USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 85
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AN AWFUL CRIME.
On the 20th day of December, 1854, one of the most foul murders in the history of the county took place at Chesterfield, in Union township. Two Irishmen, who were companions traveling together on what was then called the Bellefontaine Railway, got into an argument, which resulted in one of them, David Alexander, losing his life, by having his throat cut by his fellow traveler, Alexander Hays, near Chesterfield, after which he threw Alexander from the rear of the train for dead. The murdered man did not die immediately, but managed to crawl into a mill close by and remained there until morning. When the men who worked at the mill came in the morning, they met a horrible sight. The man's clothing was saturated with blood from head to foot, and a ghastly wound was in
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his throat from which his life blood was slowly oozing out in their view.
He could not talk audibly, but managed to tell enough about the occurrence to inform those who found him, that he had been assaulted on the train the night before, and that his name was David Alexander ; that he had a brother in Galena, Illinois ; that he had recently landed in Philadelphia from Ire- land, and was on his way to visit his brother at Galena. What led to this atrocious crime has never been fully explained, but it was reported at the time that it arose over a dispute about their religion. It was said that Alexander was an "Orange- man," and Hays was a Catholic. The feeling in those days being very bitter between those two sects, it did not take much to work up bad blood between them.
The community in which this occurrence took place was terribly wrought up, and when Hays was apprehended it took cool work and the exercise of the best judgment of the neigh- borhood to keep him from being lynched.
He was captured by Simon Landry, William Scott, and Henry Bronnenberg. Landry was for hanging him to the first limb without the form of a trial. It is said he procured a rope, and being a very resolute man it was difficult to keep him from swinging Hays up.
This dreadful murder took place so long ago that the facts are hard to ascertain for the reason that there are so many dif- ferent versions of the affair, given by the few who yet live in the community where it happened.
We have in our possession a copy of the Anderson Gazette of the 28th of December, 1854, which gives a meagre account of the crime, which we reproduce as follows :
He said : " A stranger-a countryman-came on the cars at Union City who soon made his acquaintance and impor- tuned him to drink. The conversation was disagreeable, and he tried to avoid it and changed his seat. Soon the stranger was at his side, and before reaching Chesterfield he became suspicious that he was not safe in the cars. As soon as they stopped at the depot he told the conductor he believed there was a man on board who purposed to kill him and thought he would get off. The conductor replied there was no danger- ' Go back into the car and I will take care of you.' He then passed out onto the platform of the rear car, where he was violently shoved to the earth by his unwelcome acquaintance, his throat instantly cut, and the perpetrator jumped back upon
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the moving train. He minutely described the dress and per- son of the miscreant, who, without provocation, had shed his blood. The foregoing was committed to writing. Early the next day the unfortunate man expressed a desire that, if pos- sible, he should be kept unburied until the arrival of his brother from Galena, for whom he had previously telegraphed, and died with a calm serenity that bespoke a conscience at peace and a hope that brightened in prospect of immortality.
" On Monday following a person was observed to pass the depot where the murderous deed occurred. Some indi- viduals, after the person had passed by, remarked upon the similarity of his appearance to that described by the dying man. Suspicion increased-he was followed and brought back. On comparing this description with his person and apparel the correspondence was so similar it was judged proper to detain him until the cars on which were the brake- man and conductor alluded to should again pass. The even- ing following a legal examination took place before Samuel Gustin, Esq., and the man who gave his name as Alexander Hays was fully committed to stand trial in the Circuit Court on a charge of murder."
Hays was convicted of murder and was sentenced to the State's prison for life.
Alexander's remains were removed by his brother to Galena for burial.
DIED UNDER THE SURGEON'S HANDS.
In the month of June, 1876, John Lemon, a highly- respected and influential farmer of Union township, ran a thorn into his foot, breaking it off and leaving a portion imbedded in the member. After suffering for several days, he came to the office of Dr. Horace E. Jones to have it removed, and he requested the Doctor to administer chloro- form before undertaking the operation, which the Doctor declined to do, from the fact that he might not be a proper subject. Lemon insisted, and finally Dr. Jones informed him that if he would have Dr. Spann or some other reputable physician called in and that if, upon examination, they thought he could stand the treatment, he would administer the chloroform and perform the operation.
