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Clark County Indiana News


RATHBUN TAKEN TO INDIANA FOR MURDER

Louisville, Ky. Nov. I5, 1901
    New features today in the case of Newell C. Rathbun, held here on a charge of desertion from the United States array and suspected of the murder of Charles Goodman, who was found dead last Thursday night in a Jeffersonville, Ind., hotel, were the decision to have the corpse of the supposed Goodman returned to Jeffersonville, for an autopsy and identification; the autopsy and identification; . the announcement of Washington that the war department had decided to send Rathbun to Jeffersonville and turn him over to the Indiana authorities and the refusal of the local authorities to send Rathbun to Little Rock to testify at the coroner's inuqest over the corpse that was shipped there. They say Rathbun will go nowhere, except to Jeffersonville, where he is to be tried on the charge of murdering Charles Goodman. A telegram was sent to Little Rock today, asking that the corpse be returned to Jeffersonville.
    A telegram has been received from the chief, of police of Evansville, Ind., stating that Goodman was a resident of  Cripple Creek, Colo., where he was brass worker. When asked for his opinion as to the claim made by Mrs. Rathbun that the corpse shipped to Little Rock was that of her husband, Rathbun laughed and remarked: "May be it is his corpse." This is all he would say on the  subject.Dr. Benson Doolittle of Jeffersonville, who was present at the autopsy upon Goodman's body, says he will swear that laudanum was in Goodman's stomach in, large quantities. The Louisville police today began sending all over the United States photographs and a description of Rathbun, in an effort to positively identify him. Rathbun was tonight taken across the river to Jeffersonville, Ind., and placed in jail, charged with murder.


Double Crime Jan. 23 1898
An Indiana Woman Poisons her Child and Commits Suicide
Mrs. Seth Coffman, who lived in Greenville Township, Clark County, Indiana, near New Albany, committed suicide this morning by cutting her throat with a kitchen knife. Before committing the rash deed she attempted to end the life of her infant child who slept in it's cradle, in the adjoining room. She poired a large dose of laudanum down it's throat and left ot to it's fate. The child will die. No cause is assigned for the suicide.

