USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources > Part 21
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He has always been remarkable for his good health, fine physical constitution and good temper. During his long life he has scarcely ever been known to be angry, especially with any member of his family. He is five feet eight inches high, heavy set, and has a full red complexion, blue eyes, black hair, and is a very ready speaker. In politics, he was always a Democrat, and never voted for a man for any office who was not a Democrat. His wife, Mary, died on the 3d day of May, 1864, and he married Mrs. Sarah Richards, the widow of John Richards, a Baptist preacher, of Grant county. He was elected a member of the Indiana Legislature in
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1856, and served in that capacity one term, with great honor to himself and to the people who elected him. He was one of the committee who voted against the State assuming the payment of the Wabash and Erie Canal bonds. In 1863, he was elected county commissioner for Madison county, and served one term, and was mainly instrumental in hav- ing Madison county issue bonds to pay bounties to soldiers, who had volunteered in the defence of their country. His children who are yet living, are George D., a farmer ; William A., a Baptist preacher; James A., David T., John F., Calvin D., Mary E. Peniston, and Lucy J. Van Meter.
PERSONAL SKETCH 'OF J. W. WESTERFIELD.
MR. W. came to Anderson in the year 1839. He was then a young man just commencing in life. He engaged in the practice of medicine and was a successful practitioner for some twenty-five years. He is not now practicing but has been engaged in the drug business, and for the past few years in the boot and shoe trade. At this writing I believe he is out of business. A few years ago he built the West- erfield hall and the business rooms below, which were an improvement to that part of the city. The hall is used for general purposes, such as lectures, preaching, etc. This hall will accommodate about five hundred persons and is a credit to its proprietor. Mr. W. has been a citizen of the county thirty-five years in both public and private positions, and during all that time he maintained a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. In religious mat- ters Mr. W. is liberal in his views and a true Christian gentleman. In person he is large and and fine looking with a high forehead. At one time Mr. W. was county auditor and for several years was closely connected with the school matters of the county.
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SKETCH OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS.
AMONG the early settlers on Fall Creek was Mr. Wil- liams. He was born in North Carolina in 1775, and moved to this county in the spring of 1824, and located three miles east of Pendleton on the Fall Creek road leading to New Columbus. He lived on the north side of the creek, six miles immediately south of Anderson, up to the time of his death, which occurred on November 16th, 1847. At one time he owned five hundred and eighty acres on Fall creek, which he entered. He neighbored with the Briggs' and Sawyers', three miles further up the creek. He started the first nursery in the county, in which business he seemed to take delight. His wife died in September, 1847. They raised a family of nine children, all of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. Among those living are Martin and Caleb Williams, both of Illinois, and both of whom have been engaged in the fruit and nursery business. Annie Roberts and Miriam Tilson, both of Huntsville, and Mrs. Harden, of Pendleton, widow of the late John Harden. Martin Williams formerly lived on and owned the farm . known as the Crown Hill farm, four miles north of Indian- apolis. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were highly respected in their time, and are buried at the Huntsville cemetery. They were Quakers and will be long remembered.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF R. N. WILLIAMS.
MR. WILLIAMS was born in North Carolina and came to Anderson in the year 1828, where he continued to live up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1869. He was, at the time of his death, near sixty years of age. From first to last he was closely associated with the affairs of the county. He served as representative, auditor, clerk, and recorder ; and in 1865 he Was elected the first mayor of the city of Anderson. He was among the first attorneys of the
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county, and a highly esteemed member of the bar at the time of his death. He was a charter member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and was one of' its first secretaries. With the exception of Andrew Jackson he has filled more offices than any other man in the county. Mr. Williams served in all the above offices with general acceptability. The fact of his having filled so many offices of' trust and profit is of itself enough to show his high standing among his fellow citizens. He lived to see Anderson grow from a few scattered houses to an incor- porated city. Mr. Williams was the father of Augustus and A. D. Williams of Anderson. In person he was tall. a little stooping, of thin visage. with light hair and high fore- head. He is buried at the cemetary at Anderson.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ADAM WINCHELL.