Mr. Lemon returned home, but the next morning came back again and made the same demand. Dr. Jones then sent for Dr. Spann, who responded to his call, and, after
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an examination of Lemon, endeavored to dissuade him, but without effect. Then they proceeded with the operation. He was placed on a table, and had taken but a ยท few inhalations, perhaps eight or ten, of the chloroform previously poured on a muslin rag, allowing time and free ventilation, according to modern methods, when Lemon rose up, struggling with the physicians for a while, as if trying to get off the table, and then fell back in a spasm dead.
The doctors immediately resorted to all the usual methods of resuscitation in cases of chloroform asphyxia, but failed to get any response.
An inquest was held by the Coroner of the county, and Drs. S. W. Edwins. B. F. Spann, V. V. Adamson, C. S. Burr and N. L. Wickersham all testified that Dr. Jones had used the necessary precautions in administering the anaesthetic, and that he was wholly blameless in the matter.
John Lemon was one of Madison county's solid farmers, and was highly respected in the community in which he lived. He was strictly honest, and always prided himself upon pay- ing his obligation the day it matured, and not the day after. He left an interesting family, who yet survive him, and who live in the neighborhood in which the deceased resided at the time of his death.
Dr. H. E. Jones was then a young physician, just begin- ning what has since terminated in a large and lucrative prac- tice, being now recognized as one the best physicians in Mad- ison county.
A SUICIDE.
Suicides were of less frequency fifty years ago than at the present time, and when an unfortunate took his or her own life it caused great excitement in the community in which it happened, and was long talked of and remembered by the people. One of these sad occurrences took place in Union township.
On the 16th of March, 1853, Isaac Shimer, a man about fifty years old, hung himself on a dogwood tree on the " Shi- mer Hill," which is about three and a half miles east of Ander- son and a little west of the Mounds. The tree stood about 200 yards north of the road. Mr. Shimer was living on his farm in Randolph county, near the present site of Parker, and was visiting his brother, Harry Shimer. No cause other than ill health was given for his self-destruction. He left a family, some of whom yet live in this county.
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A SHOOTING AFFRAY. .
At Chesterfield, on the 28th of November, 1876, Moses Crutchfield was shot in the arm by Charles Clatterbaugh, but not seriously wounded. The shooting was the result of a grudge of long standing between the Crutchfield and Clatter- baugh families, both being desirous of running the town, and a jealousy existed between them that culminated as above related. Crutchfield was the aggressor, and at a trial before Mayor Dyson, of Anderson, the verdict was self-defense, and and Clatterbaugh was acquitted.
A TERRIBLE MURDER.
On the 29th of February, 1872, one of the most horrible murders that ever took place in Madison county, occurred in Union township near the Delaware county line, at the resi- dence of Josiah Remsberg, in which Willis Williamson killed his daughter, Melissa J. Williamson, by cutting her throat and otherwise stabbing her with a knife, from the effects of which she died almost instantly.
The facts in the case are as follows : Mr. Williamson, the murderer, lived about two miles north-east of Yorktown, in Delaware county. His oldest daughter, Melissa, was engaged to be married to a young man of the name of George Landry, of good reputation and a neighbor of Williamson. Williamson, from some cause, objected to her marriage with Landry, and endeavored to induce her to give up her determi- nation, and threatening her if she did not. The daughter being stern in her intention to marry Landry, became tired of her father's threats, and finally, on the 28th of February, left her home and went to her uncle's, Josiah Remsberg, near Ches- terfield, where arrangements were made for her marriage with Landry, who on that evening went to Anderson to procure a marriage license, but not having the written consent of the girl's father, and not having a disinterested person who could make the necessary affidavit as to her age, the license was refused by the Clerk of the Court, and Landry returned to Remsberg's residence the next morning to get some person to make the affidavit. On reaching Remsberg's place, instead of finding his expected bride in life and health, he was horri- fied to behold her corpse. Her life had been taken by the hand of her father. On the day previous to this event Williamson had been to Munc'e and had purchased a knife with which he committed the crime. From Muncie William-
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son went to Remsberg's in the evening, where he remained all night. During the evening he made supreme efforts to induce his daughter not to marry Landry, but she was firm in her purpose. Williamson became angry and boisterous. Rems- berg told him he must desist in his course or leave the house. The next morning Williamson and Remsberg arose at the same time, and after building a fire Remsberg left the house and went to feeding his stock, while Mrs. Remsberg was pre- paring breakfast.
