Genealogy Trails

RUSH COUNTY, INDIANA
NEWS
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Dec. 5, 1899. Rushville, IN,  Theophilus Moffett, a member of the firm of Fonts & Moffett, died yesterday of heart trouble, age 72 yrs. Mr. Moffett was born in Washington Co. VA. And was a son of William Moffett, who entered a tract of land northeast of Rushville in 1823.  Theophilus Moffett was for many yrs. a farmer, but at the outbreak of the Civil War engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth and erected a large mill here. In the early 70’s e entered the firm of Fonts and  Moffett, planning-mill operators. Mrs. Moffett died in 1893. Three children survive, Mrs. W.E. Wallace of Rushville, Dr. E.D. Moffett, ex-councilman and Mrs. W.R. Davis, wife of a C.H. &D. passenger conductor, both of Indianapolis.
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Rushville, IN,  Oct. 7,1897.  There were no well defined cases of scarlet fever reported today, although several suspicious cases of sudden sickness among children are announced. The schools are closed and the children are kept off the streets. Health Officer Spurrier expects to stamp out the epidemic in ten days if he receives the co-operation of the physicians of the city, some of whom have criticized the health Board for tis vigorous action in the matter.
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Rushville, IN. Oct. 5, 1897,    John J. Wilson, who bore the reputation of being one of the best men in Noble Township, received fatal injuries in a runaway this morning. He is supposed to be dying tonight, having never regained consciousness. Mr. Wilson and his son Jesse, aged 21, were in town this morning and purchased a wagon load of boxes in which they intended to pack apples. Three miles east of town, at the Ab Megee farm, the horses took fright and ran off. Mr. Wilson was thrown out and his head either struck a rock or a wheel of the wagon passed over it. A long cut in the back of the head was the only visible injury. Jesse Wilson had his right shoulder fractured. John C. Wilson is 50 yrs old and the son of Alfred Wilson, one of the pioneer settlers of Rush County, who is still living. Mr. Wilson owned a fine farm near Little Flat Rick Church.
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Rushville, IN. Oct., 9, 1897.   the Rush County farmers’ Insurance Company, said to be the oldest and biggest mutual farmers’ insurance company in the state, held its annual meeting today. The report of the actuary, Fred A. Capp, of this city shows the company to be prosperous. The membership is 1,207, an increase of over 100 above last year. The amount of property insured is $1,825,070, and increase of nearly $300,000.  The losses for the year amount to $4,152.12 and to pay these and all running expenses the members taxed only 20 cents on the $100 of insurance carried. This is the rate of 1/5 th of 1 per cent per annum for insurance on farm property, which is rated high in old-line companies and not accepted at all by some companies.   The average rate per annum for the 22 years the company has been in existence is 23 ½ cents the following officers were elected: W.C. Murray, president, W.R. Newkirk, vice president. F.A. Capp, actuary. Mr. Capp is beginning his third year as manager of the company's affairs.
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10/13/1897 Rushville, IN. Oct. 6, 1897. The schools of Rushville, closed this evening for an indefinite period on account of scarlet fever. Health officer Spurrier this afternoon published a notice closing schools, churches and all public places of meeting until the scarlet fever epidemic is controlled. Scattering cases of the fever have been noticed all summer, but in its epidemic form it only put in appearance a few days ago. There is now 20 cases, and increase of 10 since yesterday. The health officer warms parents under the penalty of the law to exercise all care in fighting the epidemic. Children are forbidden on the streets and parents are urged to keep them at home until the fever subsides.
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Rushville, IN. Feb. 20,1896.  The 4 yr old son of Thomas Black, living in Decatur County, below Clarksburg, was sick of croupy, and it's parents administered a well-known patent cough medicine. The child fell into a stupor after taking the medicine and died in a few hours.
