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 40
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her wits, after the first shock of the shooting, until a sharp re- port rang out from the stable. She knew too well what it meant, and hastened to the spot, where her fears were real- ized. There, weltering in his own blood, was the lifeless body of her husband. She hastened to the house and rang the farm bell, and in a short time the whole community was aroused. The news soon spread, and it was but a short time until newspaper reporters, doctors, lawyers and business men from Anderson were on the scene of the crime. The Coroner, Dr. William A. Hunt, was soon on the ground, and an inquest was held. Biddle was very poor, and his wife had left him through the connivance of Maynard, and the sight that met the view of those who beheld the scene will never be forgotten by them. Biddle was lying on the bare floor with his little orphaned children surrounding him, they being only half clad, and with the appearance of being poorly fed, some of them too young to realize their condition. This atrocious crime was the result of an illicit love affair between Maynard and Mrs. Biddle that had been going on for some time before the crisis came. Maynard left a young and handsome wife, who is yet living, but has since remarried. This is another instance of there being "no telling for taste," as there was absolutely nothing prepossessing about the Biddle woman, while Mrs. Maynard was rather handsome, and is said to have been very kind to her husband. Biddle's children were taken to the Or- phans' Home, and afterwards provided with homes. Biddle was forty-two years old. His remains were buried at Wesley chapel. Maynard was buried in the Anderson cemetery.
CHAPTER LXXVII.
STONY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This township derives it name from Stony creek, a small stream that flows through the north-west part of the town- ship. It has an area of twenty-eight square miles, and, not- withstanding the axe and saw have been busy in the for- ests since its first settlement in 1823, there is yet considerable timber left, more, perhaps, than in any other township in the county. The township is bounded on the north by Jackson township, on the east by Anderson township, on the south by Fall Creek and Green townships, and on the west by Hamil- ton county.
In 1823 D. E. Studley, Thomas Busby, John Ander- son, George Reddick and two or three others settled along Stony creek, near the present site of Fishersburg. They were followed by Benoni Freel and Henry Studley, the former settling on Section 21, near the present home of David Con- rad, and the latter on Section 28, on what has since been known as the Hoffman farm. Each built a log cabin and began the arduous task of clearing up a farm. Mr. Freel came from Ohio and first settled in Jackson township, oppo- site the present site of Perkinsville, in 1828, when he moved to the vicinity of the present site of Lapel. He had in the meantime married the widow of Benjamin Fisher. who had been killed by the Indians, while chopping down a tree, near where Strawtown now stands. Besides his wife, he left sev- eral children, among whom was Charles Fisher, who is still living and a resident of Lapel. Mr. Fisher is the oldest resi- dent of the township and one of the oldest in the county, hav- ing been born in Ohio in 1819.
In 1831 John Fisher, of Clermont county, Ohio, settled on the tract of land lying between Fishersburg and Lapel, that is now owned by Charles Fisher. About the year 1835 James and Jesse Gwinn, of Virginia, settled on section 23. and in 1836 W. A. Aldred located in the same neighborhood. About this time Arbuckle Nelson located on what is now
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
known as the Bodenhorn farm. Other early pioneers were Peter Ellis, Newton Webb, Isaac Milburn and Noah Hunt- zinger. Many of the descendants of these men reside in the township and cultivate large farms.
THE FIRST ROAD.
The first public road through the township was laid out in 1832. This road was laid out from Strawtown to Pendle- ton, and that portion of it passing through the township after- wards (1865) became the Fishersburg and Pendleton pike. It was purchased by the county in 1888, and is now a free gravel road.
CHURCHES.
The Methodists in this, as in the other townships of the county, were the first to organize a society. It is thought that the first religious society in the township was organized about the year 1836, and afterwards became a part of the Noblesville circuit. The first meetings were held at the homes of the membership, but after the erection of a school house at Fish- ersburg the meetings were held there until 1843, when the society built a small building. This place of worship was occupied for about thirteen years, when a more pretentious building was erected and dedicated, free from debt. Among the early ministers were Mr. Miller in 1838, Lucien Berry in 1840, W. Smith in 1842, and James Scott in 1816. This church is in a prosperous condition.