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MELISSA J. WILLIAMSON.
Williamson went to the room where his daughter was sleeping and seated himself on the side of her bed, resumed conversation with her about the marriage. He asked her if she was still determined to marry Landry. " Yes," said she, " if I have to wade in blood to my knees." At this William- son drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed her twice, once in the arm and once in the throat, severing the jugular vein and wind-pipe, from the effects of which she died.
Williamson then ran out into the yard and shot himself twice, once in the throat and once in the center of the fore-
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head. The wounds he inflicted upon himself were not at first believed to be fatal. The bullet had entered his forehead, glanced, and was extracted from the top of his head, having passed between the skin and the skull. The Coroner of Mad- ison county was called and an inquest over Miss Williamson's remains was held, and a verdict of murder returned against the father in accordance with the facts above mentioned.
David K. Carver was Sheriff of Madison county, and Stephen Metcalf, the present editor of the Anderson Herald, was his deputy. Williamson was arrested and placed.in cus- tody by Sheriff Carver, and was attended at the jail by physi- cians until, a few days after the murder, he died from the effects of his wounds.
It seems that Williamson had no serious objections to the character of Mr. Landry and really had no cause for the mur- der, but the daughter was dearly beloved by him and he could not bear the idea of her marrying and leaving home. This was the only reason that he assigned for the rash act. Miss Williamson was a young lady of more than ordinary beauty, and of good attainments for one having the limited oppor- tunities of education given by the country schools. She was well liked by the people in her neighborhood.
Young Landry was a hard-working, frugal and honest young man. He was a brother of Mrs. Thomas J. Fleming, of Anderson, Mr. Fleming being at that time Clerk of Madi- son Circuit Court. After the murder Landry moved away from the county and became a resident of Missouri, where he now lives. He was subsequently married and raised a respect- able family.
CHARLES M'LAUGHLIN KILLED.
On the 9th day of March, 1878, Charles Mclaughlin, a sober and industrious laborer of Middletown, who was very deaf, was walking upon the Pan Handle railroad track near where the little station of Sly Fork once stood, was run down by an engine, to which was attached a heavy freght train, being instantly killed. He left a wife and quite a large family of small children who were dependent upon him for support.
The engineer, William Schultz, testified before the Cor- oner that he saw the deceased on the track while his train was going at the rate of thirteen miles an hour. The engineer stated that he had just stepped out on the engine to extinguish
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his headlight, when on returning he discovered a man on the track, about forty-five rods in front of him. He immediately got into the cab and whistled down brakes. The man was inside the track, on the left side rail, when the engine struck him. The train passed over him and ran some distance before it could be stopped. The engineer went back and found him in the middle of the track. He was dead when they reached him, and his flesh was still quivering. He was going towards Anderson, the same way the train was running.
On investigation of the affair before the grand jury the engineer was held blameless.
THE FIRST CASE OF INSANITY.
A great deal of the early history of Madison county is traditional. Newspapers in those days were few and far between, and no records of events were kept, as in the pres- ent time.
