Culture of Silk - The Eaton Register says that Mrs. Alfred Newcum, of Preble county, Ohio, has the present season, with the aid of one small girl and two boys about twelve years old, fed and attended about 50,000 silk worms with the leaves of a common mulberry. From her labors (about 6 weeks) she will realize about $225, even should she sell the materials in a raw state. But should she manufacture the cocoons into sewing silk, which she does with ease and facility, the products of her labor will amount to near $400. The silk she manufactures is equal for strength and evenness to any foreign silk. Farmers who can command some twenty or thirty mulberry trees, will find, it a pleasant and profitable employment for some of their daughters. The necessary la­bors are simple and easily attended.

Transcribed from:  Ohio Statesman    Oct. 3, 1837

            Departed this life on Wednesday evening, the 27^th of this inst., Mr. John G. Jameson, of New Paris, Preble county, Ohio, in the 43d year of his age.

Transcribed from the Pittsfield Sun, 1842-05-19

            Terrible Death – The Eaton (Ohio) Register states that on the 18th ult. A young man names Thos. J. Clarke, who was employed in Killough’s steam saw-mill, Preble County, got entangled in the fly-wheel, and was instantly torn and crushed to pieces; a part of his head and one arm being thrown several feet from the body.  Mr. Clark was formerly a resident of Perrysville, Indiana.

Transcribed from: New Hampshire Sentinel   August 12, 1847

Singular Development of Crime - One Reuben Maddox was recently committed to jail in Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, on a charge of arson.  The editor of the Democrat, published at that place, relates the following, which strongly reminds one of the revelations in the accounts respecting the schemes and doings of Murrell and his gang:

We attended the examination in the Court House, which was crowded to excess, and the startling disclosures there made, were enough to arouse the whole community. It appeared by the testimony of one who turned State's evidence against his comrades, that there is a mammoth company of pickpockets, thieves, robbers and murderers, by the name of the "Royal Band” or "Boston sons that have their head-quarters at Pittsburgh, Pa. At Lawrenceburgh, La., they have another resort, for the convenience of the “Sons” and one at Eaton, a small branch yet organized under a regu­lar captain, who enjoys the noted sobriquet of “Captain Kidd." This gang had laid their plans for burning the houses, and other property of our citizens, and of robbing, and even murdering some business men in our town. We state what was given in evidence, and which has not been denied by any evidence whatever. The testimony left several persons implicated in these transactions. Some of them have left the place; those who remain have in their power to show, by their conduct and actions, that these charges are without foun­dation, or that entire reformation has done its work. We are alarmed to know that in this quiet and peaceable community such men are to be found. We are none of us safe while these wretches are at large, and it is the imperative duty of every citizen of the place to help to prosecute all who are in any way concerned in these atrocities.  “Gentle­men at large” had better have a care in respect to visiting our town under present circumstances.  The people are on the alert.

Transcribed from the New Hampshire Sentinel, 1850-07-11

Trial For Seduction – Heavy Damages

            A trial came of recently at Eaton, Ohio, in which appeared Michael Keever, plaintiff, and Dr. William R. Winston, defendant.  The action was to recover damages from the defendant for debauching plaintiff’s daughter, Harriett Keever.  The parents of the young lady placed her, by the solicitations of the doctor, under his charge, to be treated for club or reeled feet.  The young lady was removed to the residence of the physician for treatment.  The patient was operated upon for the lameness, after which the doctor went to his patient’s room every morning to wash and dress her feet.  In the course of a few days, while washing her feet, the defendant made improper advances to his patient, and finally, by force, and against the will of Miss Keever, and while she was scarcely able to turn in her bed, accomplished his infamous design, and sent her forth to the world a ruined and dishonored woman.  The young lady is about nineteen years of age.  From evidence given, this was an aggravated case, and after argument from counsel and charge from the court, the jury retired, but shortly returned, giving a verdict of $15,000 damages for plaintiff.

Transcribed from the New York Herald, 1857-01-12

New Patents Issued William Cady, Eaton, Ohio, for improved cross cut sawing machine.