Rev. Nathaniel Richmond organized a Baptist society here in 1843 and a year afterwards built a small house of wor- ship in Fishersburg. The society was never strong in num- bers and after a period of about twenty years passed out of existence.
In 1860 Forest Chapel Christian church was organized with a membership of sixteen and in the following year a neat little place of worship was erected on Section 32. Rev. B. F. Gregory was pastor here for sometime, but the society did not prosper and regular services were discontinued.
THIE SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built in 1835, and was situated near Stony creek, a short distance southeast of the present site of Fishersburg. There are at the present time nine schoolhouses in the township, including Lapel, and a total school enumeration of 633. The school at Lapel is
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graded, and three teachers are employed. The principal of the school is Absalom Knight.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES -- FISHERSBURG.
This village was laid out in May, 1837, by Rev. Fletcher Tivis. It is situated on Section 28, on the west bank of Stony creek and near the Hamilton county line. Z. Rogers built the first house in the village. It was constructed of logs and stood near the point where the Anderson road joined the Pen- dleton and Fishersburg pike. William and Benjamin Sylves- ter were the first merchants in the place, having brought a stock of goods here in 1844. They afterwards sold out the stock to Charles Fisher, who increased it and conducted a gen- eral merchandise business for about ten years. In 1853 a post- office was established here and Charles Fisher was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by W. A. Fisher ; he by J. W. Fisher ; he in turn by J. W. Taylor and he by George Dunham in 1867, who held the office for a number of years. Christopher Bodenhorn is the present postmaster. Considera- ble business was done here previous to the completion of the Chicago & Southeastern railroad to Lapel in 1876, since which time its trade has been absorbed by the latter place. At this time there is but one store in the village, that of Bodenhorn & Son. Among the professional men who have lived here have been Drs. Daniel Cook, J. M. Fisher, J. A. Aldred and L. P. Ballinger. Dr. Cook is the only physician now in the village. Dr. Fisher resides between Fishersburg and Lapel and cannot be said to be a resident of either place.
LAPEL.
This town was laid out April 27, 1876, by David Conrad and Samuel E. Busby, and incorporated January, 1893, the first officers being O. C. Shetterly, James Armstrong, E. R. Rambo, Trustees, and J. C. MeCarty, Clerk. It is situated three-fourths of a mile southeast of Fishersburg, on the Chicago & Southeastern Railroad, and is one of the prettiest towns in the county, the residences of a number of its citizens being as fine and neat as can be found on the fashionable thoroughfares of any of the cities in the county. For several years after it was laid out the town consisted of a few scattering houses, but since the discovery of natural gas it has grown rapidly, having an estimated population at the present time of 1200.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
INDUSTRIES.
Lapel is supplied with two large flouring mills, a flint bottle factory, planing mill, tile works, pump and gas regula- tor factory, and several other industries of minor importance. These manufactories give an air of thrift and enterprise to the little city such as but few places of equal population can boast. It is surrounded by a fertile country, its people are moral and industrious, and there is no reason why the place should not continue to grow and prosper.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
There are three churches in Lapel, the Methodist, United Brethren, and Friends. The Methodists have a large congre- gation and a handsome place of worship. The membership is growing and the church is in a prosperous condition. This may also be said of the United Brethren society.
FRATERNAL ORDERS.
The following fraternal societies have been instituted at Lapel : White Oak Camp. No. 29, Woodmen of the World : Knights of Pythias ; Onaway Tribe, No. 50, I. O. R. M. ; also a Pocahontas Council. Besides these orders there is Hiram G. Fisher Post, G. A. R., with a membership, at this time, of twenty-five.
Among the leading professional and business men are Drs. Jones and Moore ; Woodward & Woodward, millers ; G. E. Bird & W. J. Huffman, hardware; Oliver, Thomas & Shetterly, millers ; David Conrad, general business ; N. W. Clepfer, grocer and postmaster.
STATISTICAL MATTERS.
The population of Stony Creek township in 1850 was 291; in 1860 it was 597; in 1870 it was 1,082: in 1880 it was 1,483, and in 1890 (including Fisherburg and Lapel) it was 1,483. The last assessment made for taxes shows the value of lands to be $527,880; lands and improvements, $588,995; total amount of taxables, $798,495.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The first marriage in the township was that of Samuel Shetterly and Jane Freel. The event occurred on the Sth of July, 1834, and was solemnized by Ancil Beach at the resi- dence of the bride's father, Benoni Freel. The first death in
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the township was that of George Shetterly, who died about the year 1830.
