Newspaper clippings 1861-1868

IR Apr. 10, 1862 – William S. McClain, who has been in Portsmouth Jail, since August last, charged with the murder of Silas D. Powell and his two children, by blowing them up with powder, near Wheelersburg, has been acquitted and discharged from custody.  The evidence was strong against him, but he proved an alibi.  During his imprisonment, he tried to bribe the Sheriff, offering two thousand dollars if he would permit him to escape.  Also, we are informed by a citizen of Scioto, that a letter was found in his cell, directed to his father, asking for the money to pay the Sheriff, and to provide means for his escape from the country, and stating among other things, that “you must do this, father, for you got me into this scrape.” – McClain is a young man, about twenty-five years old, and has returned to Wheelersburg.

IR July 23, 1863 – THE RAIDERS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY

We learn from Edmund Brammer, Esq., who lives in the neighborhood, that on Tuesday afternoon last, a squad of Morgan’s men, numbering 41, made their appearance in Lawrence county, near Sand Fork of Symmes Creek, and after getting their breakfast at Wm. Null’s passed on to Bradshaw’s Mill, where they tried to pass themselves off as Union scouts.  From Bradshaw’s Mill, they went to Greasy Ridge, stole a horse from one of the Corns, and secured two guides – whether by compulsion or voluntarily, we know not – to conduct them to the river, distant some ten miles.  Thomas Tagg and Thomas Higgins were the guides.  They struck off from Greasy Ridge nearly east of to “Hell’s Half Acre,” opposite Jenkins’ farm.

Before they got to the river, the militia had overtaken them, and flanked them on one side and with the assistance of a portion of the 91st Ohio, and 9th Virginia, succeeded in capturing 33 of the rascals.  Eight attempted to swim the river, six got over and two drowned.  On the route from Greasy Ridge to the river, the rebels murdered Dr. Clark, of Greasy Ridge, under the following circumstances.  He with others, totally unarmed, was riding along after the rebels, for what purpose is unknown, when the rebels taking him for one of the militia stepped off into the bushes and as the Dr. came up, they fired at him shooting through the breast.  He fell from his horse, and jumped to his feet, and a rebel stepped out and caught him by the arm.  He died instantly.

IR July 30, 1863 – TO THE PATRONS OF THE JACKSON STANDARD.

On the 17th day of this month, John Morgan’s butternut horse thieves, urged on by certain tories in this place, destroyed the Standard Office.  The paper will be started again as soon as the material can be procured and fitted up.  Part of the material will have to send for to New York City.  This will take time; but our friends must have a little patience….

IR Mar. 2, 1865 – MURDER OF JACK MIDDAUGH.

Burlington, February 27.

Editor Register:  The murder of Jack Middaughs, at Ceredo, on the 13th inst., was attended with some circumstances that deserve mention.  The guerrillas surrounded his house before he knew of their presence.  Then with a single revolver he drove them a little, wounding two of them.  His wife then seized the revolver and threatened them, while Jack made his motions for escape.  It was then that the rebs pressed forward to get up the stairs, Mrs. Middaugh standing at the head. 

Jim Turner was in advance, and finding Mrs. Middaugh in his way, swung his gun and with a blow smashed her foot.  She then shot him through the breast, and he fell. – At this moment Jack sprang down the stairs, knocking down all in his path.  He got out and had nearly reached the woods, when he was met by three or four mounted men, who surrounded and killed him.

There were thirty-five men in the gang, with Smith, and it would be safe to say that twenty of them were at the house.  Through this crowd Jack heroically fought his way and would have escaped but for the guards near the woods.  The treatment of Mrs. Middaugh was barbarous in the extreme.

It has been equaled only by the cruelties practiced by the Indians in the early times of this country.  After she was disabled they took her and her children out, and made her lie down upon the ground, half dressed, refusing to permit her to get a single article from the house while they were setting fire to it.  On that bitter cold night in her condition, she was compelled to remain until the savages left.  The conduct of this heroic woman is duly appreciated by the citizens of Catlettsburg, and they have generously provided for her and her little ones.  C.B.W.

IR Nov. 19, 1865 – Auditor of State Kieswatter, charged with shooting at W. J. Elliot, has been discharged.

PROBATE COURT – IR May 13, 1866

• Jas. H. Nixon, Ex’r of Wm. Nixon; sale of real estate confirmed.
• John Shafer, adm’r of W. Dement, ordered to sell land.