Transcribed from:  The Sun   Oct. 21, 1857

Snow Storm – It is stated that a snow storm occurred in Preble county, Ohio, on Thursday morning last, and that the ground was quite white with snow, which remained until melted by the sun.  The previous night it both rained and hailed pretty severely.

Transcribed from the Ohio State Journal, 1858-11-17

            An old citizen, Adam Quinn, died near Eaton, Ohio, on Tuesday 9th last, aged 82 years.  He was a native of Philadelphia, but for fifty eight years he has resided in the West.  When a young man, he joined a company of volunteers, called into service by the State of Pennsylvania.  His company, when on its march to Harrisburg, was reviewed by General Washington.  Of those who served with him on that occasion, he was the last survivor.

Transcribed from the New-Hampshire Patriot, 1861-10-30

Stephen Cromwell of Camden, Ohio, has made a contract by which he is to furnish 150,000 cords of wood for the Ohio Central Railroad Company.  The magnitude of this contract can be understood only when we take into consideration the fact that it makes a pile four feet high, and not less than 257 miles in length, and requires the delivery of nearly 50 cords a day (Sundays excepted) for ten years.

Transcribed from:  Flake’s Bulletin    May 8, 1867

Heavy Forgeries in Preble County, Ohio

From the Dayton Journal, April 20

A chronic case of dishonesty and crime was, we are credibly informed, recently brought to light in Preble county. William Gifford was a well-to-do farmer, residing on a large and valuable farm near Euphemia. Besides the regular business of farming, Gifford had been for several years engaged in buying and sell­ing stock, etc., and he had on several occa­sions borrowed money in considerable quanti­ties from wealthy farmers in the vicinity of West Alexandria, in most cases giving his note, with a brother-in-law named Jacob Fudge, for security.

A week or two ago, we are informed, Gif­ford met another brother-in-law named Fudge in West Alexandria, and asked him to go on a small note for him. Fudge refused, and made some remarks disparaging to his credit, and Gifford left the room greatly offended. A farmer who was present remarked, after Gifford withdrew, "Why, you don’t seem to have as much faith in G. as your brother Jacob, who goes on his paper to any amount desired." Fudge replied that none of the family had much confidence in Gifford, and he would warrant that Jacob Fudge was not on his paper for $5. This alarmed the farmer, und he showed Gifford's note to Jacob Fudge, who pronounced the name forged to the document. This expose brought matters to a crisis.

In the meantime Gifford ascertained what was going on, and he made over his farm, stock etc., to his brother-in-law, Jacob Fudge, and gathering up some ready means, he fled—it is not generally known where— leaving his family to be provided for by his relatives. Besides the farm, there was a large amount of stock on hand – enough, Gifford assured Fudge, to make him safe on the notes to which his name had been signed. The matter got noised abroad, and then Gifford's paper began to come in. The stock was soon swallowed up in liquidation; yet the notes kept coming in for redemption, until the brother-in-law, seeing no possible end to it, shut down 011 the transaction until he can make himself sure on the farm, which is by no means a sure thing, for about $6,000 of notes have been redeemed, and it is estimated that about $3,000 are yet outstanding.

The   forgeries of   Gifford over there have been going on, it is affirmed, some five years.  The notes were not given in his own neigh­borhood, and as they were regularly renewed, and interest punctually paid, the fraud was not discovered until the accidental conversa­tion about surety in West Alexandria, the other week, brought it to light.

The conduct of Gifford is most inexplicable. As his farm was unencumbered, and he had not lost in his speculations in stock, it is a mystery what he did with the money he raised on the forged notes. The mystery will probably be developed in the course of time. The affair has created a great deal of excitement and wonder in that part of Preble county and has greatly shaken the confidence of the people in private negotiations.

Transcribed from Flake's Bulletin, 1867-05-15

Polly Haskins, of Camden, Ohio, claims to be 115 years old.

Transcribed from: The Philadelphia Inquirer    1867-10-16

Shocking Affair in a Circus Oct. 15.—A disturbance occurred at French's Circus at Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, last night, during which a man named William Thomas fired at the ringmaster. The ball, missing him, struck a young lady named Campbell in the breast, killing her instantly.

