USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 30
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James Pursell, auditor, was authorized to procure the necessary
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
furniture for the county jail, according to the rules made by Judge Owen T. Fishback, for at least three rooms, March 5, 1844.
December 5, 1849, the cells were repaired so as to make them more secure, and in a better condition to receive prisoners.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The early residents of this state were in the habit of providing for the wants of the poor and destitute in this manner. When ap- plication for the keeping of a person in indigent circumstances was made to the township trustees, they bound him for a certain term to the lowest bidder, who was required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duty-feeding, clothing, and properly car- ing for his unfortunate charge. Thus were the poor well cared for, . but not in accordance with the old abolition idea of the people, who looked with horror on the process of what they termed " sell- ing human beings at auction ;" however, because of the very few who required public aid, the matter could not be remedied.
Time rolled on, and with the tide of immigration did the num- ber of destitute and helpless increase, making it apparent that measures providing for their care and comfort must be adopted. To this end, an act providing for the "establishment of County Poor Houses," was passed by the Ohio Legislature. Any county having within her limits a sufficient number of paupers, was em- powered to purchase grounds and erect suitable buildings thereon, to which all the infirm and needy were to be admitted, and thus was the custom of selling human beings, as so many articles of fur- niture abolished forever.
For a period of nearly fifty years, after its organization, Fayette County had no public institution . in which she could care for her infirm, but provided for them through her township trustees. In about 1850, philanthropic citizens agitated the erection of buildings for this purpose, and in 1853, the board of county commissioners were induced to take the matter under advisement. On the 7th of June, 1853, they resolved, that, in their opinion, "it will be proper and advantageous to the said county, of Fayette, to erect and estab- lish a poor house, within and for said county, and that they deem it necessary, for the accommodation of such an institution, to pur- chase a tract of land, etc." On the same day, Hopkins Shivers, in
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
consideration of three thousand five hundred and eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents, deeded to Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre, and Micajah Draper, commissioners, for the purpose of the accom- modation and erection of a county poor-house, for the County of Fayette, the following tract : Being a part of Robert Randolph's survey No. 119, and bounded, beginning at an ash and two water - beeches; thence west ninety-six and four-fifth's poles, to an ash, red- oak and dog-wood; thence north one hundred and fifty-four and one-half poles, to a stone in the center of the turnpike corner, to Richard Randolph ; thence north seventy-two degrees, east with the center of said road, one hundred and one poles to a stone in road and corner, to Judge Jacob Jamison ; thence south, one hun- dred and eighty-seven and one-half poles to the beginning; con- taining one hundred and two and a half acres, more or less. We have no means of ascertaining whether steps were taken at once for the erection of buildings, but presume that such was the case.
July 26, 1853, the commissioners issued an order to Hopkins Shivers for forty-five dollars and. fifty cents, for furniture for the in- firmary, probably taken from the house of Hopkins.
Willis Rowe, Joseph McLean and Wesley Wilson, directors, on June 7, 1854, presented to the commissioners their accounts for settlement, from the day they took charge-December 17, 1853- from which it appeared they had issued orders to the amount of three hundred and seventy-six dollars and fifty-two cents ; two hun- dred and ninety-seven dollars and fifty-two cents of which had been issued for articles for the use of the farm and houses. Seventy- nine dollars were paid William McLelland for his services as super- intendent of the institution. Willis Rowe was allowed a dollar and a half per day, for nine days, and one dollar for expense "incurred in going to Wilmington to procure information in regard to the government of the institution." Joseph McLean was allowed one dollar and a half per day, for eight days' service; Wesley Wilson the same for six days.
In the meantime, work on the new structure progressed satisfac- torily, and on the 25th of December, 1854, the board examined the wood-work, pronounced it executed according to contract, and is- sued an order for one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven dollars and forty-two cents to Thomas Dollarhide, the contractor.
May 16, 1855, upon examination, it was ascertained that the plas- tering had been well done.
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CARDER INFIRMARY
On the 4th of June, 1855, Joseph McLean, Wesley Wilson and George Fullerton, directors, submitted their annual report for the year ending June 1, 1855, from which we extract :
At the commencement of the year there were seven inmates; nine had been admitted since, four discharged; number remaining, twelve.
