(I can still see the look on my Grandfather Ernest "Red" Bland's face when someone in town had told him that his grandfather had been hung in Bloomfield. He didn't even know who his grandfather was, his parents had never told him. Thus started my mother and I on a maddening search to find out the truth. We were able to tell Grandad it wasn't his grandfather, but his great uncle. That seemed to help a little, but not much. Funny isn't it, just how many people you effect by the way you choose to live your life. I can just feel Hiram's repentence as he stared at his God in Heaven through that noose. I hope he is in Heaven, and I hope I get to meet him there some day. Grandad already has, I'm sure.)
The Greene County, Indiana Court Final Record, 1838-41, page 52, records State of Indiana vs. Eli Bland and Osborne Bland, his security, 17 December 1838. At court on Monday, 1 October 1838, Eli Bland and Osborne Bland were each called three times and failed to appear. Each were fined $25.00.
On page 77 of the same book is recorded State of Indiana vs. Warren Bland, Indict for Riot, 2 April 1838. It appears that on 28 February 1838 Eli Bland and John Brennaman, with force of arms unlawfully assembled and gathered together and did in a public place in the town of Bloomfield by agreement fight and make an affray. Futher, Warren Bland, late of Greene County, did with force of arms, aid, abet, assist, council, encourage and fire the said Eli Bland and John Brennaman to commit the affray aforesaid. For this they were fined $25.00 each.
On page 79 it is recorded that Osborne Bland acknowledged himself to owe and be indepted to the State of Indiana, the amount to be levied on his property if the said Warren Bland did not appear to answer the indictment (by Grand Jury). On 1 April 1839, after trail, the defendant was fined $5.00. Osborne Bland was security for payment of five and costs.
Issac Andrews was charged in Greene County, Indiana, with beating his step-father Osborne Bland Jr., and causing his death on 5 February 1849. Issac convinced the jury that Osborne's death was caused by injuries he had suffered from falling off his horse, and not the injuries from the altercation between him and his step-father. The jury freed him.
Early Bland Marriages in Greene County, Indiana
Lacking 1828 thru 1832
Aaron Bland - Lavina Bryant - married 25 December 1834 - C - 13
Adam Bland - born 11 July 1871 - Mary Hamilton - married 26 October 1912 - 5 - 272
Allen Bland - Dora Kimball - married 5 December 1880 - L - 121
Allen Bland - born 18 September 1886 - Ella Sarver - married 20 March 1902 - P - 589 - (Allen Bland is the son of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Asa Bland - Nancy Sullivan - married 8 March 1866 - G 571 (Asa Bland is the son of James and Lydia (Shaver) Bland.)
Austin Bland - Mary Langford - married 14 March 1865 - G - 453
Bashaba Bland - Anthony Milan - married 9 September 1841 - D - 14
Castie Bland - Oad Bedford - married 31 December 1904 - Q - 492
Celia Bland - Iona E. Owen - married 4 October 1848 - E - 61
Christopher Bland - Martha E. Bays - married 5 August 1864 - G 386 - (Christopher Bland is the son of James and Lydia (Shaver) Bland.)
Cordelia Bland - Benjamin Langford - married 12 October 1898 - P - 65
Elizabeth Bland - Andrew J. Burch - married 6 June 1861 - G - 149 - (Elizabeth Bland is the daughter of Hiram and Rachel S. (Bays) Bland.)
Elizabeth Bland - James Shafer - married 8 October 1985 - M - 66
Elizabeth C. Bland - Felix F. Blaser - married 14 October 1858 - F - 450
Ella Bland - born 9 April 1892 - Lebert Hamilton - married 17 January 1912 - 5 - 24 - (Ella Bland is the daughter of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Della Bland - born 9 April 1892 - Foster Livingston - married 14 February 1916 - 9 - 211 - (Ella Bland is the daughter of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Elvira Bland - W - William Stamper - married 7 March 1878 - K - 283
Enoch F. Bland - Mary Wilkie - married 25 April 1880 - L - 48
Enoch Y. Bland - C - Catherine Jentry - married 28 July 1855 - F - 113
David F. Bland - Nora Wilkie - married 18 September 1885 - M - 59
Earl Bland - born 6 December 1890 - Clarice Cook - married 12 February 1916 - 9 - 209 - (Earl Bland is the son of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Ernest "Red" Bland - born 16 August 1898 - Ophia Stanley - married 8 September 1915 - 9 - 42 - (Earl Bland is the son of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.) - (Ophia Stanley is the daughter of James Hanible and Mary Alice "Molly" (Murphy) Stanley.)