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The Indiana State Journal 1897-03-17 Rushville, Ind March 15 The will of Jacob Cross, the wealthy farmer who died last week, was admitted to probate today. Only $1,000 was left to his wife, the testator claiming to have an anto-nupital agreement with her that she was to have no interest in his estate and the legacy is therefore left her as a gift from her husband. Mr. Cross was six times married and three of his wives recovered heavy alimony in divorce proceeding. There are five children by the first wife.
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Indiana State Journal 3/25/1896 Rushville, Ind. March 23 Fred Kaler, aged fifty, while mounting a Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Passenger Train at the Rushville Depot at 7 o'clock tonight fell between the cars and was instantly killed.
He was a Prussian by birth and served in the German Army in the France-Prussian War, and witnessed the taking of Paris. He leaves a wife and child at his home in Glenwood.
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Indiana State Journal 3/15/1899 Rushville, ind. March 9
George Inlow, a Manilla druggist, shot Elias Smith yesterday during a quarrel caused by Smith wanting whiskey in large quantities than his physician had prescribed. Smith has a dangerous wound in the shoulder. Inlow gave bond for $500 on a charge of attempted murder.
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Rushville, Ind.; June 9  The postmortem examination of the remains of Benjamin Frazee, the wealthy farmer who died Sunday afternoon; was held yesterday, and the result, although not entirely satisfactory, will end further investigation on the line of poison. Drs..Sexton and Smith, of the postmortem, say Mr. Frazee died of a disease of the liver coupled with infirmities of old age. Dr. J. H. Spurrier still Insists that Mr. Frazee died of poisoning, how administered Or its nature he does not state. The contents of the stomach were not touched. The family intended last night to have it, sent to Indianapolis for expert analysis, but on the advice of the physicians, who were satisfied with the result of the examination, the stomach was burled with the body this morning. Sensational stories have been circulated about the death of Mr. Frazee. If these continue the family will likely have the stomach exhumed and subjected to expert examination.
Source: Indiana State Journal June 17 1898
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Rushville, Ind.. June 11  Dr. J. H. Spurrier desires the Journal correspondent to state that he never before or after the postmortem expressed the opinion that the late Benjamin Frazee died of absolute poison. The Journal correspondent was misinformed (sic) as to the Doctor's statement in this connection. The Doctor says he did state, however, and does yet think, that Mr. Frazee might have been poisoned by nicotine, as he was an inveterate smoker. Also a carbuncle on the back of his neck, which never healed, may have imparted poison to the system, A stroke of paralysis suffered in bringing on his death. Source: Indiana State Journal June 17 1898
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Rushville, Ind. June 9  The Prohibitionist of the Sixth congressional district met here this afternoon to nominate a candidate for Congress. No sooner had the chairman called for order then rain began falling in torrents. The party in this district is at sea on the financial question. The silverites and the men who favor the single doctrine of prohibition were out in force to-day, but neither triumphed. A motion to condemn the broad gauge platform of the Indiana State Prohibition convention was voted down. A motion was then made secede from the Prohibition party as defined at Pittsburg and join the new National party and it was also voted down. Heated discussions followed and the convention adjourned in a muss without making a nomination. Source: Indiana State Journal June 17 1898
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Rushville, Ind, Dec 1. "Professor" Nelson Brown, Rushville's oldest colored barber, claims the distinction of being the father of more children than, any man in Rush county. He is the father of twenty children, the twentieth, a boy being born this week. Brown is sixty years old and his twenty children were born in thirty years. He has had three wives, taking his present wife ten years ago when she was a girl of fourteen. Since her marriage she has borne eight children.
