roof of a small log stable that his neighbors had assisted him in raising, when he heard the crackling of some dry twigs. He glanced' around and seeing an Indian by the side of a tree trying to. draw a bead on him with his rifle, lost control of his nerves and rolled off the roof to the ground. The fall aroused him and he ran to his house, where he remained for some time before venturing out. While Blades was rolling off his stable his neighbor, Williamson, was off some distance enjoying the joke he had played him. Williamson had dressed one of his boys like an Indian and, knowing that Blades would run at the sight of one, concluded to have a little fun at his expense.
THE TABLES TURNED.
Williamson had a son-in-law of the name of John Camp- bell, a stout, brawny man, who also enjoyed a joke. One of their neighbors was a man of the name of May, who would 45
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
frequently indulge his appetite for intoxicating liquors to the extent of becoming tipsy. In fact, May rather enjoyed being "mellow," and never refused to imbibe when invited. It was arranged between Williamson and Campbell that the latter was to invite May to accompany him to Alexandria and get him tipsy. Williamson had a large bear skin and the scheme was for him to envelope himself in the shaggy coat, secrete himself in a thicket near the trail by which Campbell and May would return from Alexandria, and as they approached for Williamson to make a noise in the brush and imitate the growling of a bear. In order to prepare May for the antici- pated " scare " they purposed giving him, Campbell talked about bear on the way to Alexandria and the danger of going about without being armed, as he had noticed fresh bear tracks and felt satisfied that there were several large ones in the vicinity, designating a particular thicket situated near the path they were traveling as a probable bear haunt. They stayed in Alexandria until dusk, when Campbell suggested that it was time for them to start home. May was feeling the effects of the liquor Campbell had treated him to, and, like a great many others who sometimes get in a similar condition, did not care what might happen. It was quite dark when they reached the thicket where Williamson was waiting for them. As they approached they heard the brush crackle and a ferocious growling. Campbell shouted, "There comes a bear!" and started to run. May attempted to follow, but be- ing intoxicated, could not run as fast as Campbell and was soon overtaken by Williamson, who growled more ferociously than ever. May saw that he could not escape and stopped, saying "D-n the bear." He had no weapon with which to defend himself, care having been taken by Campbell that he should be without even a knife, and he promptly resorted to his only means of defense-his fists-and these he used with such herculean vigor about the ears of the " bear " that Will- iamson soon realized that the joke was turned on him and cried out, " It's me, May ; it's me!" Williamson extricated himself from the bear skin and frankly acknowledged that his neighbor had the best of the joke. He and Campbell often referred to. their experience with May, as they enjoyed a joke even if it was at their own expense.
Williamson had another neighbor of the name of Bryan Ellis, who, while not an experienced hunter, had a very supe- rior coon dog. Williamson was aware of the dog's good
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
qualities and would often invite Ellis to go coon hunting with him. They would usually have good luck as Williamson, be- sides being an expert hunter, had a number of good coon dogs himself. It is related that on one occasion in the month of March, when the streams and branches were open and clear of ice, that Williamson called one evening at the cabin of his neighbor and asked him to go hunting with him. Ellis was not inclined to go, but while they were talking the dogs struck out and treed a coon across a small creek that had its course near Ellis' cabin. Williamson called his attention to the fact that a coon had been treed and finally Ellis consented to go and help catch it. The spring rains and thaws had swollen the stream to unusual proportions and after going as far as they could without getting wet, Williamson told Ellis to climb on his back and he would carry him across. William- son took the torch and axe, with which they had provided themselves, and with Ellis on his back started across the deep- est part of the creek. As he proceeded and the water got deeper, he would squat and tell Ellis to climb higher. Ellis finally got on Williamson's shoulders when the latter pur- posely stumbled, " ducked" his head and let Ellis go head foremost to the bottom of the creek. Williamson appeared very sorry and expressed great regret about the mishap that had befallen him, but in relating the occurrence to others, which he often did and for years afterward, he expressed no regret unless it was that the water was not a little colder and perhaps a little deeper. It is proper to say that they caught the coon, but never after would Ellis go coon hunting with Williamson.
