USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 78
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The girl immediately descended and hastened to the neighbor's in the opposite direction, who, on hearing her story, sent for medical assist. ance and proceeded as soon as possible to the scene of the double crime. Mrs. Trogner was soon restored so as to be able to make a state- ment of the facts, but her husband, up to the time our informant left there on Monday morn- ing, was insensible, though still alive. It is thought that Mrs. Trogner may recover, though severely injured, but we believe there is no hope for her husband.
Up to this time no one has been arrested for the crime, though strong suspicions are enter- tained of his identity. Whoever it was, it is evident that he was no stranger to Trogner's
house and the place where he kept his money, as he went as directly to it as if he had himself placed it there. We do not deem it expedient at present to state on whom suspicion rests, but we may learn something further in relation to the matter before we go to press. Meanwhile, we can only hope that the perpetrator of the crime will speedily obtain his just deserts, for society is indeed unsafe if such criminals can long go unwhipt of justice.
New Glarus Tragedy. [February 15, 1865.]
In the account which we published last week, of the burglary in New Glarus, with its horrid accompaniment, there were some inaccuracies which we will correct to-day. We stated that the burglar entered a room up stairs, in which a young girl was sleeping, and took the money therefrom, and that he made no assault on any one until Mr. Trogner attempted to stop him, as he came down stairs. Later information shows that this was incorrect-that the burglar first entered the room where the old people were sleeping, on the first floor, and the girl was a spectator of what took place, (so far as she could be in the dim light) by looking through a stove- pipe hole in the floor, from the room above. On the first sound made by the old people, the burglar struck them with an ax, which he had brought in with him, and did not cease until he had silenced them. Mr. Trogner's skull and face are even worse mangled than we stated last week, and we presume there is no probability of his recovery, though he was still alive last Saturday. Mrs. Trogner's arm was broken in several places, and she was otherwise severely injured.
A young man named Friedolin Blum, a re- turned soldier of the 9th Wisconsin regiment, who had served three years in that organization, has been arrested for the crime, and on exam- ination was held to bail for his appearance at the next term of court, in the sum of $1,500, but failing to give the required security, he was committed to the county jail, where he now is.
33
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
We understand that Blum's character, while in the service, was good, and that many who were acquainted with him before enlisting speak well of him. Of course, we are not prepared to say whether he is or is not guilty of the crime attributed to him, and therefore do not wish to manufacture any public opinion on the subject. If he is not guilty, we hope he will be acquitted; is he is guilty, we shall more than ever depre- cate the mawkish sentimentality which abolished capital punishment in the State of Wisconsin.
Judge Dunwiddie, who was present at the ex- amination, has furnished us with the following abstract of the testimony given by Mrs. Trog- ner and her daughter, which will make the case plainer to our readers than anything we can say:
Mrs. Trogner swears that on Sunday night of the 5th of February, after they had all been in bed sometime, and asleep, some person entered the house. She and her husband were sleeping in the room on the ground floor. The person who entered the room made a noise in opening the door, which awakened both her and her hus- band, and they called out "Who is there?" Im- mediately the person commenced striking her husband on the head; struek him four or five times. She was making some noise, and then the person commenced striking her; struck her four or five times on right arm and hip. She then feigned that she was dead. Her husband was still, and she supposed him dead. She was now lying on her left side, with her face to the wall. The person who had done the deed then took up her husband's pants, took out a key, went to the bureau and unlocked it, took out a drawer, carried it to the table, and commenced working among the papers. By this time, her husband had come to, and commenced stirring and moving in bed. The person who then was at the table, took up the ax, went back to the bed and again struck him four or five times. Her husband then became still again. The per- son then returned to the table and stood between her and the window, and she then knew who it was-she saw that it was Friedolin Blum; she
knew him by his cap and clothes, and the way he stood. She did not see his face, and only saw him for a moment. She had before thought it was him by the sound of his footsteps in the room, but now she knew him. She was at the time, in the northwest corner of the room, in bed, and when she first knew Blum by his elothes, he was standing at the window-close by the window-on the east side of the house; the moon was shining in the window,-Blum's cap was part fur and part cloth. This was a little before 12 o'clock. There was about $4,000 in money taken.
The young lady testified that she was up stairs in bed, and heard the noise below; was much alarmed; kept quiet until she heard the man below go ont of the house, then she got up and looked out of the west window; saw the man down at the spring; he turned and looked up towards the house, and she knew it was Blum; he had on soldier's clothes, blue pants, and had black whiskers.
