SHOOTING UP THE CHURCH

The night they shot up the church, besides Witcher and Clary was also Jim Muldrew. His father lived higher on the hill overlooking the Cow House than Moss’s Crossing. The Moss Crossing was above Schoolerville, turn to the right before you get to the latter. (Used to be a store and a gin at Schoolerville, but now only the old iron bridge and some relics) When Jim told his father what he had done, he advised him to get on the fastest horse and leave. For once it seems that he did follow this paternal advice. Old Man Muldrew left shortly after that. Mr. Williams didn’t know who was preaching that night. Thought Adam Witcher had a ranch near Hoover’s Knob. Understand that Patrick Adamson, the ill-fated young lawyer, also had one there.

(Reference is made to my paper entitled "The Case of Adam Witcher," covering this unhappy episode in detail.)

[This event occurred before Adam Witcher and his father were killed. Traditionally they died in 1872.  The only churches -for which I have found record - which existed in Hamilton at that time  were the Methodist Church and  St. Mary's Episcopal Church.  The first church building in the village of Hamilton was erected in 1882 by the Presbyterians.  Therefore, early churches met in homes, the school, or the courthouse. The only church--about which I know--which later had property down Bell Street was Hamilton Baptist Church, later known as First Baptist Church Hamilton --Elreeta Weathers]