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Castner family
In concluding the history of this township we shall take occasion to relate a sensational event that took place in '49, in which a number of citizens of this and Pleasant Grove were participants.
In '47 a family named Castner came from Missouri and settled about two miles west of Wheeling, where James Thornburgh now lives. The family consisted of five brothers, Jonas, William, John, Ebenezer, and James - all grown men except the last named, who was still a boy - and their mother. Jonas was married, and afterwards took up his residence near Hartford, Warren county.
The reputation of the Castners previous to their coming here was such as to justify the opinion that they were no profitable addition to the settlement, and their movements were closely observed by those who felt interested in the fair fame of the community, and the safety of property. It was believed that the Castners had been driven from Missouri for some misdemeanor of theirs there, and it was therefore deemed not advisable to permit them to remain here undisturbed longer than they should give the people an excuse for disturbing them. Such an occasion eventually transpired. Bill went to Illinois on a marauding expedition, where he aided in a daring robbery, and was caught and lodged in jail at Quincy. From there he somehow managed to escape, and was so closely pursued to within a short distance of his home that he was compelled to swim the Des Moines river somewhere below Des Moines City, and finally escaped.
News of Bill's escape from jail reached the people here, and a number of them determined to watch for his return to headquarters. Having secreted themselves so as to observe the approach of any one, they patiently watched and listed til past midnight for whatever signs might indicate the fugitive arrival. They knew his family expected him that night, and that his brother John had joined him after he had crossed the river; but it was now evident that the Castners believed, or at least suspected that they were watched, and therefore acted with extreme caution.
At last the deep silence of that after-midnight was broken by the hooting of an owl not far away in the timber, and this was presently answered by one near the house. This was taken by the watchers to mean something more than what owls are supposed to mean by it; but there was not the time to look for an explanation. When daylight came the squad surrounded the house, and Eb. and Jim were taken into custody. Being told that the owl signals had been heard, and that they must give a truthful explanation of their meaning or be whipped, they both denied any knowledge of it. But this their custodians believed to be false, and resolved to force them to tell the truth; so they led them away to a convenient place to administer the persuasive hickory. Seeing what was about to take place, poor old Mrs. Castner attempted to follow, declaring that if her boys were to suffer she would suffer with them; but she was rudely driven back by one of the men, and told that they only meant to whip them, a punishment her boys had been accustomed to.
Now being convinced that he must tell the truth or be severely whipped, Jim, the boy, stated that the hooting of the owls was by his brother Bill and John to let him and Eb. know where they were, so they could take them something to eat. This was satisfactory, and Jim was released. But Eb. concluded that he would stand the thrashing rather than tell, and the whip was vigorously applied; after which he was a second time admonished to confess or have the process repeated. Now being convinced that a confession would be more agreeable than another application of the gad, he corroborated Jim's statement.
They then led their custodians to the place of rendezvous, and their statement was further corroborated by the trail they had made through the dewy grass. But the fugitive brothers had again fled, and it was believed that pursuit would then be in vain.
They thereupon turned their attention to the further disposal of their prisoners, by ordering them with the whole family, to quit the country within a given time, or abide certain consequences. But, as the time of grace expired, without any movement on the part of the offenders to comply with the command, the citizens again collected to enforce it. They compelled the Castners to rig up their conveyance and load their plunder, and then accompanied them beyond Bremen, Monroe county, where they left the next morning, after having seen them start on another day's journey.
Some time after this Eb. returned to his brother Jonas', in Warren county, on pretense of settling up some business connected with the family. Here a number of citizens of this and Warren county followed him, and Wesley Jordan was made captain of the company. On approaching the house Jonas and Eb. who were at a spring watering their horses, having their guns with them as though they anticipated an attack hastened in. The company now drew up in line in front of the house, and Jonas came to the door and ordered their captain not to approach beyond a certain limit, which, however, he did, and called for Eb. The latter then came to the door with his head bound up and a great butcher knife in his hand. Seeing this, the captain told him the company was not prepared to hear him when coming thus armed; that he had promised to not return to the country, and that he would now be voted a limited time to leave it again or be severely dealt with. Also, inasmuch as Jonas rested under strong suspicions of villainy, he, too, would be dealt with in like manner. A vote was then ordered in Jonas' case, all being in favor of his expulsion to step one pace front. Hearing this, Jonas raised his gun and threatened to shoot any one that stepped forward. Instantly every rifle was deliberately aimed at him, the hammers of which were set and fingers pressed upon them. Seeing his critical situation, Jonas quickly stepped within doors. The vote was taken, and the Castners evacuated the country within the time specified.