Since the two Indians, Shonwennekek and Pemesan, were indicted for murder, there have been 41 other indictments for this grave crime returned by the grand juries of Pike county, many of which included more than one individual. This represents a long and bloody calendar, a stain that every good citizen would have blotted out were it possible. It has been made by the blood of many victims, dyed in crimson never to be erased, and we only record what has occurred. Who can picture the agony of heart, the remorse, the anguish of mind, to say nothing of the physical pains caused by these bloody deeds? Both the victim and his friends, as well as the perpetrator of the crime, have suffered untold misery.
Often has the deadly weapon been brought into use on the slightest pretext. A moment after he had taken the life of his victim and he had realized that his hands were stained with the life-blood of a fellow man, the perpetrator of the deed would have given everything he possessed or ever hoped for, and in some cases life itself, could he but recall the deed; but alas! It is done, never to be undone. The feeling has not been thus in every instance where the bloody victim fell at the feet of the man-slayer, but frequently so. Sometimes the joy was great when he who sent the deadly messenger saw its work well done.
Among this long catalogue of criminals only one has ever suffered the extreme penalty of the law, and most of them have had light punishment. We begin with the first person indicted for murder, and give every indictment during the county's existence. There are a multitude of cases of murder or manslaughter of which we make no mention, as no indictments were made for want of sufficient evidence.
Pemesan and Shonwennekek (Two Indians)
These Indians were indicted Oct 2, 1821, at the very first term of Court held in Pike county, for the murder of a Frenchman. The evidence showing, however, that the shooting of the deceased was more an act of carelessness than of premeditated murder, the next morning the jury returned a verdict for manslaughter on the part of Pemesan, or "Traveler," and that Shonwennekek, or "Spicebush," was not guilty. The Court had assigned Daniel P. Cook and Polemon H. Winchester as counsel for the Indians, and John Shaw and Jean Baptist Patelle were the sworn interpreters. No attorney for the people appears on record, but of course there must have been such an officer present. It appears that these Indians were out hunting one day, and when the Frenchman suddenly appeared in view in the distance they took him to be a deer or some other animal, and Pemesan immediately fired and killed him. No sooner was this done than they discovered their mistake, and Shonwennekek proposed that they run away; but Pemesan argued that as it was an accident the whites would do them no harm. Thereupon they immediately surrendered themselves to a magistrate. Pemesan's punishment was a fine of 25 cents and imprisonment for 24 hours. He accordingly paid the fine and served out his sentence in a rail pen which was guarded for the occasion.
Winship Moreton
Was indicted Sept. 10, 1841, but the following April his case was stricken from the docket.
John McGuyre
Was indicted Sept. 5, 1849, for the murder of Wm. Bennett near Phillip's Ferry, Sept. 1, preceding. That day McGuyre went to the house of Mr. Pease where Mr. Bennett was and urged him to go gunning, but which, by the solicitation og Mr. Pease and Bennett were eating their supper, who invited him to partake; he
refused, saying, "g-d d--n you! I am tired waiting for you and am going to shoot you now." He immediately fired a load of buckshot, which struck Bennett in the face, killing him. McGuyre commenced reloading his gun with the declared intention to killing Pease, but the latter made his escape and raised the alarm. McGuyre ran away but was arrested on the 6th and taken before the Circuit Court then in session, and at first pleaded guilty; but after the consequences of such a plea was explained to him, he pleaded not guilty, and for want of time his case was continued to the next term of Court. McGuyre broke jail twice; the first time he was caught at McGee's creek, in crossing which he came very near being drowned, and the second time he got out through the wall, a stone having been removed by the aid of friends outside. This was effected without awaking a family which was asleep directly above. He has never been re-taken, and his case was finally stricken from the docket with leave to reinstate.
Charles Collins, James Whitly, Alfred Miller and James Stockton
These parties were indicted for murder May 2, 1843, but after their case continued from term to term with hopes of arresting them, they were never found.
George Kesterson
Was indicted for murder March 29, 1851, but for some reason was never brought to trial.
Philip Wilcox
Was indicted Oct. 11, 1851, and he also was never tried.
Preston F. Groves
Was indicted March 23, 1853, for the murder of Robert Carr, about 5 miles east of Pittsfield. Both these parties were married men and frequented a house of ill repute. Groves was tried and acquitted March 28, 1853.
