Fracus at Chatfield Home

CHATFIELD, SIMPKINS, SWARMS, ASHBY

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/8/2010 at 18:09:11

The home of Arthur L. Chatfield north of town, was the scene of a fracas last night between 9 and 10 o'clock, when Mr. Chatfield caught Pierce Simpkins and adopted son, Penn Swarms in his barn. Following is Mr. Chatfield's version of the case:

Mr. Simpkins had a flock of ducks which persisted in coming to the Chatfield home, destroying garden truck and keeping the watering tank in a dirty and muddy condition. Mr. Simpkins was told of the matter but paid no attention and finally becoming incensed, Chatfield locked them in the barn and notified SImpkins to come after them and pay the damage they had done. Last night shortly after nine Mr. Chatfield was awakened by noise coming from the barn and hastily donning shirt and trousers he went to the barn, unarmed and barefoot. When he reached the barn he found the door broken open and thinking that perhaps his stock had done it, without precaution stepped inside the feedway. He was immediately set upon by a man with a club, whom he afterwards discovered to be Penn Swarms. The fight waged on and finally Mr. Simpkins took a hand in it, all using anything they could lay their hands on. In the meantime Mr. Chatfield's cries for help brought a neighbor, Mr. Geo. Ashby, to the scene, and he was approaced in a menacing manner by Swarms, who carried a club. Ashby secured a like implement and chased Swarms over the hill. Simpkins and Swarms drove home with the ducks.

Chatfield and Ashby immediately hitched up and drove to town, and filed an information against Simpkins and Swarms, charging them with breaking into and entering his barn. Sheriff Guthrie and Marshal Nearhood started for the Simpkins home about midnight and bringing them to town took them before 'Squire Hunter. They waived preliminary hearing and were bound over to the grand jury under bonds of $100 each. They furnished bond and were released.

The case was filed this morning and it will no doubt be disposed of by the grand jury now sitting.

Source: LCHS scrapbook; newspaper clipping with handwritten date of Sept. 6, 1916