Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-09-07
THE STORY OF OLD BIBB.
HOW TOM coRWIN PAID A DEBT
OF GRATITUDE.


Luther Latin Mills, when he was
several years younger, but almost as
well known, delivered lecture at
Rockford, Ill. Presiding over his
meeting was a venerable e-looking man
with white beard, which hung well
down toward his waist. Mr.. Mills
was told that the Chairman's name
was Bibb, and that he was formerly
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. After
he had finished his lecture Mr.. Mills
walked home with one of the members
of the Reception Committee. AS they
strolled along Rockford's almost
deserted streets, under the light of
the full harvest moon, Mr.. Mills
asked:
"Who is this man Bibb? They
tell me he used to be Lieutenant
Governor of Ohio"
"Whatl" exclaimed his companion,
stopping in the road. "Don't you
know who Bibb is? Haven't you ever
heard the story of Bibb?"
"No, never have"
"Why, I thought every one had
heard the story of Bibb! And so you
really don't know itp Well, you
mustn't live another hour without
hearing it. Sit right down here and
I'll tell you the story of Bibb."
So the two sat down on the grassy,
moonlit bank in quiet Rockford, lit
their pipes, and Luther Latin Mills
listened attentively while the farmer
told his tale.
And this is the story of Bibb as re-
lated to Mr.. Mills those long years
ago-a story which he loves best of all
to repeat because its hero was Thomas
Corwin, candidate for President of the
United States, noted lawyer, most
famous of stump speakers in ante
bellum days, Governor of Ohio,
Minister to Mexico and member of
Congress.
Bibb, in the early days of Ohio's
history, was active in politics. He
was we'll liked, though regarded as
eccentric. He was elected Lieutenant
Governor after filling minor positions.
When Bibb stepped out of this office
he had grown tired of the maelstrom
of political life. He loaded his family
and household goods into a few
wagons and came West, settling down
on farm in Winnebago County.
He grew grayer in his new home,
living quiet, happy life, respected
by all his neighbors. His family
grew up about him, sharing the re-
spect with which the father was held.
In the course of time Bibb's eldest
daughter had blossomed into beauti-
full womauhood and became engaged
to one of the honest young farmers of
Winnebago County.
The wedding was celebrated under
the Ohioau's roof in right good old
fashioned style; but later in the even
ing half-intoxicated charivari party
paid call, waking the echoes with
horn, pan and drum. Old Bibb had
left Ohio to get away from Just such
noise and confusion, and so, stepping
to the door, angrily exclaimed:
"Get off my landp'
The merrymakers laughed at him.
"I'll give you just three minutes to
leave my property"
There was more laughter and an
noyance. Bibb went into the house.
Your three minutes are almost
up" he said threateningly, returning
an instant later.
More noise, more beating of pan
and drum.
Promptly upon the expiration of
the three minutes Bibb again stepped
to the door-this time with a shotgun
in his hand.
Bang bangl' twice spoke the old
gun.
Bibb had killed two of the first
young men in Winnebago County.
Quietly stepping back into the
house, he put the gun back on the old
rack, kissed his wife and his daugh-
der, whose wedding night was thus
darkened by double tragedy, went
to the barn, silently hitched up his
rig, drove to Rockford, and give him
self up to the Sheriff.
Winnebago County in the space of
less than an hour was at fever heat.
The fathers whose sons had been
shot down led mob against the Jail,
but the Sheriff by cool action saved
his prisoner from the infuriated farm
ers, so Winnebago County settled
down to nurse its deep wrongs and
heap maladictions upon the head of
Bibb.
And the newly made wife spoiled
her honeymoon and eyes by weeping.
A special grand jury was sum
moned, and Bibb was indicted on two
charges of murder. There was no
session of court for six months, so
Bibb made himself as comfortable as
possible, and the countrymen talked
over the tragedy again and again as
they worked in their fields.
About week after the shooting
there rode into Rockford stranger
on a roam mare. He was tall, smil-
ing, and wore black sombrero. He
went to the village hotel, handed his
mare over to the hostler, and said he
intended to stay awhile. No one
knew who the guest was or whence he
came; but each morning he rose at