USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical sketches and reminiscences of Madison county, Indiana : a detailed history of the early events of the pioneer settlement of the county, and many of the happenings of recent years, as well as a complete history of each township, to which is added numerous incidents of a pleasant nature, in the way of reminiscences, and laughable occurrences > Part 3
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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.
The 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 pienie 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. IIe 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. Ile 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 S 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 eut 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.
Ilis 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.
Ile 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.
Ile 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 " DAVID ENGLEFIELD." longer.
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 Ilotel, 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 ยท figures in Madison county. Ile 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 lie
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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.
With not a clue to work on as to his identity, he left the officers in a difficulty. His act, though rash, had been delib- erate, and it was evidently his ambition in his last mo- ments to occupy an unknown grave. He had, with a fore- sight seldom exhibited in these cases, in his endeavor to erase all clue, not only destroyed his personal effects, including papers and letters, but he had gone so far as to cut his laundry mark off of his collar, cuffs, and shirt, then going to his room completing the work by cutting the marks out of his soiled laundry, as well as destroying all that came under his notice.
His work was complete, and when he entered the hard- ware store, giving the impression that he wished to buy a re- volver, there was not a thing on his person that bore any clew as to who he was or where he came from.
Baffled in this manner, there was but one thing to do. As an unknown he was placed before the public, and at least 4,000 people looked on his features for identification.
Ile was finally identified by a traveling man named Fer- guson, as Fred. W. Irwin, an employe of Dadge, Andrews & Co., of Columbus, Ohio, who were communicated with.
There was no apparent reason why he should quit the company, and Mr. Dadge was thunderstruck at the announce- ment of his death.
Irwin came to Anderson and put up at the Big Four Hotel. He did not register, and did not say what his name was. He talked to Walter Teal, but simply alluded to Co- lumbus, Ohio, being his old home, in speaking of Sell's circus wintering there.
His widowed mother and sister came and claimed his remains and took them to Columbus, Ohio, for burial. The young men of Anderson turned out to escort them to the station, having six pall bearers and a large procession on foot.
SUICIDE OF GEORGE BUNGER.
George Bunger, a shoemaker, committed suicide in an out- building near the Pan Handle freight depot in Anderson, on the 15th of June, 1896. He was a harmless, good-natured
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fellow, who made his headquarters in Geo. Hettel's shoe store for several years, and came with that gentleman from La- fayette, Indiana, to Anderson, about the year 1887.
He had been drinking for several days previous to his death, and is supposed to have been in a fit of melancholy when he committed the deed. Disappointment in a love affair in his younger days is said to have borne heavily upon his mind and caused him to drink to excess at times. His rela- tives at his old home came and claimed his remains and re- moved them thence for burial, after an inquest had been held by Coroner Sells.
It is said the young lady to whom he was at one time engaged to be married is now an inmate of the Insane Asylum at Indianapolis.
A PECULIARLY SAD SUICIDE.
Dallas McCallister, son of James McCallister, and brother of Robert McCallister, committed suicide at 3:30 o'clock P. M., April 11, 1893, by shooting himself through the head with a revolver. He was formerly employed as driver for the American Express Company, and was of a jolly disposition.
The cause that led McCallister to commit the act is stated as follows :
J. C. Clark, special agent of the American Express Com- pany, had been in Anderson several days. The result of an investigation showed that McCallister was short $950 with the company.
A warrant was placed in Patrolman Rodgers' hands, who, meeting young McCallister at the door of the Griffith House, began to read the writ, when the young man drew a revolver and fired, the ball entering his forehead.
He fell to the sidewalk, the brains oozing from the wound. . Hle died almost instantly, and was removed to the home of his parents, where an inquest was held by Coroner C. L. Armington. Young McCallister's funeral was one of the largest ever in Anderson.
It is not only the opinion of the writers, but of a large majority of the people of Anderson, that McCallister was the victim of a conspiracy-that some one else was the rogue, and that the young man had a confession wrung out of him under promise of protection, after which he was betrayed. When
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he saw he was trapped he was too proud to be placed in a felon's cell, and deliberately took his life in the presence of the officer who made the arrest. Ile had been employed by many people in Anderson at different times, and had always borne a good name.
TRAGIC DEATH OF DOTE M'CULLOUGII.
" Dote " Mccullough, a desperate character, met with a tragic death in Welsh's saloon on North Main street, in An- derson, May 26, 1894.
Ile attempted to kill young Dora Welsh, but failed, and in self-defense the latter sent a bullet crashing through his brain.
About half past nine o'clock in the evening a young man by the name of Paxon, and Laura Skidmore, a woman of the town, went to Welsh's saloon, on North Main street, and entered the wine rooms.
While they were in the rooms " Dote " Mccullough came in the back way and entered the wine room. Ile had been a lover of the Skidmore woman, and was in a jealous frenzy when he entered the place. He began to threaten Paxon and the woman, when Welsh entered. The latter told McCullough he would either have to behave himself or get out. Mccullough was a stranger to Welsh and he retorted by mak- ing some threat. Mccullough then passed out, and in about five minutes entered the room again. He had a revolver in his hand, and when he saw Welsh standing a few feet away he leveled the gun at him and swore he would kill him.
Welsh jumped toward McCullough and struck his arm. The blow lowered the weapon, and, as it was discharged, the bullet passed through the fleshy part of Welsh's left thigh. Welsh and Mccullough then grappled and the latter attempted to use his gun again. Welsh in the meantime had got out his revolver, and, breaking away, brought it down, and sent the ball crashing through Mccullough's head.
McCullough never spoke after the shot. Welsh picked up the smoking weapon of his antagonist, and passed into the saloon and laid it and his own pistol on the bar.
