Newbern in 1870: Reporting the bad and ugly, too

I shared the other day an upbeat Chariton Patriot correspondent report from Lucas County's Benton Township ("Benton Township in 1883: Frozen in Time"), but these amateur newspaper reporters quite often chronicled, in addition to the good, the bad and ugly, too.

Here's an example, headlined "From Newbern" from The Democrat of March 14, 1870. Newbern was (and still is, in diminished form) located north of Chariton on the Lucas-Marion county line.

The report was unsigned and there were no follow-ups in subsequent editions. But there is at least one lesson here --- be cautious about getting too sentimental about the "good old days." 

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Newbern, March 11th

Our little village was thrown into an intense excitement today by the sudden disappearance of W. J. Davis, of English Township, Lucas Co.

It appears from the best information that we can gather that some two months ago, Davis took his wife to his mother-in-law's to remain overnight, as his wife's mother was quite ill, but after staying until ten o'clock he went home under the pretext that his children would be very lonesome, and that he thought it best to be with them. He has two boys, aged six and eight years. There was also a girl, aged 18, that he had taken to raise, she being a niece of his wife and an orphan, with them.

The girl states that the first she knew of Davis' return, he was in bed with her and by threats of wagon-whipping if she did not remain quiet, he so intimidated here that she swooned, and the villain then violated her  person. He then informed her if she ever dared to reveal his dastardly conduct he "would whip her to death."

A short time ago she told Davis' wife and others about the occurrence. Her grandmother, and guardian, being sick, it was kept quiet until yesterday, when a warrant was sworn out before Esq. G. T. Mays for his apprehension, but before it could be put into a baliff's hands he "skedaddled" for  parts unknown.

The last heard from him he was four miles west, at Mr. Mumford's at 11 o'clock last night on horseback. He stated there that he intended to take the next train west. He is about five feet ten inches high, 37 years old, sandy complexion, red beard, whiskers some five inches long, and gray eyes. 

There seems to be a general desire to lynch  him if found, and the man that assisted him to escape. His wife is an estimable lady, and his children are very promising. His relatives include some of our best citizens. (Democrat 14 March 1870)