Elba G. Bland - born 5 February 1892 - Nettie F. Flory - married 18 March 1913 - 9 - 42
George W. Bland - born 1848 - Harriet Walls - married 17 January 1871 - J - 113 - (George W. Bland is the son of Warren and Cynthia (Bunch) Bland.)
George O. Bland - Roxy Jamison - married 16 June 1895 O - 20I
George W. Bland - Minnie Bruce - married 2 July 1901 - P - 460
George W. Bland - born 18 November 1872 - Dora B. Richardson - married 12 October 1920 - 14 - 127 - (George W. Bland is the son of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Grover C. Bland - Julia A. Cox - 1 August 1906 - R - 171
Harry Bland - born 13 January 1887 - May Duggar - 21 November 1910 - 13 - 212
Harry Bland - born 13 January 1887 - Grace M. Sparks - 14 June 1919 - S - 334
Harvey Bland - born 26 March 1887 - Eva Mae Cox - married 27 December 1916 - 10 - 458 - (Harvey Bland is the son of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Henry Bland - Cordelia Martindale - married 1 March 1890 - N - 66
Henry Bland - (same man as above) - Mary C. Gordon - married 15 October 1898 - P - 68
Hiram Bland - Rachel S. Bays - 17 January 1841 - C - 98 - (Hiram Bland is the son of Osborne Bland Jr.)
Homer Bland - born 25 December 1888 - Ruby Stewart - married 9 January 1913 - 6 - 58
Huldah Bland - Leland B. Hamilton - married 25 November 1908 - R - 588 - (Huldah Bland is the daughter of James and Lydia (Shaver) Bland.)
Ida Bland - John W. Fields - married 5 December 1896 - O - 390
Ida Bland - born 6 June 1888 - Edgar Appollos Pipes - married 5 December 1908 - S - 11 - (Ida Bland is the daughter of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland
Evan Bland - Nancy J. Fox - married 19 October 1867 - H - 137
Jacob Bland - Eloria Hartley - married 22 December 1836 - C - 29
James Bland - Lydia Shaver - married 18 December 1836 - C - 29 - (James Bland is the son of Osborne Bland Jr.)
James Bland - Lydia Fuller - married 19 January 1858 - F - 367
James Bland - Elizabeth A. Abrams - married 28 December 1870 - H - 506 - (James Bland is the son of Hiram and Rachel S.(Bays) Bland.)
James Bland - Nancy Todd - married 2 October 1875 - J - 518
James Bland - Mary Goodnight - married 18 December 1879 - K - 486
James O. D. Bland - Sarah A. Elrod - married 14 September 1845 - D - 57
James O. D. Bland - Mary Gentry - married 5 April 1860 - G - 51
James J. Bland - Martha J. Mouk - married 7 March 1841 - C - 101
James J. Bland - Martha J. Glover - married 5 July 1877 - K - 202
Jesse Bland - born 1812 - Mary Lawrence - married 24 January 1841 - C - 98 - (Jesse Bland is the son of Osborne and Patsey Bland Jr.)
Jesse P. Bland - Jane Sleeth - 30 October 1860 - G - 95 - (Jesse P. Bland is the son of Warren and Cynthia (Bunch) Bland.)
Jesse P. Bland - Sarah Jane Bays - married 16 June 1866 - G - 602 - (Jesse P. Bland is the son of Warren and Cynthia (Bunch) Bland.)