The superintendent's term expired December 17, 1854; he was retained, however, till the first of March of the following year, at which time James Garlingor was appointed to the position.
The average expense of maintaining each inmate was one hun- dred and fifty-four dollars-unusually large, because considerable money had been spent in improving the farm.
At the close of the fiscal year, ending June 1, 1857, the directors reported twenty-seven patients during the year, of whom ten were discharged and two died. The total expense incurred in running the institution was one thousand one hundred and one dollars and eighty cents, while the credit claimed for products sold and stock on hand was two thousand one hundred and forty-one dollars and fifty-three cents; balance, twenty-seven dollars and fifty-five cents. It was hoped that ere long the same would be self-supporting.
From the above extracts can be gained an idea of the condition of the infirmary during the first years of its existence. Under the skillful care of the superintendent, Mr. James W. Garlinger, and the directors, the institution prospered from year to year until, ow- ing to the constant increase of inmates, it was apparent that the present building and grounds would, ere long, prove inadequate for the accommodation of those for whom it had been erected.
CARDER INFIRMARY.
Peter Carder, an old resident of this county, and owner of an im- mense estate, upon being informed of the necessity of a "new poor farm," and influenced by a truly philanthropic spirit, conceived the idea of donating a portion of his estate to the county for "infirmary purposes."
In the year 1863, shortly before his death, he bequeathed to the county five hundred and seven acres of his estate, as a home for the poor, the invalid and the unfortunate. After his death, his widow objected to the provisions of the will, and several years passed be- fore the matter was compromised.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The county, in 1867, by its agents, commissioners William Clark, William Jones and Allen Heagler, began the erection of the new building. The foundations were laid in the summer of the same year, and by 1869 the work was fully completed.
On July 7, 1869, the inmates of the old building, forty-seven in number, were admitted to the new infirmary, and henceforth the unfortunate of Fayette County have had a home excelled by few, beautiful in design and execution, costly in material and construc- tion, and abundantly ample for their reception for a long time to come. Various estimates have been made regarding the cost of the building, which has not been much less than forty thousand dollars.
The infirmary is beautifully situated on the Columbus Pike, two miles northeast from Washington, C. H. Central as to the grounds, which are planted in their vicinity with a fine grove of young tim- ber, and adorned with grassy lawn and flowering shrubs, the build- ings may be seen for miles, half concealed by the intermediate foli- age of the forest. The structure is four-storied, including basement and attic, and contains rooms for cooking, dining, sleeping, instrue- tion and discipline. The dimensions by wings are one hundred and sixty-two by one hundred and forty-two. The basement is devoted to storage, heating and cooking. A broad corridor leads on the second floor to the dining-room, forty feet square. The south wing is devoted to rooms for officials and reception of visitors. The wings are respectively occupied by the males on the east wing, and females on the west wing. Two rooms in each are known as fam- ily or sitting apartments, and beyond these are the sleeping rooms. Ascending a flight of stairs the third floor is reached, and here we find a school-room, eighteen by thirty-six feet in size, where it is designed a school shall be kept for six months annually. The first school was taught in 1874 and has progressed satisfactorily, furnish- ing means of information to the younger inmates. Northward, and over the dining-room, are three so-called family rooms, designed for sociality, and beyond are cells for insane and refractory patients. The east and west wings, corresponding with those below are used as dormitories. The hospital, eighteen feet wide by thirty-six feet long, attracts attention from its airy, clean and pleasant appear- ance. The attic is designed exclusively for dormitories.
The government of the institution is vested in a board of direc- tors, and a superintendent appointed by them. Present board : Thomas B. Thornton, president ; Thomas Larimore, secretary ;
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CARDER INFIRMARY.
William C. Eyre. Superintendent, T. J. Stinson ; matron, Mrs. T. J. Stinson.
Recently additional land was purchased, and the farm now em- braces five hundred and eighty-two acres, of which one hundred and thirty is in timber ; the remainder is principally under cultiva- tion. During the past year the sum over and above receipts re- quired to run the institution, was six thousand dollars.
