Iowa
Old Press
The Appanoose Times
Centerville, Appanoose co., Iowa
Thursday, January 6, 1881
A HORRIBLE DEED
A Man Murdered by His own Family, and Concealed in A Coal Pit.
Coroner Shontz was summoned last Saturday to Caldwell township to
hold an inquest over the body of Thomas Garvin, who had been
murdered and thrown into an abandoned coal shaft. The evidence at
the inquest and the preliminary examination of the murdered man's
wife brought out the following statements in regard to his death:
It seems that Garvin was addicted to strong drink and had abused
his wife during the day that he met his death, having cursed and
beaten her, while she was returning from the house of a neighbor.
She had gone on home and was cutting some wood when he came up to
her and told her to put down the ax, as he was going to kill her
and the children; at this she started to run and he followed her
around the house until she sprang into a door and partly closed
it. Garvin was trying to force the door open when his son, a lad
about eleven years old, struck him on the side of the head with
an ax, knocking him down and repeating the blow after he was down
with the blade of the ax. The above is substantially the
statements of both the woman and the boy. She further stated that
she and the boy, after they found that they had committed a
murder, consulted as to what they would do with the body, and
finally decided to throw it into an abandoned coal shaft which
the man himself had dug, and in which there was some ten feet of
water standing. She further states that the murder was committed
on the 22d, of December, but as Garvin was away from home most of
the time no one ever missed him. It might never have been known
how the man came to his death or that he was dead at all if his
wife had not told it to one of her neighbors who in turn told her
husband, who at once told other men and they went to the house
and accused Mrs. Garvin of the deed, whereupon she confessed the
whole matter as given above. The woman and boy and a small child
are now in jail here awaiting the sitting of Court; the other
children, four in number, have been taken to the County Farm. The
woman is a wretched looking object and seems completely broken
down with the weight of crime and grief that she is carrying.
There are many rumors of late that would lead to the supposition
that the man was murdered in bed and that some one else was
implicated, but the above is the story of the woman herself
corroborated fully by the statements of the boy. Parties from
this city who were present and saw the body after it had been
dragged out of the shaft, say it was a horrible and ghastly
sight. The man's head had been crushed by the blow of the ax and
the face and chin were split open in three or four places. The
body was perfectly naked when taken from the shaft, which would
indicate that they stripped him of his clothing before throwing
him in.
---
REV. JOHN HARRIS, of Olathe, Kan., formerly a citizen of this
county was in the city Tuesday and called at the TIMES office.
Mr. Harris has many friends in this county who will be pleased to
learn that he is prospering.
The net earnings of the Appanoose Co. Bank for the year 1880 were
15 per cent of its capital stock. This is a most excellent
showing and speaks well for Mr. W.L. Selby under whose management
the affairs of the institution have been carried on.
Almost an accident is what occured at the picture gallery on
Monday, some of the boys were in there having pictures taken
representing Leadville costumes when a revolver fell upon the
floor and was discharged, fortunately only scaring the boys.
Misses Allie Stephenson, Frank Baker and Sallie Wright, and Mr.
W.L. Selby of Centerville, were visiting in our city the first of
this week, guests of Mrs. Lewis Miles and Mrs. B.T. Raisor.--The
young folks of town assembled at Mr. Lewis Miles' Monday night
and had a pleasant and sociable time.--Corydon Dem.
The Board of Supervisors met on Monday afternoon and organized by
electing Mr. Geo. Wolf, the newly elected member, Chairman.
[transcribed by P.E., May 2006]
-----
The Appanoose Times
Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa
Thursday, January 27, 1881
LOCAL MATTERS
-D.N. Steel is building a dwelling house in the north part of
town.
-Special low prices on cornshellers at Williams & Son's.
-Frank Teeter and wife, of Ottumwa, are here visiting their
father.
-For all kinds of canned goods, or nice, fresh fruits go to
Strickler Bros'.
-Next Saturday Wm. Bradley entertains the little folks at the
Court House.
-T.L. Wailes has bought the brick dwelling house just north of
the M.E. parsonage.
-For all kinds of fancy groceries or confectionery go to Stickler
Bros'.
-We haven't heard of any candidates for county officers yet.
Don't be bashful boys, come to the front.
-For oysters in any style, hot meals or a lunch go to Strickler
Bros'.
-St. Johns Commandery, No. 21, will hold a social at the Masonic
Hall, Thursday evening, Jan. 27th, to which all Masons and their
families are invited.
-For 1881 we mean business, low prices and good goods. We will
treat you well. Williams & Son.
-On account of the continued illness of the editor, Mr. B.S.
Spooner, we, the devil and compositors, are running the paper.
Don't view us with a "critic's eye," etc.