POLICE MATTERS – IR Aug. 2, 1866

• Two cases were brought before Mayor Polley during the past week, Jacob Blessig, assault and battery, fined $3.00
• John Rich, petit larceny, fined $3.00 and imprisoned for three days in the County Jail, on bread and water.

IR Sept. 27, 1866 – There are now confined in the county jail, three persons as follows:  Joseph Foster, Henderson Herron and Alexander Durand.  The latter two are charged with grand larceny.

PROBATE COURT – IR Feb. 21, 1867

• The old cases of the State against James McCain, Eliza Harris and Thomas Bay, each for murder, are marked continued on the docket.
• Margaret Roach vs. J. M. Blankenship; breach of promise, and wages for work and labor performed.  Case tried.  Verdict on first cause of action $20; on second cause $580.00.  New trial.  Neal and Dean for Plaintiff; Moore and Hamilton for Defendant.
• Hugh McGovern and Wife vs. Benedict Weitz and Wife; Slander.  Case tried.  Verdict, twelve cents.  Dean for plaintiff; Moore and Calvin for defendants.
• Divorces granted in the cases of Daniel Crumlish vs. Abbie Crumlish; and Joseph Oemisch vs. Mary Jane Oemisch.  Cause, willful absence for over three years.  Jane Crossland vs. Charles Crossland.  Divorce.  Cause tried and reserved for decision.
• Mary McClain vs. I.R.R. Co., Damages claimed for death of husband on said road in November last.  For hearing on demurrer.
• In a case coming up from a Justice of the Peace, the Court held that under the amendment to the 113 Sec. of the Justices Act, passed in 1866, requiring papers in appeal to be filed with the Clerk, on or before the thirtieth day from the rendition of the judgment, that when the thirtieth day falls on Sunday or any of the legal holidays, the papers must be filed on the twenty-ninth day, making an exception to the general rule in pleading.
• In the same case, at the request of the Bar, his Honor gave as his opinion that in suits before Justices, amounting to over one hundred dollars, the pleadings require revenue stamps, the same as in the Common Pleas.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR May 23, 1867

• The following report gives most of the cases disposed of by the Court during the past week, with other matters of interest transpiring there:
• A. W. Buskirk vs. R. S. Williams – Judgment for the Plaintiff, $217, with interest.
• Mary McClain vs. Iron Rail Road Co.  Dismissed without prejudice to plaintiff.
• Joseph Dean vs. William Cook.  Verdict for the defendant.
• Lavina McGinley vs. Jeremiah Rainey.  Verdict for the defendant.
• Alex. Brammer & Co. vs. Alf. Royer.  Judgment by default against defendant $163.52.
• John Peters vs. John Campbell et al.  Exceptions to Report of Wm. M. Bolles (do not have end of article)

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Sept. 26, 1867

• The attendance at the court, of people from abroad is very large, considering the little interest that the docket shows.
• The report of the Commissioner in the Center Furnace case was found correct and the furnace ordered to be sold.
• Edwin Sumter vs. Nancy Sumter, dismissed at Plaintiff’s cost.
• E. Webb vs. Sarah A. Webb.  Divorce granted on account of another husband living.
• Johnson vs. Lane.  A case in which a horse is in controversy, has been occupying good deal of the attention of the court.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Oct. 3, 1867

• The cases before the Court have been of very little importance.
• Wm. Smith vs. L. W. Ellsworth – Judgment for defendant.
• Jno. McCalley vs. Campbell, McGugin & Co., – verdict for pl’ff $168.  Second trial demanded and allowed.
• John M. Deen vs. W. Neal – verdict for plaintiff, $408.  Second trial demanded and allowed.
• David E. Upp vs. Elias Marshal – Demurrer overruled.
• John Fain vs. Minerva J. Fain – divorce granted at plaintiff’s costs.
• J. H. Blake vs. W. Kirkman – Judgment by default, $316.50.
• A. I. Rogers vs. R. D. Burgess – Judgment by default $189.37.
• R. Lloyd & Sons vs. J. H. Blake – Judgment by default, $440.18.
• Mille, Brunner & Deichman vs. J. M. Slone – Judgment by default, $2,131,17.
• A. H. Ricker vs. John Campbell and Wm. Lambert – settled at pl’ff’s costs.
• State vs. Allen Daniels, shooting with intent to kill – Found Not Guilty.
• State vs. Geo. Heiner – Nolle pros.
• State vs. John Miller – Burglary, acquitted.
• The Grand Jury found indictments against the following persons:
• Joseph Oemisch, Thos. McGuire, Allen Daniels, shooting with intent to kill.
• John Miller, burglary.
• Wm. H. Lavender, Thos. Pease and Andrew J. Still, for same;
• Mathew Dalton, stabbing with intent to wound.
• Lewis Ellis and Joseph Webb, horse stealing.
• Charles Shesher, grand larceny.
• Israel Stapleton, petit larceny;
• also Sam’l Hill and Thos. Pease for same.
• Sylvester Christian, Elizabeth Pine and Martha Pine, assault and battery.  An information was also brought against Thos. Martin for same.
• The Grand Jury reported that the jail was kept in good condition but that it was not secure not sufficiently ventilated.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Oct. 10, 1867

