History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 135

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 135
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"From the testimony developed at the exami- nation, it seems that Patrick Wallace, the hus- band, had gone to the Center early Wednesday morning, on business, and did not return until in the evening. Mrs. Wallace was alone, and had evidently, just concluded her morning work when the butchery took place. She had been trying to earn a little money by picking hops during the three or four weeks prior to the evening preceding the awful day, and had a small sum of money about her, the result of her praiseworthy industry. That morning, young Nevel had called at the house of John Wallace, Pat's father, which is about eighty rods from that of his son, and inquired if Pat had any revolver or other firearm to sell. Mrs. Wallace replied that Pat owned nothing of the kind, and that he had gone to Richland Center with a load of wheat that same day. Nevel had been seen a few miles from the neighbor- hood of the dire calamity, with blood on his face. He had been stopped and questioned about what he was doing and where he was go- ing, and he replied that he had 'a scrape with a girl,' and was leaving the county. Having no suspicion of the real status of the case and the terrible tragedy, the questioner passed on, Nevel pursuing his way in a different direction.

"At the close of the inquest the pursuit of the murderer was vigorously instituted. At noon of Thursday, twenty-four hours after the crime, John Barrett, constable; Sylvester Keplar, Ben- jamin Ewers and John Wallace, the father-in- law of the unfortunate victim, started in pur- suit of this fiend in human shape.

"In speaking of the pursuit and subsequent arrest, the testimony of Mr. Keplar, an eye witness and active participant, is given, as the best and most graphic picture of the seenes and incidents. He says:

"'We started about noon for the house of Nevel's father, and at Sylvan Corners, six miles distant we had word of the object of our search, John Nevel. He had purchased a little powder here and had inquired the -road to Readstown. We followed in that direction, and when near Readstown. We learned that he had stopped there on Wednesday night and had attended a dance ; had slept at the hotel, but had eat neither supper or breakfast there; he had left in the forenoon, first inquiring the road to Ferryville, a landing about eight miles below De Soto. Ile also made several inquiries about the State of Iowa, and said that he was going to that State, to attend school. He had bought a new hat and a knife at Readstown, and wore two hats from there to Ferryville, Ile had left Readstown, as has been said, in the morning, and also, made some inquiries respect- ing Towerville, the next village. On reaching the latter place, he stopped long enough to make the purchase of some crackers and a tobacco box.

"'He reached Ferryville landing about sun- down, Thursday, having traveled from Wal- lace's there on foot, a distance of about forty- five miles, in a day and a half.

"""Before entering the town,he put on, over his own clothing, the coat and pantaloons he had stolen from Wallace's house, after the murder had been perpetrated. He went into the post- office and there left his old straw hat and old

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

vest, and going out obtained lodging at the house of Mr. George Copper.

"'We reached Ferryville about eight o'clock, just a few minutes after Nevel had gone to bed. He was still awake. Making known our busi- ness to Mr. Copper, we were shown to his bed- side, and at once arrested him. We found the stolen property in his possession, and took charge of it; also a double barrelled pistol, some powder and caps, a couple of knives and other things he had bought on the road. We found but $4 in his possession, he having squandered the balance. Barrett and myself sat up with the prisoner during the night. We aceused him of the crime, but he persistently denied any knowledge of it. His story was that he had bought the elothing of a man he had met between Pat Wallace's and Ewer's; had paid $5 for the articles, and on investiga- tion had found some money in the pocket. When morning had dawned, Barrett went with the prisoner to the postoffice, and got the eloth- ing he had left there, which he acknowledged were his. We had previously examined the vest and found blood upon it.

".We left Ferryville, on our return, at 8 o'clock, Friday morning, and stopped at Tower- ville for dinner. Up to this time he had refused to make any confession. We had but four horses, ( being horseback ), and we let the prisoner ride and walk with us, alternately. However, after we had started from the latter place, Nevel riding Barrett's horse, I rode up beside him and commenced a conversation with him, exercising all my ingenuity to draw from him a statement of his crime. I was well ro- warded, for within an hour's ride from the town, he confessed to me that.he had murdered the woman lle said that he had shot her and then eut her with the ax."

