The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-08-08
EAroN, Ohio, July o7.

I write to the Gazette for the purpose oil
laying before its numerous readers q correci
statement and view Of matters here, a. far
as il is possible 10 obtain them at this time
| There has been, and still is, mu ,h miscou-
ception, If not positive misrepresentation in
regard to the cause of so much excitemen,
The pas, ten days. and well may the people
of the usually quiet town Of Eaton be arous.
ed to the highest degree of indignation.
when such brutal and 6endisb outrages have
been perpetrated in our midst upon our
brave soldiers. aud an effort to shield the
guilty secession scoupdrels from their just
deserts. On Wednesday, the 18Th day of
July. about ! O'Clock p. NJ. j. Hinkls a
| parolied soldier. and Mr.. Shields. got into
a controversey about the latter wearing a
butternut breastpin. This being an emblem
of treason, it was natural that brave SOL
der should resent the insult, for il is an in
suit to any trpe patriot. "A quarrel ensued
and was about ending in blows. when a man
by the name OF Philip Recharl. ranting
Vallsndi ghammer and Butternut, cried out.
Stand out of the way and will give it to
] him." and instantly drew forth huge
butcher knife, or bowie knife. or pike. aud
plunged it into the side or back of Mr.. Hin
kle. just missing the kidney and very fortu
nately not penetrating any OF the cavities,
10 consequence OF the murderer just at this
moment receiving stunning blow from a
bysiander. who saw the fiendish attempt to
take the life OF one Of our soldier boys
This Reichard was in no way connected
with the quarrel in question; but he was q
Butlernut. and had wiletted his knife in the
morning before leaving home, and stated
that he intended to kill some Aboltionist or
Lincolnite that day. and this he thought. no
doubt, was favorable opportunity to carry
out his cowardly design. This diabolical
attempt. as might be expected. highly in
censed both citizens and soldiers, and many
cried out kill him" He started TO run,
when officer King arrested him. He broke
loose. however, and then several stones
were hurled at him, some of which struck
him on the head. by which he was badly
bruised, and severe cuts Inflicted, but was
not dangerously hurt. He ran into DIR. Mi
nor's drugstore, and an excited crowd fol-
lowed him to the door. Elias Clear. pa
rolled soldier. went in the store TO assist in
arresting him. This Reichard, when he
saw Clear. rushed toward him furiously and
plunged his koiie nearly to the hilt into the
left side of Clear which penetrated his
chest near the heat. passing through the
lungs. diaphragm. aud into the stomach,
moment Il. j. McGregor went to Clears as
sistance. when this demon in human shape.
plunged the knife into his left side Also
Still another soldier by the name of Myers,
who by this time had got inside Of the store.
but was not attempting to do anything. re-
ceived a stab from the same man. Myers
threw up his arm 10 ward off the blow. and
thus saved his life the knife, instead Of
penetrating the chest was evidently in
tended, inflicted bad bu. not dangerous
wound in the arm. After this the assassin
was secured and hurried off to Jail. The
occurrence of such scenes, althOuzh the ex-
citement was great, was characterized by
great forbearance and moderation by both
citizens and soldiers. 1t was feared at one
time that mob or Lynch law would be re
sorted to at once, but was fortunately pre-
vented. The great wonder is that he was
not Immediately killed. 1t can only be ac
counted for from the fact that the soldiers
and but few Of the citizens were armed.
turn now to the wounded. Elias Clear vas
placed under the care of DR.. Mendenhall
who pronounced his wound mortal. His
wound was dressed, however, and every
thing was done to render him comfortable
turing the hours he had to live He lin
sered in great suffering till 4 O'Clock the
aext morning when he brea,hed his last,
.nd thus passed away a brave and gallant
,oidier; one who had passed through eight
battles unscathed and unhurt. He was the
color bearer of the 75sh Onio at Chancel
lorsvilie, also at the battle of Gettysburg.
where he was taken prisoner He came
home on parol and fell by the hand of the
assassin AS above stated. j. T. McGregor
was placed under the care OF Drs. Crume
and Welsh. and. although bis was not at
first thought to be mortal, he died the fol-
lowing evening. Hinkle and Myers are
both living and nearly WE'LL Blu: now for
the sequel. Threats ss before in,imated.
had been made to take the prisoner out of
Jail and hang him. Threats and prepara-
tions hal also been made BY the friends o.
Reichard. who lived six miles north of here
in a Vslandigham or Bu,ternut Neighbour.
hood, called Buzz ard r post. to come to town
aod rescue him. This attempt would have
proved sad and costly affair to them. and
they found this out before their plans were
put in execution. The # ends of the de-
ceased, the citizens and soldiers, all had
concluded to acq.iesce in an impartial and
faithful examination and decision of the
Court, believing that it would be better to
let the law take its course. and that fuli JUS
tice would be done Thus matters remsin-
ed up to Saturday. July 25th, when the
body of Captain J.. c Mulharrn. who had
been killed at the battle of Gettysburg had
arrived at his fathers house, in this place.
for inierneas. The cenetry is Abou. half
mile from town. The Rev. DIR. Weakly.
Chaplain of the 18th Ohio. was to preach
the funeral a, the cemetery. at O'Clock r
N. The citizens generally. and all the sol
nsIyh t,orhood turned out
in = bodv TO attend the funeral.
a., their return. or before they left town,
judge of the surprise ,ha. was .oesss oeea.'onea
~, ~ ;.;I aud gone. Indignation was de-
Dis,sd upon every coaatensnce of both sexes
and but few could tell how it happened..-I
Uupon farther inquiry it appears the wires
were all laid. the plans were oil previously
arranged. the decision had been made and
soon 8 the funeral procession had isf. town
for the eenesery. by some bu.ternut hocus
Tpocus the prisoner was broughs before
magistrate for tie stabbing Of The Aforesaid