Jonathan W. Hutchinson
This man was indicted Nov. 27, 1854, for killing Francis P. Wells in Brown county. A change of venue had been taken from that county, his case was tried at Pittsfield, and after the jury was out several days it brought in a verdict of not guilty, Sept. 18, 1855.
Hugh W. Wren
Was indicted Sept. 14, 1855, for manslaughter; about a fortnight afterward his bail was forfeited by his escape and his case was never brought to trial.
James Daniels
Was accused of killing newton Soules in Calhoun county in a saloon. Soules had burned his hair previously. Daniels was indicted in the Pike county Court Sept. 12, 1856; but Aug. 5, 1859, his case was discontinued.
Stephen Cole et. al.
Were, according to the record, indicted for murder March 9, 1857. In this suit it seems that no parties were ever brought to trial.
Robert Ellis
This criminal was indicted April 14, 1860, for the murder of Benj. F. Wade, Dec. 23 preceding, a little west of Detroit. Wade broke Ellis' whisky bottle and a quarrel ensued which resulted in the fatal affray in the yard of Francis Phillips. Ellis stabbed Wade with a large pocket-knife. Ellis pleaded not guilty but was convicted of manslaughter Nov. 24, 1860, and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary.
Thomas Johnson, Fielding Johnson, John Hopkins, Andrew J. Winsor, Mary Pearson, Julia Bell, Angeline Bell and Hampton Winsor.
These parties were indicted during the spring term of Court in 1863, for the murder of Andrew J. Pearson, in Flint township. The victim, a farmer, was found murdered by hanging, and robbed. November 18, 1862, Pearson started from his house in search of some of his stock. Night came on and he did not return. Suspicion was aroused, inquiries and search were made, and finally his body was found in a ravine, a half mile from home, covered up with leaves, brush, etc.; two hundred dollars in money had been taken from his person. The robbers also went to his house, and, finding no one at home, they entered it and took about seventy dollars more, which they found in a bureau. They then took a good horse and decamped. Of the above parties, some were directly accused by the indictment, some impleaded with them, and severances were obtained. Some of them were desperadoes from Missouri; some of the parties took a change of venue to Brown county. The result of the whole prosecution was, that Thomas Johnson and John Hopkins were convicted of manslaughter April 27, 1863, and sentenced for life; Fielding Johnson was convicted of the same and sentenced for 20 years, and the rest were discharged.
During the trial the guilty criminals pleaded guilty of manslaughter, confessing as follows: They lived in Missouri, were rebels in Porter's army, which subsequently disbanded. They worked several days for a neighbor of Pearson's named Dimmitt, and spent several evenings at Mr. Pearson's house. This man and his wife, Mary (impleaded above), frequently quarreled. The night previous to the murder they had an unusually wicked altercation, after which Mrs. P. went into a fit. After coming out she told the accused that if they would kill Pearson she would give them a horse. The girls, Julia and Angeline Bell, her daughters by a former husband, also expressed the wish that they should kill him. The next morning they invited Pearson out for a walk and told him they were going to hang him. He said he did not blame them. Two of them held him up while the other adjusted the rope. He did not resist nor struggle. After he was dead they took sixty dollars from his pocket, carried it to the house and reported what they had done. All were rejoiced and gave the prisoners ten dollars apiece. Mrs. Pearson gave them a horse, asking them not to betray her, and they started for Missouri. The daughters asked for and received a lock of their hair for mementoes, and a parting kiss.
The young men were not over twenty years of age, did not look like criminals, and were said to be respectfully connected.
Edwin C. Hendrick
This party was indicted Aug. 10, 1860, for poisoning to death Emeline Amanda Hendrick. He pleaded not guilty, was tried, and, after the jury had two days' consultation, he was acquitted
James Likes, Simon, Lyman Likes, Philip Neal, Christopher Neal and Wm. Bothwick
The indictment in this case, Nov. 23, 1860, was for the murder of Samuel Macumber, an innocent man about 65 years of age, living in Barry township, and who was killed Oct. 23, 1860. The parties set upon their victim in cold blood and killed him with clubs and stones. Macumber was a Baptist minister, who had married the mother of the Neals, and it was alleged that he mal-treated her in some way. After trial all the indicted parties were acquitted Dec. 8, 1860, except Christopher Neal, who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced for life, and James Likes was acquitted the next term of Court.