New Albany Ledger Standard 18 Nov 1872 p4 c3: Another Pioneer Gone. Asa Abbott, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Bethlehem, Clark county, Ind., died at 4 o'clock this morning, of typhoid fever, after a short illness. He was in attendance at the Clark Criminal Circuit Court last week, as foreman of the grand jury. Mr. Abbott was born in Clark county, in 1807, was at one time City Commissioner and had filled many important positions. He was a man of great energy of character, and had accumulated a handsome fortune. He
leaves a very large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger 17 Jan 1872 p4 c1: Isaac Ackley, engineer of the train on the Ohio and Mississippi Railway, which run over and killed Louis Varvel, near Marysville, Clark county, on Monday, is in trouble. The Coroner's jury yesterday returned a verdict, charging Ackley with Manslaughter.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 29 Aug 1879 p4 c1: One of the men, Charles Baumgartner, injured in the explosion of a boiler at the Hahn cement mill, in Clark county, died of his injuries. Hutchinson, the other wounded man is rapidly recovering.  See NALS 28 Aug 1879 p4 c2
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 1 Apr 1876 p4 c5: Mr. James Beggs died last evening at 7 o'clock, of that fell disease, consumption. He had been ill for a long time, and for several weeks past his death has been hourly expected. The deceased was a native of Clark county, where he has a large circle of relatives, but for some fifteen years past he had made his home in New Albany. A wife and one child are left to mourn the loss of a husband and father.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 1 Apr 1876 p4 c6: Died. Beggs  In this city, March 31, 1876, Mr. James Beggs, aged 41 years. The funeral will take place from Wesley M. E. Church, tomorrow, Sunday, afternoon at 2 o'clock. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend without further notice.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 3 Apr 1876 p4 c5: Obituary  Death of James R. Beggs - The death of James R. Beggs occurred at his residence on Upper Third street, between Main and Market, at 6 1/2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Deceased was born at Charlestown, Clark county, Indiana, in 1835, and came of a family distinguished in the pioneer days of Indiana as men and women of great force of character and more than ordinary intellectual cultivation. His grandfather was a member of the Convention that formed the first Constitution of Indiana, and was one of the most outspoken and influential opponents of the introduction of the slavery into the State (at that time proposed), and upon this issue was elected. His father was a Senator from Clark county, and made an honorable record in the history of the State's legislation. Deceased had resided in New Albany for sixteen years. He was at one time a partner in the firm of Lyndall & Beggs, dry goods, and for the past ten years has been engaged mainly as a dry goods clerk. Honest, courteous, genial, he won many friends. Tender and affectionate as a husband and father, he was endeared in his family; while his bereaved wife and daughter mourn his death, they have yet a well founded hope in his future, for he died trusting in the redemption provided by Christ. And now that life's fitful fever is ended, he sleeps well, and while his many friends feel the sad blow his death has inflicted, they have the consolatory hope that, though dead, he shall live again -- A Friend
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger  28 Feb 1888 p4 c2: Mrs. Matilda Beggs, one of the pioneers of Clark county, and an aunt of Mr. John S. Beggs, of this city, died at her home in Charlestown on the 27th inst.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 24 Dec 1872 p4 c3: Railroad Accident, A Train of Thirteen Cars Thrown Down an Embankment.The Engineer, Fireman and Brakeman Instantly Killed. We understand that a train was thrown off the track on the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis railroad, near Henryville, Clark county, this morning and three men killed. We were unable to learn the names, or additional particulars. Since the above was in type we learn that Mr. J. Belch, the engineer of the train, and the fireman and a brakeman were the parties killed. The accident was caused by a misplaced switch. The train was made up of hog cars and was bound south with a load of hogs. The following dispatch has just been received: Jeffersonville, Dec. 24.The South bound freight train on the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, jumped the track at Henryville at 3 o'clock a.m., plunging thirteen cars over a steep embankment, making a total wreck of the train. John Blach, engineer, George Coulter, fireman, and Henry Koons, were instantly killed.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 21 Feb 1879p4 c6: Death of an Aged Lady. Mrs. Rhoda Bortoff, a resident of New Washington, Clark county, died Tuesday, at the advanced age of 100 years and 19 days. Her death was attributed to the giving away of the system from old age. At 80 she was active and very industrious. She was a member of the Methodist church for 89 years, a close attendant, and a very devout christian. Her mother attained the great age of 99 years. In 1830 one of her sons lost his life on the steamer Macgregor, which blew up while ascending the Mississippi river. Twenty-eight of her descendants are still living -- four children, 16 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 11 Feb 1876 p4 c3: Death of a Former Citizen of Clark County. News has been received in Charlestown of the death of Mrs. Phillip Boyer, formerly Mrs. Hattie Winter. The family went to Kansas some months ago, from their home near Charlestown, and a few days since Mrs. B. fell a victim to that scourge of the Southwest, consumption. She had many warm friends in Jeffersonville, where she was born and reared, who will mourn her loss.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Daily Ledger 13 Jun 1863 p2 c1: Death of an Old CitizenWe are pained to hear of the death, oat Greenville last (Friday) night, of Cyrus Bradford, Esq., an old and highly esteemed citizen of this county. The deceased was in our office on Tuesday last, apparently in the enjoyment of his usual health. Esquire Bradford moved from New England to the West about the year 1818, and first settled in Clark county, and a few years afterwards removed to Greenville, where he has ever since resided. He was a most estimable citizen, a thoroughly honest man, and his death will be lamented by hundreds who have long known him.