"This confession he afterwards repeated to the others of his captors, after some little hesi- tation. In reply to their numerous inquiries, which they propounded to him, he gave the particulars of the crime, which corroborated

most of the facts, as elicited at the inquest, and further along entered upon a relation of the details in full.

"'He said, that after his conversation with the elder Mr. Wallace, which is given elsewhere, he went to Pat's house, knowing that Mrs. Wallace had been picking hops, and must have some money in the house, and he having a $5 bill, wanted it changed. This Mrs. Wallace, with her usnal kindliness of disposition, was willing to do; hut, in making the change for him, she brought her pocket-book to the door and he saw that she had some more money in it, and the demon of avarice took possession of him, and he made up his mind to kill her and get possession of it. The little sum for which this remorseless fiend was willing to shed the blood of an innocent woman, was not above $15 or $18.

"'Ile watched where she put the pocket-book containing the money. She then seated herself in a chair between the stove and the door, with her back toward him, he standing at the door. He then went on to relate, that when he cocked the pistol, to shoot her, he held bis hand over the trigger, to prevent her hearing the click of the lock. Taking deadly aim at the unsuspect- ing woman, he fired. After he had discharged his pistol, the ball entering at the back of her head, she jumped up, looked at him intently for a moment, and started for her father-in-law's honse, on a run. Seeing that she might live, he seized the ax, which was close to the door, and followed her. She had a little start ahead of him, and he told that he could not overtake her until she fell. He then, on coming up with her, struck her several times with the ax about her head and body. He was a little frightened by this time, and did not know how many times he ‹lid strike her.

"'Ilaving ent and beaten her, with the ax, un- til he was sure she was dead, he returned to the house, secured the money and clothing, and started for the Mississippi river, with the inten- tion of going into Iowa.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

" "To test his sense of the horror of the crime, he was asked if he thought he would do the like again. He replied that he thought not. The question was then asked him, that if a friend asked him to help him by murdering some one, what would do. He said that he would help lim.'

"On Saturday the prisoner was brought to the county seat. The excitement, by this time, was intense, and the village streets were thronged with the relations and friends of his victim, the people of an outraged community. The preliminary examination was held at the court- honse. An immense crowd filled the edifice and many were unable to obtain entrance. But court was quietly opened, and counsel for both State and prisoner appeared. A motion, by the counsel of Nevel, to continue the examination until Monday was sustained. No other meas- ure of importance transpiring, the court was dismissed. The crowd then quietly dispersed, and the prisoner was lodged in the county jail. This was about 2 o'clock. Soon after the exam- ination, the funeral cortege passed through the streets. The train of buggies, wagons and pedestrians made the largest procession of the kind ever witnessed in the streets of the town. The almost insane husband, the nearly dis- tracted relatives and friends of the deceased, presented a spectacle that thrilled the hearts of every onlooker. During the exercises at the cemetery, the village was almost deserted. At the grave the upper lid of the coffin was raised and the mangled neck of the corpse, with the bared jawbone and teeth, were all that could be seen. (The head was not found until the follow- ing Monday, when it was interred in the same grave with the body.) The sight of these ghastly remains was enough to chill the blood, and many turned away from the open coffin, with revenge stamped upon their lowering brows.

"Up to this time, no demonstration had been made, which looked to certain violence to the

murderer, though fears were entertained by many, who, as was afterwards proven, had strong grounds for their belief.

"From the grave to the courthouse square, about 4 o'clock, marched, with hurried and de- termined step, the people who had sustained the severe loss, and whose blood was aronsed to a fearful fever by the terrible butchery. A con- sultation in the square, which lasted but a few minutes, resulted in a united and fierce rush for the door of the jail. The mob was well sup- plied with revolvers, as well as with ropes. The proper officers who met them at the door, warned them of their peril, and did all that men could do to stem the now furious tide that ebbed and surged around them, but in vain. All who sought to defend the law or protect the pris- oner were swept aside, like the straw upon the incoming billow, by the intensely infuriated mob. The door was soon broken down, the prisoner seized, and, in less time than it takes to pen this sentence, the soul of the miserable wretch was launched into the "sweet subse- quently," there to meet a fearful retribution before a just and omnipotent God. He was taken to a tree near by, his body swung in the air and all was over. Immediately after the consum- mation of the violence, the crowd slowly dis- persed, wending homeward slowly, and quiet once more reigned supreme.