John W. Parks and Henry 0. Price
These parties were indicted Apr. 18, 1864, for the murder of Peter C. Staats, an old settler of Hadley township, on the road between new Salem and Maysville. Staats was twice shot in the back, one ball coming out at the breast. The accused took a change of venue to Adams county and were finally acquitted.
George Grow, alias Roselle
was indicted April 19. 1864, for the murder of a Mr. Gard. May 21, following, he broke jail, and the shooting necessary to his capture June 11, in Greene county, resulted in his death the next day in jail.
Austin and Abraham Stevens
were, according to the records, indicted April 19, 1864, for murder, but it appears that there was never any trial of the case.
William M. Moore & J.S. Wilson
were indicted the same day (April 19, 1864) for being accessory after the fact of the murder.
They moved their case to Brown county, and from the evidence elicited it appeal’s that young Moore, oniy sixteen years of age, had killed John Ziff, living near Pittsfield. Mr. Moore’s father and Ziff had a dispute about some wood which Moore had been cutting on land which Ziff claimed and which Moore had rented. Ziff struck Moore with an ax, knocking him down and then stamping upon him. The lad seeing his father in this condition, ran up and struck Ziff a blow upon the top of his head with the edge of an ax, thus literally cleaving his head clear to his shoulders.
Samuel Evans and Mathew Gilmer, Gilmore, or Gilinan
These men were indicted Nov. 29, 1864, for killing Cornelius Myers, Evans being a resident of Montezuma. They broke jail, and after several months Evans was recaptured in Tennessee. He took a change of venue to Brown county, where he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced for twelve years in the State prison. There he became insane, and after his release he stole a horse, was arrested, and while in jail, his insanity became so marked that he was finally sent to the asylum at Jacksonville.
Charles Brumnell or Brumble, etc.
This rascal, whose name was spelled half a dozen different ways was indicted March 15, 1866, for the murder of Edward Garrisons of New Canton. The fatal deed was perpetrated by stabbing the victim with a pocket-knife. Sept. 19, 1867, he was convicted of the charge and sentenced to State prison for three years.
Name not Given
Although not strictly within the purview of this chapter, we may mention here, as the parties were both residents of Griggsville, this county, that Dr. J. H. Caldwell, of that place, went to Texas in May or June, 1868, employing a young man to accompany him, who,on the 24th of June, murdered and robbed the doctor. But was summarily lynched by the infuriated people when the deed occurred.
McWright Murray
was indicted for murder in 1860, but the case was ultimately stricken from the docket.
Joseph Daul and Anthony Scheiner
These criminals were indicted April 20, 1869, for committing murder in Brown county, as the result of an affray connected with the burning of show tents at Mount Sterling. A change of venue
was taken to Pike county and after a two day trial the chaps were sentenced to 15 years hard labor.
Capt. Wm H. Stout.
This man was indicted April 6, 1871, charged with the murder of a Mr. Kimball at Cocklebur slough, the preceding year. By change of venue his case svas taken to the Brown county Court.
Samuel Douglas
was the homicide who beat to death James Sapp, June 12, 1871, near Pleasant Hill. At the first beating lie left Mr. Sapp lying prostrate, and induced a Mr. McKenna to accompany him to the place, who tried to lift him up, when Douglas gave the poor victim several additional blows, from which he died a few days afterward. Douglas and McKenna were both arrested, but the latter was dismissed for want of evidence against him. Douglas was held for manslaughter, the indictment being made Oct. 12, 1871. He was convicted and sentenced Nov. 29, 1871, for six and a half years in the penitentiary.
John Bartholomew, et al.
Were indicted April 5, 1848, for the murder of John Crewson, or Cruson, near the Mississippi river a few days preceding (March 29), while the latter was hauling a log for the rafting. He was shot beside his team. The others indicted with Bartholomew were Benj. Chouls and John Stipp. The two latter took a change of venue to Adams county, where a nolle prosequi was entered April 2, 1849. Bartholomew's case was continued from term to term until Sept. 12, 1853, when it was stricken from the docket.
John Shannahan.
Sept. 16, 1871, in Pleasant Vale township, Wm. Hall claimed that Shannahan had said something mean about him, and proceeded to assault him with a club. The latter warded off time blow, snatched the club from Hall, who then started to run away: Sliannahan, however, soon overtook him, struck him on the head with the club, knocking him over into a gully senseless, and Shannahan tumbling down with him. Hall’s ankle was broken in the fall, and he died soon afterward. Shannahan was arrested and committed to jail, where he suffered from a feeble constitution and a diseased leg, which had to he amputated. He was indicted by the grand jury, Oct. 12, 1871, but he died before the trial took place.