-James Wyatt says Dr. Eells' Pad relieved his wife of Neuralgia
better than any remedy she ever used.
-Thos. H. Morris, we are glad to note, has secured a position as
Clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington. He is a most
deserving man and we are heartily glad that Uncle Sam has
recognized his claims.
-"There is no discount on Dr. Eells' Pain Pad" is what
Anthony Martin says. He used it for pain in his back and was
relieved instantly.
-Rev. Simmons, financial agent of the Iowa Wesleyan University at
Mt. Pleasant, has been in this city for several days, assisting
Rev. I.P. Teter in conducting the protracted meetings at the M.E.
church. He returned home last Monday.
-Wm. Reahard says "If everybody knew about Dr. Eells' Pain
Pad as I do they would not be without it, as it cures a pain
quicker than anything I ever tried."
-The Pasenger train on the C.R.I. & P.Ry., was wrecked near
Rock Island on last Friday. One lady passenger was killed, and
quite a number of pasingers received severe injuries. John Elgin
was a passenger on the train but escaped being injured.
-Esquire Andrews, near Moravia, cured his wife of Rheumatism in
the back with one of Dr. Eells' Pain Pads and recommends others
to do likewise.
-Gov. St. John, of Kansas, will send two military companies to
Washington to take part in the innaugural ceremonies. Iowa gave
Garfield 80,000 majority, and we would like very much to see our
military company go to Washington, and assist in the inaugural.
-The Centerville Marble shop proposes to sell marble cheaper than
any other. C.R. Lock, is agent. By buying of him you will save
money.
-While Albert Eells was driving across the square in a cutter
last week a stake that had been left in the ground in removing
the Russell building caught the sleigh and tore it loose from the
team. Albert was dragged up the street a considerable distance
but not much injured. This might prove a gentle hint to the city
fathers.
-W.E. Johnson, H.C. Sims, and L.F. Darnell, have returned from a
visit to Fairfield.
-Capt. E. Cummins, of Moravia, keeps Dr. Eells' Pain Pad to
accomodate people in that locality.
-Ackley Saunders now manipulates the lighting at the Wabash depot
at nights.
-Two good second had sewing machines, Cheap at the Gun Shop.
-Perry Smith, of Bonaparte, brother-in-law of G.W. Whitsell, has
located in this city.
-A woman on our streets drunk is an occurrence seldom seen, but
such was a fact Monday afternoon.
-Miss Annie Van Dorn who has been visiting friends in this city,
returned to her home in Bonapart, Monday.
-We mean business on section and chain pumps. Come and see.
Williams & Son.
-J.B. Brown, of Leadville, Col., is visiting his sister, Mrs. E.
Saunders, of this city. Mr. Brown was at one time a resident of
this city.
-Mr. A.D. Gordon, head cook of William's tin shop, has bought the
property recently occupied by Mr. J.B. Fridley who goes to
Seymour to work for the firm of Bradley and Earnest.
-See several kinds of the very best sewing machines in the market
at the Gun Shop.
-Rev. I.P. Teter, of Centerville has used Dr. Eells' Pain Pad in
his family and likes it so well that he ordered one to be sent to
his son in Burlington.
-We understand that Rev. Belden will preach his farewell sermon
next Sabbath. We are sorry to lose so good a man as Mr. Belden,
and we feel that the church he leaves will be lucky if they
succeed in getting a man that can fill his place.
-Dr. Eells is receiving orders for his Pain Pad from all sections
of the country. Last week he had orders from California, Illinois
and various localities in Iowa. It gives entire satisfaction in
every case.
-Order are coming in from all parts of the country for the rubber
bucket pumps. We will have another car load here in a few days.
Williams & Son.
-We learn that the Lynn & Lyle show company has
"busted" and will not reach this city. We suppose the
CITIZEN folks have some "orders on the company" for
printing bills for sale cheap. It don't pay to get too
rantankerous if a competitor is enjoying a little patronage in a
certain line and try to root him out. You finally got some dates
to print, didn't you?
-The members of Company E, recognizing the fact that it was owing
to the untiring, and efficient, efforts of Mrs. J.K. Boyles and
Mrs. B.S. Spooner, that their late fair was carried through to
such a complete success, at a recent meeting at the armory voted
unanimously to give to each one of them a handsome testimonial of
the company's recognition of their services, and the
presentations were made last week. Mrs. Boyles received a
handsome Venetian clock and Mrs. Spooner a beautiful silver
pickle castor.
-The death last Friday morning, of consumption, of Thos. H.
Morris' little daughter, Jessie, was a sad event, and was
rendered doubly so from the fact that the father was in
Washington, D.C., and was unable to attend the funeral. She was a
very intelligent and loveable little child and many kind friends
were present to follow her remains to their last resting place,
and drop a sympathetic tear thereon. The funeral services were
conducted by Rev. A. Robbins, assisted by Revs. Belden and Teter.