A TRADITION.
There is a tradition that the lands of Stony Creek town- ship were once the favorite hunting grounds of the Indians, not only of the county, but of the tribes living to the north along the Mississinewa, Wabash and Eel rivers. Excavations made in recent years have discovered bones and other remains indicating that the red men were at one time numerous in this part of the county. It was in this township that the " Dis- mal" was situated, a tract of land several miles in extent that was noted for its dense underbrush and dark, dismal appear- ance. During the early settlement of the county and for many years after Anderson had become a town of considerable im- portance, the " Dismal" was esteemed the best hunting ground in this part of the county. This locality that was once so forbidding is now one of the fairest and most productive portions of the county.
BURNING, OF WOODWARD'S MILL.
On Tuesday morning, the 16th day of August, 1886, the large flouring mill owned by Woodward Brothers, of Lapel, was discovered to be on fire, and before assistance of any kind could be rendered was entirely burned to the ground. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Margaret Woodward, wife of William Woodward, who alarmed her husband and he sprang to the window in time to see one of the incendiaries calmly standing by watching the result of his work.
Upon examination a one-gallon stone jug was found near the mill, which contained about a quart of coal oil that had been left after the remainder had been used to pour on the building before applying the match. The loss on the mill and its contents was estimated to be $15,000, covered by $3,000 insurance. There were nearly five thousand bushels of wheat in store, one car load of bran and five hundred bushels of flour; in the cribs were about one thousand bushels of corn that belonged to the owners of the mill.
Soon after the fire the Woodwards commenced a system- atic effort to ferret out and convict the parties guilty of the crime. They employed a detective by the name of Thomas McMillan, of Indianapolis, who called to his assistance a man by the name of Lloyd, and also one by the name of P. A. Randall. After the detectives had examined the premises
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
thoroughly they started on their trail. The first place they visited was Pendleton. Here they learned that John Cottrell, who was under suspicion, was stopping there in the house of a friend. Cottrell was found, placed under arrest, brought to Anderson and lodged in jail. Suspicion also pointed to Thomas Ford, son of James Ford, and to George Ford, his nephew. James Ford was a very prominent farmer in that neighborhood. A warrant was sworn out for the arrest of Thomas Ford and Detective Randall went to the residence of James Ford, on the Anderson and Fishersburg turnpike, and arrested Thomas Ford. In the meantime a warrant had also been sworn out for the arrest of George Ford and it was put in the hands of another officer, and his arrest was effected. Thomas ford was released on $1,000 bail the next day ; his father, James Ford, went security for his appearance at the preliminary trial. George was released on the evening of the following day. James Ford and William Ford became his sureties to appear before 'Squire E. M. Jackson the next day in a preliminary examination.
Young Cottrell was taken before 'Squire Jackson Tues- day morning and a court of inquiry was held, which resulted in binding him over to the Madison Circuit Court.
At the preliminary trial of George and Thomas Ford much interest was manifested in the proceedings, there being a large number of witnesses present from all over the western section of the county. The defense offered no testimony, and there was no argument made in the case. 'Squire Jackson rendered a decision of guilty, and, in accordance with the tes- timony and with the law in such cases, bound them over to the Circuit Court at the October term in the sum of $2,500. Thomas Ford gave bail, while George, failing to give the necessary security, was returned to jail. A change of venue was taken to Hamilton county, and at the December term, 1886, of the Hamilton Circuit Court. these cases came up for trial and held the attention of the court for one week. They were hotly contested on both sides. Judge Winburn R. Pierse, Hon. Charles L. Henry and Hon. D. C. Chipman appeared for the defense, while Colonel M. S. Robinson and J. F. Neal, the Prosecuting Attorney, conducted the State's side of the case. After a hard legal fought battle it was given to the jury, and after a few hours deliberation they found a verdict of guilty against the prisoner, George Ford. His sen- tence was fixed at nine years in the State's prison, and he
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was fined $1,000. One incident of the trial was that young Cottrell swore that he had burned the mill himself, turning State's witness and testifying against the Fords. This testi- mony created considerable doubt in the minds of the people as to the guilt of the Fords, and many doubted their connec- tion in any way with the crime.