Transcribed from the Macon Weekly Telegraph, 1873-03-25

            CURIOUS CASE OF SECOND SIGHT – It is a historical fact that the Rev.  Joseph Buckminster, who died in Vermont in 1812, just before his death announced that his distinguished son, the Rev. J. S. Buckminster, of Boston, was dead.  It afterwards turned out that the son had breathed his last about the moment that his father made the announcement.

            The Eaton (Ohio) Telegraph tells the following incident, which may be taken as a parallel to that of the Buckminster’s:

            On Wednesday morning last at four o’clock General John Quinn breathed his last.  But a few minutes after that Joseph Deem, who also died on the 14th, aroused from his sleep and said to his son John, who sat by his side:  “John, General Quinn is dead.”  To this John said:  “I reckon you are mistaken, father; you have been dreaming.  I guess General Quinn is not dead.  He is not even sick, but goes down town pretty regularly every day for his mail.”  “Yes,” said Father Deem, “I know he is dead.”  And he had scarcely finished speaking when Benjamin Homan walked in, about five o’clock, as was his habit, and said to them:

            “General Quinn is dead!”  What is strange about it is that Father Deem did not know of General Quinn’s illness, and in all probability had not heard his name mentioned.  Was it the freed spirit of General Quinn, on its first mission out of the body, to carry the news to an old and dear friend also near the portals of death?  Or was it a wider vision, a supernatural sight given to Father Deem, so that, as he stood on the confines of the unseen world, he took in the scope of his sight things unseen to the natural eye?  Did he see with the freed spirit’s eye?  However this may be answered, it is full of interest to the inquiring mind.

Transcribed from The New York Times, July 15, 1873

Transcribed from the Inter Ocean, 1875-07-21

            Eaton, Ohio, July 20 – The daughter of Edward Statles, age 14 years, was caught in the shafting of her father’s mill at West Alexandria, Ohio, yesterday evening, and had both her legs crushed.  She died from the effects of the shock this morning.

Transcribed from the Inter Ocean, 1877-03-14

WILL CONTEST

            Columbus, Ohio, March 13. – Smith M. Danser, of Camden, Ohio, uncle of the late Mary M. Danser, of New York, who left a fortune of nearly a million dollars to charitable institutions, is here, and has taken steps to contest the will.

Transcribed from the Inter Ocean, 1880-01-09

A PRAYER-BOOK IN A TREE’S HEART

            A correspondent writing form Eaton, Ohio, says:  “Recently Nelson Davis, of West Alexandria, this county, cut down an oak tree about six feet in circumference, in the center of which was a cavity about seven inches square, partly filled with some rotten kind of wood and a roll of cloth, which crumbled, when touched.  Inside of all was a German Catholic prayer-book, bound in leather and much worn.  The book was printed in 1729, and had a Latin introduction, while some of the blank leaves are filled with writing in French, part of which is unintelligible, but enough is easily read to show that the owner was a French soldier, tells what battalion, and mentions the name of one of the officers as De La Magne.  It may be of interest to the members of the Historical Society.  A growth of at least five inches over the hole where it had been slipped into the tree hermetically sealed and preserved the book.  It is now in the hands of W. C. Barnhart, at his book store in this place, and is regarded by all as a great curiosity.”

Transcribed from:  The Sun    April 24, 1880

            In Preble county, Ohio, Robert Savage, colored, fatally shot a daughter of George Williams, also colored, because she refused to marry him, and then shot but did not kill himself.

Transcribed from:  The New York Times  May 8, 1880

            Dayton, Ohio, May 7 - A man was found murdered on the road to the Soldier's Home, near this city, this morning.  He was lying in the road with a bullet-hole through his head, but wagon tracks near the body showed that it had been brought there from the city, where the murder was committed.  The deceased man was a veteran of the Home named Valentine Scroeth, and was from Eaton, Ohio.  No clue to the murderers has yet been found.

Transcribed from the Wheeling Register, 1881-05-06

Thrown Over a Fence – Narrow Escape With Life

            West Alexandria, May 5. – Yesterday afternoon as O. B. Aker, of this place, was driving a wagon loaded with tin spouting, et., two miles north of here, one of the bolts in the shafts came out, letting the side fall down, frightening the horse, and causing him to run off.  He ran into a stake-and-ridered rail fence, demolishing the wagon, scattering the tinware and pitching Mr. A. clear over the fence, bruishing and skinning him severely, but not dangerously.