Jincey Bland - William Warren - married 14 June 1844 - D - 45
John Bland - Louisiana Beasley - married 3 October 1861 - G - 171
John Bland - Margaret A. Bays - married 21 March 1868 - H - 197
John Bland - Maria Gray - married 9 October 1887 - N - 324
John C. Bland - Nora Moore - married 14 August 1898 - P - 42
Joseph Bland - Sara Milam - married 12 December 1839 - C - 80
Joseph Bland - Arminda Shipman - J - 90
Josie Bland - Charles B. Lehman - married 22 January 1903 - Q - 145
Keziah "Kissie" Bland - George Burch Jr. - married 3 May 1846 - D - 46
Laura B. Bland - born 26 April 1880 - John Rainbolt - 22 January 1914 - 7 - 153
Laura "Skaggs" (1) McCutheon (2) Bland - Thomas Kimball - 16 October 1890 - N - 137
Leroy H. Bland - Mary E. Reynolds - married 20 May 1862 - G - 226
Lettice "Letty" Bland - William Walker - married 10 June 1836 - C - 25 - (Letty Bland is the daughter of Osborne and Patsey Bland Jr.)
Lewis M. Bland - Myrtle Burge - married 31 January 1893 - N - 433
Levina Bland - Alexander Bays - married 17 January 1874 - J - 331
Lizzie Bland - Gus Britton - married 10 March 1900 - P - 285
Loucettia Bland - born 24 January 1883 - David Arthur - married 4 January 1902 - P - 552 - (Lousettia Bland is the daughter of Rolland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Lovia Bland - Walter Jones - married 12 October 1904 - Q - 435
Lucinda Bland - David Shaver - married 13 July 1845 - D - 55 - (Lucinda Bland is the daughter of Osborne and Patsey Bland Jr.)
Lucinda Bland - born 8 April 1869 - John C. Sparks - married 8 November 1887 - M 336 - (Lucinda Bland is the daughter of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Lucreta Bland - William D. Stalcup - married 3 August 1902 - Q - 57
Luna Bland - Webster D. McIntosh - married 10 September 1902 - 13 - 304
Mahala Bland - Anderson Buckner - married 12 August 1838 - C - 53
Margaret Bland - Thomas Todd - married 24 October 1833 - C - 6
Margaret Bland - Nolen Carpenter - married 28 March 1862 - C - 218
Margaret J. Bland - David L. Lehmen - married 4 August 1895 - O - 214
Marion E. Bland - Bird Heaton - married 7 July 1910 - S?5 - 272
Martin Bland - Pauline Nation - married 1 February 1877 - K - 150
Martin Bland - Laura McCutchen - married 7 June 1883 - L - 416
Martin Bland - Sara Roach - married 24 October 1886 - M - 208
Martha Bland - Hubbard Bays - married 28 November 1847 - E - 1
Martha J. Bland - Benjamin B. Calvet - married 5 November 1826 - CL - 108
Mary Bland - Wiet Miller - married 21 December 1826 - CL - 108
Mary Bland - John Herrington - married 15 June 1845 - D - 55
Mary Bland - Columbus Hunter - married 8 November 1866 - H - 16
Mary Bland - Joseph Johnson - married 16 December 1884 - L - 591
Mary A. Bland - William McDaniel - married 30 November 1851 - E - 294
Mary M. Bland - Thomas Shields - married 15 February 1891 - N - 175
Mary M. Bland - William H. Scott - married 3 November 1894 - O - 115
Melvin Bland - Florence Minks - 19 September 1899 - P - 203
Arminda "Minnie" Bland - born 30 December 1878 - Walter Otto LaRue - married 3 March 1898 - O - 571 - (Arminda "Minnie" Bland is the daughter of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Minnie Bland - born 8 April 1900 - Roscoe Bays - married 20 July 1918 - 42 - 368 (Minnie Bland is the daughter of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Moses Bland - Jane Bays - married 22 May 1856 - F - 186
Moses Bland - Elizabeth Langford - married 28 July 1866 - G - 609
Mourning Bland - Abner Pickard - married 17 February 1842 - D - 23
Mourning Bland - John W. Calvert - married 26 September 1876 - K - 101
Myrtle Bland - born 2 October 1877 - Allen G. Buffalo - married 11 February 1919 - 13 - 86
Nancy Bland - James G. Bingham - married 16 January 1871 - J - 3
Nancy A. - Amos Flake - married 28 January 1882 - L - 256
Nancy J. Bland - Charles W. Wilkie - married 1 February 1876 - K - 40
Nancy Richardson Bland - Richard Pope - married 5 January 1825 - CL - 67
Nina A. Bland - Robert G. Knapp - married 24 October 1909 - S - 149
Nona Bland - Clarence V. Buchner - married 23 September 1900 - P - 349
Omer Bland - born 25 December 1838 - Ella J. Hunter - married 26 June 1912 - 5 - 172
Osborne Bland Jr. - Sarah "Sally" (Kent) Andrews - married 15 November 1848 - E - 68 - (Osborne Bland Jr. is the son of Osborne Bland.)