The first insanity case that can be traced to any authentic source is related to us by Dr. William Suman, who is an old resident of Madison county, well posted on pioneer history, with a good knowledge of men of early times and a wonder- ful memory. We quote him as follows :
" The first case of insanity in this county was that of Isaac Van Matre, who committed suicide July 2, 1834. He was at the time living on his ' place,' east of Anderson about two miles, near the Larimore ford, now owned by Mrs. James Gray, of Anderson. The particulars of the incident are as follows : Van Matre had been visiting his son, William Van- Matre, who at that time lived north of Daleville. On the morning of July 2d, in company with another man, he started toward home. Both men were on horseback. After they had gone a considerable distance, Isaac Van Matre, who was demented at the time, struck his horse a terrible blow and left his companion far behind, who was unable to keep up with him, and saw him pass under a tree and was swept off the horse by a limb. Picking himself up he rushed wildly through the woods and was soon lost sight of by his pursuer. He was found two days afterwards, hanging to a tree within sight of his home, by William Dilts, one of his neighbors. His son William, whom he had been visiting, killed himself one year afterwards, while out hunting, by shooting himself acci- dentally."
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MURDER OF WILLIAM AND ISAAC ISANOGLE.
One of the most atrocious crimes ever committed in Mad- ison county occurred in Union township on the 17th of March, 1868, whereby William Isanogle, aged twenty years, and his brother, Isaac Isanogle, aged sixteen years, were stabbed to death by George Stottler.
Stottler had been to Anderson on the day of the murder, and late in the evening had gone to the Isanogle home in an intoxicated condition, where he demanded the use of a horse for a few hours and on being refused became engaged in a quarrel with the two young men, which terminated by Stottler stabbing them both to the heart with a knife that he had pur- chased at the drug store of Brandon & Hunt in Anderson on that day. Early on Sunday morning following the tragedy, news was brought to Anderson of the horrible deed that had been committed on the previous night. The excitement became very great, and knots of men gathered on the street corners discussing the particulars as they were gleaned from those who brought the news, and an intense feeling was ex- pressed that no trial should be granted the murderer, but as soon as captured he should be hung on the nearest tree. A searching party was at once formed, headed by Cornelius Daugherty, who was at that time Marshal of Anderson. The roads were in a horrible condition from the fact that heavy rains and snow had fallen a few days previous, yet this did not deter the people from town and the country from engaging in the chase. A small company started out on horseback for Dela- ware county ; others scoured the country in the direction of Daleville and other points, while crowds of people went through the country in every direction in quest of the mur- derer. There were fully five hundred people armed with shot- guns, revolvers and clubs on that bright Sunday morning, looking for Stottler. Hay stacks, barns, out-houses and the woods - in fact every place for miles around was searched in hopes of capturing him. Finally, at the hour of 11 o'clock, about one-half mile west of the scene of the murder, lying asleep behind a log the murderer was discovered by Marshal Daugherty, A. J. Hunt and Ira Harpold, who were together. The signal was given and fifty persons surrounded the mur- derer within five minutes. The majority of the crowd was in favor of hanging him then and there and came very near car- rying out their wishes ; but a few determined men held them
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at bay, and Stottler, in two hours after his capture, was safely lodged in the Madison county jail.
The murderer said that immediately after the killing of the two boys he had started on a long tramp, determining to get out of the country before daylight, but after two hours journey found himself only a mile from the scene of the trag- edy. The fact was that the night was so very dark that he could not see his way and soon became bewildered and went around over and over the same ground until he became tired out and laid down to rest, having no idea at the time where he was. He said that it seemed to him afterward that there was something that held him to the fatal spot; that do what he might he could not retreat far from it although having several hours the advantage of his pursuers. Immediately after the tragedy a party was made up by those in the neighborhood to overtake him, but the darkness of the night enabled him soon to be beyond their reach.