• Court is still in session and will not adjourn until sometime next week. 
• Cyrus Dillon entered into a recognizance to keep the peace, bond $300.
• W. H. Lavender and A. J. Still was sent to jail for 20 days on bread and water;
• also Thos. Pease for 10 days; all for petit larceny.
• State vs. Samuel Hill – guilty of petit larceny. 
• In the cases of State vs. Elizabeth Pine and Martha Pine, the former was acquitted, and the latter fined $10 and costs.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Oct. 17, 1867

• Still continues in session.  Some very important furnace cases have come before the court -one regarding the confirmation of the sale of Lawrence Furnace; the other relating to a large amount of personal property involved in the transfer of Washington Furnace.
• M. W. Davis vs. Thos. McCarthy, G. Newberger and Jos. McGugin. – Suit to recover for services rendered and money paid in raising volunteers during the war.  Verdict for Defendants.
• A special Grand Jury was impaneled, which presented an indictment against Nathaniel Louder for stealing a mule.
• Viola F. Thomson vs. W. H. Thomson.  Divorce granted.
• The Prosecuting Attorney entered a nolle pros, in the cases of the State against F. Denneller, A. Miller and G. Schlepper, P. Slosser and Joseph Fisher and J. Wilburn.
• The Court will adjourn this week.

IR  Oct. 17, 1867 – SENTENCED. – Nathaniel Louder was sentenced by the Common Pleas Court, present term, to the penitentiary for three years for stealing a mule at Pinegrove Furnace.  Lewis Ellis also met with a similar fate for stealing a horse of Kyle Smith, near the mouth of Indian Guyan.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Oct. 24, 1867

• The Common Pleas Court adjourned last Saturday, after disposing of the important furnace cases before it.
• The Court confirmed the sale of Lawrence Furnace property.  Resistance to the confirmation was made.  The grounds of the resistance were the fact that no notice of the sale had been given to the guardians, and that the advertisement included more land than belonged to the furnace.  The first of these objections was answered by the guardians coming into court and approving of the proceedings.  To the second was urged the fact, that the land sold, amounted to all that the buyer understood he was purchasing, and that the mistake of the petitioners did no injustice to the purchasers.  Exceptions have been taken and the case will come up at the nest District Court.
• In the case of John Peters against J. Campbell and others, there was a verdict of $22,600 for the plaintiff. – The suit grew out of the transfer and value of personal property involved in the sale of Monroe Furnace.  The Defendants acknowledge they are indebted to the Plaintiff to the extent of about $19,000, but the latter claims about $27,000.  A new trial was granted on the motion of both parties.

COMMON PLEAS – IR Nov. 28, 1867

• A Special term of this Court was held here on last Tuesday, Judge Martin Crain, presiding. 
• The case of the sale of Centre Furnace was taken up and the sale confirmed.  This being the only business for which the Court was convened, it immediately thereafter adjourned.

PROBATE COURT – IR Mar.  12, 1868 (?)

• We take the following from the Court’s record for the past week:
• Ezra E. Adams filed first account as Guardian of S. J. Argo’s heirs.
• Gottleib Gerhardt of Germany was naturalized.
• C. M. Golden and Arvilla Spicer, filed first account as administrators of Wm. H. Spicer, deceased.

IR Mar. 26, 1868 – A FIGHT.