Bartholomew Barnes Complete Story
Hangs for the Murder of John Gresham
John Barnes
Cousin of the preceding, was indicted Nov. 29, 1871, for the murder of McLaughlin, in Detroit, on the sixteenth of that month. The name of the murdered man was ascertained only by its being marked on his arm with India ink. Both the men had been in a saloon drinking and had had a quarrel about a red ball. McLaughlin shook his fist in Barnes' face and told him not to open his face again about it. He turned around, and when his eyes were averted Barnes jumped to his feet having a knife in his hand which he swung with great force, the blade striking McLaughlin's face and neck, severing the jugular vein and windpipe and completely cutting his throat. Barnes then made a back stroke which missed McLaughlin, who then staggered into a back room and fell dead. Barnes was immediately arrested and committed to the Pittsfield jail where, sometime after his indictment, he gradually wasted away with pulmonary consumption and died.
Matthew Harris and Thomas Stapleton
At a place called the cut-off, on the Suy Levee, in thespring of 1873 were two large squads of men at work. The one working higher up the river received $2.OO per day to each man and those below received $1.75. After those above had completed their work, their employers told them they could go and work with those below if they were willing to work at the same rates. They all went to work, but after awhile became dissatisfied with the wages, threatened to strike, and made a good deal of disturbance. Their employers discharged several of the ring-leaders who still continued to make trouble. When payday arrived the strikers drank a great deal, came to the place of work and were determined, as they said, to clean out Harris. the time-keeper, and Stapleton, the “ walking-boss.” As the two latter were coming from the store after dinner, the mob of strikers fell upon them and Harris and Stapleton both fired at the first man, Pat Vaughan, killing him and slightly injuring another man. This proceeding deterred the rioters from any further aggressions. Stapleton and Harris were arrested, but to keep them safe from the rioters they were lodged in the jail at Pittsfield. They were indicted April 12 following, tried, convicted of murder, and July 1 both were sentenced to State prison for one year.
Andrew Hamilton Complete Story
Near Nebo, Feb. 5, 1875, a number of young people assembled at the house of Mrs. McKee, for the purpose of
taking part in a dance. Among those present were Andrew Hamilton and Clifton
Daniels, both young men and sons of well-known farmers in the vicinity. During the dance a quarrel
arose between Hamilton and Daniels, when the former drew a revolver and shot Daniels in the neck at its
juncture with the chest. The wounded man staggered against the wall and fell dead almost instantly.
Hamilton immediately fled, and, so far as appears from the records, has never been captured.
John A. Thomas
was indicted Oct. 14, 1876, for murder, but three days afterward was acquitted.
John H Mallory Biography
A man named Davis got to peeping around Mallory's house at night to see some girls, and Mallory, discovering the
fact, ran out with a gun and shot Davis as he dodged behind a cedar bush, and killed him. This occurred at
Barry. Mallory was indicted October 14, 1876, for manslaughter. The case dragged along in the Courts until
April 6, 1878, when the accused was acquitted.
George Haskins
About four miles northwest of Kinderhook a quarrel took place, March 4, 1877, between two young men, Geo. Haskins and a Mr. Simpkins, originating in a controversy about a dog biting a sister of Simpkins. A tussle ensued during which Simpkins was stabbed with a knife, and from the effects of the wound he shortly afterward died. Haskins was arrested, and April 10. 1877, he was indicted for murder; but the trial resulted in his conviction tor manslaughter, and Oct. 19, following, he was sentenced to two years, imprisonment at hard labor. He was only nineteen years of age and Simpkins seventeen.
Henry A. Fowler.
This ruffian and a Mr. Hamilton were attending a dance near Nebo in the spring ot 1878, where they drank and quarreled until Fowler cut Hamilton across the arm with a knife, and the latter bled to death. Fowler was arrested and April 6, 1878, was indicted for murder. Before his trial he escaped from jail, but voluntarily returned and delivered himself up. The trial resulted in his conviction and sentence to confinement in the State prison for two years.
