The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-08-16
From West Independence,

From West Independence.
EDS. JEFF.-Our little village, "oI
the border" has always borne the
reputation of being quiet and peac
able place-not given to pickering
back. biting, quarreling, or drunk.
mess. We have heretofore conduct
ed our affairs in such manner as to
keep from pubic notice to great ex.
tent, but the time has now arrived
when we fear that we must be shown
up and lest false impression should
go abroad we wish to tell our own
story.
For sometime past there has
'loafed" about town man of vii
famous aspect, bearing the name OF
Erastus Groves, whose only aim
seemed to be to ascertain how much
beer he could keep from souring.
Until recently he has exerted no
great influence for evil - in fact,
nothing of the kind was shown until
Friday afternoon last.
He, with his brother and two
young men named Young, all more
or less intoxicated, went into the
shoe shop Of Taylor & Son, over the
store of Lawhead & Helpman, and
endeavored to force the younger
Taylor-a quiet, respectable young
man-to go with them and treat to
the beer. Upon his refusal he was set
upon by two of the number in a most
violent manner. Taylor defended
himself as best he could, until Mr..
Iawhead came to his assistance,
armed With a poker, when the young
men made a precipitous retreat.
onorsiy afscu tucy again made eu
attack on the store with clubs, stones
and brickbats, but with the assist
ance of his clerk, Mr.. Brown, and
others, Mr.. Lswhead succeeded in
driving them away, "breathing
threatenings and slaughter
During the battle-for it was not
much less-a brickbat, thrown by
Erastus Groves, struck little son of
Mr.. Helpman, aged five years, in the
back, infllcting a serious, though not
fatal, wound.
Mr.. Lawhead was so badly beaten
on the arm with club as to render
that member entirely useless for the
present. Mr.. Brown sustained Sc
we're cash on the head, while the
bridge of MIR. Taylor's nose was
broken
The arrest of the entire party was
made the same night but while IN
waiting at Esq. Mumma's, the ring
leader, Groves, escaped. The other
young men by pleading hard and en-
listing the sympathies of theicitizens,
and after faithfully promising reform
alton, were allowed to depart upon
paying a fine of SO each and paying
costs. -
A warrant has been issued for the
apprehension of Erastus Groves, who
if he is caught, will be made to suf-
fer the extreme penalty of the law.
Another transaction took place in
this neighborhood, which we do not
intend TO father, as the actor is an
Arcadian.
Benz. Sharp, q worthless fellow,
residing in Arcadia, while on a drunk,
went to the house of his father. in law,
Andrew Moore, where his wife was
staying, and after few preliminary
remarks, undertook to 'sbust" the old
mans head with a fence stake. The
old gentleman, however, was "some
on the muscle" and "went in" and
soon cleaned out his undutiful son-in-
law. He then threatened to burn the
old mans property, whereupon Mr..
Moore caused his arrest on a charge
of assault with intent to kill. He
brought before ESQ. Mumma, who
in default of bail committed him to
Jail.
We are fearful that We sh all soon
lose one of our best citizens, DR.. A.
S. Williams, having sold out to DIR.
VIM. Cake, of Fostoria,. While we
are sorry to lose DR.. W. we may
congratulate ourselves upon being
assured of as good man in his place
as DR.. Cake.
! / hope that in my next will be
able to give you more hopeful &C
count of matters and things at this
point.
/ INDEPENDENT.