Jos. Fisher and J. W. McIntyre measured arms last Monday morning, near the Ironton House.  They both got bruised above the eyes, the former by a fist, and the latter by a poker.  Fighting is a good, moral and intellectual exercise, and should be encouraged.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR June 4, 1868

• The Common Pleas Court adjourned last Saturday.  The following are the balance of the cases disposed of by the Court, since our last report:
• Wm. Williams v. Sam. Goff – Injunction dissolved.  Defendant to recover costs.
• Newman & Co. v. Sam’l Wheeler – Dismissed at Plaintiff’s costs.
• Lucinda Matney v. J. J. Matney – Judgment by default, $130.65.  Order of sale of mortgage premises.
• Wm. H. Thomas v. Wm. Reese. – Sale confirmed and deed ordered.
• W. W. Wiseman, Adm’r v. S. J. Carrol, et al.  Report of Commissioners confirmed, and sale ordered.
• J. Thompson & Co., v. Brammer & Haney.  Motion for new trial overruled.  Former Judgment confirmed.
• John Wolf v. Trustees of Elizabeth Township.  Plaintiff ordered to give additional security.
• James Langdon v. L. D. Russell – Verdict for Defendants.  Second trial demanded and allowed.  Bond $300.
• Bancroft, Beaver & Co., v. I. W. Kelley – Sale confirmed and deed ordered.
• Eldridge & Tabb v. Robt. Shore – Judgment for Defendants, $154.59.
• State v. Amos Mays – Sentenced to Reform Farm until 21 years of age and sentence suspended until next term.

NOMINATION FOR COMMON PLEAS JUDGE.  IR June 11, 1868.

In order to avoid the necessity of calling another Convention, the Delegates at the Republican Convention, which met at Portsmouth, last Wednesday, conferred together in order to bring before the people, a candidate for Common Pleas Judge.  The result of this conference was the presentation of the name of Henry A. Towne, Esq., of Portsmouth, a gentleman, in who are combined all of these qualifications, necessary to a competent and reliable Judge. 

Mr. Towne is an old lawyer and was very prominently named for the position to which he is now nominated, when Judge Johnson was first brought out for that office.  If Mr. Towne is elected, we will have a Judge, who knows how to do business correctly and judicially.  In his practice, he has gained credit rather as a counselor than a Court-room lawyer. – He is a good judge of law, qualified to give advice in the most complex cases, and the business men of his locality have recognized these attributes by confiding to him the settlement of most important cases.  Let us elect him and have a good Judge for this sub-division.

PROBATE COURT – IR June 18, 1868

• Simeon Sumter was appointed guardian of Henry T. Adams.  Bond $100.
• Will of Harriet Clarke was admitted to Probate.
• Application was made for the admission of Margaret Samuels to Lunatic Asylum.

POLICE ITEMS – IR July 9, 1868

• The following cases before Mayor Matthews during the past week:
• Daniel Bryant and Henry Beals were each fined $3.00 for Intoxication.
• The following persons, on the affidavit of James McDaniel, were fined $10.00 each for selling liquor to a person in the habit of getting intoxicated: Jos. Selb, Geo. Werner, Frank Buhr, Mrs. McNorney and Viet Lutz.

IR July 9, 1868 – Assault. – Last Friday evening, while T. Kleist, the man who vends the beer at C. Ebert’s, was standing in the door of the saloon, a young fellow named Logan, hurled a piece of cinder at him, inflicting a serious and ugly wound in the forehead. – The assault was apparently without any good reason.  Efforts to arrest Logan failed, in consequence of his withdrawal from the town.

PROBATE COURT – IR Aug. 20, 1868

• Recognizance of Wm. R. Diamond, $300 bail, charged with stabbing with intent to wound.
• Frank Haflick was naturalized.  Served in war of 1861.
• Will of Wm. Williams, dec’d, admitted to Probate; Catharine Williams Executrix.
• Report of Geo. Willard, Trustee of James Rodger’s estate, filed.

IR Aug. 20, 1868 – HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

Last Saturday morning, Mr. Grahn, the Paymaster of the Ky. Imp. Co., was knocked down and robbed of about $1,200, by six or seven persons, while going from Hunnewell to Pennsylvania Furnace.  He was knocked from his horse and remained insensible for some time. – At last, regaining his senses, he went over to Hunnewell and gave the alarm.  Very soon a man by the name of Spradling and his son were arrested, and pursuit made for others.  Spradling was captured at his own house.  He denied knowing where his son was, but a search was made, and young Spradling was found under the floor of the house.  He had the paymaster’s saddle-bags but disclaimed all knowledge of the money.  The villains who are still at large are another Spradling and a fellow named Nichols.  They live in that region and are well known (do not have end of this story).

PROBATE COURT – IR Sept. 3, 1868

• We take the following from the Court’s records for the past week:
• Michael Rattigan of Ireland, and Henry Engleking of Hanover, were naturalized.
• Lewis Gibson was appointed Guardian of Hanne E. and Perry N. Earls.