Thomas McDonald
James A. Brown was murdered near his own door in Montezuma March 11, 1878, shortly before daylight. Jan. 25 preceding he had been wavlaid, drugged and robbed by two men in a small wood near his home, and lay exposed all night in a stupid condition until found the next morning, and was restored to consciousness with much difficulty. Thomias McDonald was afterward arrested and identified as one of those two men: the other culprit remained at large. Mr. Brown and his friends had feared that an effort would be made to prevent him (Brown) from appearing at a certain trial, and the tragedy just mentioned showed how well grounded their fears had been. For several nights preceding the murder noises had been heard in the vicinity of the residence of Brown, and he went armed. About 4 o’clock that morning (Monday) he stepped from his house to an out-house a few yards distant, taking his rifle with him. On his return a few minutes later, and when within two or three paces of the door, he was shot, the ball entering the back of the head and coming out toward the front. Hearing the report the family rushed out to find the victim lying where he fell
and in a few moments he ceased to live. Excitement became so intense that the Sheriff had to obtain assistance from the State Government to aid in keeping the peace. The excitement was greatly intensified by a report that the Sheriff intended to remove the prisoner from the Pike county jail to another county. McDonald was tried and found innocent. A full account of his case is given in the history of Pittsfield.
Mrs. Alonzo Reeve & Child
Murder of Mrs. Alonzo Reeve and Child - Rushville Times, January 25, 1894
Our neighbors-murder of Mrs. Alonzo Reeve and child
The eastern part of Pike county is excited over the murder at Perry on Tuesday of Mrs. Alonzo Reeve and her little babe, but 8 weeks old. The deed was done by the husband and father, who shortly after ended his own worthless life saving the infuriated people from taking things into their own hands. This makes the third murder affair in that county in a month. (Contributed by Sara Hemp)
Colonel Williams
A number of people gathered at the house of Monte Gant about ten miles south of Pittsfield, on Christmas eve, to have a dance, and were enjoying themselves in the usual way, when some of boys asked Andrew Main (commonly denominated “Coon Main" to call off a set. Main refusing, they said they could get al well enough without him. He thought this a good time as any to whip some of the boys, and, the quarrel continuing for some time he commenced striking them. Main struck Williams, knocking him down. Williams then commenced stabbing at Main with a pocket knife. Main got hold of a long iron poker and commenced striking at Williams. About this time the landlord interfered, turned them from the house, when the latter and his brother Colonel imrnediately left and were followed by Main and two or the others. Then Colonel Williams shot Main with a revolver, and he and his brother immediately ran away, no effort being made at the time to arrest them. The wounded man then retured to the house, lay down on a bed, saying that Colonel Williams had shot him and died about five hours afterward. Williams has been arrested and is now in the Pittsfield jail awaiting trial.
Boyles,
a lad seventeen years of age, is also in jail for helping his brother to escape who had killed a companion with a pocket knife.
James Ray and L. J. Hall
At Pleasant Hill, June 22, 1872, L. J. Hall, a grocer, had a controversy with a Mr. McGinn, when a young man named James Ray interfered, knocking McGinn down with a beer glass and beating him and stamping upon him, Hall meanwhile keeping off all who would interfere. When the beating ceased McGinn was found dead. Hall then gave Ray some money, telling him to make his escape, which it seems he did most effectually. Hall was arrested, and examined, but acquitted of being an accessory. McGinn left a wife and eight children.
Peter B. Ford
On the night of May 3, 1872, George DeHaven, of Barry, was killed on a shebang boat just above Florence, by Peter B. Ford.
Two disreputable women and two or three low-lived men were on board. "Tack," Henry Schaffner and DeHaven came on the boat, which was owned by the Fords. After drinking awhile Tack hauled open his coat and declared he was the best man on board, and attacked Elisha N. Ford. At the same time DeHaven sprang at Peter Ford with brass knuckles on one hand and a cocked revolver in the other, pointed at Peter's breast. Peter knocked the revolver aside and shot DeHaven, who died in about 20 minutes. Elisha and the two women were arrested, but after examination were discharged. Peter was also arrested, and indicted Oct. 21, 1872, for murder, was convicted, and ‘sent up" for 18 years. A motion for a new trial was made, but denied, and the sentence was executed.
Jack Connor, alias Wm. C. Walton, and Chas Berry
were indicted in the Pike Circuit Court Oct. 18, 1872, for manslaughter. April 11, 1873, Connor was acquitted and Berry was convicted and sentenced for one year.
