USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 15
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 15
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COURT HOUSE BONDS OUTSTANDING JUNE 1, 1885.
Date.
Time to Run. 10 years
62
$500
$31,000
March 5, 1875.
15
20
500
10,000
" 11,
10
=
10
500
5,000
" 17,
"
15
20
500
10,000
May 6,
15
38
500
19,000
" 14,
15
22
500
11,000
Total amount
$86,000
In addition there are twenty county bonds of $1,000, being a total of $20,000 of county bonds.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
In 1801 Henry Vanderburg was granted ferry license for the Wabash at Vincennes for $10. Luke Decker same license for White River for $5. In 1824 John Goffin received 50 cents as re- turning judge in Vincennes; Jacob Anthis, $1.70 for the same for Decker Township; Jacob Pea, 90 cents for Johnson Township; Sam-
No. Denomination. Total.
June 10, 1879.
163
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
uel Adams, $1.16 for Harrison ; Daniel McClure, $1.72 for Palmyra Township; William Price, $1.96 for Washington Township; John Hill, $1.34 for Busseron Township; John Keith, $1.46 for Widner Township, and Charles Polk, $1.46 for the same township. In 1828 Samuel McClure was made judge of election for Busseron Township; Abe Miller for Widner; William Price for Washing- ton; George McClure for Palmyra; Joseph Judkins for Harrison ; Abe Thompson for Johnson; Nicholas Browning for Decker, and R. P. Price for Vincennes Township. John Decker was granted - ferry license over White River. John Scott, Daniel Judkins and John Stafford were made school superintendents for Harri- son Township; William Roper for Palmyra Township; A. G. Roberts for Washington Township; Samuel Chambers for Wid- ner; J. S. Mayer for Johnson; James Dick for Decker; Samuel McClure for Busseron, and R. P. Price for Vincennes Township. William McClure, William Robinson, William Nicholson, Newton Edeline, Ephraim Harrell, Albert Diggs, John Snyder, Edward Calloway and Martin Tade each were fined $1 for "fiddling and dancing on the Sabbath," which was given to the seminary fund. Michael Brouillette was charged $10 for tavern license in 1834. Samuel Thorn and William Mason each were taxed $10 for ferry license on the Wabash. James S. Edwards, Joseph McClure and James Thorn were appointed commissioners to sell the poor house. A. Massy became the purchaser in 1828. Elihu Stout, John Shepard, John Barkman, Solomon Weisbaum, J. McClure, William McCoy, Robert Lemon, William Raper and Samuel Sharp were appointed judges of election for 1831 in Vin- cennes, Busseron, Johnson, Decker, Washington, Harrison, Wid- ner, Palmyra, in order named. The same year L. Bonner, J. C. Holland, Hiram Decker, Andrew Burnside, Andrew Cushing, J. S. C. Harrison, G. W. Johnson became trustees of the university. In 1842 C. Robinson, Emanuel Gunther, R. S. Morris, D. Price, G. W. White, J. Dennison, James Wilson, J. Short, J. B. Lapland and S. S. Martin were called as special jurymen. In 1839 Zachariah Pulliam was made collector of State and county revenue with bond at $18,000, James Johnson the same in 1840 with bond at $15,000. The same year Bruceville voted against the selling of liquors by a large majority. James Thorn was
164
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
granted a ferry license for a point on White River in Section 1, Town 1 north, Range 9 west, with the following rates: Four- horse wagon, 50 cents; six horses and wagon, 623 cents.
The following inquest jury was chosen for 1842; H. P. Brokaw, H. D. Wheeler, J. Harper, John Myers, J. Massey, B. H. Corn- well, Jesse Crocker, J. D. Martin, Asa Washburn. In 1843 the line between Johnson and Harrison Townships was run from Wil- son Smith's old ferry to White River at Catt's, to include Thomas Small in Johnson Township. The same year Peter Ruby, Charles Polk, J. A. McClure, George Simpson, W. B. Robinson, Zacha- riah Pulliam, J. R. Snyder, John Barraman and H. Moore were made returning judges of their respective townships. In 1847 the commissioners refused to receive $300 in Illinois paper money because it was not current, and they thought the "sacred fund" should be guarded more carefully. In 1860 the commissioners paid the sister of Riorden $17.56 for the poor. In 1864, $500 to G. E. Green for damages done to his office by the soldiers. In 1866 the commissioners granted to the Vincennes Draw Bridge Company through its president, L. L. Watson, and its secretary, W. H. De Wolf, the privilege of erecting the bridge. In 1876 $500 was appropriated for the proper memorial services attending the death of Gov. James D. Williams, and in 1882 $100 for similar services on account of the death of President James A. Garfield.