James Ford was an old and respected citizen of the coun- ty, and he spent almost his entire fortune in the defense of this case. He had the sympathy of a large portion of the com- munity. The Woodwards, who owned the mill, were also residents of the county. They are yet living at Lapel and are engaged in business there. Their uprightness and honesty has never been brought into question.
The only incentive that could probably be assigned as the cause of this incendiary fire was a rivalry in business. There were two mills in the village, one of which was owned by the Woodwards, and the other by James Ford. And as a result, the milis were both desirous of doing a large business and became active competitors. Nothing, however, occurred to arouse any suspicion, nor had there been any such feeling between the proprietors of the two mills. The Woodwards continued to do business and had the confidence and respect of their patrons, and had secured some customers from the other mill. This fact is said to have caused some ill-feeling on the part of Thomas Ford, but this did not come to light until after the burning of the mill.
At the March term, in the Hamilton Circuit Court. at Noblesville, Thomas Ford was convicted as an accessory to the crime and sentenced to four years in the State's prison, he having taken a change of venne from this county. IIon. David W. Wood was the Prosecuting Attorney who conducted the case for the State, and gained for himself quite a reputa- tion as a lawyer. He was ably assisted by Colonel M. S. Robinson.
Young Cottrell having been promised immunity in con- sideration of " turning State's evidence," was no' tried or con- victed for his connection with the crime.
Cottrell testified that at a meeting between him and the Fords, a conspiracy was formed whereby he was to fire the mill ; that he was merely a tool of the Fords.
P. A. Randall, who acted as a detective and did some very fine work in this case, is yet a resident of Lapel, and was formerly a grain merchant of Anderson. He has almost
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a national reputation from the fact that he publicly denied the statement made by General Abel D. Straight that he ( Straight) was the moving spirit in the escape of the prisoners from Libby prison during the war. He wrote many newspaper articles on this question that were copied and commented on from Maine to Mexico.
THE KILLING OF YOUNG HERSHBERGER.
A most distressing accident occurred on the Bee Line Railway about four miles south of Anderson, at the crossing of the railroad and the Pendleton and Anderson State pike, whereby a boy by the name of Hershberger, son of J. W. Hershberger, of Stony Creek township, was instantly killed, on the 1st of October, 1887, particulars of which are about as lows : The young man was, in company with his father, employed in hauling heading to a factory in Anderson, and they were on their way home when the accident occurred. The father was driving the foremost team and was somewhat in advance of his son, and had succeeded in passing the cross- ing in safety, but the son, however, owing to the growing dark- ness and the woodland that fringed the track at that point, was not aware of his peril until the team was on the track and the engine was within a few feet of him. Before he could think, the team was struck by the pilot of the locomotive and scat- tered on either side of the track. One of the horses was instantly killed. The wagon was shattered into fragments, and the other horse was stripped of his harness, though unhurt. The train was stopped as soon as possible, and the passengers got off to render such assistance as they could. A search for the body of the driver was instituted along the track, but no sight of it could be had for some time. At last one of the passengers found the boy lying upon the pilot of the engine, dead. The position in which the body was found was an easy and natural one. But for a small pool of blood on the iron, he might have been thought to have been asleep. The lad was evidently struck on the head, thrown onto the pilot, and mnet instant death. His remains were brought to Anderson on the fatal train and sent to Pendleton on the next train. This was a great blow to the father, who suffered great dis- tress. but bore up under it like a philosopher.
Mr. J. W. Hershberger is yet living in Madison county, and is now one of the most prosperous and highly respected men in Stony Creek township.
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SHOOTING A BURGLAR.
Mr. C. C. Bodenhorn has been for many years operating a country store at the village of Fishersburg, and in a quiet way has gained for himself a snug competency, and has become one of the leading merchants in that locality.
On the 11th day of May, 1885, a bloody tragedy took place in his store that will be remembered by the participants therein, as well as by the people in the immediate vicinity.