These are only a few of the many pranks played by Will- iamson on his neighbors. Mr. A. J. Brunt says that when he was a small boy Williamson taught him how to make and set mink and coon traps, also how to construct wild turkey pens, and that he gave him the first twenty-five-cent piece he remembers of owning for a coon skin. Years after he paid him many dollars at different times for coon, mink and deer pelts. Mr. Brunt and the Williamson boys were "great friends," and did much of their hunting together. When it was impossible for one party to go they would let the other take the hounds. Like all boys, they were full of life and fun, and played many jokes on the early settlers. Nothing was done maliciously, and no heart-burnings were engendered. In the language of
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. Brunt, " there has never since been the innocent sport in this county that was enjoyed by the early settlers."
In the early settlement of Iowa Williamson emigrated to that state, where he continued to hunt and trap as long as there was any wild game left worthy of the name. At the age of seventy-two years he could hunt all day and never complain of being fatigued. At this age he could see to read and shoot his rifle without glasses. He has one son, Robert, who is yet living in Iowa, and two daughters, who are still living in Boone township. Lily was married to Jesse McMahan, and Ann to Morgan B. McMahan, deceased. Both daughters have lived in the same vicinity in Boone township since they were children, and have always been held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Their father would frequently return from Iowa and pay them and his grand- children a visit, and they would invite the neighbors to call and see him of evenings during his stay. On these occasions the young and old would gather round him and listen with eager interest, often until the midnight hour, while he related his early experiences in the township, recounted his " hair- breadth escapes by field and flood," and recalled old recollec- tions generally. Elijah Williamson lived to the ripe old age of ninety years, when he departed for. the "happy hunting ground " of paradise.
HUNTING INCIDENTS.
The following hunting incidents are contributed to this work by the IIon. John R. Brunt :
ABUNDANT GAME.
One day in summer Thomas Brunt was in the woods hunting for meat. As he was noiselessly passing along he saw a deer in a thicket fighting flies; the foliage was so thick he could only see a small part of the animal, but "no shot. no meat," so bringing his gun to his face he fired. At the crack of the gun the deer made an immense leap and bounded away. Quickly loading his gun he went to the place where the deer stood to see how badly it was wounded, for a wounded deer always leaves signs that the practical hunter read like a book. On reaching the place, great was his surprise to find a deer struggling on the ground, when drawing his knife he dis- patched it. The two deer had been standing side by side and the ball passed through the brisket of the first and the body of
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v. MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
the second and he had killed the one he had not seen at all. He followed the blood tracks of the other and soon secured it also.
One day Moses Moore, son of John Moore, was passing along a path in the woods with an axe on his shoulder, when he saw a deer coming toward him. It was coming slowly along the path smelling the ground and had not seen him. He stepped quickly behind a tree beside the path and as the deer came opposite, dealt it a blow with the axe, killing it on the spot.
One Sunday Thomas Brunt was sitting in his cabin and, looking out of a hole called a window in the side, he saw two large wild turkeys in his corn patch. He watched them for some time, being a strict church member he did not like to violate the Lord's day, but finally the temptation was too great, and turning to his wife, he said : " Sallie, I believe I will take ' Old Betsie' (his gun) and make these gentlemen ac- quainted with her voice."
"Oh, no, Tommy, I wouldn't go hunting on Sunday."
" No, I'll not go hunting, but I'll just slip down the fence and let ' Betsie' speak to those fellows once." So off he went ; crawling into a fence corner, he poked " Betsie " through, and she spoke, and over tumbled a fine gobbler ; the other evi- dently thought the turkey flopping on the ground was fun- ning, so he bristtled up as if to fight him. "Tommy " had slipped in another load and " Betsie " soon spoke again, and over tumbled the other gobbler. They had plenty for a Sun- day turkey dinner.
THE LAST WILD DEER.