ELECTION RETURNS.
The following is the vote, by townships, on presidential elec- tions since 1856. In the vote in 1856, the scattering votes for Fillmore and those for Bell are not counted:
Buchanan.
Fremont.
Total.
Vigo
91
96
187
Widner
94
49
143
Busseron.
73
67
140
Washington.
144
54
198
Palmyra
96
66
157
Steen
59
45
104
Harrison
133
104
237
Johnson.
90
46
136
Decker
60
45
105
Vincennes.
418
292
710
Totals
1258
864
2117
165
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
In 1860, for president, the vote stood:
Douglas.
Lincoln.
Breckinridge.
Bell.
Vigo
175
161
1
3
Busseron.
117
98
9
2
Widner
120
142
1
2
Washington.
96
176
3
7
Palmyra
107
112
9
0
Harrison
173
166
1
1
Johnson
140
76
4
1
Decker.
93
52
1
4
Steen .
83
104
3
4
Vincennes
562
483
10
10
Totals
1666
1570
42
34
In the campaign of 1864, between Lincoln and Mcclellan, the vote stood:
Mcclellan.
Lincoln.
Vigo
177
160
Widner.
115
133
Busseron.
137
86
Washington
92
157
Palmyra.
104
98
Vincennes
627
399
Harrison.
194
157
Johnson.
154
46
Decker
119
26
Steen
98
89
Totals.
1817
1351
In 1868 the vote stood as follows:
Seymour.
Grant.
Vigo
331
224
Widner.
152
170
Busseron.
168
125
Washington.
137
216
Palmyra.
144
119
Vincennes
852
537
Harrison.
283
211
Johnson .
213
71
Decker.
115
38
Steen
122
142
Totals.
2517
1853
In 1872 the vote stood:
Greeley.
Grant.
Vigo.
275
286
Widner
177
184
Busseron.
211
123
Washington
125
192
Palmyra
143
117
Harrison
289
252
Vincennes
897
599
Johnson.
175
82
Decker.
111
48
Steen
124
121
Totals
2527
2004
166
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
In 1876 the vote on election was as follows:
Tilden.
Hayes.
Vigo.
336
330
Widner.
199
203
Busseron
234
154
Washington
157
230
Palmyra
136
138
Vincennes.
1,088
682
Harrison
347
296
Johnson
268
88
Decker
136
42
Steen
157
125
Totals.
3058
2388
In the campaign of 1880 the vote stood:
Hancock.
Garfield.
Vigo.
373
377
Widner .:
212
202
Busseron. .
256
140
Washington.
157
239
Palmyra.
139
155
Vincennes.
1351
924
Johnson.
271
115
Harrison
384
335
Decker
148
56
Steen. .
158
152
Totals.
3449
2695
In 1884 the vote by townships was as follows:
Cleveland.
Blaine.
Butler.
St. John.
Vigo
407
358
13
0
Widner.
237
188
0
0
Busseron.
245
130
0
4
Washington.
159
229
1
2
Palmyra.
138
136
0
1
Vincennes.
1487
976
0
7
Harrison.
343
318
0
0
Johnson
292
136
0
0
Decker
134
68
0
0
Steen
136
155
0
0
Totals.
3578
2694
14
14
POPULATION .*
In 1800.
2,517
In 1810.
7,945
In 1820.
5,437
In 1830.
6,525
In 1840
10,657
In 1850
11,084
In 1860
16,056
In 1870.
21.562
In 1880
76,323
In 1886 (estimated).
28,000
*The decrease in population in any decade is due to the formation of new counties out of Knox.
-
167
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Clerks .- Robert Buntin, 1796-1818; Homer Johnson, 1818- 22; H. L. Withers, 1822-26; Homer Johnson, 1826-30; Daniel C. Johnson, 1830-33; Alexander D. Scott, 1833-38; William R. McCord, 1838-51; William Denny, 1851-59; H. S. Cauthorn, 1859-70; A. P. Woodall, 1870-74; W. B. Robinson, 1874- 82; G. A. Alsop, 1882-86, present incumbent.