Transcribed from:  The Sun   May 30, 1881

Kukluxers from Ohio

Cincinnati, May 28 – A special from Richmond, Ind., says “A kuklux gang, supposed to be from Darke county, Ohio, shot down two men in their doorways at night in Darke county, and have given Mr. Timmons, a farmer, residing near Palestine, Preble county, Ohio, notice to leave on penalty of death, after having broken down his doors and destroyed his household goods.  They have also served a similar notice on Mr. Emerich, living near the same place.

Transcribed from The New York Times  October 29, 1884

THREATENING LYNCH LAW

Dayton, Ohio, October 28 - A telephone message from Eaton, Ohio, states that Marshal Ryan was murdered about 7 o'clock last night by a rowdy.  Some time ago Ryan arrested a murderer and used a club a few times in taking him to jail.  A few days ago he was liberated, and has since been looking for Ryan.  Meeting him last night he opened fire upon the Marshal, shooting him three times, the third shot being fatal.  The murderer was captured, and threats are made to lynch him.

Transcribed from: Weekly Telegraph and Messenger    1885-06-19

Poisoned by His Wife

Cincinnati, June 10—On June 6th Martin Eddins, a laborer living at Hamburg, Preble county, Ohio, was taken sick after eating lettuce for supper. On June 11th he died in great agony, soon after taking a powder prepared by his wife. She was arrested yesterday, and was sent last night to jail without bail. She made a confession last night stating that she gave arsenic to her husband at the suggestion of William Rowe, a man with whom she bad been intimate some time. Bowe is not to be found. She says be made her promise be­fore be went away to poison her husband. She maintains that the arsenic did not kill him, and is apparently not much con­cerned about her situation.

Transcribed from:  The Daily Inter Ocean    Dec. 9, 1886

            William Mussel went Tuesday night to the home of Daniel Christman, an aged farmer living in Preble county, Ohio, fifteen miles from Richmond, Indiana.  He split the old man’s head with an ax, knocked his wife senseless on the bed, on which he then threw a lighted lamp, robbing the house of $20.00 and decamped.  The woman recovered, put out the fire, and gave the alarm, but the murderer is yet at liberty.

Transcribed from the San Jose Mercury News, 1887-08-02

A BOY FIEND

A Thirteen-Year-Old Youth Murders His Mother

            Eaton, Ohio, Aug. 2. – John Beall, thirteen years old who has been in jail for six weeks on a charge of killing his mother made a confession this morning.

            On June 13th the boy was at home alone with his mother at a farmhouse.

            About 4 o’clock he alarmed the neighbors, by saying three tramps had killed his mother.  He was asleep he said, but was awakened in time to see them leaving with a watch and some money.

            The watch has since been found where he admits he hid it.  He had shot his mother twice and then nearly beheaded her with an axe.

            No motive for the crime is assigned.  It is believed he was angry at what seemed to him to be evidences of favoritism shown to his sister by his mother.

Transcribed from the Inter Ocean, 1890-05-13

SUICIDE OF A DOCTOR

            Eaton, Ohio, May 12. – Yesterday Dr. A. C. Hawley shot himself dead in his office.  A note beside him said he had taken a quantity of morphine.  Some letters were found on his desk, which will be examined by the Coroner when the inquest is held.  He was about 32 years old and stood well in his profession.

Transcribed from:  Wheeling Sunday Register   Date: 1890-07-24

To Hang His Cousin.

An Ohio Attorney Who Put Duty to Law Above Relationship

Columbus, O.. July 23. In the Ohio Su­preme Court today a novel and striking spectacle presented itself to those who knew the circumstances. A motion for a new trial for Elmer Sharkey, the boy matricide, was before the Court, and on behalf of the State there appeared J. L. Risinger, Attorney of Preble where the crime was committed, who is a first cousin of the condemned young man. There is no enimity between the two cousins, and Mr. Risinger appeared as a matter of duty. To the few present who knew of the relationship it was an impressive scene, as the eloqueut young attorney stood before the last tribunal with power to save his cousin from the scaffold and urged the Court not to grant him a new trial.