RUSH COUNTY, INDIANA
NEWS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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

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
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
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
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
Populists
of Rush county have repudiated the fusion with Democrats and decided to
hereafter maintain a separate organization. Indiana Journal February 3, 1897
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
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
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
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
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