On the part of the defense, it was proved that Blum had on, that day and evening, citizens dress, and that the spring was four and a half rods west of the house.
DEATII OF DAVID S. ANDRICK. [From Monroe Sentinel, Feb. 14, 1866.]
We copy the following from the Fort Scott Press, as many of our readers were well ac- quainted with the deceased, and no doubt will feel a deep sympathy for the bereaved ones who mourn the loss of one so favorably known to the citizens of Green county. The Press states that the deceased was buried with Ma- sonic honors, and that the occasion was one of deep interest and emotion :
Died .- At his residence in Fort Scott, Kansas, on Tuesday, the 30th ult., of consumption, David S. Andrick, aged twenty-eight years and fifteen days.
Mr. Andrick came to this county with his parents in 1857, from his former home in Mon- roe, Wis., and located with them at their resi- dence about a mile west of this town. A few
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
years later he engaged in the drug business in Fort Scott, in which he continued up to the time of his death. During his residence here he has been a member of the city council, and has taken an active and prominent part in all questions of public interest. He married a daughter of our late townsman, A. Walker, who, with one child, is left to share the sympa- thies as well as the grief of this whole com- munity.
Death of an Old Citizen. [Aug. 29, 1866.]
John Chadwick, for many years a resident of this county, died in this village on the 19th inst., in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Mr. Chadwick came to Green county from Penn- sylvania in the year 1837, and was a resident of the county ever since that time, and for the past ten or twelve years lived in Monroe. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was much respected by his fellow-citizens as a man of sterling integrity and consistent Christian deportment. His remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of our citizens. Mr. Chadwick was a constant patron and reader of this paper from its first issue to the time of his death.
Death of Farlin Ball. [Dec. 18, 1867.]
In the village of Juda, Green Co., Wis., on the 4th day of December, 1867, Farlin Ball died, aged seventy-nine years, seven months and one day. This venerable man, whose sud- den death has caused much sensation in the two villages where he was well known, was born in the State of Virginia, on the 3d day of May, 1788. When a young man he emigrated with his parents to the now new northwest ter- ritory, and settled in what subsequently became Jefferson Co., Ohio. There he married, raised a large family, and spent the greater part of his life. In 1849 he moved to this State, and in 1850 settled in the town of Jefferson, where he remained until his death. His ancesters were English Quakers, from whom he inherited the equanimity, firmness and stability of char-
acter peculiar to that class of Christians. Near- ly sixty years ago he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for that long period maintained an unblemished Christian character.
Died.
[Aug. 5, 1868.]
Died, at his residence in this village, on the 28th ult., Stephen G. Lombard, M. D., aged forty-seven years.
Dr. Lombard came here from Cayuga Co., N. Y., in the spring of 1851, and from that time until his death has been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in our town and county. The doctor was extensively known throughout this portion of the State as a man of sterling character, of superior ability in his profession, and as a valuable citizen. He will be missed from among us-his place will not be readily filled -- and for many, many years to come he will live in the affection of his friends and in the kindly regard of those who have been blessed by the beneficence of his professional ministrations.
Death of Crotty. [Jan. 20, 1869.]
Last Wednesday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, the Monroe House was the scene of a fatal un- pleasantness between an Irishman by the name of Patrick Crotty, a well-to-do farmer of this county, and a servant girl, employed in the above mentioned hotel, by the name of Ange- line Shroyer, whom Crotty had seduced about two years ago. From various parties we learn the following particulars concerning this terri- ble affair, and vouch for the truth of the re- ports only so far as they appear to be the ver- sions of many persons condensed and corrobo- rated:
It seems that Crotty was a gay deceiver, and, among several young and inexperienced girls, Angeline was but one frail creature whom he had wronged, after gaining their affections and promising to marry them. She had obtained a judgment against him for $700, and afterwards consented to a compromise for half the judg- ment. The Crottys proposed a less sum ($800),
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
but the terms were not accepted. Some time after these transactions, on the day mentioned, Crotty, his wife (lately married) and mother-in- law came to town, and, after getting well "set up" with courageous whisky, went to beard the lioness in the Monroe House. The proposition to settle was again broached. Angeline would accept the money, but would not sign any pa- pers releasing Crotty from further demands; whereupon the negotiations were broken off. A few minutes thereafter Pat returned, after be- ing warned that Angeline could put up with no more of his abuse, and again commenced calling her names, and very indecent ones, too; where- upon the enraged girl drew a pistol and shot her seducer through the breast, near the heart, and sent the leaden messenger through his body, the same lodging near his back bone. Crotty rushed from the house bare headed, got into his sleigh, and the man who was with him drove off; but, on reaching a distance but a few rods from the hotel, Patrick Crotty expired.
