Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-08-14

otcu hlmseu into the &oou SfkceS VI
Mr.. ConweIl, who was d good unstis-
pecting religious man, and an ardent
Methodist Preacher. Donovan would
frequently attend the meetings of Mr..
Conwell, was a fine singer and often
closed the meetings. Mr.. Conwell
had q Clerk, q respectable young man,
by the name Of Williams in the store,
who suspected Donovan of taking
money out of the drawer Of the store,
and named il TO Mr.. Conwell, in con-
fidence. With some hesitation 1t was
suggested by Conwell that they would
bore an auger hole over the drawer
in the floor Of the room, and the next
time Donovan came TO the store the
clerk should leave some counted
change in the drawer and step out
and 20 up to tho hole quietly, leaving
Don0van'in the store. The plan was
adopted, and Williams saw Donovan
take the change out of the drawer and
stated the fact TO Conwell. | was
the States Attorney at the time
A bout midnight the same night l was
called up by Mr.. Conwell and the
facts stated. recommended that an
other chance should be given to Don
ovan. with another witness at the hole,
charged with taking the money, and,
as the character of Donovan was es-
tablished, and Williams was but a
young man, II might end in tho dis
charge of Donovan and the ruin of
Williams. Mr.. Conwell, however urg-
ed the arrest of Donovan. | prepar-
ed the papers and Donovan was ar
rested before morning, in his bed
He protested his innocence, charged
Williams with the theft, give bail for
his appearance, and brought suit
against Conwell and Williams for
Islander. Thus stood the case until
within few weeks before Court,
when Donovan was missing. His
bail followed him to Cincinnati and
found his name registered on boat
for New Orleans. The well known
voice of Donovan was heard in the
drinking saloon, cursing and swear
ing, and, as the bail entered, re reelcd
against the side Of the door and fell
drunk upon the floor. He was brought
back by his bail, and delivered mp to
the Sheriff and put In Jail. Court
come on. He was indicted, tried,
convicted, and sent to the peniten-
tiary two years. The actions Of SLAM
der were dismissed, and Donovan con-
fesscd TO my brother that he had sto-
len his horse and sold him in Urbana.
ANEcDorE OF GOV. wHITcoMB.
In the winter Of 1923, as | was
about to leave indianapolis for home,
James Whitcomb told me he was go
ing to Ohio, and wished to travel with
me. Of course was glad to have
company, as the path led through the
woods, and there was but three hons
es between Indianapolis and White
Water. After an early breakfast we
started, both riding good horses, i'm
tending to reach Dille's on Blue River,
near where Kingstown now stands
Some hours after night, to our much
Joy, we saw the light at the cabin, rode
up, and as we dismounted the sound
of fiddle saluted us. Entering the
cabin, there sat before the fire lame
young man by the name of Ollie, with
nm old fiddle in his hand, scraping
away, making anything but music
He laid the Fiddle on the bed, and start
ed with our horses to the stable. As
he closed the door, Mr.. Whitcomb
took up the fiddle, soon put IL in tune,
and when Amos returned he was play
ing light and beautiful airs. Amos
took his seat by me, seemingly en-.
tranced, and az Mr.. Whitcomb struck
up "Hail Columbia" he sprang to his
feet. "If had fifty dollars / would
give it all for that fiddle; / never
heard such music before in my life
After playing several tunes Mr.. Whit
comb laid the instrument on the bed
Amos seized it, carried it to the fire
where he could see il, turnnd II over
and over, examined every part, and
sang out. Mister, | never saw two
fddles so much alike as yours and
mbse.' Gov. Whitcomb was one o.
the finest performers on the violin
ever heard.