"The body of the boy was taken possession of by the authorities, who immediately handed it over to the parent and friends of the family, and received burial from the hands of those who had loved and cared for him in infancy. His victim's and his own body lie, with but the fence between, in the cemeteries of Richland Center.

"The ringleaders of this violation of the law, were afterwards indicted by the grand jury, but the sentiments of a large portion of the com- munity being with them, the cases were never prosecuted and the matter was allowed to drop where it was "

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

MURDER OF MRS. COLEMAN.

During the month of July, 1882, the whole community was horrified at hearing of an atro- eions murder of an old lady in the town of Akan. The following account has been com- piled from newspaper files of that date and contain a full and complete history of the trag- edy. It would seem that Mrs. Sabina Driskell, known more commonly by her first husband's name of Coleman, and who came from Butler Co., Penn., about 1878, and has been living with her son, Martin Coleman, on a farm on section 30, in the town of Akan, and known to the neighbors as the MeDermott place.

Martin owned a small farm of forty acres, on section 21, on which place he was building a house and had in some erops, (this place was about two miles from where he lived.) The son's story, as he related it, was as follows:

On Wednesday, July 19th, he started for his farm, as usual, to work. Just before leaving the house, however, his mother requested him to go to the village of Excelsior, about six miles distant, to get some groceries which were needed. Hle made the remark that he did not want to lose a day from his work in the corn. She then told him that she would go up to the farm and work in the field while he went to town on the errand. This met his views and he started to his work, with the understanding that he should leave the hoe in a pile of lumber, so that he could find it.

From his account it appears that he worked until noon, and then went to his uncle's, Mi- chael Hernan, about a quarter of a mile from his own farm, to dinner, according to his usual eus- tom. After dinner he started for Excelsior, as he had promised his mother he would. In going there the road took him by his home, and stopping there, found his mother had gone and the house locked up. He forced an en- trance, by pulling out the staple in the door, which was fastened by a padlock. He went up stairs to get some money, which he had forgot- ten in the morning, and bad left in his pants

pocket, but finding it gone, he supposed that his mother had taken it, or put.it away for safe keeping, so he did not worry about it. Not having any money, he did not go on to town to make the purchase contemplated, but waited for his mother to return.

However, she did not return that night, and, in his account, he said that he did not think strange of that, but supposed that she had staid at his uncle's, as she had sometimes done be- fore. In the morning he started out, and went to the unele's place, and on inquiring found that she had not been there. On his arrival at his farm he found that she had been there and had done three or four hour's work in the corn, bnt could see nothing of either her, or the hoe, both having mysteriously disappeared, Think- ing nothing of this he went back to his uncle's and borrowed a hoe, with which he worked un- til the dinner hour. On arriving there he seemed to be surprised at her continued absence, and told his uncle so, saying that he could not find her at all.

In the afternoon, he went home and finding that she had not returned thither, during his absence, he instituted inquries among some of the neighbors, who, in reply, said that they had seen nothing of her. Ile now began to be alarmed at her prolonged absence. Toward evening Mr. Hernan, himself and some of the neighbors, took a lantern, and went out in search of her, going up on the ridge for that purpose, but found no trace of her.

On Friday morning the search was resumed, and the following account of the events of the morning, are taken from the testimony of James Brady, given at the inquest subsequently held, and being the words of an eye witness, can be relied upon.

In the words of Mr. Brady: "We commenced the search of her quite early, and I was placed in charge of the investigation, and placed the men, as I thought best, so as to take in a strip of about thirty feet wide."

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The party went all around the field, but with- out finding any trace of the lost woman. Brady then placed them across the ravine, from bluff to bluff, and the search was extended as far as Gorman's field. Young Coleman, or his uncle IIernan, then suggested that perhaps she had gone to Chicago. Brady then asked Martin if he had missed any of her good clothes, in the house. Hlis reply was that he had not, and, what was more, probably could not miss them. The suggestion was then made to search the house, and investigate the matter there. The three went to the premises, leaving the balance of the neighbors engaged in the proseention of the search, and giving them word to go on to Hernan's to dinner and to await there the re- turn of the three.