The Old Settlers' Meeting. [Feb. 3, 1869.]
The pioneer settlers of Green county had a very pleasant social reunion in Monroe last Wednesday, the 27th ult. The attendance from all parts of the county was unexpectedly large, considering the brief time the notice had been published.
The meeting was organized in the court house in the afternoon, by the election of O. H. P. Clarno (the oldest resident of Green county now living,) as president, and Hiram Rust as secretary. J. W. Stewart stated the object of the meeting, and entertained the audience with some amusing and interesting incidents of pio- neer life in this county. After remarks of a similar character by B. Dunwiddie, Hiram Brown, Hiram Rust and others, and the trans- action of some business, the meeting adjourned till 6 o'clock at Turner Hall.
At Turner Hall in the evening, the real fes- tivities of the occasion commenced. Mr. Gleiss- ner, of the American House, had a splendid
supper prepared for more than 100 guests, and the cornet band took a position in the gallery, from whence they discoursed good music during the evening. Many of the pioneers brought their wives and daughters with them, and tick- ets were issued to a limited number of outsiders, so that the hall was comfortably filled with genial gentlemen and ladies, all intent upon having a good time; and so far as we could judge, they were not disappointed.
After partaking of the excellent supper, the house was called to order, and, by request, J. W. Stewart read a lengthy and highly interest- ing paper, pertaining to the early settlement and history of Green county. (We will say, in this connection, that Mr. Stewart, who is now absent from home, has collected many of the most important facts connected with the early settlement of this county, and has promised to prepare them for publication as soon as he re- turns.) After brief and amusing speeches and anecdotes by several others, the roll was called, and the following persons reported themselves as having been voters in the county for twenty- five years:
1829 -- Ezra Gillett.
1881-James Slater.
1832-O H. P. Clarno.
1833-Noah Phelps, Levi Starr.
1834-Hiram Rust, Nicholas Cornelius.
1835-William Beard, Peter Wells, John H. Bridge, O. J. White.
1836-D. S. Sutherland, Thomas S. Bowen, Asa Richardson, T. J. Bragg, Allen Woodle, Hiram Brown.
1837-Franklin Pierce, Alexander Morton, John Chadwick, Jotham Chadwick, Joshua Whitcomb, Addi Whitcomb, A. H. Woodle, A. J. Sutherland, Mordecai Kelly.
1838-David Davis, Sol. Sutherland.
1839-John Woods, Samuel Truax, J. T. Sutherland, A. W. Sutherland.
1840-Elijah Evins, J. R. Pace, Ashford Trickle, John Thorp.
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
1841-John Morrison, Christopher Minert, W. D. Boice, Jesse Robinson, George Michaels, A. Conkey, J. V. Richardson.
1842-J. W. Stewart, B. Dunwiddie, Sylves- ter Stephens, George Adams, Samuel D. Ball, F. F. West, William McDowell, J. V. Roberts, Thomas Stewart.
1843-Jesse Gist, W. S. Wescott.
Died. [July 7, 1869.]
In Albany, Wis., Dr. S Fayette, after an ill- ness of fifteen days, on Friday, July 2, 1869, of apoplexy, aged fifty-seven years, two months and twenty-four days.
Dr. Fayette was born in New Durham, Green Co., N. Y., April 8, 1812, and has resided in Albany, Green Co., Wis., since June 10, 1848.
The remains were interred with Masonie hon- ors in Albany, Sunday, July 4, and a large num- ber of acquaintances followed to the last resting place, of earth, a form familiar and beloved. Thus, still another old settler has passed to the "bourne from whence no traveler returns."
Another Old Settler Gone. [July 7, 1869.]
We publish in another column the obituary of Hiram Dunwiddie, who died at his residence in the town of Jefferson, in this county, on the 17th of June, 1869.