MR. W. was among the first settlers of Fall creek, com- ing here in 1823, locating two miles east of Pendleton, near where William Ifort now lives. He was elected as associ- ate judge, and for what reason it does not appear. for it is said he could scarcely read or write. He worked at black- smithing for a number of years, and made the handcuffs which adorned the wrists of Bridge and Sawyer. He was on the bench when those worthies were tried at the Falls in 1824. He was doubtless better fitted for the blacksmith than the judicial bench. He was not wanting, however, in honesty and integrity, which goes a long way, or should, in place of the refined superfluities of to-day. He is repre- sented as having been careless as regards dress and manners. It is related that he actually pared his toe nails while sitting on the bench. This incident is not given to disparage the the memory of Mr. W., but as a contrast with the judges of the present day. He removed West many years since and died there ; the year I have been unable to find out ; perhaps about the year 1840, at which time he must have been about sixty-five years of age. Mr. W. was born in North
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Carolina, of German parents. He was a man of compact build, muscular, and of the "heavy tread " order. A. regards religion, he was of the Methodist faith.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF FREDERICK WINDELL.
THE subject of this sketch was born in Virginia in 1789 ; came to Madison county in 1829, and located on Lick creek, five miles east of Pendleton. Mr. W. met a tragic end under the following circumstances: On the 19th day of December, 1850, he was making preparations to help a neighbor kill hogs ; got down his gun intending to load it ; put his foot on the hammer to blow his breath in the barrel, forgetting that he had previously loaded it. The result was, as it has been recorded a thousand times, his foot slipped from the hammer, the gun discharged shooting him in the mouth, killing him instantly. It need hardly be said that this unfortunate occurrence cast a gloom over a large family circle and that of many friends and acquain - tances. The widow still lives, making her home at one of her sons on the old home farm. Among the other children we may mention Dr. Windell, of Pendleton, and Mrs. Wil- liams and Mrs. Hardman, of Markleville. In person, Mr. W. was large and fleshy, weighing over two hundred pounds, fair complexion, and naturally of a jovial disposi- tion. He was regarded as a good man, a kind neighbor, and he was universally respected by all. His rare conver- sational powers rendered him a desirable firside companion. His untimely end was the occasion of one of the largest funeral processions ever witnessed in this part of the country at that day. He was buried at the Busby grave- yard, four miles east of Pendleton. At the time of his death he was in the 61st year of his age. He had been a citizen of the county twenty-one years.
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MEETING OF MEXICAN SOLDIERS.
ANDERSON, IND., Nov. 14, 1874.
According to appointment a meeting of the Mexican soldiers of Madison county, Indiana, met in the auditor's office and was called to order by Colonel N. Berry, and was organized by the appointment of Colonel Berry as chair- man, and H. P. Shafer as secretary.
By motion of John Hicks, a call of the townships was made for the purpose of ascertaining the soldiers of said county.
Adams township, John Probasco, P. O. address, Ander- son.
Fall Creek, H. P. Shaffer, John Hicks and Brady, Pen- dleton.
Jackson, John Hendren, Perkinsville.
Anderson, N. Berry, W. J. Philpot, Anderson.
Union, Levi Brewer, Florida.
Pipe Creek, Ransom P. Moler, Robert P. Garretson, Anderson. Branock and James Ripley, Frankton.
Boone, Micajah Francis, Rigdon.
Duck Creek, J. R. Morris, and S. T. Tetrick, Elwood.
On motion of J. H. Hicks, a committee of three was appointed to draft resolutions consisting of J. H. Hicks, John Probasco and J. R. Morris.
Upon which the said Committee made the following report :
WHEREAS, The ties formed between those who have endured common hardships, suffered common privation, and braved common dangers in the defense of their country's right and honor, are as they ever should be, indissoluble.
ยท Resolved, Therefore, That a few of the surviving soldiers who served in the army of the United States during the war between our country and Mexico, will ever cherish the proud recollection that we responded to the call of our country in the hour of danger; and on this occasion we meet to renew the friendship formed between us when on foreign soil. We with strong arms and stout hearts main- tained the rights of our country and the honor of our flag.
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Resolved, That we remember with patriotic pride the gallant deeds of ourselves and comrades who carried victoriously the the banner of our country from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico and triumph- antly planted the stars and stripes of American liberty on the halls of the Montezumas.