On their arrival, they went into the house, and after a rigid examination, Coleman de- elared that his mother's best clothes hung on a nail and were not missing. There was a tub on the floor, with some elothing in it, to soak, and it was remarked that a woman that left things in that shape, evidently left with the intention of an early return. Then it seemed first to dawn upon their minds that some foul play was, probably, at the bottom of the whole business.

After a short consultation, the search was re- commenced, and this time in dead earnest, and while carrying it on in Gorman's field, one of the owner's boys asked Martin if he had thrown any logs into a hole over there, pointing out a certain part of the land. This put them on the true scent, and under the guidance of the youth, the hole was sought for and found-a hole evidently made by an upturned tree, and some logs found therein were discovered to have traces of blood on them, as were also some pieces of rock. After a prolonged search in every direction, a trail was struck, and fol- lowed up and the mutilated form of the mur- dered woman was found at the head of the ravine, covered with rocks and rotten logs, so that it was nearly hidden from sight.

The head was bruised and cut as if with some sharp instrument, the clothing was torn, and quite a number of wounds were found on one arm and on the head. The body was carefully removed to the house of M. Hernan, and the coroner summoned and a jury impaneled before 'Squire Pucket, of Excelsior.

Before many days had elapsed, in spite of the feeling to the contrary, a strong suspicion began to enter the minds of the majority of the people, that the unknown party who had com- imitted the dastardly deed was no other than her son Martin, and that this was more than a common murder.

The circumstances surrounding the ease caused the officers to make the closest investi- gation. On searching the premises lately ocen- pied by the aecused and his supposed victim, they found the tub of water, before mentioned, to have the overalls and overshirt of the young man in it to soak. These garments were secured, and were dried, and on being submitted to chemieal analysis, the marks of what was supposed to be blood was found to have been upon them. These things and many little inci- dents drew suspicion upon him and he left for other climes. Immediately upon his flight be- coming known, sheriff Barron detailed marshal Spangler to pursue him and bring him back. He was followed to Lynxville, on the Missis- sippi river, where he had taken a boat, going north. After some delay he was followed, and in the course of the next day, was found near Lake City, Minn., at work for a railroad com- pany near that place. He was arrested and brought back to meet his accusers, and was lodged in the county jail. Next day he was brought before D. L. Downs, the county judge, for examination. The evidence being purely circumstantial, and not very strong, and noth- ing positively proving his connection with the murder, he was simply bound over in bonds of $1,000, to appear at the next term of the court, to answer the charge.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

At the meeting of the court, no further evi- denee having been found against him, or any other parties, the district attorney entered a nolle pros. to be entered on the case ; and the case dropped, leaving the punishment of the criminal to the just and sure vengeance of the great Tribunal, where all crimes must be an- swered for at last. Coleman, upon his dis- charge, left the country, and disappeared from the knowledge of the people of Richland county.

KILLING OF EPHRAIM DOCKERTY.

The Richland County Observer, of Oct. 12, 1882, contains a graphie description of the next terrible tragedy, which occurred at Sextonville, in Itbaca town, Oet. 5, 1882, from which we quote, by kind permission.

After relating, how that excitement ran high in that village, when the news of the event was received ; how the whole community was shocked ; the article in question goes on to state that this was the second case of the taking of precious life in the county in ninety days ; and that this has no mystery attending it, as it was a clear case of murder in self-defense, or justifiable homicide. The Observer then goes on to say :

"The particulars of this unfortunate affair, as we collect from reliable sources, are, that Ephraim Dockerty, the victim, some four- teen years ago, married a widow, who owned a farm near Sextonville, and who had a family of two sons, Arthur and Samuel, and one daughter. They have lived together all these years, the sons helping to carry on the farm, and at times working out. The family has, however, lived unhappily for years, and strife and contention have been rife and continuous between Dockerty and the boys.