Oscar E. Bland - Josephine Hanna - married 18 June 1902 - Q - 38
Polly Bland - William Todd - married 25 July 1837 - C - 34
Pool Bland - Laura B. Groomer - married 1 May 1898 - P - 16
Purnelia Bland - Joseph Kelley - married 10 January 1847 - D - 70
Rachel G. Bland - born 18 April 1893 - T. Carl Cravens - married 26 December 1917 - 12 - 26
Rachel S. (Bays) Bland - James Ray - married 25 June 1856 - F - 195
Ralph Bland - born 1 August 1906 - May Trowbridge - married 9 December 1931 - ? - ? - (Ralph Bland is the son of Roland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Rebecca Bland - Mark Clark - married 18 June 1840 - C - 89
Robert Caddy Bland - born 21 April 1868 - Charlotta Jones - married 29 November 1899 - P - 241 - Robert Caddy Bland is the son of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Robert Bland - born 15 September 1879 - Audrey B. Hutchens - married 23 February 1919 - 13 - 93
Robert H. Bland - Cloey Hodge - married 6 March 1837 - C - 31
Ruth Bland - born 28 May 1902 - Guy Bender - married 31 December 1919 - 13 - 439
Roland Wallace Bland - Elizabeth Edmond Bingham - married 5 February 1880 - L - 12 - (Roland Wallace Bland is the son of James and Lydia (Shaver) Bland.) - (Elizabeth Edmond Bingham is the daughter of Edmond and Eliza Jane (Olinger) Bingham
Sarah Bland - WilliamTalbot - married 13 September 1871 - J - 71
Sarah C. Bland - George W. Wilkie - married 30 January 1840 - C - 83
Sarah E. Bland - Abraham Bingham - married 22 May 1879 - K - 414
Simon Bland - Rachel Mock - married 18 May 1851 - E - 262
Simon Bland - Lucinda Owen - married 3 August 1873 - J - 284
Stella Bland - born 23 June 1895 - Clarance Padgett - married 1 January 1916 - 9 - 171 - (Stella Bland is the daughter of Rolland Wallace and Elizabeth Edmond (Bingham) Bland.)
Sethia A. Bland - born 29 September 1875 - Thomas G. McCreery - married 3 May 1900 - P - 305 - (Sethia A. Bland is the daughter of Jesse P. and Sarah Jane (Bays) Bland.)
Thomas R. Bland - born 15 February 1888 - Stella B. Groomer - married 5 March 1914 - 7 - 189
Vina M. Bland - Sherman Hash - married 8 January 1885 - M - 2
Warren Bland - Cynthia Bunch - married 12 July 1840 - C - 90 - (Warren Bland is the son of Osborne Bland Jr.) - (Cynthia Bunch is the daughter of Jesse and Sarah ( ? ) Bunch.)
Warren Bland - Arshure Carpenter - married 16 September 1858 - F - 423
Wesley Bland - Ester Briscoe - married 17 December 1863 - G - 327
William Bland - Jane Buckner - married 5 August 1839 - C - 72
William Bland - Elizabeth Bell - married 4 July 1849 - E - 114
William Bland - Comfort Brooks - married 1 February 1854 - E - 457
William Bland - Mary T. Brock - married 4 January 1858 - F - 362
William Bland - Martha Brown - married 7 August 1861 - G - 160
William H. Bland - Elmira B. Goodwin - 2 March 1879 - K - 393
(Hiram Bland was the only man to be hung in Greene County, Indiana. He was hung on the 13 September 1851 for the murder of his brother-in-law William Walker. Below are several articles I have collected over the years on that murder and hanging. There is probably more information on Hiram Bland here than you'll ever care to know.
