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HARRISON COUNTY

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES


JANUARY 24,1926  
Daniel Alonzo Mayfield was killed by robbers after a hold up at the Lanesville State Bank. Dan was a Deputy Sherriff at the time. The following account was given of his death in the New Albany Tribune.
DAN MAYFIELD DIES BY THE HANDS OF WHITE HOUSE ROBBERS AND THE LANESVILLE STATE BANK SAFE BLOWERS.
    Dan, with his sandy ruffled hair, his keen eyes sparkling, and his wiry close knit body in action, went down with the colors flying and gun in hand ready to continue the battle with two cars containing desperate robbers just before dawn on West Main Street last Sunday Morning. He stood side by side with his superior Jake Yenowine and policeman Elliott, Fisher and Wilson who were beaten to the stone bridge at the entrance to the city by a fraction of a minute. Dan never shirked a duty or evaded a danger, He was nervy from a drop of a hat. Many a time he was faced with precarious situations without winching. Others have marveled at his nerve. Dan didn't know any other thing but to be brave, and yet he was congenial. He was also of retiring, unaspiring nature. But at his death, in the hottest gun fight ever known in the streets of New Albany, he became the big hero and the honor of the forces of law.
Side by side, after a thrilling race to beat the robbers to the entrance to the city and the daring effort to block the crime cars as they tore along Main Street, Dan stood with the other brave men but fortunately in the rain of bullets from the two robbers cars only Dan was hit. He died without a murmur when shot through the head by a German gun after he had time to fire but one shot, which lodged in the cushion and inch from the driver of the first car. Friday morning three suspects were picked up in Louisville and arrested and expected momentarily various clues are being run down. Today a Lanesville boy was brought in to the city by Corydon officials who is understood to be able to identify the robbers positively. One bullet ridden car, the first big car used by the robbers, was wrecked on Main Street and is in the hands of the law. It was visited by thousands of interested persons last Sunday. This car has been identified as the one used by the robbers of the White House Department Store in New Albany just a week before the Lanesville Bank Attempted robbery. It claimed to have been stolen from the Borgending Garage.
Not in years has New Albany been more greatly aroused as it has been with the cold blooded murder of Deputy Sheriff Dan Mayfield. Rewards totaling $1900.00 have been raised for the arrest and conviction of the robbers. Countless clues are being followed by officials of New Albany, Louisville, and Jeffersonville, while nets have been thrown around the city and all of Southern Indiana. Each and all the robbers will face the Chair.

MURDER OF WILLIAM GRESHAM
In January 1834 a disturbance arose in the Sipes neighborhood, near Blue River Township. Levi Sipes, a young man became enraged over a whipping given his brother in school and grew so unruly that the local authorities were not able to manage him. They sent for the County Sheriff, William Gresham, that he might arrest him. Sipes shot Mr. Gresham and afterward slashed him with a knife. The body of Gresham was prepared for burial and brought to Corydon and afterwards taken to his home near Lanesville. Sipes was tried at the April term of court, 1835 and was defended by Honorable John Rowan, of Louisville, Kentucky. Charles Dewey was the prosecuting attorney. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter and punishment fixed at twenty-one years in the penitentiary and one thousand dollar fine. Sipes was pardoned by the Governor after having served four or five years imprisonment and his fine was remitted.

New Albany Daily Ledger August 1, 1864 
Among the soldiers transferred to the hospital at Nashville are the following
J. Gresham, G 42nd Indiana; right arm.


Indiana State Library
New Albany Newspapers Database, 1849-1889

Deaths
Gresham, Betsy Death of, at Lanesville, New Albany Ledger:10-06-1885
 
Gresham, Benjamin Q. death of; New Albany Ledger; 7-20-1888
 
Gresham, George-death of New Albany Ledger Standard; 6-19-1873
 
Gresham, John death of, New Albany Ledger Standard; 7-3-1872
 
Gresham, Mary E death of, New Albany Ledger; 9-19-1857
 
Gresham, Robert H. death of, New Albany Ledger; 7-17-1882
 
Gresham, Willam death of, New Albany Ledger; 4-25-1884
 
Gresham, Mrs. William death of, New Albany Ledger; 8-28-1883
 
Isterling, John death of, at Gresham; New Albany Ledger; 12-8-1885
 
Snow, Laura A. death at Minneapolis, MN, New Albany Ledger; 12-26-1882

(Contributed by Mary Hoegh at greshoeg@metc.net)