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Daily Ledger 28 Sep 1865 p 2 c 3: Died, on the 27th inst., at ½ before 10 o clock, a.m., at the residence of Peter Mann, Mrs. Adjail Brown, aged 95 years 4 months and 13 days. She was born in Culpepper county, Va., May 18, 1776, and was the daughter of John LaFever, a native of France. She moved to Kentucky in 1780; was married in 1789 to Walter P. Brown, who died in 1830, aged 61 years. She moved to Clark county, Ind., in 1811, and resided there until the past four years, when she came to Peter Mann s residence on a visit. She was a member of the Baptist Church in good standing over 60 years, and died in full faith of a blessed immortality. Louisville Democrat copy and send bill to this office.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Weekly Ledger 29 Apr 1891 p4? c2: At Jeffersonville, on the afternoon of the 22d Justice Ware held John Martin and Louis Becht without bail to answer in the Clark Circuit Court the charges of murdering Frank Faske. The three young men resided in Lafayette township, Floyd county, in which township their victim also resided. The fatal blow was given in Clark county, at a dance at  Mrs. Hollaran s, on the night of March 30th, the victim dying on April 12th. A large number of witnesses from the neighborhood were examined, and it was manifest that there was considerable feeling against the Becht boys. They are aged 17, 19 and 22 years. Their aged mother was present at the preliminary trial and was deeply affected by the results.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger 26 Jan 1883 p4 c3: The following deaths have occurred in Clark county in a few days: John Smith, near Six Mile Switch; M. Steifelgel, near Bennettsville; John Honeer, Mrs. McDaniel and Mrs. Warman, near Five Mile Switch; Hannah Warman, near Bridgeport; John Wright, near Jeffersonville.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard Tuesday 10 Dec 1872 p1 c1: Willie Clingman, aged twelve years, left his home October 1st. He had on when he left a velvet cap, short water-proof sack coat, high goat leather shoes,; complexion dark, large blue eyes, very reticent in speech. Any information of his whereabouts will be thankfully received by his sorrowing and grief-stricken parents. Address either Henry Clingman or the undersigned, Frank Lee, Otto post-office, Clark county, Indiana.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 29 Sep 1873 p1 c1: Clark County Items. Mr. Eden Combs, of Union township, aged about 60 years, died about nine o'clock last night. He had been in feeble health for some time, and his death was not unexpected. His family were [sic] among the earliest settlers of the county, and the relationship is probably as extensive as any family in the county.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Daily Ledger Standard 1 Apr 1880 p4 c1: The estimable wife of Dr. D. H. Coombs, of Charlestown, Clark county, died suddenly on Monday, of pneumonia. She was a sister of Mr. Isaac and Columbus Goodwin, and of Mrs. T. W. Gibson, and was well and favorably known throughout the county.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 11 May 1876 p4 c3: Death of the Wife of an Army Officer. A private telegram was received in the city on the 10th instant announcing the death of Mrs. Angie Davis, wife of Lieut. Wm. Davis, U. S. A., which sad event occurred yesterday, at Fort Coneho, Texas. Lieut. Davis is a brother of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, and his wife was the daughter of Mr. Alex Tucker, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Clark county. The parties had only been married a short time, and the bride had left the home of her father to join her husband on the frontier, some two or three months ago. Her father was in this city the day of her death, and spoke of having recently received a letter from his daughter, and that she was well and happy, and before he reached home the telegraph bore to the family the intelligence of her death. The remains will be brought home and interred with those of her friends and kindred who have gone before.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger Standard 24 Mar 1879 p4 c3: William Davis, at one o'clock Saturday afternoon, Mr. William Davis died at his home in Union township, Clark county, Indiana, in the 80th year of his age. He leaves a family of five grown children, Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, Capt. Wm. Davis and Surgeon Thomas Davis, of the United States Army, and Mr. James Davis, of Jeffersonville, and one daughter. . . .
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Daily Ledger 30 May 1863 p2 c1: Lieut. DietzAmong those killed in the battle of Raymond was Lieutenant Henry C. Dietz of Company I, 23d Indiana. Lieut. D. was from Clark county, and a more estimable young man we never knew. He started out as Orderly Sergeant of his company, and was but recently promoted to a Second Lieutenancy. Many of our city readers will remember him as having been on recruiting service here about a year ago. Modest, faithful, brave, strictly moral in all his habits, he was a model soldier. None knew him but to love. He was a universal favorite in his company. Hundreds will hear of the death of this excellent young man with deepest sorrow and shed a tear to his memory. And yet it is such as he that this dreadful war is daily carrying to premature graves by the hundred.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Ledger 8 Dec 1862 p 2 c 1; Death of Col. Dewey.-Col. William Dewey, of the 23d Iowa volunteers, died at Patterson, Mo., on the 30th ult. The cause of his death is not stated. Col. Dewey was the eldest son of the late Judge Dewey of Charlestown, Clark county, and at the time of his decease was about fifty-four years of age. He was bred to the law, but afterwards studied medicine and practiced that profession. He was an excellent soldier and popular officer.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