Stottler was confined in jail several months before his trial and threats were made during his incarceration to pull down the jail and hang him, but owing to the stern determination of Sheriff James H. Snell such a scene was prevented. Finally Stottler's attorney, Hon. Alfred Kilgore, of Muncie, secured a change of venue to Delaware county and he was taken there for trial. After a hard fought legal battle, in which he was ably defended by the Hon. Alfred Kilgore, Hon. H. D. Thompson and Hon. C. D. Thompson, of Anderson, the State being ably represented by Mr. Brotherton, of Muncie, and the Hon. Jonathan W. Gordon, of Indianapolis, Stottler was convicted of the crime of murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life and was incarcerated in the Michigan City prison, where he is at this writing serving out his time. A visitor to the North- ern prison not long since gave a brief account of Stottler as follows : "Sitting on a chair with his arms hanging by his side, his cold eyes fixed intently upon us as we gazed at him for a second, was George Stottler, the principal of the great tragedy in Union township in 1868. We did not interview him, as we had no desire to do so, but a man upon whom he fixed his eyes can never forget their expression. Being a life man Stottler takes things easy and is not compelled to work hard, but like the caged hyena, pants for freedom. Stottler has made several attempts through attorneys and friends to be pardoned or to get out on parole, but all his efforts up to this time have been without avail. He has been the longest in
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confinement, with but two exceptions, of any prisoner in the Northern Penitentiary.
Since the election of the Hon. Claude Mathews as Gov- ernor of Indiana a strong petition was presented to him in Stottler's behalf, signed by a large number of the citizens of Madison county, and urged by the Hon. J. W. French, the . warden of the Northern Prison, and the governor had about made up his mind to release Stottler from his confinement when opposition arose among the friends of the Isanogles, many of whom made threats of violence should Stottler be released, and upon these grounds the governor refused to par- don him.
Stottler was known during his residence in Madison county to be of a malicious disposition, reckless in his conduct, a man of undoubted courage in a combat, and when in an intox- icated condition a person to be strictly avoided. On the day of the hanging of Milton White, in 1867, for the murder of Hoppes, Stottler was present and climbed to the top of the highest tree near the place of execution in order that he might witness the awful scene, little expecting that within one year his own life would be in jeopardy for a like crime. Outside of the many friends of the Isanogles there has been for years a strong sentiment among some of the citizens that Stottler, having spent an ordinary lifetime behind the prison walls, and suffered sufficiently for his crime, ought to be released, but as long as those are living who are related to the Isanogles, it is not probable he will ever gain his freedom. The Hon. J. W. French, the ex-warden of the prison, gives Stottler the credit of being a model prisoner, although during the first years of his incarceration he was very unruly and hard to control, the guards having at all times a close watch upon him. At one time, while working in a cooper shop in the prison, in order to avoid his task he cut off two of his fingers with a broad-axe, but during his latter years an entire change has come over him, and he is altogether a different man in his demeanor. Since the above was written Governor Claude Mathews par- doned Stottler in January, 1897, and he is now in Illinois.
IMPRISONED ON AN ISLAND.
Max Miller, a German, who, for many years, has been a resident of Union township, had a thrilling experience on the 8th of August, 1896. IIe had gone to a field, situated on an island near the Spiritualist camp grounds, with a two-horse
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team, in quest of a load of fodder. The heavy rains caused the river to rise rapidly, and whilst there, he was entirely sur- rounded by the waters, and attempted to drive his team out, when both horses were drowned and Miller narrowly escaped with his own life. He was a prisoner on the island, threat- ened with submersion for several hours, until a raft could be constructed and men went to his relief. This was one of the most sudden rises in White river that has been known for many years. It was caused by the bursting of a cloud near the head waters of the stream, and the heavy rains that fol- lowed.
FOUND DEAD.
On the 18th of July, 1894, William Wayts, a farm hand, was found dead at the roots of a tree, on the farm of James Gold, of Union township. He had been on a protracted spree, which he was accustomed to take, and had laid out all night, and died from exposure or from over stimulation. He was a harmless fellow, well liked by those who employed him. He was a slave to alcohol and could not resist it. He was at one time a resident of Anderson and was employed by A. J. Ross as a hostler, when Mr. Ross was Sheriff of Madi- son county.
BRICK FACTORY DESTROYED BY FIRE.
A disastrous fire occurred at Chesterfield on the night of the 19th of April, 1890, by which the extensive brick works of the Gold Brothers were totally destroyed. The loss was about $3,000, covered with insurance. The fire originated from a burning flambeau that was left in the building in the evening when labor was abandoned by the crew who did the work in the plant.
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