The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-20

WAITED, ENDING IN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
The feud, the outcome Of which is the ter
rible death of Colonel Thomas N. Stilwell,
is one of years standing. Five years ago
John e. Corwin came to Anderson, where
he married the daughter of one OF the wealth.
lest citizens, Mr.. Allen Makepeace. Colonel
Stilwell has been Anderson's leading citizen,
its head and front in social, political and
business circles. With the wealth acquired
by his marriage with Miss Makepeace, Cor
WIN, who bore no enviable reputation be-
fore this, and whose career has made many
enemies and few friends, determined, if pos
sible, to supplant Stilwell and wrest
from him the prominence which he
he we'll deserved. To this end
Corwin bent all his energies; drop
piIfg insinuations here and there
against Colonel Stillwell's business integri-
ty, emphasizing his manner of life. running
counter to him in everything, and placing
the thousand and6ne obstacles in his path
that a man can when he determines on such
a line of conduct, however impregnable be
the position of his opponent. When Cor
wins father in-law, Makepeace, was alive,
be was depositor in Stilwell's bank, and
from what can be gathered, it seems that
Makepeace was in the habit of obtaining in
place of currency he had deposited certifi-
Gates of bonds to that amount, to avoid tax
stiOn after the returns were made out
he would surrender the bonds and
be credited with the currency. One
of these recent certificates tor $4,000 it
seems Makepeace obtained as usual, but did
not Immediately surrender it; and il is said
by some, though this part of the affair is as
yet obscure. that Makepesce went on check
ing his deposit out whenever he needed, and
Col. Stilwell regarding the whole affair as a
matter of honor between him and Make
peace did not interpose. Affairs IN this shape
I'll n a q
600 worth of bonds fell into COrwin's hands
as executor. With this advantage over
HIS ANCIENT ENEMY,
Corwin pressed Stilwell for payment of
the certificate, and Stilwell declared that the
money for which this certificate had
been given to Makepeace for his ac-
commodation, Makepeace had checked out.
But Corwin threatened an exposure of Still
we'll for fraudulent practices in the matter.
and demanded the money. The affair did
not come to issue, for while it was in statu
quo Stilwell's bank suspended. Just before
the failure a published statement gave the
assets of the bank at S220,0 600. or thereabouts.
The suspension came in November, as is well
known. A receiver was appointed, and
statement of assets then published, made
the showing some $4,000 less, although it
was known that large amount of Vene-
zuelan bonds were included in this state
nlent which did not appear in the published
report made before the suspension. This
excited the wrath of some of the
creditors, whom, it is believed, largely
owing to the influence of Corwin,
were very bitter in their expressions against
Colonel Stilwell. At any rate Corwin in
this, as in all opposition to Stilwell, bore
leading part, and it is thought he was instru-
mental in getting the indictments against
These al VT in all
recounting in various shapes the same
charge of ENLIGHTENMENT. Before these were
registered, and Immediately on giving bail,
Colonel Stilwell went out of the city for
few days, and on his return, the indictments
meanwhile having been registered, he learned
for the first time the nature of the changes
against him. In this he thought he saw,
whether correctly or not, the hand
of Gown, who was thus cap
ping the climax of his long opposition to
Stilwell, by bringing disgrace upon him.
Coupled with this the fact that the main
spring of Corwin's action was the receipt
for the bonds which he held, and which it is
supposed he knew he could not claim as a
matter of honor, but was forcing Stilwell to
pay that amount by threat of legal prose-
cution, it bit and ranked i'm StiIwill
Flushed with anger he started out TO his
death.
COLONEL THOMAS n. STILWELL.
SKETCH OF THE MURDERED MAN.
Colonel Stilwell was native of Ohio. at
the time of his death he was little over
forty three years old. He was educated at
Oxford and College Hill, and in 1852 came
to this state, where he was admitted to the
bar and began the practice of law. In 1856
he was member of the state legislature
In 1864 he was elected representative to
the thirty-ninth congress. Under Johnson's
administration he was appointed minister to
Brazil. While here he became prominent in
prosecuting claim of the United States
against the Brazilian government, which, by
his energy and ability, was finally allowed.
and paid. With the incoming of
Grants administration Colonel Stilwell was
recalled and thereafter entered private life,
engaging in banking in Anderson. On the
death of his father, which occurred
about year ago, he became in his
stead president OF the First National
Bank of Anderson, which position he held
at the time of his own death. In early life. Col.
Stilwell married Miss Conway, in this State,
lady of rare culture and refinement, and
the daughter of wealthy parents. Col. Still
well leaves wife and five children-three
daughters. two of whom are grown, and two
sons. Col. Stilwell and his family may be
said to be part of the social life ofIndianap-
oils, for here they were known and loved
| and respected by the best elements of So
ciety.
THE ASSASSIN.
ANrEcEDENTs OF coRwIN-RIs APPEARANCE
IN THIS CITY-CHARACTER, ETC.
John E. Corwin, the murderer of Stillwell,
| is massive figure. He is about thirty
eight years old. he was born in Binghamp.
ton, New York, about $50 miles from New
York city. He has led rowing life; when
quite young coming to Cincinnati and Louis
| vile and thence going to Vermont, where for
two or three years he had charge of marble
shop. From Vermont in 1860 he came to
this city. He was first employed by Tousey,
| Byram e. Co. in their retail store on WASH
ington street, where he had charge of the
carpet department. In the spring of "a.
Messrs Hume & Adams employed him as
salesman and travelling man. Here he
stayed till sometime in the fall
of '65, then he went to Chicago
where he staid only short time, going to