Sheriffs .- William Prince, 1796-98; Christian Wyant, 1798- 1801; William Prince, 1801-04; Daniel O. Sullivan, 1804-09; Parmenas Beckes, 1809-11; John Myers, 1811-13; Benja- min V. Beckes, 1813-19; John Decker, 1819-24; Seneca Almy, 1824-30; John Purcell, 1830-35; Zachariah Pulliam, 1835-39; Abraham Smith, 1839-44; Isaac Mass, 1844-48; William T. Scott, 1848-52; R. J. Beeler, 1852-56; Martin Anthis, 1856-60; James Reynolds, 1860-64; J. C. Lahue, 1864-68; J. C. Reynolds, 1868-72; Simon Payne, 1872-76; James H. Shouse, 1876-80; James E. Kackley, 1880-84; M. L. Seddelmeyer, 1884-86; incumbent.
Auditors .- S. W. Elliott, 1845-55; J. B. Patterson, 1855- 63; Hiram A. Foulks, 1863-70; A. J. Thomas, 1870-74; Garret Reiter, 1874-82; James A. Dick, 1882-86; incumbent.
Recorders .- W. D. Hay, 1814-16; John Gibson, 1816-18; Robert Buntin, 1818-22; William R. McCall, 1822-23; Samuel Dilworth, 1823-30; William Ruble, 1830-39; Nicholas Harper, 1839-51; Elihu Stout, 1851-59; R. Y. Caddington, 1859-63; James Beck, 1863-67; Emanuel Meisenhelter, 1867-70; James J. Mayes, 1870-78; Fred Hall, 1878-86; incumbent.
Treasurers .- John W. Cooke, 1852-54; William Williamson, 1854-56; A. L. Connoyer, 1856-60; John W. Cannon, 1860-62; W. W. Berry, 1862-66; Henry Knirihm, 1866-74; James Rey- nolds, 1874-78; Christian Hoffman, 1878-82; S. S. Hollings- worth, 1882-86.
Surveyors .- Stephen Benton, deputy United States, 1805-14; the same with D. Sullivan, William Harris, R. Buntin, Arthur Henrie, 1815; Samuel Emison, 1816-52; George Calhoun, 1852-54; Andrew Armstrong, 1854-57; Samuel E. Smith, 1857- 59; William P. Roberts, 1859-61; Samuel E. Smith, 1859-63; John Armstrong, 1863-66; C. S. Kabler, 1866-74; John C. Hen-
168
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
non, 1874-80; R. P. Mayfield, 1880-85; J. C. Hennon, 1885; in- cumbent.
Coroners .- Joseph Roseman, 1824-26; Daniel Wilton, 1826- 28; Abram Rodarmel, 1828-32; William Bruce, 1833-35; H. P. Brokaw, 1835-39; William Bruce, 1839-42; Isaac Mass, 1842- 44; F. J. Myers, 1844-54; J. W. Emery, 1854-56; F. J. Myers, 1856-60; T. A. Smith, 1860-62; J. S. Westfall, 1862-64; B. V. Thorn, 1864-66; James'Bliss, 1866-74; J. Reiter, 1874-76; Fred Hilbert, 1876-78; Charles M. Connoyer, 1878.
Representatives .- Isaac N. Eastham, 1858-60; Cyrus M. Allen, 1860-62; W. E. Niblack, 1860-64; John B. Patterson, 1864-66; O. F. Baker, 1866-68; James D. Williams, 1868-70; H. S. Cauthorn, 1870-74; Charles E. Crane, 1874-76; F. W. Viehe, 1876-78; H. S. Cauthorn, 1878-82; S. W. Williams, 1882-86; M. J. Niblack, 1886.
Senators .- J. D. Williams, 1858-66; William Turner, 1866- 70; James D. Williams, 1870-74; Henry K. Wilson, 1874-78; F. W. Viehe, 1878-82; J. Ernst, 1882-86; W. W. Berry, 1886- 90.
CHAPTER VIII.
PREPARED BY HON. HENRY S. CAUTHORN.