A friend of the deceased has furnished us with the following brief notice of his history:
In 1843, at the age of twenty-one, he emi- grated to Wisconsin and settled on a farm, where he remained till the time of his death. He was a very successful farmer until his health failed him. He left his bereaved family suffi- cient property to make them comfortable. He was identified with the public officers of the county, from soon after the settlement in the county until within a few years of his death, as a member of the county board of supervisors.
Among his friends and neighbors he always manifested a deep and lively interest in their welfare. In politics he was an earnest and de- voted member of the republican party from its organization. In religion he was a Baptist, and
had, for many years been a member of the Juda Baptist Church. About six days before his death, he felt that his disease was culminating, and sent for his old friend and family physician, Dr. Hall, who, in company with Dr. Monroe, called to see him. He desired them to state to him, candidly, what they thought of his case.
They informed him that he could live but a short time. He received the information with calmness and composure. He gave his family instructions how to manage when he was gone, made his will, called his family and friends around him, and advised them to make every suitable preparation to follow him. One of the deacons of the Church being present, he said: "Deacon Davis, tell Elder Patton to request the Juda Baptist Church to prepare to meet me in heaven." Elder Patton preached the funeral sermon, and made an eloquent appeal to the church to heed the admonition.
The Shroyer Case. [Sept. 29, 1869.]
Angeline Shroyer, who was tried last week for the murder of Patrick Crotty, was acquitted by the jury after a trial of nearly four days, end- ing on Thursday afternoon. The court house was crowded most of the time during the trial, but the room was as quiet as a Quaker meeting, and the trial throughout was conducted in a manner which reflects credit upon this age and . generation. District Attorney Douglas, was as- sisted by Messrs. Conger, of Janesville, and Gardner, of Monroe; and Hons. B. Dunwiddie and Charles G. Williams, ably conducted the de- fense.
The court house was filled to suffocation when the announcement went forth on the tones of the bell, that the jury were ready to give their ver- dict. When the "Not Guilty" was pronounced by the foreman, the accused was immediately released from custody, and left the court house, while a smile of satisfaction was visable upon the faces of all present. Every one in attend- ance had "predicted" and "told just how it would be." The verdict surprised no one, and the peo-
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
ple are content. A purse of money was made up by our citizens last Friday and Saturday, and we are informed that Angeline will immediately go to her friends in Iowa.
The Old Settlers. [Feb. 2, 1870.]
The second annual re-union of the old set- tlers of Green county, held in this village at the court house and Turner Hall, was, everything considered, a very successful and pleasant affair. Several names were added to the roll of members, and such other business as naturally comes before gatherings of this nature was transacted in the afternoon at the court house, when the meeting adjourned to Turner Hall, at 6 o'clock, P. M. Supper was served for the members and invited guests at about 8 o'clock, by J. A. Gleissner, of the American House. The three tables, reaching the entire length of the hall, were liberally patronized by the pio- neers of the county, who, with their wives, gave ample proof of the quality of the repast and the healthfulness of the parents of our present civilization. The American cornet band, en- livened the occasion with good music; and, with short speeches by a few who felt like talking, general greetings and talk of old times, the evening was pleasantly and profitably spent by all who attended.
These re-unions can, and will, doubtless, be made a permanent institution; and there can be no reason why they might not be so conducted as to be a source of much pleasure and profit to those who came in advance
To hew the forests And break the way, For greater things In a future day .
Let the records be made perfect, and the last days on earth of those who braved the wilds of the unsettled wilderness, to make their circum- stances and open up to future generations happy homes, fertile farms, and the general prosperity which we younger citizens now en- joy, be a continued reign of happiness. Let us
honor the "old settlers," for their numbers are few and they are passing away, while their children go forth to be hereafter called "old settlers" of other States, and, as yet, unheard of counties.
THE ROLL OF PIONEERS.
The roll as now made up by the secretary, J. V. Richardson, is as follows:
1827-E. T. Gardner.
1829-Ezra Gillett.
1831-James Slater.
1832-O. H. P. Clarno.
1833-Noah Phelps, Levi Starr.
1834-Hiram Rust, Nicholas Conelius.
1835-William Beard, Peter Wells, John H. Bridge, O. J. White, John Douglas.
1836-D. L. Sutherland, Thomas S. Bowen, Asa Richardson, T. J. Bragg, A. DeHaven, John Cameron, Allen Woodle, Hiram Brown.