Morgan Sebrell, who still resides in the township, has the distinction of killing the last wild deer seen in the county. On the 24th of November, 1871, while he and Timothy Met- calf were out hunting in the woods near the house of T. B. Eaton, they discovered fresh deer tracks which they cau- tiously followed some distance when Sebrell got a shot at the animal and killed it. It was a large buck, each of its antlers having seven prongs. The antlers are preserved by Mr. Se- brell as a trophy, as he is justly, though modestly, proud of the fact that it was his fortune to kill the last wild animal of its species in the county.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
OTHER REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES-HOW DUDLEY DOYLE MADE HIS WILL.
In Boone township, there lived an old Virginian, of the true "Old Virginy" style, by the name of Dudley Doyle, whom all of the early settlers of Madison county will remem- ber. Dudley was one of those industrious, hard-working pio- neers, who helped to make Madison county what it now is- the garden spot of Indiana. He was honest with himself and as true as steel to his friends. He came as nearly fulfilling the commandment to " love thy neighbor as thyself " as it is pos- sible for it to be done. At one time, Dudley had a long spell of sickness and it was thought that he could not recover. He was informed by the attending physician that he had better prepare his worldly affairs, which he was about to leave be- hind, in the manner in which he desired to leave them, as his time was very short. He accordingly sent for a " 'Squire " to draft his will. The 'Squire came, and Dudley dictated the document in solemn accents from first to last, while the 'Squire slowly and carefully penned it down. After the last line had been written, the last bequest made, Dudley signed his name, called his friends around him, and bade them good-bye. All was solemn and silent as the tomb, save an occasional sob, or sigh, from the sorrowing friends. The 'Squire placed his "specs" in their box, picked up his statutes and was in the act of stealing quietly out of the room, when Dudley halted him and said; "Say, 'Squire, I forgot something ."
"Ah, what is it, Mr. Doyle?"
" Why, I want you to put in there that Dudley Doyle died a Democrat." The codicil was added as directed and Dudley turned his face to the wall to die, but as fate would have it, he was not called away. He recovered from his spell of sickness and lived for many years thereafter. He was con- tinuously elected Justice of the Peace as long as he would ac- cept the office. Living to a ripe, old age, but making his words in the codicil good, he died a Democrat.
THOMAS B. EATON, ONE OF THE CHARACTERS OF BOONE TOWNSHIP.
Thomas B. Eaton, late of Boone township, was one of the pioneers of Madison county. He was a brother-in-law to Dudley Doyle, who came to the county many years ago. Thomas was one of those eccentric kind of fellows-had his odd ways and whims, but was no fool by any means. He
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
was a good scholar, being at one time considered one of the best mathematicians in the county.
Away back in the early history of the county he was for a while Deputy Treasurer. It is said he could tell any man's taxes off-hand to a cent without looking on the books. The County Commissioners at one time named a ditch in honor of him, and appointed him to see that it was completed accord- ing to the plans and specifications. This was one of the proudest distinctions of Thomas' life. He put in his whole time and energies in seeing that nothing was left undone. He was a terror to those assessed on the ditch. Many wanted to slight the work, but it would not go with Thomas. He was armed with copies of the law and specifications, and nothing would do but the fulfillment to the letter.
He consulted every one in authority in regard to the ditch law, from County Attorney to the Attorney General of the State, until he had it pat, and no evasion whatever was allowed in his management of the affair.
In an early day when there was no machine shops nearer than Richmond, some parties were running a threshing ma- chine in his neighborhood, when they broke the " concave." They sent Thomas to Richmond for a new one. This he took as quite an honor, and performed his duty in elegant style. He rode to Anderson on horseback, where he took the train next day for Richmond. There was but one train each way on the road between Anderson and Richmond. He succeeded in getting his repairs made and started to the depot for his train towards home, carrying the concave on his back. When he got nearly to the station, the train began to move out. Thomas immediately began to motion them to stop. " Whoa, there, whoa! Hold on, hold on! Thomas B. Eaton, of Madison county, with a concave! Whoa, there!" But the train did not whoa ; it moved out leaving him, where he had to remain until next day. He thought he was greatly outraged and long talked about the iniquities of the infernal railroad companies. Thomas is now dead, but he left behind him many recollec- tions. He was an odd character, but honest and true to his friends. He filled a place in Madison county's history, and is entitled to his share of her greatness.