Present number of inmates : males, fifty-eight ; females, fifty-two; total, one hundred and ten.
The superintendent, Mr. T. J. Stinson, is a man eminently quali- fied for the place, as is also the matron, Mrs. T. J. Stinson, they having held their respective positions for more than four years.
The regulations of the infirmary require strict accountability, faithful performance of duty, and full compliance with the direc- tions of the proper officers. Kind, mild, yet firm treatment, marks the control of the inmates, and Fayette County may well be proud of her public institution-the Carder Infirmary.
PETER CARDER.
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The ancestors of Peter Carder were of German and English ex- traction, and were among the early settlers of Virginia, but after- wards emigrated to the wilds of Kentucky, where Peter was born.
Sanford Carder, the father of Peter, was a soldier in the war of the revolution, serving all through that glorious struggle as a cav- alry rider. He lived to see the colonies, dependent on the will of a foreign power, emerge into a grand and powerful nation.
While Peter was yet an infant, his parents immigrated to this county, where they remained till death called them home-San- ford living to the extreme old age of ninety-nine years.
Peter was brought up in the primitive habits of those days, ac- quiring but little education, and performing his part on the farm till he was twenty-eight years of age, when he was united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Mouser, of Pickaway County, Ohio. By careful management and economical habits he became the possess- or of a large amount of landed property near the county-seat. He died on the 17th day of May, 1863, and the " Carder Infirmary " stands to-day a noble monument to his benevolence and philanthropy.
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COUNTERFEITING.
In early days, when banks were few and money was scarce, a great deal of counterfeiting was done, both in coin and paper. The Funks, Redmonds, and Curry were ringleaders in this nefarious business. Jake Funk and Curry were experts in detecting spurions notes, especially the former, whose knowledge in this direction was truly remarkable. Large quantities of this money was brought by the Funks and others from Kentucky, and circulated here. The celebrated Funk fight, recorded elsewhere, was the outgrowth of one of these transactions. They were always well supplied with counterfeit as well as good money. In transactions with strangers, they would pay out some good money and some counterfeit.
As illustrative of their dare-devil impudence, it is related that on one occasion Jake Funk went to. Indiana, and bought one hun- dred and fifty head of cattle, paid for them mostly in counterfeit money, and ordered them delivered to him at a point remote from the road he had taken. When they arrived, he, with several assist- ants, took charge of them, and drove them in a circuitous route to- ward home. In the course of two or three days, as he was pro- ceeding slowly, and without further apprehension, on his way, he was suddenly startled by the appearance of six horsemen, with drawn revolvers aimed at his breast. Although well armed, resist- ance was both useless and dangerous; therefore, with a bland smile, he said pleasantly : "Gentlemen, I guess I had better surrender." The officer showed his authority, upon which Funk asked permis- sion to go forward and tell his comrades that he could not accom- pany them any further; but well knowing his desperate character, the sheriff refused, and ordered him to return immediately with him.
At this time Funk had a pocket-book filled with counterfeit bank notes, and also some good money; and from previous experience, well knowing that at his preliminary examination before a justice of the peace an expert would be on hand, he cudgelled his brain
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
all along the road for some means of getting rid of the bad money without being detected. Finally he seemed to have matured a plan ; and throwing aside all anger, he conversed freely and gaily with his captors, diverting them with anecdotes, and gradually so engrossing their attention that they seemed to forget that he was a prisoner. But on arriving in sight of the justice's office, and seeing a great crowd collected there, in a sudden paroxysm of anger, Funk poured forth volleys of oaths, declaring it was a d-d shame and outrage for an innocent man to be arrested, with no evidence of his guilt, and at the same moment flourishing his heavy cattle whip, he threw it as far ahead of him as possible, and with the same motion jerked out his pocket-book of bogus money and hurled it into the bushes so dexterously that it was unperceived.