HISTORY OF THE BENCH AND BAR-JURISDICTION OF THE EARLY COURTS -PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE OF 1787-FORMATION OF KNOX COUNTY BY PROCLAMATION-EARLY COURT PRACTICES-LIST OF JUDGES-OTHER COURTS-PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER OF THE JUDGES -SLAVERY IN INDIANA-PROBATE MATTERS-CLERKS-MEMBERS OF THE BAR-CATALOGUE OF CIRCUIT JUDGES-SKETCHES OF JURISTS -THE VINCENNES BAR.
K NOX COUNTY has been called the "mother of counties," and so far as the territory embraced within the limits of Indiana is concerned, the appellation has been appropriately ap- plied. As a civil organization it antedates both the Territorial and State governments.
It was first laid off and organized in the spring of 1790, by Winthrop Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Territory, acting
169
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
under special instructions to that effect from Gov. Arthur St. Clair, who was then at Kaskaskia, employed in organizing St. Clair County. It was named in honor of Gen. Henry Knox, then Secretary of War of the United States. It originally embraced all the territory now constituting the States of Indiana and Mich- igan. In 1805 the Territory of Michigan was severed from it by the organization, by act of Congress, of that Territory. Its area was decreased from time to time by the carving out of new counties from its territory, until it was reduced to its present di- mensions in 1820 upon the organization of Greene County.
JURISDICTION OF THE EARLY COURTS.
A number and variety of tribunals claimed and exercised ju- risdiction in civil and criminal matters, within the territory now constituting the county, prior to its organization by Secretary Sar- gent in 1790, which date only marks the inception of organized Federal authority. Prior to that date, and before the acquisition of the Northwest Territory by Virginia, the several commandants of Post Vincents exercised such powers, either in person or through magistrates appointed by them. De Vincenné, St. Ange, Le Gras and all commandants of the post claimed and exercised the right to donate the public and unappropriated lands. Their transactions were authenticated by notaries, but the business was loosely transacted and no permanent record made, but land grants and other important transactions authenticated by them were com- mitted to loose strips of paper, which were not deposited or pre- served in any public place, but were retained, destroyed or carried off by the notaries who authenticated them. But the greater part of the lands granted under their authority or the courts organized by them, not tainted with fraud, were subsequently recognized and confirmed by the Federal Government, in conformity with the requirements and stipulations of the French and English treaties and the Virginia act of cession.
After the conquest of the Northwest by the troops under Gen. George Rogers Clark February 24, 1779, and its consequent acquisition by Virginia, that State in the spring of the same year passed an act for the government of the territory thus acquired. Under that act John Todd was appointed "lieutenant of the country
170
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
and commander-in-chief," and immediately repaired to Vincennes to assume and exercise his authority as such. Upon his arrival he issued a proclamation announcing and declaring his powers and purposes. In June of that year he organized "a court for the district of Post Vincennes." Said court thus established pos- sessed both civil and criminal jurisdiction, and also claimed by uniform custom and precedent, and exercised the power of grant- ing lands. This court continued in existence from June, 1779, until the summer of 1787, when the power and jurisdiction of Virginia was superseded by federal authority, and the passage, July 13, 1787, of the ordinance of Congress for the government of the territory northwest of the river Ohio. This court was composed of the following persons: F. Bosseron, L. E. Deline, Pierre Gamelin and Pierre Queray. None of these were profes- sional lawyers, and none of its records are now in existence, and its transactions in all probability were very informally and unskill- fully kept, as the members of the court in a letter dated Post Vincents, July 3, 1790, addressed to Secretary Sargent, when he was here employed in the organization of the county, admit they possessed "but little knowledge of public affairs," and attribute to that cause any errors or mistakes they may have committed in the discharge of their official functions.
KNOX COUNTY PROCLAIMED ORGANIZED.