Source: Indiana State Journal December 9, 1896
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Rushville, Ind. Dec. 3 Winter wheat has been greatly damaged in this section by the present hard freezing. It is the hardest freezing weather for early December experienced here in years. The ground has been frozen to a depth of eight inches. Wheat having no protection from snow has been uprooted by the thaws of a few days ago, and the later cold snaps caught the roots, killing them. The extent of the damage will not be known until the weather moderates and the ground warms up. Then the frozen wheat will turn yellow. Source: Indiana State Journal December 9, 1896
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Rushville, Ind.. Dec. 2.  Cyrus P. Mullin, the retiring county auditor, has served  the county faithfully for thirteen years In the auditor's office. He entered the office as the deputy of Capt. Jack Gowdy, now chairman of the Republican state committee. It was while filling this office that Captain Gowdy got his first taste of practical politics. Mr. Mullin was also deputy for Mr. Gowdy's success of. Martin Bohannon, and on the death of Mr. Bohannon was elected to fill out his unexpired term, and was again re-elected for a full term. Source: Indiana State Journal December 9, 1896
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Rushville. Ind., Dec. 1 Rush county Popocrats are looking four years into the future. They have organized a William J Kryan Silver CIub with 150 members,, and the following officers have been chosen; "President, Frank J." Hall; vice president, Frank Barrlnger; secretary. Charles H. Jones; treasurer, .James T. Nixon. They threaten to organize a similar club in every township in the county. Source: Indiana State Journal December 9, 1896
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Rushville. Ind, July 7, Blanche Litteral, twenty years old. returned from Indianapolis on Monday, and last night her father, Joseph Lateral, accused her of having been leading a shameful career during her stay In the city. She denied his
accusation and hot words ensued. Litteral picked up a piece of beech scantling and knocked his daughter down with a blow on the head. She lay bleeding and unconscious for several minutes. A wound three Inches long and ex tending to the bone was made above the right ear. The girl is in a dangerous condition, but will recover. The father is in jail. News Of the Week Current Events (News Article) Date: 1897-07-14; Paper: Indiana State Journal
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Fort Wayne News January 15, 1896  Rushville, Ind., Jan. 11
The grounds of the Bush County Agricultural Society were sold at sheriff's sale this afternoon to the Rush County Fair Association for $3,765.81, the full amount of the Judgment and costs. The Rush County Fair Association, which has been recently organized, will continue the Rushville fair on a better and more substantial basis than ever. The agricultural society will pay all claims in full.
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Rushville, Ind., Jan. 9
The case against Edward Johnson, deputy postmaster of New Salem, charged with shooting with intent to kill James A. Williams, a prominent farmer of the New Salem neighborhood, was dismissed yesterday by Prosecutor Young. Johnson shot Williams In defense of his home. Williams, while Intoxicated, tried to enter the Johnson house at a late hour one night last fall and used abusive language toward the postmistress. Mrs. W. O. Johnson. She called her son, who, a half hour later, shot William while the latter was approaching the house a second time. Indiana Journal January 15, 1896
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Rushville, Ind.. Jan. 11
The long fight Prosecutor Young has been, making against William and Ollie Reinheimer, who keep the only house of ill fame in Rushville, came to an end in a conviction of the parties by a jury in the Circuit Court last night. They were fined $25 each and costs, amounting to about $750. The Reinhelmers came to this city from Richmond over a year ago, and the good people of Rushville were so incensed at the wickedness prevailing around the den that the proprietors of it have
been before the courts frequently since locating here.