The Oakland Tribune June 6, 1896
Arson and Murder
Corydon, Indiana June 6- The house of Craden's, a farmer living near Ramsey, Harrison County, Indiana, seven miles from here, was destroyed by fire yesterday evening and Cranden's wife and son, 13 years old, burned to death.
Cranden returned home at midnight discovered the bodies of his wife and child in the ruins.
Everything indicates a double murder.

Decatur, Illinois The Daily Republican Aug. 6 1896
Louisville, KY- June 6- The Times Corydon Indiana. special says the house of George Crandens near Ramsey was totally destroyed by fire last night and the Crandens were absent from the home at the time. Everything points to a double murder and that the house was burned to cover the crime. Much excitement prevails.

Dacatur, Illinois The Decatur Daily Republican
A Preacher Flogged
Corydon, Indiana, June 13- Twelve masked men broke down the door, Friday night, of the home of R.T. Van Cleave, who lives seven miles from town, and taking the preacher out into his yard, tied him to a tree and beat him unmercifully, giving him forty blows on the bare body with a hickory rods.
Mr. Van Cleave came to town yesterday morning and swore out warrants against John Loudon, Courtney Wolfe, James Loudon, Charles Loudon, Alba Welker, Charles Welker, Courtney Murray and Joseph Hanel, all well known in the community. They were arrested and the hearing was set for next Saturday.
The preacher's pulpit utterances of late have caused much strife, and not long ago a circular denouncing him was circulated in the neighborhood. It is alleged too, that he was the cause of a separation between a man and his wife.

New Albany Daily Ledger Wed 7 Jan 1885 p4 c2:
 Belitha Duggan, of Harrison county, late a nurse at Anchorage (Ky.) Insane Asylum, provides in his will, probated yesterday evening, that his forty acres of land in Webster township, Harrison county, be given to his neice, Mary E. Ekert, and appoints her mother her trustee till she reaches her majority. Emmett Duggan was appointed executor and qualified as such today.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter)

New Albany Ledger5 Apr 1888 p4 c2: Recent Deaths in Harrison County:
    Samuel Kintner, a leading citizen of Washington township

Public Press 22 Mar 1910 p10 c5:
     Hugh Blair died at his home at DePauw. He was a member of Co. D, 13th Indiana Cavalry. The deceased was about sixty-five years of age and had been a sufferer for a number of years with tuberculosis. He leaves a wife and three children.

 Public Press 21 Nov 1911 p5 c3: Recent Harrison County deaths were:
     William H. Hausenfluck met with a horrible accident at Grimes’ flouring mill at Leavenworth, last week. His clothing was caught by the rapidly revolving fly wheel and being unable to extricate himself his body was carried around with the wheel a number of times. At each revolution of the wheel his body struck the floor of the mill with great force. He died from the injuries received. He was sixty-five years of age.

New Albany Ledger 22  Jul 1887 p4 c2:
    Mrs. Hugh Blair, of Jackson township, Harrison County, died on the 19th, leaving her husband the care of several children.

Public Press 25 May 1915 p5 c3:
    Miss Virgie A. Stauth, daughter of Daniel Stauth, died at her home west of Corydon after a lingering illness of tubercular trouble, in the twentieth year of her age.
(Contributed by Sue Carpenter)

NALS 27 Nov 1877 p1 c2:
Lanesville Items — Mrs. Mires, quite an aged lady, living by herself in Lanesville, was found last Monday in her house lying under an old bureau, in a helpless condition. Kind friends did all they could for her, but she died in a short time.

NALS 27 Nov 1877 p1 c2:
Lanesville Items — Mrs.  Lape, wife of Henry Lape, died very suddenly last Sunday afternoon. She was taken sick with a severe headache; they sent for the doctor and the priest of Lanesville, but when they got there she was dead. She leaves seven children.