Secretary Sargent, in June, 1790, issued his proclamation declaring Knox County duly organized, and establishing courts of justice for the transaction of business therein. He appointed as judges of the court the following persons: Antoine Gamelin, Paul Gamelin, François Busseron, James Johnson and Luke Decker. None of these appointees were learned in the law or, at least, never acquired any distinction as jurists. He also appointed John Small sheriff of the county, who was the first incumbent of that office. He appointed Samuel Baird clerk of the county, who was also the first incumbent of that office. This court possessed both civil and criminal jurisdiction. When engaged in the transaction of criminal business it was styled "the court of general quarter sessions of the peace for the county of Knox." When occupied with civil and probate matters it was styled
171
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
"the common pleas court of Knox County." The same judges presided for the transaction of civil or criminal business, but sep- arate terms were held for each kind, and separate records kept. The presence of all the judges was not necessary, and as a gen- eral practice only one or two presided at the same term. The sheriffs and clerks of the county attended all sessions of the court.
FIRST SESSION OF COURT.
The first session of this court was held July 14, 1790, when all the judges were present. The following persons were empan- eled and sworn as a grand inquest, the oath being administered in both English and French, as some of the jury did not under- stand English: John Mills, John Rice Jones, Henry Vanderburg, Francis Vigo, Thomas Tredwell Jackson, Nicholas Miet, John Bap- tiste Miet, Robert Johnson, Patrick Simpson, John Baptiste Sa- marta, Robert Mayes, Joseph Leflore, Thomas Jourdan, John Gane- shaw, Abraham Westfall, John Durgalon, Benjamin Beckes, Joseph St. Mary, Robert Day, Laurent Bazadon, Antoine Lalumiere and Peter Mallet. This grand inquest, the first in the county, returned no indictment, but came to the bar of the court and made verbal presentment, to the court, "that a murder of malice aforethought was committed in the county on or about the 19th or 20th day of November, 1789, by one Michael Graffe upon a certain Albert Guest, and as the same has not been taken notice of by any court, to the knowledge of the jury, present the same to the court that it may be taken cognizance of according to law." This was the first presentment made by a grand jury, and no further notice was ever taken of the matter, and the accused was never prose- cuted. This was the only presentment made, and the court trans- acted no business except the appointment of constables for the village and county.
TRIAL OF OFFENSES.
The next term was held the following October and adjourned without doing any business, as a jury could not be obtained, " as the militia of the county had been called out against the Indians of the Wabash by the United States in Congress assembled." The next January term did no business for want of a clerk. The April term following met at the house of John Small, the sheriff,
172
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
but did no business. At the July term, 1791, the grand inquest presented to the court the following persons for the offenses named: Patrick Simpson, Anthony Smith, Joseph Janes and Derick Simpson for a riot; Joseph Janes for an assault and bat- tery upon Marie Lefevre, a widow; Patrick Simpson and Anthony Smith for an assault and battery upon Josette André, wife of Joseph André. It was the practice for the grand jury to appear at the bar of the court and make verbal presentment to the court of persons charged with crime, and for the court to direct the prosecuting attorney to draw up and sign the indictment. Upon this occasion the court appointed John Rice Jones, prosecuting attor- ney, and he prepared the indictments against these parties. These were the first indictments prepared in the county charging persons with the commission of crime, and John Rice Jones was the first prosecuting attorney. At the ensuing October term these parties were tried on these indictments and found guilty, and severally assessed with fines ranging from $12 to $22. John Rice Jones was allowed by the court $14 for prosecuting on the part of the United States. The said Jones was, in addition to his appoint- ment as prosecutor, appointed clerk of the court in the absence of the regular clerk. Henry Vanderburg was authorized by the court "to contract for erecting in front of the church a pillory and stocks for the use of the county, to be paid for out of county funds when there shall be sufficient for the purpose." John Rice Jones was also employed for the sum of $33.33 to translate the laws into the French language, as some of the judges did not understand the English. He reported to the next term that he had made the translation and was paid the contract price. The county was di- vided by the court into two townships, Vincennes and Clarksville. Vincennes Township embraced all the county from the Ohio River on the south to the northern line, lying between St. Clair County on the west and the course of Blue River on the east. Clarks- ville Township embraced the balance of the county. The mark adopted for Vincennes Township was the letter "V" and for Clarksville the letter "C."
At the November term, 1797, John Taitham was indicted by the grand jury for grand larceny, and tried by a jury, who re- turned a verdict of guilty as charged. It was not the practice for
173
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the jury to measure the punishment, which was reserved for the court. In this case the court rendered the following judgment: "That the said John Taitham pay to William McConnell the sum of 54 French crowns and $50, the amount he had stolen from him, and also pay into court another sum of 54 French crowns and $50 agreeably to the laws of the Territory, and further pay as a fine the sum of $20 and the costs, and on failure to do so to receive the quantity of fifteen stripes and be sold agreeably to the laws aforesaid."