DEATH OF JOHN C. JONES, EX-MAYOR OF ANDERSON.
John C. Jones, an old and highly respected citizen of Madison county, died at his home in Boone township on the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
26th day of July, 1895. Mr. Jones was the second Mayor of Anderson, having been elected to that position in the spring of 1866, and served two years, at the end of which time he removed to his farm where he resided until the time of his death. His wife was a sister of Benjamin Sebrell, who was from 1860 to 1864, Sheriff of Madison county, Mr. Jones being his chief deputy. Mr. Jones never accumulated much of this world's goods, but he saw a good deal of the bright side of life and was a hale fellow well met, who enjoyed the respect of nearly everybody, and had but few enemies.
He will be long remembered by the old settlers of Mad- ison county.
FOUND DEAD IN BED - SUDDEN DEATH OF. LABAN ANDREWS.
Laban Andrews, who lived on the line between Madison and Grant counties, died very suddenly on the 16th day of November, 1888, having been found dead in bed. At first it was thought that foul play had been the cause of his taking off, but upon investigation made by Dr. William A. Hunt, Coroner of Madison county, a verdict was returned of death from natural causes. The house at which he died was situated about a mile east of the road, on the line separating Grant and Madison counties. He was about twenty-one years of age and left a wife and one child. The inquest showed that there was a hereditary tendency to heart disease on the part of his fam- ily, and this was supposed to have been the cause of his ·demise.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO NATHAN T. CALL, EX-TREASURER OF MADISON COUNTY.
Nathan T. Call, ex-Treasurer of Madison county, met with a serious accident on his farm in Boone township on the 9th day of March, 1892, while sawing down a tree. In falling, the tree caught Mr. Call beneath its weight and severely wounded him, breaking one of his legs and otherwise maiming him. It was thought for awhile that he would die from the effects of his injuries, but he finally revived, although a cripple for life.
Mr. Call was in 1884 elected Treasurer of Madison county and served for two years. He is one of the leading Demo- crats of the north part of the county.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
A BOY KILLED IN BOONE TOWNSHIP ON THE PLAY GROUND AT THE BRUNT SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE INNO- CENT PASTIME OF PLAYING BALL.
The Brunt schoolhouse in Boone township is one of the old landmarks of Madison county, and has witnessed many scenes of pleasure and merriment which will be long rement- bered by those who attended school and " spelling bees" at that place, prominent among whom are A. J. Brunt, John R. Brunt, Isaac D. Forrest, Albert J. Ross and many others who are now the leading citizens of Madison county. But while speaking of the pleasures enjoyed at this schoolhouse it is our melancholy duty to record one unfortunate affair, which took place on the 19th day of November, 1874. While the boys were out at recess, romping and playing as boys at school usually do, and some of them were engaged in the game of town ball, a bat in the hands of Richard Brunt slipped from his grasp, striking a comrade by the name of McLane in the forehead, injuring him so badly that he died on the follow- ing day. Both of the parties were prominently connected in the neighborhood, and the unfortunate accident cast a gloom over the entire community, which hung for a long time like a pall over the sad scene of this accident. Young Brunt was nearly heart-broken and did everything he possibly could to alleviate the sufferings of his playmate until death relieved him of his pains. Richard Brunt is now living in the town- ship. He is a good neighbor, an honest and upright citizen and well respected by all who know him. He is the youngest son of the late Thomas Brunt, frequently spoken of in this volume.
ENOCH M'MAHAN AND HENRY STREETS, A FARM HAND, BURNED TO DEATH.
On the 19th day of May, 1888, the house of Enoch Mc- Mahan, of Boone township, was burned to the ground, and Mr. McMahan and Henry Streets, a farm hand, nineteen years old, the only occupants of the building, were burned to death.