Indiana Journal January 15, 1896
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Rushville, Ind.. Sept. 39.—The Democratic judicial convention at Milroy this afternoon nominated Douglas Morris, of Rushville, for judge, but did not put up a candidate for prosecutor. Decatur presented but one candidate for Judge, Davison Wilson, the Ewing boom having been exploded in the morning caucus. Rush presented two candidates. John D. Megee and Douglas Morris. The latter got twenty-one of Rush's twenty-six votes on the first ballot and five went for Megee. Decatur gave twenty-four to Wilson and one to Morris and thus voted during the whole balloting. Morris gained In Rush county until on the tenth ballot he was nominated. There was a fight on Lawyer Wilson's Democracy. It being a well known fact that he was a sound money man in 1896. The orthodox 16-to-1 men were In the saddle and carried their point. Several names were suggested for prosecuting attorney, but all declined.  Finally the selection of a candidate was referred to the chairman of the central committees of the two counties.Source: Indiana Journal Oct 5, 1898
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RUSHVILLE, Ind. Aug. 19.—A five-thousand-dollar slander suit. In which Thomas D. Wilson, the Shelbyville undertaker. Is plaintiff and Henry Prill, the nurseryman of Orange township, this county, is defendant, was filed In the Circuit Court yesterday evening.  Undertaker Wilson says the defendant accused him of being drunk when he conducted the funeral of Mrs. Nancy Barlow, in May. 1395. This statement, the complaint says, was made to three different parties, greatly to his injury. Indiana Journal June 26, 1896
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Rushville, Ind.. April 10.—Ad V. Spivey. of this city, who stands closer to Congressman Johnson, of this district, than any other man in Rush county, writes home from Washington that Mr. Johnson positively states that he will not again be a
candidate for Congress. This is in line with Mr. Johnson's previous public statements. Indiana Journal April 14, 1897
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Rushville. Ind.. April 6.—James E. Hinchman has been placed under $500 bonds for trial on an indictment for perjury. He was arrested on a bench warrant issued by Judge Miller. Hinchman Is alleged to have been reporting about town
that there was crookedness in the courthouse contract. He was summuned before the grand Jury to tell what he knew, and denied having ever said anything. Witnesses were then summoned to whom he had stated that he knew of a job in the
courthouse contract, and on their testimony the indictment for perjury was returned. Hinchman is a dealer In farming implements.
Indiana Journal April 14, 1897
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Populists of Rush county have repudiated the fusion with Democrats and decided to hereafter maintain a separate organization. Indiana Journal February 3, 1897
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Rushville, Ind., Jan. 24. - The suit alienating his wife's affections brought by John N. Bartlow against Samuel P. Gordon for $25,000 damages, was compromised this evening by the payment of $2,500 to Bartlow by the defendant Gordon. The parties live at Greenfield and the case came here on a change of venue. The trial began  yesterday and would have continued several days. A member of the jury remarked after the compromise that if the jury were to pass on the case it would have given Bartlow $10,000.  The Indiana State Journal, (Indianapolis, IN) Wed., Feb. 1, 1899 - Submitted by Candi

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Rushville, Ind., April 17.-George Martin and Ben Clark were injured by the overturning of their wagon this morning on the Blacklidge pike, Union township. For some time a controversy has existed as to the repairing of a culvert and injunction proceedings are pending. As the result a hole has been left in the road and it was In turning out from this hole that the accident happened. Clark's injuries are probably severe, but their extent has not yet been ascertained.
The Weekly Indiana State Journal, (Indianapolis, IN) Wednesday, April 19, 1899 Contributed by Candi Horton
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Rushville, Ind., April 17.-Thomas Mulvihill, a bartender, was arrested this morning on a charge of forging a $250 note at Greenfield. He was taken to Greenfield by Sheriff Price and turned over to Sheriff Pauley, of Hancock county, Nulvihill's s arrest caused surprise here. He says he signed the alleged forged signature with the full consent of the man whose name was used. 
The Weekly Indiana State Journal, (Indianapolis, IN) Wednesday, April 19, 1899  Contributed by Candi Horton
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 Ripley Township, Rush County, Indiana
Gurney Hill aged twenty-five and Watt Johnson, aged thirty, both of Carthage, were arrested at Knightstown for stealing horse blankets. Hill was released on bond, while Johnson is still in jail. The young Hill is the son of J.C. Hill, tax receiver.
Date: 1896-12-30;   Paper: Indiana State Journal
Transcribed & Submitted by Dawn Minard
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Ripley Township, Rush County, Indiana
Parl Florea, a young man in employ of T.C. Nelson, of Ripley township, Rush County, had his skull crushed Sunday while driving a young horse. He will die.
Date: 1896-12-30;   Paper: Indiana State Journal
Transcribed & Submitted by Dawn Minard
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