COMMON PLEAS COURT – IR Oct. 22, 1868

• Judge Martin Crain, Presiding
• This Court, which adjourned after two days session in September, again convened last Thursday.  Business moves along very slowly.
• Sam’l Cade v E. and N. Dennison.  Judgment for plt’f and Sheriff ordered to make deed.
• E. B. Perkins, et al v J. P. Shaw, et al.  Judgment for plt’f $1000.
• A. Brubaker v Mary Briggs, et al.  Partition ordered.
• W. W. Davidson allowed license to keep a ferry across the Ohio River at South Point for one year.
• W. W. Wiseman, Executor, v Sarah J. Carrell.  Former order modified so as to allow Executor to sell real estate in accordance with will.
• John Warner v R. & C. Weitz.  Judgment for pl’t’ff, $454.
• F. W. Tipton v T. M. Jaynes, et al.  Judgment for pl’tff, $1,332.
• John Ellison et al v Thos. Pugh et al. – Demurrer overruled and leave to answer granted.
• H. Newman & Co. v E. E. Shreckleiter, et al.  Judgment by default in favor of John Warner, $1,324.87.
• John Peters & Co. v Tyler Bros. & Co. – Judgment for pl’t’ff, $1050.
• The Grand Jury reported 29 indictments as follows:
• Wm. Henderson, W. F. Blankenship and Daniel Wendell; Murder in 2nd Degree and Manslaughter.
• Daniel Dotson and Callebill Dotson – Grand Larceny.  John and Andrew Short, same.
• Benj. Walter – Rape.
• Geo. W. Rowe stabbing with intent to Wound; William R. Diamond, same; John Gillen, same; James M. Baker, same.
• Wm. Brown. – Assault and Battery.
• John Campbell – Forgery.
• Samuel Misner, Selling intoxicating liquor, John Thomson, same, James Thomson, same.
• John Hamilton was appointed Assistant Prosecuting Attorney by the Court.
• Thos. Cherrington and M. S. Bartram were appointed to set with the Prosecuting Attorney to examine the report of the County Commissioners to the Common Pleas Court.
• [see if end of column]

IN JAIL – IR Oct. 22, 1868

• There are now fourteenpersons confined in the County Jail, as follows:  Barton Ballard, Isaac Ballard, Wm. Walker, Walstein Kelly, charged with Burglary and Robbery; Calehill Dotson, Daniel Dotson, John Short and Andrew Short, Grand Larceny; Wm. Bell, Bastardy; John Campbell, forgery; Christopher Sykes, Arson; Wm. Henderson and Joseph Oemisch, Shooting with intent to Kill; John Robinson, in on Peace Warrant.  There were about ten prisoners released during the past week.

POLICE COURT – IR Oct. 22, 1868

• The following cases were disposed of by Mayor Matthews during the past week:
• Calvin Saunders, Intoxication; fined $5 and costs.
• Charles Revel, Robbery; bound over to Court in the sum of $300, in default sent to jail.  The latter case was before the grand jury which filed to bring in a bill.  There is something very mysterious in this matter.

IR Oct. 29, 1868 – An Artist who a few days ago, seated himself on a rail fence a few rods from John Ballard’s house, the scene of the late robbery, and who silently observed and silently dotted something down in a book, and as quietly withdrew to parts unknown, caused some heavy suspicions in the Ballard settlement.  So, says a correspondent.

IR Dec. 10, 1868 – DR. W. S. NEWTON ARRESTED.

Last Saturday night, our citizens were startled with the intelligence that Dr. W. S. Newton, formerly a resident of this city, and his two boys, were on the Victor No. 3, then lying at the wharf, manacled and on their way to Cincinnati, to be tried by the United States Court, for robbing the mail.  Dr. Newton has, for a year or so past, been postmaster at Gallipolis.

Recently, registered letters, containing valuables, had lost their route at some of the post offices in this section of country – A Detective was sent to ferret out the matter.  He examined the operations here and at other points but found things all right.  At Gallipolis, however, he discovered that some registered matter, which went into the office there, did not go farther.  The Detective would open the letter bags just before they reached Gallipolis, and then immediately after they were forwarded, and would discover that registered matter which should have been forwarded could not be discovered.  This, as we have it, is the basis for the suspicion against Dr. Newton.  He was immediately arrested, hand-cuffed and sent to Cincinnati.  H. S. Neal has gone there to defend him.  It is to be hoped that Dr. Newton will be able to clear up these grave charges and that no fault may be found with his sons.

Since the above was written, we learned that the principal party accused was Edward Newton, a son of the Doctor, and clerk in the office; also, that the prosecution had dismissed the suit.