NALS 19 Sep 1877 p4 c2:
The furniture of the orphan's home is today being removed from the old home, the Park house, to the new DePauw home, corner Upper Third and Spring streets.

New Albany Ledger Standard 20 Nov 1877 p4 c2:
Morgan Blackburn
has opened a new restaurant, or rather, removed his well known restaurant to No. 43 Pearl street, a few doors south of Main. Mr. B. has no superior as a cuisine, having been stewart on the best steamers on the river for many yeras. Mr. B. promises to make his charges very reasonable. day boarders will find this an excellent place to get their meals.

New Albany Ledger Standard 2 Nov 1877 p4 c2:
Mr. Theo. Meurer
is now occupying his new house and  office, at No. 78 Market street, between Upper Third and Fourth. .

New Albany Ledger Standard 5 Nov 1877 p4 c2:
The blind man, Mr. Ferdinando Grasskopf, who will pay a violin solo at the grand pipe organ opening concert on Wednesday evening next, at the Frist Presbyterian church, is the only surviving pupil of the great music master Beethovan . . . .

New Albany Ledger Standard 6 Oct 1877 p4 c4:
Marriage License. The following marriage licenses were recorded for the week ending today: James A. Harbeson and Mary Kinsey. Celestin Vernia and Sarah B. Hahars. Cassius Jackson and Tansey Monnon. Henry Ahmann and Louisa Berkley.

New Albany Ledger Standard 27 Oct 1877 p4 c2:
Marriage License. The following marriage licenses were recorded for the week ending today: George W. Keely and Mary Foot. David Wolf and Matilda Koehler. Robert Alexander and Anna Taylor (Col.).

 New Albany Ledger Standard 16 Oct 1877 p4 c3:
Married in California . . . Mr. Joseph Davis to Miss Mary Terstegge, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Marysville, California. . .

New Albany Ledger Standard 16 Nov 1877 p4 c2:
Mary, the oldest daughter, of Mr. Isaac Bruce, formerly of this city, was married to George Shirts, a few days ago, at Waterloo, Oregon. The married couple are on their way east on a wedding tour, and will probably be  here.

Crawford County Democrat, April 7, 1932 -
Harrison Man Kills Spouse, Dies In Noose - Quarrel Over Deed Reported by Newspaper.  Leavenworth --- John E. Greene and his wife, Mrs. Charity Greene, were found dead Sunday about noon at their home five miles east of Leavenworth on the old Corydon road, Scott township, Harrison county.  Mr. Green was found hanging by a rope in the barn, and his wife was found dead in the bed with her head crushed.  She was dressed in her night clothing, indicating that she was killed on Saturday evening or night.  It is thought Mr. Green killed his wife and hanged himself.  He was 72 years old.  She was 30, and they had been married only six months.  His first wife was before her marriage Miss Amelia Daggs.  She had been dead ten years.  Mr. Greene leaves a daughter, Mrs. Mollie Curts, of South Corydon, three brothers, Bryant Greene, of Pilot Knob; Andrew Greene of Missouri, and Horatio Greene of Sunnyside, Wash.  Mother Found Body. - The wife's body was found by Mrs. Greene's mother, Mrs. Leonard Curts, lying on a bed wrapped in two qults.  Officers summoned found a buggy wheel with one spoke smeared with blood, in the barn, where they also discovered the aged man's body.  Mrs. Greene was the mother of three children by a former marriage to Sherman McAdams.  She also is survived by her parents and eight brothers and sisters.  It was said that the Greenes had quarreled over a deed to land the husband wished to sell, Mrs. Green refusing to sign until assured that she would get a part of the money.  The couple's residence burned several months ago, an account published in the Coorydon Democrat said, and they were living in a corn crib.  The newspaper also said that the two were in Corydon Saturday afternoon and that it was reported they had quarreled on the streets.