Arriving at the magistrate's, he was searched, and all his money submitted to the scrutiny of an expert, as he had expected, but of course was found all to be good. The sheriff and justice now vied with each other in making reparation for the injury done (as they believed) an innocent man. The magistrate insisted on keeping him over night, to which he finally acceded; but after supper, com- plaining of sickness, he carelessly sauntered toward the spot near which he had thrown his pocket-book, found it, returned to his room and slept with it in his pocket, and next morning rejoined his comrades in safety, to relate to them and others of his friends how easily he had duped the officers of the law.
Their headquarters, for a time at least, were at the house of Curry, which was on lands now owned by Jonathan Chaffin and his father, Smith, the former now living on the old site. One Blaylock also figured conspicuously in the counterfeiting of coin.
From a period extending, perhaps, from 1806 to 1822, counter- feiting was largely carried on by such desperadoes as the Funks, Redmonds, and William Curry, men who defied all law, and boast- ed that they did pass counterfeit money. Many abortive attempts were made to arrest them and break up the gang. Funk was final- ly arrested, sent to Kentucky, tried, and acquitted. Brokaw was arrested and sent to the penitentiary in 1820. Curry also was sent for fifteen years in 1821. Curry had many friends among the more desperate classes, and many threats of rescue were made. One Sabbath, just at the close of services in Bloomingburg, a messenger arrived with the intelligence that an attempt was to be made to take Curry from the jail. The majority of the congregation rushed
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out of the house and started for Washington, to foil this move, but no violent demonstrations were made, and they returned. Also, when the sheriff made preparations to transfer him from the coun- ty jail to the penitentiary at Columbus, a desperate effort was made to rescue him. The night before the day fixed upon to transfer him, his wife was admitted to his cell, and in the morning he was found very sick. A physician (Dr. Thomas . McGarough) was sent for, when it was ascertained that he had taken arsenic; but in his anxiety he took too much, and threw it up, and it did not prove fatal. It was decided, however, to take him to Columbus on horse- back, by way of Bloomingburg, past the present sites of Medway and London. Threats were made by his friends of forcible rescue, and he had been closely guarded while in jail; and when Sheriff Robison started with him, he was escorted by a number of brave horsemen. About four miles from Washington, near Gillespie's, it became apparent that he could proceed no further on horseback, because of increasing weakness, the effects of arsenic. Hastily de- spatching Colonel James Stewart to his (Stewart's) house for his carriage, he halted until its return, when it was determined, instead of taking the road past London, to push on straight to Columbus, reaching there in due time, without molestation.
It was learned afterward that a desperate effort at rescue had been planned among Curry's confederates; that his departure from Washington was known, as well as the route he was to take, and that seventeen splendidly caparisoned horses were secreted in a thicket about five miles this side of London, while their riders lay concealed in the bushes near the road along which Curry was ex- pected to pass, and nothing but the seemingly providential sickness of the prisoner, and consequent change of plans, prevented a bloody encounter between two parties of brave men.
THE FUNK FIGHT.
Jake, the most notorious of the Funk family, in the year 1818 or 1819, went to Bath County, Kentucky, accompanied by his brother Absalom, and engaged in passing counterfeit money, which he had manufactured in Fayette County. He was detected, arrested, and at his preliminary trial bound over to the Court of Common Pleas in the sum of three hundred dollars. Being unable to go on his own recognizance, he applied to a friend named Jacob Trumbo, who, together with his brother, Andrew Trumbo, agreed to stand responsible for his appearance.
Funk, upon being permitted to depart, returned to this county. When the time of his trial drew near, Andrew Trumbo paid him a visit, to arrange for Funk's appearance, that he (Trumbo) might be released from his obligation. To avoid future trouble, Absalom Funk and Philip Moore made to Trumbo a promissory note in the sum of three hundred dollars, which was intended to secure the latter should the bond be declared forfeited. On the day set for the trial Funk was not to be found, and Trumbo paid the amount of his bond, he being in turn paid the full amount by Absalom Funk and Philip Moore. This, it was thought, would end the mat- ter; but, unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.