Resolved, That among the fruits of our victories we extended our southwestern boundary from the Neuces to the Rio Grande and added New Mexico and California to the United States. That from our territorial acquisition our country has derived among many advantages at least one billion dollars in gold, which largely contrib- uted to build railroads across the continent, erect churches and school houses in every State in the Union, to stimulate improve- ments of every kind, to increase our trade both at home and abroad, and to adorn and beautify our common country by converting waste places into happy homes and cause the wilderness to bloom and blossom as the rose.
Resolved, That we regard the surviving soldiers who served during the Mexican war, their widows and orphans as both worthy and entitled to the Nation's gratitude.
Resolved, That we will attend the convention to be held at Indian- apolis, on the 7th and 8th days of January, 1875, by our old comrades in arms, and unite with them in an appeal to a generous country and patriotic Congress and executive, to add the names of the surviving soldiers in the Mexican war to the list of pensioners to the end that the Nation's bounty may be extended to all, who, by their deeds of noble daring have contributed to maintain the rights and uphold the honor of our country either at home or abroad.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the county papers.
Resolved, That when this meeting adjourn we adjourn to meet at Indianapolis on the 7th and 8th days of January, 1875.
J. H. HICKS, JOHN PROBASCO, JOEL R. MORRIS.
Committee.
THE MURDER OF DANIEL HOPIS BY MILTON WHITE.
THIS murder took place on the 8th day of April, 1867, two and one-half miles southeast of Anderson, on the east pike leading to Columbus, in a piece of woods where the larger timber had been cut off and a dense undergrowth covered the ground. The facts in regard to the murderer's arrest and execution are about as follows : The parties had
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lived neighbors and were considered good friends. They had been in company at Anderson during the day, started home together, and were seen to enter the above woods in company. This was the last seen of Hopis alive. Search was soon instituted and his body found, and near it a sasa- frass elub, with which it is supposed he was killed, as it was saturated with blood. (This elub, about three feet and a half long, was preserved and handsomely labeled, and may be seen in the clerk's office at Anderson.) White was arrested on suspicion and lodged in jail. In the meantime circumstances pointed to him as the probable murder. His preliminary trial was had before Esquirer Schlater in which a sufficient amount of evidence was obtained to remand him back to jail to await the session of the circuit court, which convened in the following August, judge. Henry A. Brouse.
After some little delay in obtaining a jury the following were chosen : J. M. Nelson, Macajah Francis, David King, W. P. Prewett, Robert Jones, J. B. Chodwick, Eli Davis, Levi Conner, Jonathan Deboy, Thomas Hughes, Thomas Wood and Henry Etchler. The case was prosecuted by Nick Van Horn, assisted by C. D. Thompson : the defense by H. D. Thompson and James W. Sansbury.
After a thorough examination of the case White was con- vieted of murder in the first degree, solely on circumstan- tial evidence, as no eye saw him commit the crime. So perfeet, however, was the chain of evidence, that little or no doubt ever existed but that he was the proper person arrested, tried and executed.
The time set for carrying out the sentence was the 26th day of September The executive-Gov. Baker-thinking the time too short, extended it to the first Friday in Novem- ber. During this interval he was visited by the Governor in person, as there had been some influence brought to bear to commute this sentence to imprisonment for life. After this interview, the governor refused to interfere, and the execution took place on the day above mentioned, and at the fair grounds.
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Of course this event as well as the first day set for his execution brought out a large concourse of people to wit- ness the proceedings, the like of which had not occurred in our county for a period of forty-two years. The execution took place in an enclosure. Planks were set up endwise and only about one hundred persons were admitted. Some not to be outdone climbed the adjoining trees as high as seventy-five or a hundred feet and there overlooked the sickening event. As a general rule good order prevailed, some however, were barbarous enough to jeer the man on the gallows. At about two P. M., White was conveyed to the fair grounds in a vehicle and was dressed in a suit of black and followed by a curious crowd. His long confine- ment had bleached his naturally dark skin, and his neat fitting clothes gave him a good appearance. He was a large and powerful man and well made. The animal how- ever, largely predominated. Illustrative of this, it is reported that he would torture geese, chickens, etc. It was his seeming delight to see them suffer; had but little intelligence and lacked home culture, and was allowed to grow up without moral training. He did not seem to real- ize his situation and gave no concern whatever to the awful day that awaited him.