HOOSIER HORROR. DOUBLE   TRAGEDY  IN  HARRISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
    David Mauck and His Brother Hugh Mauck Charged With the Murder of the Former's Wife Fatal Injuries of Sarah Vaughn. New Albany , Ind., April  11, 1879
Recently Harrison County, which lies immediately west of this (Floyd) county, has been the scene of a number of shocking crimes, and  now records another exceeding in its enormity and the brutality of its details any crime ever committed in the county. The details are as follows: David Mauck and Hugh Mauck are brothers, residing in the south corner of  Washington township, Harrison county.  David Mauck is a married man, his brother is single. They were engaged in burning and barreling line one mile distant from David's residence Between Mauck and his wife, both aged about twenty five years, some disagreement has existed for several months, but as this had never led to any domestic outbreak,
no one paid any attention to it, Living in the family of David was a young woman, aged nineteen, named Sarah Vaughn, a daughter of Louis A. Vaughn, and a highly respected young lady. Yesterday morning, about 3 o'clock, David Mauck returned from the lime kiln, where he had been barreling, with his brother Hugh, a shipment of lime, to his home. On entering he said to his wife that he had nearly completed his work, but was very tired and desired to sleep a couple of hours. Unnoticed by his wife he had taken into the house with him an ax and a heavy oak club split from a thick plank. Mauck lay down and his wife soon fell asleep.
In the next room Miss Vaughn slept. She was awakened bv Mauck's entering the house, and did not afterward sleep. About 4 o'cIock she was startled by hearing the heavy thud of a blow and a shriek from Mrs. Mauck. She sprang from the bed and ran into the room into which Mauck and his wife slept, and was horrified to see the wife lying apparently dead on the bed, with a terrible wound  in her forehead over the right eye. Near the bed stood the husband contemplating the murderous work he bad consummated. Startled and shrieking,
Miss Vaughn rushed toward the bed, but Mauck, stepping toward the door, seized the oak dub he had brought into the house, and commenced an attack upon the helpless girl. Miss Vaughn realized her terrible situation, and fought off her assailant with the desperation of one who was contesting for life. But the bloody minded Mauck was intent on his work, and blow after blow was rained down upon the girl until her arms and shoulders were bruised and cut in a frightful manner, and five fearful wounds inflicted upon her head.  The last blow, she received was upon the right side of the head, which cracked the skull, and felled her to the floor as if killed. No doubt Maude thought his work was complete, for, upon the fall of Miss Vaughn, he fled from the house, being joined afterward in his flight by his brother Hugh, who, it is thought, was a witness of the terrible double crime, and who is believed, assisted his brother in arranging the details. Drs. Reeder and Lapp, were called to see the wounded women, and pronounced Mrs. Mauck's injuries fatal. It is barely  possibly. but not at all probable, that Miss Vaughn will recover. She  has more than twenty severe wounds and bruises upon her head and body, and the fracture of the skull is of a very severe character. She revived sufficiently last night to give the particulars above, but soon afterward relapsed again into unconsciousness. Mrs. Mauck was unconscious at midnight and supposed to be dying.
    Hugh Mauck was seen yesterday fore-noon, but soon after disappeared. In the bed with Mrs. Mauck were her two little children, and after the flight of Mauck  Miss Vaughn had a return of sufficient consciousness to crawl into the same bed. A neighbor woman went to the house about 9 o'clock and discovered the parties on the bed, all covered with blood, the little children playing over the bloody body of their mother. The sight was  one defying description Intense excitement exists in the neighborhood of the murder. Over 200 people turned out yesterday to search the woods and hills for the murderer. Constable Paris is in this city today in pursuit of the Maucks, and hopes are entertained bv the police here and at Louisville that they will be captured. The Maucks are sober, but  vicious, bad men. Their victims are highly esteemed among their neighbors. If the Maucks are captured they  will be swung upon the most convenient tree. The scene of the terrible double tragedy is near New Amsterdam, on the Ohio River, and about twenty eight miles overland and forty miles by river from this city.
    Hugh Mauck, it is reported here tonight, was arrested today near Mauckport, Harrison County, only three miles from the scene of the murder with numerous blood marks on his clothing.