"During last winter, matters in the domestic cirele became so unpleasant that some kind of a division of property was made between Doek- erty, his wife and the boys. lle was given a team and wagon, on the condition that he would leave and not return to molest them. He took

his departure for Dakota some time during last April, and it was hoped that the family and neighborhood was rid of him for good. But the old saying, that "a bad penny always returns," proved true in this case, for about the latter part of September he returned to Sexton- ville. Here he talked hard, and made threats against the boys and the family, saying that he was going to stay with the family, and similar remarks.

"He camped in the neighborhood for several days after his return, and did not visit the family until Sunday, October Ist. On that dey he was seen to go there, and knowing that he was desperate, several men followed him to the house. None but the women of the family were at home. He made no disturbance, but asked for the youngest child, which he took into the street and played with for some time. He soon sent in for the child's clothes, evidently with the intention of taking it away. Mrs. Dockerty went out and took the child in her arms, when Dockerty took it from her by force. The other parties then interfered, rescued the child and returned it to its mother. Dockerty drew a revolver and made violent threats. In the meantime Arthur, one of the boys, returned, when some words passed between them, not very amicable, Dockerty threatening to take his, (Arthur's) life. The boy very quietly told him that he did not want any fuss, and that as he (Dockerty) was not welcome there, it would be best for him to leave.

This advice Dockerty, finally took and went away, and quiet reigned once more. By the advice of friends, who were aware of Dockerty's desperate frame of mind, young Arthur Van Dusen procured a revolver with which to de- fend himself, if need be.

"Nothing further occurred until Tuesday, Oc- tober 5th, when Dockerty went to the place, put his team in the barn, and spent the after- noon quietly in the house. Samuel was at home but Arthur was absent. However, when the latter returned in the evening, his team being

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

heated by travel, he wanted to put the horses into the barn, so the old man's team was taken from thence and tied to the wagon. This "riled" Dockerty up, and he arose and said he was go- ing. The boys helped him hitch np his team and he got on his wagon to start. He turned to Samuel and said " you'll get scorched finan- cially for this." Arthur spoke up and said that he "ought not to make such threats," where- upon Dockerty reached for his revolver, saying that he would shoot him. At this Arthur drew his revolver and fired, the bullet going through the old man's cheek. This apparently stunned him and he climbed from the wagon and tried to keep on the opposite side of it from the boys. The team, however, moved on and left the man and boy facing one another, within a few feet of each other.

"Dockerty had his revolver up and the ham- mer half cocked. At this Arthur again shot, the ball taking effect in Dockerty's head, killing him instantly.

"Arthur Van Dusen then went into town and telling the story of how it was done, delivered himself a prisoner into the hands of the officers of the law. The day following, an inquest was held before 'Squire Barnard, with a jury com- posed of prominent citizens. The examination was conducted by H. A. Eastland, for the State, and Oscar F. Black on the part of the defense. The full facts in regard to the killing were brought out, and on reviewing them and inves- tigating the matter thoroughly, they agreed on a verdict of justifiable homicide. The verdict seems to have met with universal satisfaction and approval."

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

961

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE PRESS.

There is no instrumentality, not even execpt- ing the pulpit and the bar, which exerts such an influence upon society as the press of the land. It is the Archimedean lever that moves the world. The talented minister of the gospel, on the Sabbath day, preaches to a few hundred people ; on the following morning his thoughts are reproduced more than a thousand fold, and are read and discussed throughout the length and breadth of the land. The attorney at the bar, in thrilling tones, pleads either for or against the criminal arraigned for trial, often causing a jury to bring in a verdict against the law and evidence in the case. His words are reproduced in every daily that is reached by the tele- graphie wire, and his arguments are calmly weighed by unprejudiced men and accepted for what they are worth. The politician takes the stand and addresses a handful of men upon the political questions of the day ; his speech is re- ported and read by thousands of men for every one that heard the address. Suddenly the waters of one of our mighty rivers rise, over- flowing the land for miles, rendering thousands of people homeless, and without means to secure their daily bread. The news is flashed over the wire, taken up by the press, and known and read by all men. No time is lost in sending to their relief ; the press has made known their wants and they are instantly supplied. " Chi- cago is on fire ! Two hundred millions worth of property destroyed ! Fifty thousand people rendered homeless!" Such is the dread intelli- gence proclaimed by the Press. Food and clothing are hastily gathered, trains are char-

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 135

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298