Blog Post Number 260. Randolph County Girl Dies From Neglect.
Winchester Journal, February 15, 1871.
A few months ago, a colored woman, whose name we have been unable to learn but resides near the Ohio line, placed her little daughter, about eight or nine years old with the family of John Thomas, also colored who lives in the north part of Winchester.
The mother who is a poor woman and compelled to labor hard for her living was unable, without great inconvenience, to see her child personally, having confidence in those to whom she had confided the care of her child, thought she was doing well.
But the arrival of a wagon before her door containing the dead body of her daughter, bruised and disfigured by the cruel beatings it had received, dispelled the poor mother's delusion. When taken from the wagon, the body was yet warm showing conclusively that the child had died while being taken home.
An examination developed the fact that her toes and heels were entirely frozen off and that her knees were calloused indicating that her feet had been frozen for some time and that she had been compelled to go about on her knees. Her back, arms and legs were terribly bruised and swollen with the marks of cruel beatings.
The guilty parties had doubtless become alarmed at the probable result of their unhuman conduct and attempted to get the child to it's mother before she died, that they might escape, or at least mitigate their punishment.
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| Some of the quilts on display in the upper level in the Randolph County Historical Museum. |
As if not yet satisfied with their cruelty, they threw her into an old road wagon on a thin layer of straw with nothing but a dirty, ragged old quilt to protect her and started to her mothers, but as stated above, she died on the way.
A warrant for the arrest of Thomas and his wife was issued and a joint preliminary examination was held before Levi S. Grave, Esq. of Wayne Township, who held them to bond in the sum of $1,000, in default of which they were committed to the jail in Winchester.
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Notes from Thursa, a RCHS Volunteer.
What was the weather like when this happened?
The US Weather Bureau was new and just five days prior started official regional records. Local forecasts were not recorded. Regional records noted in the Midwest that mid-February 1871 was a 'highly volatile' winter. There were bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snowstorms. During that week, substantial snow accumulations were recorded in the region along with sub-freezing and hazardous conditions.
The bond was $1,000, how much is that in 2026?
In 1871 their bond was noted as $1,000. In 2026, the equivalent purchasing power is about $27,370.
What is the rest of the story?
Mick did search when he came across this article and was not able to find any further newspaper stories about it.
RCHS Volunteers do not have the outcome of the story discovered at this time. If you would like to assist in researching, stop in at RCHS on Thursday afternoons to discuss how you can help.
Who was this Thomas family?
In the 1870 Census for Randolph County, Indiana, there are five John Thomas files noted.
John Thomas born 1840 Missouri noted in Winchester census file. Thirty years old, white male, occupation is a pump maker, married to Eliza Thomas (27 years old), no other occupants noted.
John Q. Thomas born 1851 Indiana noted in West River census file. Nineteen years old, white male, attended school, inferred son of James T. and Lucy Ann Thomas, five other people listed on the record.
John J. Thomas born 1857 in Indiana noted in Greensfork census file. Thirteen years old, white male, attended school, inferred son of Joshua C. and Mary B. Thomas, six other people listed on the record.
John Thomas born 1836 in Ohio noted in Washington census file. Thrity-two year old white male, occupation is "keeps grocery", other person on file is 7 year old child.
John Thomas born 1831 in Kentucky in White River census file. Thirty-nine year old black male, post office Winchester, occupation is 'common laborer'. Inferred spouse: Catherin Thomas age 27. Inferred children: Iowa Thomas age 8, Prestin Thomas age 5, Harrie Thomas age 3 and Lillie Thomas no age noted.
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Would you like a book to learn more about local history?
Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.
To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop.
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