KILLED FOUR LYNCHES
A necktie Party in Indiana Broken Up by the Intended Victims
Louisville, Aug 8 1893
A special from Corydon, Ind. brings the startling news of the slaughter of a lynching party by two men whom they were trying to lynch for the murder of their father. The fearful affray took place, on Saturday  night. Four men were instantly killed, one fatally wounded and several others more or less injured. William and Sam Conrad were the murderers whom the mob intended to string up. Several weeks ago the father of these men was foully murdered in a wood with his skull crushed. Suspicion at once fell on the sons who are desperate characters
They were arrested, but on the preliminary hearing were discharged for want of evidence. Indignation ran high among the people, and a mob gathered for the purpose of lynching the Conrads. The house where the men lived was attacked, but the Conrads had been warned and were prepared. As the mob advanced upon the house they poured a deadly volley into its ranks. Four men dropped dead in their tracks and several fell from being wounded. The Conrads then fled while the unharmed were caring for the dead and dying. The four men killed were  Ed Hustin, John Timberlake,  Will Wiseman and Isaac Howe. Will May was fatally wounded. Excitement runs high, and armed bands are scouring the county for the Conrads. If caught they will be instantly killed.

Article published in The Corydon Democrat newspaper on Nov. 24, 1892
"Last Saturday a 12-year-old daughter of John Briles of Scott township was dragged to death by a cow. She was leading the animal to water and her hands becoming cold, she tied the rope around her waist. In some way she tripped and fell which scared the cow, causing it to run, dragging the child after it. The cow continued to run until she gave out and stopped. The child was picked up dead with her back broken. The funeral took place next day and the remains interred at the Potato Run burying ground".

Article regarding the suicide of Moses Curts, published in the New Albany Daily Standard on 11/15/1871, page 4, column 3.
"On Friday, evening last, Mr. Moses Curts, a respected, influential citizen of Scott township, Harrison county, committed suicide by hanging. His family left him at home, as well as usual, on Friday morning, and went to a house raising in the neighborhood. In the evening his wife returned and found him absent, as she supposed, but thought nothing strange of that, expecting that he would return in the night. Not coming home at night, however, search was made for him in the morning, when his body was found hanging in the smoke house a few feet from the door of his residence. No cause is known for the commission of the horrible deed. He leaves a wife and children, who are much respected in their neighborhood."

The wife of Eusephus Breeden is at the point of death with consumption.
**Death notice publised in The Corydon Democrat newspaper on 01/24/1893

22 July 1879
Miss Sarah Ann Briles of Scott township died on the 3rd day of this month. The deceased was a sufferer from that dread disease consumption (earlier name for tuberculosis) for about three months previous to her death. At the time of her death she was twenty two years and six months old.
Obituary column published in The Corydon Democrat newspaper

Sept. 28, 1899
CORYDON
, IN.
   J.F. Troncin, trustee of Spencer Township, this county, has absconded and his bondsman have deposited $1,700 to make good any shortage that may exist in his account. He came in this morning and filed his resignation as trustee, and immediately left for parts unknown.  He is a Democrat.

Oct. 22,1867,Indiana.
HORRIBLE MURDER IN INDIANA.
On Wednesday morning, at 10 o’clock, Merritt Hurst was killed, as it is alleged by Jacob Godfrey and Alurad Lawrence, about 4 miles north of Corydon, and near the home of Hurst.
Hurst had been away from home the previous night, and started back next morning in a wagon with several other persons.
When opposite his residence, which is about a quarter mile from the road, he got out and started across a corn-field to go home.
He was next seen by his brother, Dennis Hurst, coming at a rapid pace toward him, crying that Jake Godfrey had killed him. His brother hurried to him, but before reaching him, Merrit fell to the ground. Godfrey and Lawrence were at this time see making a hasty exit from the field in an opposite direction. Upon an examination of Hurst, it was found that he had been stabbed with a large field sickle, the blade entering the right side just below the arm, and passing entirely through his body, protruded on the opposite side, thus making a most terrible wound. It is state the wound on the right side was 6-8 inches in extent, and on the left about 4. he was perfectly rational when he first picked up, and told who had committed the deed. He lived but a short time afterward, probably 15-20 minutes.
New Albany (IN) Commercial Oct 4.