During his confinement in jail he was kindly treated by sheriff Snell and wife. I am also glad to learn that deputy sheriff, William Roach, was unremitting in his attention to, the unfortunate man.
White's body was given in charge of his friends and was buried in the Catholic cernetery, just south of Ander- son.
Isaac Hoppis was a small, inoffensive man and but little known outside of his immediate neighborhood. Was pos- sessed of but little harm or good.
The circumstances which led to the above tragedy were as follows: Hoppis had accused White of stealing meat which he (White) denied. A quarrel ensued which resulted as above narrated. They were both married men and about the same age-twenty-five years.
19
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THE MURDER OF MISS WILLIAMSON BY HER FATHER.
THE above murder, or rather double murder, occurred in Union township, one and one-half miles north of Chester- field. The facts of the case are about as follows: Mr. Williamson was a citizen of Delaware county, living a short distance north of Yorktown. It seems that his dangh- ter loved not wisely, but too well, as Mr. Williamson thought. He was determined to prevent their union, and had refused her suitor admittance to his house. On the day previous to this fatal tragedy, Miss Williamson came to Joseph Rams- burg's, an acquaintance, to stay over night. She was fol- lowed by her father, who supposed she was making prepar- ations to elope. When night came, the daughter and Mrs. Ramsburg retired to one bed, and Mr. Williamson and Mr. Ramsburg to another. Thus, the night was spent that ushered in the gloomy morn. Mr. Ramsburg had gone to the barn to feed; Mrs. Ramsburg had repaired to the kitchen to prepare the morning meal, leaving Mr. Rams- burg and daughter in bed. Mr. Williamson thinking this a good time to remonstrate with her, sought her bed cham- ber, when a consultation was had, which was heard in part by Mrs. Ramsburg ; but thinking nothing particular about it, continued at her work. She was soon aroused, however, by the screams of the dying girl, whose throat had been cut, killing her almost instantly. Mr. Williamson went out in the yard, drew a revolver, shooting twice, one ball taking effect in the forehead, just entering the skin, doing no par- ticular harm; the other was the fatal shot, taking effect in the throat. He was taken to the couty jail where he ling- ered four days, when death put an end to his suffering. This double murder, of course, caused great excitement throughout the neighborhood, happening as it did, in the same locality, where the Isonagle boys were murdered by Stotler, but a short time previous, making this part of the county somewhat historical for crime. The house where the above murder occurred, was visited by hundreds of citi-
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zens of Madison and Delaware counties. Mr. Williamson barely escaped being lynched by being himself in a very critical condition.
The people of Madison county, may in part, erase the stain of this crime when they consider the parties were citi- zens of another county. However, let this be a warning to all that the future historian may not be called upon to chron- icle a parallel with this.
1
SKETCH OF JACOB SCHWINN.
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
AN OLD AND ESTEEMED CITIZEN THROWN FROM A BUGGY AND INSTANTLY KILLED.
SINCE the commencement of this book my friend Mr. Schwinn has been called to his final account. While gath- ering these items I called on Mr. Schwinn, who we found a very clever man. He was a truly devoted Christian and a zealous Sunday school worker. He was of German extrac- tion though thoroughly Americanized. He was a candi- date for the Legislature in 1848, and was only beaten a few votes. He ran on the temperance question. Following will be found an account of his death taken from the Anderson Democrat at the time of his death :
On the morning of Monday last the minds of the people of Monroe township were gloom-stricken over the intelli- gence that an old and estimable citizen, Mr. Jacob Schwinn, had that morning been suddenly called from time to etern- ity, the result of a fall from his buggy, while attempting to control a runaway horse attached to the same.
Mr. Schwinn was on his way to Anderson to make sale of a horse, the same being led by him from within his buggy ; and ere he had traveled out of sight of his home, the horse intended for sale became restive, passed around
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the side of the vehicle, coming in unexpected contaet with the horse drawing the buggy, whereupon the latter took intense fright, broke off into a fearful plunging run, result- ing as aforesaid in the death of the driver.