Enoch McMahan was a widower, his wife having died several years prior to this occurrence. He and his farm hand lived alone in the house, and were on the night of the fire sleeping in the same room, unconscious of the flames that were about to enwrap them. Some neighbors discovered the fire and ran to the house to notify the occupants, but the unfor-
714 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
tunate men did not awaken in time to extricate themselves. They could be clearly seen through the flames by those who first arrived at the burning building. It was a shocking sight for the old neighbors and friends of the deceased to be com- pelled to stand by and behold them perish before their eyes when no help could be rendered them.
Enoch McMahan was one of the early settlers of Boone township, who helped to fell the forests and make it one of the most beautiful localities in the county. He was a man possessed of truly Christian virtues, and it was often said of him that if ever there was a man beneath the heavens who was really a Christian, Enoch McMahan was one. He believed in the Golden Rule and practiced it. He was a man who had the highest regard for his word and obligations ; he was a kind neighbor and a benefactor to many beginners in the locality in which he lived.
Mr. McMahan was related to Thomas J. McMahan, ex- Sheriff of Madison county, and now President of the National Exchange Bank, of Anderson. He was also related to A. J. Brunt and John R. Brunt, of Anderson.
This shocking fire left a lasting effect upon all those who witnessed it, and will long be remembered in the locality in which it occurred. No sadder event ever took place within the bounds of Madison county.
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CHAPTER LXVIII.
DUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This township was the last organized in the county (1852). It is situated in the north-west corner of the county and is bounded on the north by Grant county, on the east by Boone and Pipe Creek townships, on the south by Pipe Creek township, and on the west by Tipton county. Two-thirds of the township originally belonged to the Miami Indian reserva- tion, and up to the time of its organization was a part of Pipe Creek township. It has an area of twenty-four square miles. and derives its name from the small creek that flows through the south-eastern part of its territory.
Henry Cochran was the first settler in the township. He came from Butler county, Ohio, in the fall of 1838, and se- lected a tract of land on Section 88, where he erected a small log cabin. He afterwards returned to Ohio, where he re- mained a year, when he returned with his father and took possession of his cabin. These two men were the only set- tlers until the latter part of 1839, when Thomas Casteel and Elijah Berryman located in the township. The next decade did not bring many immigrants to the township, but from 1849 settlers began coming in and the population increased rapidly. It is worthy of note here that A. C. Ritter, of Ohio, made the first entry of land on the Miami reserve in this town- ship in 1848. Among those who came to the township about this time and a few years later on were Anthony Minnick, James French, Azel Stanberry, Stephen Williamson, Mahlon Hosier, David and Elliott Waymire. Amasa Clymer, Samuel Purtee, Fielding Sampson, Isaac Daugherty, Isaac Wann and D. B. Newkirk. Thomas W. Harmon, John Adair and others settled in the township in the early '50s.
FIRST ELECTION.
The first election in the township was held during August, 1852, in a little log church belonging to the United Brethren society and situated on the bank of the creek near the present site of what has since been known as the Waymire graveyard.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
This church continued to be the voting place until 1856, when a school house was built on Anthony Minnick's land and there- after used as a polling place. The first Trustees elected were Thomas W. Harmon, John T. Adair and John Hosier, the first Assessor, Anthony Minnick ; the first Justices of the Peace, Elliott Waymire and Amasa Clymer. The latter served for a period of sixteen years.
OTHER EARLY EVENTS.
James Casteel was the first white child born in the town- ship. This event occured on the 9th of November, 1842. Henry Cochran and Miss Rebecca Casteel were married on the 26th of December, 1844,-the first marriage in the town- ship. Of this event a historian says : "No invitations were issued and the ceremony was not marked by the presence of liveried servants or gorgeous costumes. The well-wishers of the happy couple crowded around them in homespun suits, ac- companying their congratulations with a pressure of hands seared and calloused by honest toil." Mr. Cochran is now re- siding in Elwood at an advanced age but without the compan- ion of his life's journey, Mrs. Cochran having died in 1895.
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