New Albany, IN. Dec. ?(unreadable) .1898.. 
An effort is to be made by the commercial clubs of this city and Jeffersonville to have a cavalry and infantry post established by the War Department at some point on the Ohio River between the 2 cities.  The movement has been agitated for several years, but no concerted action was taken until recently. Today committees composed of Judge J.H. Stotsenburg, Charles Day, and Jacob Sapinsky, of this city, and Mayor T.B Rader, I.F. Whitesides and M.H. Myers of Jeffersonville, drafted a letter, copies of which was sent to Senator Fairbanks and the Indiana congressmen, urging them to assist in this movement. In May, 1893, the major general then commanding the army, in a report to the secretary of war in reference to a post between new Albany & Jeffersonville, stated that “the place suggested would be a very good site for a military post, and it may be anticipated that the interest of the military service will make it desirable that a post be located there at some future time”. During the civil war Camp Jo Holt was located on the site of the proposed military post.


New Albany,IN,  Dec.7,1898,  
Joseph Smith, a horse trader, was arrested tonight on a charge of killing John King, another horse trader at Minink, Woodford County, Ill. Last July. The men quarreled over a trade. The officers have been watching for Smith for several days. He denies he is the man wanted, but answers the description.


New Albany, IN. Dec. 8, 1898. 
Joseph Smith
, arrested last night on a charge of killing John King, at Minonk, Ill. Was released today, after he had threatened to institute habeas corpus proceeding. The officers were convinced they had the wrong man.


Corydon, In. Dec.9,1898. 
Defalcations in public office in Harrison County have been so numerous that nothing else is expected, and the announcement that T.S. Getzendanner, who retired from the auditor’s office a few days ago, is short in his accounts, has caused little surprise. His bondsman have protested against the allowance of the last quarter of his salary until the matter is settled. He claims that there is no defalcation and that he does not owe the county a cent. Mr. Getzdanner is a Republican and was elected 4 yrs ago. Before he entered politics he was a prosperous business man of Corydon. Now he is said to have lost everything.


New Albany, IN. Dec.10,1898. 
The frequent theft of fine dogs in this city and the inability to prosecute the thieves because there is no law against dog-stealing, has  prompted the dog owners to call a meeting to be held Monday night, at which resolutions will be adopted asking Representative Catley to present a bill in the next General Assembly affording some protection to them in return for the payment of their dog tax or license.

New Albany, IN. Dec. 11,1898. 
The Union Reform party was organized at a meeting held in this city last night by the Populists, Prohibitionists, Socialists, and free silver Republicans. Direct legislation is the object of the part. Committees were appointed to call a congressional district convention. Joseph R. Hicks, a prominent Populist, acted as chairman. The party will probably take some action in the woman suffrage question.

May, 08,1910
GIVEN LIFE IMPRISONMENT
T.J. Hall, Bank Holdup, Convicted of Murder in Indiana.
Corydon, IN. May 7, 1910.
Thomas Jefferson Hall, the boy bandit, was found guilty of murder today and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Hall is a 17 yr. old Louisville boy, who last November executed an amazing single handed attack on the Merchants National Bank of New Albany, IN. He compelled a negro chauffeur to drive him to the bank at noon through crowded streets of Louisville and New Albany. In the bank he shot and killed cashier J.F. Fawcett, wounded President J.K. Woodward and also the negro chauffeur. Without securing any money he dashed from the bank and attempted to cross the Ohio River to Louisville in a skiff being captured midstream by the police.

Corydon, IN. Feb. 20,1896. 
The grand jury of Harrison County adjourned today and among other bill returned is one charging Major W. Funk and Lance Hunter, both of Corydon, with extorting $300 from Albert Bline, the recent postmaster here. Mr. Funk is one of the oldest lawyers at this bar, and was a candidate for the Democratic nomination 2 yrs ago for Congress, and is now, or has been , a candidate for judge. Hunter and Funk are jointly charged with falsely accusing Bline of a criminal assault on Mrs. Lillie McElfresh. She was a witness against the alleged blackmailers before the grand jury, where, it is said, a very full and fair investigation was made. Mr. Funk having ample opportunity to be heard. Public indignation is strong against the men charged, especially against Funk. It is thought they will not permit the case to be tried in this county. The grand jury was composed of 4 Democrats and 1 Republican and 1 Prohibitionist, and it is claimed they were unanimous in finding the indictment.

 
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