1837-Franklin Pierce, Alexander Morton, John Chadwick, Jotham Chadwick, Joshua Whitcomb, A. H. Woodle, A. J. Sutherland, Mordecai Kelly, Jonas Shook.
1838-David Davis, Sol Sutherland, A. R. Sylvester.
1839-John Woods, Samuel Truax, J. T. Sutherland, A. W. Southerland, William C. Green, Justus Sutherland, Melzer Colton.
1840-Elizah Evins, J. R. Pace, Ashford Trickle, John Thorpe, Charles Reed.
1841-John Morrison, Christopher Minert, W. D. Boise, Jesse Robertson, George Michael, A. Conkey, J. V. Richardson, F. H. Derrick.
1842-J. W. Stewart, B. Dunwiddie, Sylves- ter Stephens, George Adams, Samuel D. Ball, F. F. West, William McDowell, J. V. Roberts, Thomas Stewart, A. L. Cleveland, Donald John- son.
1843-Jesse Gist, W. L. Wescott, J. B. Chase, Daniel Dunwiddie.
Telegraph Completed. [Aug. 10, 1870.]
The first message over the wire from Mil- waukee to Monroe, was sent last Thursday afternoon, and received, in a remarkably short
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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
time, at this office. The following is the mes- sage and our reply, which was published in the Evening Wisconsin, the same evening.
Milwaukee, Angust 4.
Tothe Monroe Press:
Milwaukee to Monroe sends greeting. 'Our lines have gone out through all the earth and our words to the end of the world. Answer.
THE SENTINEL'S ANSWER. Monroe, Angust 4.
To the Milwaukee Press:
Monroe sends greeting: Blessed be the Lord who created electricity; blessed his crea- ture who discovered its utility, and blessed be he who invented the telegraph. Bully for the Northwestern Company whose lines touch ns with the throbs of intelligence as they pass from city to city.
The following, the same hour, was sent to the Janesville Gazette:
Monroe, Aug. 4, 1870.
To the Janesville Gurette:
The Sentinel sends greeting. Monroe is now in the world 'instead of on the outside. We have it now and can keep it.
SENTINEL OFFICE. GAZETTE OFFICE. Janesville, August 4. 5
To the Monroe Sentnel:
The Gazette welcome you to fraternal rela- tions. May your energy and enterprise be equal to the responsibilities of your new position.
Death of Lieutenant G. D. Jennings. [Nov. 15, 1871.]
Jennings. - In Omaha, on the 5th day of November, 1871, Lieut. G. D. Jennings, aged thirty years, formerly of this place, recently of the V. R. C. U. S. A.
The funeral of Lieut. Jennings was largely attended by the citizens of this place who deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in their great loss. Dud. had been a faithful brother and a dutiful son. Even the vicissi- tudes and estrangements of a soldier's life could not break the ties which bound him to kindred, nor wean him from those whom he had
loved in childhood. He was attended in his last hours by his sister Jennie, who left her duties as elerk in the treasury department at Washington, to go across the continent on her mission of love, and devoted herself to the task of bringing her dying brother to his home. By a series of journeying from San Diego by way of San Rafael, C'al., they reached Omaha, where poor Dud. gave up his sword to the Conqueror of the Universe, and left his faithful sister to journey home with his mortal remains. What peace must she now feel, and enjoy hereafter, to know that her dear soldier brother wanted not a sister's loving hand to soothe his dying pillow. And what & comfort and bliss to a faithful sol- dier-used to the vicissitudes of camp and field-when he wraps the mantle of death about him, to feel the parting kiss of the purest friendship known on earth.
The journey from Omaha, though a sad one, was not so tedions. A sergeant and a file of soldiers were detailed to guard the corpse to this place. The party arrived on the evening train Friday last, and remained at the United States House until Saturday afternoon, when the corpse was taken to the home, from whence he had gone, when he was a mere lad, as a volun- teer in the old 3d Wisconsin Infantry.
Lieut. G. D. Jennings was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, in the side and hip, the ball passing through the body. Ilis wound was a severe one, and was the cause of his early death, as it sapped his vitality, and caused him continual pain. He had hoped to outgrow his injury, and live to a good old age, but when on his last visit to Mon- roe, he told the writer that he should come back only once more to the old town, and should not go away again.
The record of his deeds, when the country need brave men and true, will ever remain to bless his name, and will be a fitting epitaph. Every soldier of old company C,-there never was such another company "(" in the hearts of Green county-the first which took the flag to
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