JUDGES AND INCIDENTS.
The following persons presided as judges, at different times, in this court in addition to the first appointees: Henry Vanderburg, Louis Edeline, Jonathan Purcell, Abel Westfall, Marston G. Clark, Antoine Marechall, John Gibson, James N. Woods, Benja- min Beckes, Ephraim Jordan, Abraham Huff, John Ochiltree, George Leech, Peter Jones, George Wallace, Daniel McClure, Elihu Stout and William N. Moorman. With the exception of Henry Vanderburg none of the judges were lawyers. Marston G. Clark, however, made a reputation. He was a native of Vir- ginia and was raised in the backwoods, and his education was limited. He was a cousin of Gen. George Rogers Clark, was fully six feet high and very muscular, and wore leather pants, moc- casins and a fox-skin cap. John Long was tried by a jury before him on a charge of horse stealing. The jury found him guilty. His attorneys moved in arrest on the ground that the indictment did not charge the crime to have been committed in the Indiana Territory. The judge, after argument, held the motion up for decision until next day, and adjourned court. After adjournment. he directed the sheriff to take the prisoner out and give him thirty-nine lashes on his bare back, which was the penalty pre- scribed by law for the offense. The sheriff did as directed. The next morning on opening court he granted a new trial. It was the last motion in arrest made before him.
The following persons acted as sheriffs during the existence of this court in the order named: John Small, Christopher Wyant, William Prince, John Ochiltree, Daniel Sullivan, Parmenas Beckes, John McCandless, James Crow and Benjamin V. Beckes. Samuel Baird and Robert Buntin were clerks. The first attorney
174
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ever admitted to practice law in the county was Gen. W. Johnson, who was sworn at February term, 1799.
OTHER COURTS.
A circuit court of "Oyer and Terminer, general jail delivery and nisi prius" was held at Vincennes, in October, 1795, before John Cleves Symmes, senior judge of the territory northwest of the Ohio. He is the same man who had a .contract with the Fed- eral Government for the purchase of 1,000,000 acres of public land on the Ohio around the present site of Cincinnati, which created much litigation, and called for congressional action to adjust the difficulties arising out of it. It was the only term of such a court ever held here of which there remains any record, and but little was done.
TERRITORIAL COURTS.
The Indiana Territory was erected by act of Congress, May 7, 1800, and William Clarke, Henry Vanderburg and John Griffin were appointed the first Territorial judges. Under the Territorial government there were two courts that exercised jurisdiction in this county. One was the "General Court" and the other the "Common Pleas." The general court possessed jurisdiction in civil, criminal and chancery cases throughout the Territory, which, prior to the organization of Illinois Territory, was all the North- west outside of Ohio. The Territorial judges presided in this court, and Henry Hurst was clerk from its organization until it was superseded by the courts organized, in 1816, under the State constitution. It held terms as a circuit court in all the counties of the Territory, which were few, but of extensive territorial limits. The records of this court followed the Territorial and State capitals, and were taken from here to Corydon and thence to Indianapolis. The first term of this court was held here March 3, 1801. The first grand jury in this court was composed of the following persons: Luke Decker, Antoine Marechall, Joseph Baird, Patrick Simpson, Antoine Petit, Andre Montplaiseur, John Ochiltree, Jonathan Marney, Jacob Teverbaugh, Alexander Val- ley, François Turpin, F. Compagniotte, Charles Languedoc, Louis Severe, F. Languedoc, George Catt, John Bte. Barrois, Abraham Decker and Philip Catt.
175
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
In this court, held at Vincennes, before Judges Vanderburg and Parke, on Friday, October 14, 1808, Abraham Haley was indicted for the murder of John Coffman. The next day he was tried by a jury and found guilty and the death penalty affixed, and Saturday 29, of the same month, appointed for his execution. On that day he was taken to the place where the gallows was erected, to be hung, and standing on the gallows, with the rope around his neck, he was respited by the governor until the following Tuesday, when he was again taken to the gallows and placed in position, when he was pardoned by the governor. It appears from this that in those days justice was administered "speedily and without delay."
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