-Hugh McDermith, a miner in the employ of the Centerville Union
Coal Company, and working in the "Cob" mine, had one of
his legs broken in two places last Saturday, by falling slate. We
are informed that he failed to keep his room properly cribbed or
propped up, and that miners generally are careless in this
particular, even though their lives are endangered thereby. Dr.
Reynolds rendered the necessary surgical aid, and the patient is
doing very well.
--
A large number of invited guests assembled at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. R. Stephenson, Sr., last Thursday evening to witness
the marriage of their daugther, Miss Allie, to Mr. O.F. Goddard,
a young, engergetic and enterprising attorney, of Corydon. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. I.P. Teter, of the M.E. Church of
this city. Miss Stephenson is one of our city's amiable and
loveable young ladies, possessed of rare intellectual attainments
and graces which will render her a fit companion for Mr. Goddard,
let him climb the ladder of legal fame ever so high. There were a
large number of useful and elegant presents presented by the
guests. They were given an elegant reception at Judge Tannehill's
on the following evening. The TIMES would offer good wishes for
the future. Their future home will be in Corydon.
LIST OF PRESENTS:
Bible-by Father Stephenson.
One dozen silver knives and forks, set solid silver teaspoons and
butter knife-Mother Stephenson.
Full set gilt band china ware-R.T. Allen.
Set silver tablespoons-by Elmer Stephenson.
Parlor water set-Mr. and Mrs. N. Udell, Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Ong,
and Mr. & Mrs. C.W. Lane.
Hanging lamp complete-Messrs. T.P. Shonts, W.L. Selby and H.A.
Russell.
Bath tub-H.B. Williams.
Slop pail-Mr. and Mrs. J. Williams.
Water pitcher-Mr. and Mrs. Randle.
Linen table cloth and towls-Mrs. Grundy.
Table cloth-Mr. and Mrs. I.S. Lane.
Red Riding Hood Statuary-Mr. and Mrs. F. Eells.
Brussels rug-Mrs. T.E. Stephens and Miss E.M. Virden.
Stand cover and Tureen-Mrs. T. Sargent.
Bronze clock-Mrs. J.B. Maring, Mrs. C.A. Stanton, Mrs. Rhoda
Wentworth, and Mrs. J.R. Hayes.
Silver pickle caster-Mr. and Mrs. Tannehill and Miss H.P. Miller.
Table castor-Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Vermillion, R.R. Vermillion and
H.C. Gardner.
Fire proofe tea pot-Mrs. S.L. Harvey.
Glass bread plate-Mrs. I. Selby.
Gold cuff buttons-Mrs. M.M. Walden.
Silver pickle castor-F.M. McLane.
Pair silver napkins rings-Miss Anna Thomas, Corydon.
Silver pickle caster-Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Scott.
Silver butter knife-Mr. and Mrs. Lock.
Silver cake basket-Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. W.H.
Dickey, Mrs. Lewis Miles and Miss Frank Baker.
Lace tidy-Sallie Wright.
Blue satin toilet cushion, hand painted-Miss Jennie Drake.
Ivory card case-Frederick Steams, Detroit.
Large Bible stand-Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. W.S.
Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Moore, and Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Pierson.
Silver fruit spoon-Henry and Emma Goss.
Silver cake knife-T.M. Fee.
Set silver teaspoons-Mrs. A.E. Wooden.
Set silver tablespoons-A.E. Wooden.
Fine morocco work box-F.J. May, Corydon.
Ladies toilet case-Wilkinson and Bartlet, Keokuk.
Celluloid toilet case-Richardson & Co., St. Louis.
Pair large vases-J.M. Swan & Co., Burlington.
China fruit dish-G.W. Dalliway, Muscatine.
Wedding cards-Western News Co.
Set silver teaspoons and sugar spoon-Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Drake.
Vase and boquet-Miss VanAlstine.
Vase and boquet-Sadie and Allie Cole and Maggie Pierson.
Bible stand-Mr. and Mrs. B.S. Spooner and Sadie Lane.
Large brussels rug-Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Luedde.
Book Oratory and Orators-M.M. Walden.
Owen Meridith's Lucile-Eva Drake.
The Koran-D.R. Guernsey.
Shelley's Illustrated Poetical Works-W.D. Fenton.
Byron's Poems-T.P. Shonts.
Handsome boquet-Mrs. F.M. Drake.
Majolica pitcher-Mr. R. Bird.
Hansome letter pocket and match holder-Miss. Sallie Barker.
Perfume toilet set-Mr. F.O. Climer and Miss Alda Holt.
[transcribed by P.E., June 2006]