In the month of September prior to this occurrence, Mr. Bodenhorn's store was broken into, the safe blown open and rifled, several hundred dollars in money and notes taken, and a considerable amount of clothing was stolen from the stock. After that time, Mr. Bodenhorn employed a night watchman, a young man by the name of William Stanford, who, in com- pany with the clerk, James A. McCarty, slept in the store.
On the night above referred to, a party of three men made a descent upon the store. They effected an entrance by taking out the west front window of the building, removing both sash and glass. The store consisted of two apartments connected by a wide doorway. The west room was filled mostly with clothing, boots and shoes, the east room with dry goods and groceries. Stanford and McCarty slept on a cot in the east room, and were both armed, one with a shot gun and the other with two revolvers. The burglars after effecting an entrance had stacked up nearly two hundred dollars worth of clothing, and carried it to the front part of the store, and piled it up ready to take away. There was but one man at work on the inside of the store, the other two stood guard on the out- side. After the clothing had been carried into the room, the burglars started into the east room, and stopping at the doorway they struck a match, by the light of which they distinguished Stanford and McCarty, who were aroused by his light. The burglars immediately opened fire upon them. One ball passed through the sleeve of Stanford's coat, and burned his arm, another buried itself in the walls of the building. McCarty immediately responded with two shots, but neither of them took effect. About this time Stanford, who had secured his shot gun, took deliberate aim and fired with the result that about seventy-five number three shot took effect in the burglar's head and face. After receiving the injury he walked to the center of the store room and fell. He soon recovered his footing, and then in a dazed condition walked to
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the rear of the store, climbing over on the inside of a counter that stood there, and then walked back the full length of the room to the front of the store, where he was dragged through the door by his confederates. They helped him across the street north to an alley, about two hundred feet from the store, where he was deserted and probably left for dead. He lay in this condition until near daybreak, when he was discovered by some passers-by. The condition of the ground indicated that there had been a fierce struggle during the night. The wounded burglar was carried into Searle's drug store near by, and Dr. George N. Hilligoss, who was then a resident physi- cian of the village, dressed his wounds.
Sheriff Thomas Moore and Marshal Coburn were notified of the affair by telephone, and immediately left for Fishers- burg.
The burglar was placed in care of the officers and taken to Anderson, where he was placed in the hospital cell of the county jail. Dr. Charles Diven, county physician, was called to make an examination, and found that his forehead had been filled with shot, some of which had penetrated to the top of the skull. The sight of both of his eyes was permanently destroyed. It was thought that the wounded man could not possibly recover : his left arm was paralyzed; and hung limp at his side. No clue could be obtained for a time as to his name, or whence he came. The only thing found upon his person in the shape of writing was a song that had been writ- ten upon a piece of foolscap paper in lead pencil, on the back of which was the name of Walter Ellston. Ile, however, sub- sequently revealed his real name, and gave it as John Kath- man, and requested that his mother, who resided in Cincin- nati, be notified of his condition.
On the Sunday following the occurrence, Mrs. Kathman, the mother of the wounded man, came to Anderson to visit her son, in obedience to the summons of the Sheriff of Madison county, who had notified her of the happening. The meeting between the mother and her wounded boy was affecting in the extreme. After Mrs. Kathman had recovered her strength sufficiently she related her story. She attributed her son's recklessness largely to the fact that her husband, an ill-natured and vicious man, would not allow him to remain at home with any satisfaction, and thus compelled him to abandon the paternal roof. She seemed to know but little of her son's
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whereabouts or his doings after he had left home about two years before this occurrence.
In another interview young Kathman related to his mother in the presence of the officers a brief history of his wander- ings and some of the thrilling incidents in connection there- with, in which he stated that after he had left his home in Cincinnati he started out to peddle trinkets with a partner by the name of Shive, near the city. They made considerable money, frequently as much as five dollars a day. One day when they were at a place called " Devil's Gulch," a woods about three miles from Cincinnati, they had a dispute over the division of some money, when he ( Kathman) drew a revolver and shot his companion twice in the head, killing him instantly. He said he left his body where it fell, and three days afterwards it was found. No one had seen the murder committed, and no one had suspected him. After this he went to Louisville, Ky., and engaged to work on a farm. He subsequently stole $300 from his employer. He was shortly after that placed under arrest on suspicion, and was placed in the House of Refuge ..
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