New Albany Daily Ledger 19 Jun 1863 p2 c3: Died, at the residence of his mother in Bennettsville, Clark county, on the 18th inst., of consumption., Edward Fitzgerald, in the 22d year of his age. The deceased served his apprenticeship to the book binding business in this office, and a better young man we never knew. Peace to poor Eddy's ashes.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter SIGS)

Jeffersonville, IN. Oct. 6,1897,    Near new Washington, this county, typhoid fever is becoming epidemic, and a number of deaths reported. In this city a number of cases of scarlet fever have developed and caused quite a scare, but the physicians are taking active steps to prevent any spread of the disease.

Jeffersonville, IN.  Dec.10,1898.   George E. Conrad and Mary Rose, of Indianapolis, were married here today. There were accompanied by the brides brother-in-law. They all had the appearance of well-to-do people, and took this means of being married just for the novelty of the thing.

10-15-1888 HE WAS HAUNTED
A Young Murder Dies a Horrible Death in Prison.
John Skaggs, aged 26, a life convict in the penitentiary at Jeffersonville for murder, died today after a brief illness, says a dispatch from New Albany, IN.
Hid death was a horrible one, his stricken conscience torturing him into the wildest ravings, during which he constantly fought the imaginary ghosts of his victims, shrieking wildly to be delivered from the apparitions.
Young Skaggs belonged to a good family in Perry County, In. near his father’s farm resided john Williams & his wife, and aged couple, who were believed to have a large sum of money.
A brother of Skaggs, after the 2 had taken several drinks, proposed one night, eight yrs ago, to rob Williams, which plan was agreed to.
Meeting with some resistance, they crushed in the skulls of Williams and his wife, and then cut their throats.
After tinding less that $100, the murders set fire to the house. The fire was extinguished by the neighbors before reaching the room in which the murdered couple lay. The Skaggs boys were arrested and lodged in jail in Connelton. A mob which was organized to lynch them broke the jail, an d found that the murderers had been taken out by the sheriff, and started to Rockport. The mob pursued, and after a running fight, captured the elder brother and hanged him. The sheriff escaped with the younger, who was given a life sentence.

Jeffersonville, IN.
Dec. 27,1898. Sarah A. Potter, acting in behalf of Charles Potter and his child, Maud Potter, filed a petition in court today asking that Laurant A. Douglas, a prominent lawyer, of this city be removed as guardian of Charles Potter, who is unsound in mind, and also to be compelled to make true report of the funds received as such guardian. The petition sets forth that he has received $300 from Hope Lodge, # 13, K. of P. and the golden Cross, and that only $241.98 has been accounted for. The petition further claims that he has failed to make a report to the court, as the law provides.

Jeffersonville, IN.
Feb. 4,1898. Governor and Mrs. Mount arrived in this city at noon today and were driven to Superintendent Hert’s residence. This afternoon the governor made an inspection of the Reformatory and expressed himself as being highly pleased with the institution, with the exception of its crowded condition, which makes it necessary for several hundred men to sleep on cots in the corridor. This afternoon Mrs. Hert entertained in honor of Mrs. Mount. The managers of the Reformatory returned from Frankfort, KY, today, where they went to visit the Kentucky prison. They were in session this afternoon, but transacted nothing but routine business.

Jeffersonville, IN.
Feb.25,1898. Last night, at its drill meeting in Jeffersonville Division Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, passed resolutions tendering the service of the entire company, consisting of 60 men, to the secretary of war, and a telegram to that effect was sent to Washington. W.,M. Guernsey, telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania at Henryville, has organized a company of 40 men who are willing to fight for uncle Sam, and has notified the authorities at Washington.

Jeffersonville, IN.
Aug. 11, 1897. The many marked improvements at the In, Reformatory were made the subject of much favorable comment by the Board of State Charities today. Without exception the members of the board speak in the highest terms of the efficiency of the management under Suoerintendent Hert. It is claimed the Indiana reformatory ranks next to the noted Elmira Reformatory of New York, the pioneer and foremost penal institution of the country. So rapidly has the standing of the institution progressed under its present superintendent that it is predicted the Indiana Reformatory, within the next few years, will even out rank the Elmira institution. The rules provided for its government are said to be superior to any in the United States.

Jeffersonville, IN. June 26,1898.
James Harris, of New Albany, has been pardoned from the Frankfort, KY. Penitentiary, where he was serving a term for burglary. He was sentenced 14 years ago and after serving 3 years escaped. he went to New Albany and married and had 3 children. He lived there for 11 years before being arrested. He has been in prison but 2 months. His wife secured his release.

Jeffersonville, IN. Dec.1,1898. 
George Green was arrested tonight at Cementville for shooting his wife, whose dying statement, taken by prosecutor Montgomery, accuses her husband of firing the fatal shot. About 8 o’clock Saturday night, Nov. 19, Mrs. Green was called to her door and fired on. The mystery surrounding the affair cleared away by the woman’s statement tonight. The woman has lingered at the point of death ever since, and at 7 o’clock this evening the physician stated that she could not live 2 hours longer. The shooting is supposed to have been caused by jealousy.




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