Mr. Schwinn's son, Evan, had accompanied his father to within some sixty rods of where the aeeident occurred, it being that far upon his (the son's) way where he was teach- ing sehool ; and having his attention attraeted by the cries of his father in his ineffectual attempt to control his horse, ran at his utmost speed to his (the father's) rescue ; but lo ! when he arrived at his side, the vital spark had flown, and the truth, tortuous and intense, flashed upon his mind that he was then and there a fatherless boy. The accident was witnessed by perhaps half a dozen persons, who, within a moment or two, were at his side.
The supposition is that dislocation of the neck ensued from the sudden concussion, and belief favors his never knowing what hurt him. The buggy, bottom upward, was found, detached from the horse, a few rods from where it's previous inmate was found lying.
This is the fifth demolition the same buggy has undergone sinee its purchase, scarcely a year ago. But the saddest feature of this mournful tragedy remains yet to be stated- the reception of the lifeless body of the beloved and dear father when brought and laid down within the bosom of the family eirele. Grief, like a descending avalanche, bore down upon the souls of the bereaved wife and tear-stricken children, whose affectionate wails weighed down with mournful emphasis the hearts of the neighbors and friends assembled. The truth will permit it to be spoken of the deceased that grief for his loss did not terminate at the con- fines of the family eircle.
Jacob Schwinn was an efficient member of society. I mean by the same, he was a kind father, a good neighbor, and, viewed socially, politically, and from a business stand- point, implicitly squared his life by a high and intelligent conception of morality.
He was a member of honorable and long standing in the
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order of Masonry ; also of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; was aweek-day as well as a Sunday Christian.
Jacob Schwinn was born in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, September 21st, 1816; emigrated to America in the year 1837; was married near Alexandria, Indiana, to Miss Emily Francis, daughter of Hon. Evan Ellis, October 27th, 1849. Mr. Nathan E. Tomlinson, Esq., of Alexandria, was married at the same time and place.
Mr. Schwinn has resided in Madison county thirty-two vears.
THE ISONAGLE BOYS MURDER BY GEORGE STOTTLER.
THIS tragedy also occurred in Union township, in the same locality of the one just related. It was also a double murder, and everything considered, it was one of the most dastardly acts ever committed in the country. Unprovoked through- out, two youths stricken down without the slightest cause, and when we consider the surroundings we wonder the more why Stottler was not made to pay the full penalty of the law. White, a few months previous, was hung on sus- picion of having killed one man, while Stottler escaped the gallows for actually killing two defenceless boys. Why this discrimination the people are at a loss to know.
The facts are, as near as we have been able to gather, as follows: Stottler had been working in the neighborhood, boarding at the boys' grandmother's, and was seemingly on good terms, so much so that he requested the loan of a horse to ride to Anderson on the fatal day. From some cause this request was not granted.
This doubtless enraged him. He obtained another horse, went to Anderson, returned to the house intoxicated, when an altercation took place. It seems that the boys made little or no resistance. Strottler stabbed both in the region of the heart killing them instantly. William, aged twenty-
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one, Isaac sixteen. The latter was also cut on the arm. After the deed he went away, but returned again at night, and wandered around in an adjacent woods where he was captured on the following day, by sheriff Snell, assisted by Wash Maynard and Samuel Glodfelty. He was taken to Anderson, arranged for trial. A change of venue, was taken to Delaware county. His trial came on; verdict rendered, imprisonment for life. He is now serving his time in the State prison at Michigan city. He is repre- sented as being somewhat stubborn and unruly, having cut off two of his fingers for the purpose of getting rid of labor. Previous to this murder it is stated that his habits were low, groveling and cruel in the extreme, having a book in his posession giving instruction in the art of killing, or teaching the exact point to strike in order to make it fatal. It seems that he had studied this matter to perfection, for the knife entered the body of both at the same place, caus-
ing death immediately. What a comment on human nature, to know that there are persons studying how to kill their fellows with skill and dispatch ! But so it is, and so it will be in all time to come. Cain committed a foul act in murdering his brother ; but we find the same spirit ruling in many at the present time. However, we still hope for the day to arrive when the condition of society will change, when the youth of our country will cast aside everything selfish, and properly appreciate a virtuous sensibility.
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