Policemen Robbins and Smith attracted by the shooting rushed in and placed Welsh under arrest. Ile was taken to jail and the ambulance was called. Coroner Armington was
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also notified. He came and viewed the body and ordered it taken to Sells' undertaking establishment.
After an inquest his body was taken to Oxford, Ohio, for burial. 1
The firm of Diven & McMahan was retained to defend young Welsh.
Welsh was acquitted at the preliminary trial on the grounds of self-defense.
CHAPTER LV.
WHICH GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF A NUMBER OF FATAL HAPPENINGS.
DEATH OF MOSES TREADWAY.
Moses Treadway was an old and highly respected citizen who was one of the early settlers of Madison county, on a farm north-east of Anderson, now owned by Robert C. Shep- herd, who is the son-in-law of Mr. Treadway. He was an honest, upright old gentleman, and had a host of friends in Anderson and vicinity. He was unpretentious in his manners and always prided himself on being prompt in paying an honest debt. He was a thorough type of the early settlers of this county, and in his unfortunate taking off was removed one of the landmarks of this community.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 17th of June, 1873, Mr. Treadway, while on his way home in a wagon, his horses became frightened as he was crossing a bridge over the hy- draulic canal, a few rods from the Samuel Myers' ford, east of White river. At this place he met a man employed on the Myers farm, who was driving a yoke of oxen attached to a cart. The horses, unaccustomed to such a sight, became excited and, after passing the oxen, started to run away. Mr. Treadway was unable to control them, and when they had run about thirty rods they turned square off from the road and up-set the wagon. It is supposed that Mr. Treadway was thrown out as the wagon up-set, and that one of the wheels struck him in the forehead, fracturing his skull and producing instant death. His feet were entangled in the lines and his body was dragged quite a distance before the horses stopped. Some boys who were fishing in the river near by saw the team running away and hastened to the spot and found the old gentleman dead and bleeding profusely from his wounds. The driver of the ox-cart was prevented from seeing the accident because he had passed by a large rick of wood on the side of the road and this shut out the view of the scene.
Mr. Treadway was born in Knox county, Tennessee, in
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1809. He moved with his family to Virginia, and from that State to Ohio, and from there he immigrated to Madison county, in the year 1832. This county was then almost a wilderness, and Mr. Treadway was quite a young man, and, being industrious and frugal, had sufficient means to pre-empt the land that he owned when he died. Ile made this place his home until the time of his death. ITis wife died in the year 1848, leaving Mr. Tread way with one child, a daughter, now the wife of Robert C. Shepherd. Ile was a man of strong mind and possessed of more than average intelligence. Ile kept himself posted on current events and wrote a most excellent hand. In politics he was a sterling Democrat, and yet his mind was of a liberal cast and he could see and appre- ciate the good qualities of his opponents and the faults of his political friends. Ilis remains were interred in the Stover graveyard, near Prosperity, where they are now sleeping the sleep of the just.
KILLING OF ROLLA FRANKLIN.
Rolla Franklin was a young man who was born and reared in Anderson, being a son of Rev. Joseph Franklin, formerly pastor of the Christian Church. Young Franklin had left Anderson and gone to Veedersburg, where he was employed in the heading factory of W. II. Coleman, of that place. On the 22d of May, 1888, while engaged at his work in the factory, a pulley on a shaft bursted and a piece of the .metal struck Franklin, who was at the time working at one of the circular saws. It struck him on the neck, almost sever- ing his head from the body and killing him instantly. The body was taken to his boarding place, where it was cared for by the proprietor of the mill, and young Franklin's friends and relatives in Anderson were notified of the occurrence. Hle was a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, who took charge of his remains. After the Coroner's inquest had been held they were removed to Anderson and were taken to . his home. The Anderson Lodge of Knights of Pythias met the remains at the depot and escorted them to the family resi- dence on Ohio avenue. The funeral obsequies were conducted under the auspices of the Anderson Lodge and took place at the Christian Church, Rev. W. II. Ziegler officiating. His body was interred in the Anderson cemetery. He was a young man universally respected and his parents were old and influential citizens of the community.
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KILLING OF EDWARD POMEROY.
Edward Pomeroy, a brakeman on the Midland Railroad, met a horrible death on Saturday, the 21st of December, 1889, by being run over by a locomotive. Pomeroy had taken a po- sition on the pilot of the passenger engine, and in getting off to open a switch he stepped between the guard and the main rail, catching his foot in such a manner as to hold him a prisoner until the wheels of the locomotive had passed over h's body. His left foot was crushed to a shapeless mass. The right leg was taken off at the hip, while his right arm was mashed to a pulp. In this mangled condition he lived until noon of the next day. He retained his consciousness until his eyes were closed in death. Drs. Hunt and Preston were called to attend to his injuries, but at once pronounced them fatal. lle was twenty-two years old and unmarried. Ilis home was at Lebanon, but while in this city he boarded with William Childers, on South Meridian street. Rev. C. G. Hudson attended him in his last moments until death relieved him of his sufferings.
FOUND DEAD IN HIS BED.
D. M. Williams, a carpenter, was found dead in his bed, two and a half miles south of Anderson, on the 4th of June, 1890. He had worked hard all day, and went to bed in seem- ingly good health. In the morning his wife got up and had gone to the barn to do the milking. Her husband was awake at the time she left, and he chatted with her. When she re- turned to prepare the breakfast she did not go to the bed- chamber at once, but when she was ready to call her husband for his meal she found that he was dead. His body was still warm, and he had evidently died while she was near him, un- conscious of the fact. Coroner Armington held an inquest and returned a verdict of death from heart failure. He left a wife and five children. He was an honest, industrious and hard-working man, and well respected by the community. :
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