Trumbo was dissatisfied with the sudden turn the affair had taken, and seemed bent on having Jake arrested and tried before the proper authorities. He therefore obtained a warrant for his arrest, armed with which he came at once to this county, and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for his capture. He engaged the services of Aaron Johnson, who was then sheriff (see note), and together they gave chase to Funk several times, but were un- successful
While loitering along the banks of Deer Creek, they formed the acquaintance of one Mills, who was captain of a home militia com- pany. He and several of his men were pressed into service, and all started for the Funk residence. Jake Funk resided in a cabin, lo-
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THE FUNK FIGHT.
cated on the land now owned by Michael Clever, about eight miles north of Washington. He was notified, presumably by some friend, of the contemplated attack, and hastily dispatched a messenger to the members of his father's family, and others, to assist him, to ยท which they, ever eager for the fray, promptly responded.
It was night when the attacking party reached the premises, and under the cover of darkness they approached the house. Samuel Wilson, who lived near Hay Run, knocked at the door, and de- manded admittance. Jake was in the kitchen with his wife, but answered, " I am here;" and taking a chair, proceeded to the door, swinging the chair in the air, evidently determined to sell his life dearly. Upon opening the door, he was met by a volley from the attacking party, several bullets lodging in the chair, but none doing any serious injury. The firing was returned by the Funks. Wil- son grappled with Jake, and was shot dead. Trumbo then engaged in a hand to hand conflict with Jake, but friends of the latter sep- arated them and drew him into the house. Jake again encountered Trumbo, who had a pistol in his hand, and knocked him down, at the same time drawing him inside. Trumbo was senseless. Jake was about to cut his throat with a large knife, when old Adam cried out: "Spare him! Don't kill him! His father once saved me from being murdered by the Indians!" which timely interfer- ence alone saved his life.
In the meantime a member of the outside party, named Adam Metz, fearing that Jake might possibly attempt an escape from the rear of the building, took possession of a location from which he might intercept his flight if it was attempted. A comrade named Cantrell, who was accompanied by a huge dog, seeing Metz in the rear of the house, supposed it was Funk escaping, and gave chase with the dog. Metz imagined he was being pursued by the Funks, and took to his heels. He ran to a neighboring corn-field, drop- ping his gun and powder-flask in order to make more rapid progress, and finally stumbled and fell, and was recognized by his pursuer, when mutual explanations followed.
While this was taking place without, the parties within were arranging for Jake's departure and escape through the rear door. Trumbo was stretched on the floor, and feigned being severely wounded. However, while the others were assisting Jake, he sud- denly arose and bolted for the door, perceived by none except Jake's sister Tabitha, a perfect Amazon in strength and courage,
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
who pursued him with an uplifted ax, and as he leaped the fence the descending weapon whizzed behind him and buried itself in the rail. He and his companions were glad to escape with their lives, and Jake departed unmolested. Absalom Funk was shot in the shoulder-blade, and painfully, though not dangerously wounded."
On the following morning Samuel Myers, who resided in that township, was sent for by the Funks. Upon arriving at the house, old Adam met him with this salutation : "Good morning, Colonel Myers! Peace on earth, and war in Israel!" He was then in- formed of what had taken place during the night, and asked for his advice.
Subsequently Jake was captured by Sheriff Johnson, and lodged in a cabin on the farm formerly owned by Thomas Green. The cabin was surrounded by Bill and Calvin Williams, and other friends of Funk, and the sheriff's posse was reinforced by several persons living in the neighborhood. Funk's friends demanded his unconditional release, but the sheriff firmly refused to surrender his prisoner. During the parley Funk was liberated by some of his party, unobserved by the officer, mounted on a horse, and once more was a free man. He was first discovered by John Harris, who , raised his gun and fired at the rapidly retreating figure, but without effect.
It appears that Sheriff Johnson was determined to deliver Jake Funk to the authorities of Bath County, Kentucky. The latter, after his second escape from the clutches of the law, left the neigh- borhood; and a few weeks afterward the sheriff was informed that he could catch his man by going to Miamisburg. He selected four able-bodied men to accompany him, armed with stout clubs and pistols, and arrived at his destination in the evening. The landlord of the tavern at which Jake was stopping was commanded to escort the party to Funk's room (he had retired for the night) quietly, that they might capture him without a struggle.
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