Bland Hanging Incident
Copied from an old newspaper Bernard Bland found in the attic of his house back in the sixties. -
The Bloomfield News, Friday, Aug. 27, 1897
The following relating to an incident of the Bland execution in Bloomfield during the early days is from "The Washington Gazette": Clerk Tom Slimp tells of an amusing incident at the public execution in Greene County away back in the 40's, we believe it was. A fellow had coolly murdered a citizen of that county and on the day of the execution the people came from several counties and assembled in the woods where the scaffold had been erected. About a third of the men were "half shot", while the women were bubbling over with anxiety and excitement. When a fellow, whose name was Hiram, had taken his place on the trap and the black cap was being drawn over his head, an old fellow edged close to the scaffold and broke the stillness of that solemn occasion with "Hiram, you're a goner or I'll be damned". Everyone heard it and the effect of the expression was to change the serious situation to one of excessive humor.
In September, 1850, Hiram Bland was indicted for murder. He was charged with the murder of William Walker. Contrary to the usual practice, and in opposition of the opinion of one of attorneys (Major Livingston), he entered upon his trial at that term of court. The State was represented by A. L. Rhodes, and the defense was conducted by George G. Dunn and H. L. Livingston. It was a clear and aggravated case of murder. He murdered his victim in daylight, for revenge. The main effort in the defense was to save the defendant's life. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged by the neck, on the 15th day of November next, following. This is the only case in our county where the accused had the death penalty pronounced upon him. On the 28th day of October, 1850, at night, the defendant broke jail and escaped. He was concealed near his house, and did not make an effort to escape from the county. Great efforts were made to find him, but for a long time they appeared unavailing. His hiding place was finally revealed, and on the 2nd day of January, 1851, he was retaken. At the April term, 1851, a motion was made for a new trial, and affidavits were read contradicting several particulars in the testimony that was given in by the State on the trial. Mr. George G. Dunn made a powerful effort to procure a new trial, but it was unavailing. The court pronounced judgement that he should be hanged on the 25th day of April following. On that day an immense concourse of people assembled to witness the execution, but it was postponed until the Supreme Court could reveal the decision of the Circuit Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court, and Mr. Bland expiated his crime at the gallows, about the middle of June following. On that day, another large body of men, women and children assembled to witness the execution. The gallows was erected on the level plain, about two hundred yards southwest of Colonel Stough's mill, and from that the unfortunate man was suspended by the neck. William J. McIntosh was Sheriff, and conducted the proceedings with great credit to himself. The gallows was left standing for quite a number of years - in fact, until it fell from decay. One thing that no doubt contributed largely towards bringing about the death penalty in this case, was the turbulent character of the accused. He and several brothers were powerful men physically, and when drinking were very quarrelsome and dangerous; when not under the influence of liquor, as a rule, they were peaceable. Then this trial came off when the public mind was excited at the very highest pitch. It was utterly impossible for jurymen to be different from other men. All persons became excited over a sudden seemingly unprovoked murder. If the advise of Major Livingston had been taken, and the case had been continued one term, the probabilities are that after the first burst of excitement abated, the jury would have sent him to State Prison during life. There are various views on the subject of capital punishment. Many urged that it is a relic for barbarism, and incompatible with the spirit of enlightened civilization. Others say that it is an ordinance of God: "That who so sheds man's blood, by the man shall his blood be shed," and that man has no right to change it. Then the answer comes that in the early ages of the world, God was the civil ruler of the people, as well as the moral governor, and that, occupying these two relations toward man, two classes of laws were proclaimed by Jehovah for man's government. That one class was proclaimed for his civil government, and one for his moral government. That while man has no right to repeal, change or modify the laws prescribed for his moral government; yet, when God surrendered to man the right to enact laws for his civil government, it carried with it the right to change the laws enacted for his civil government; and, therefore, he had a right to change the law on the subject of punishment for crime. The laws under this rule that man would have the right to change, are such laws as prescribe a punishment to be inflicted by man. Where the punishment for a violation of a law was to be inflicted by God, then man would not have the right to change the law.
Under this rule, the law-making power would have the right to prescribe such punishment for murder as they saw proper. Perhaps our law is the best that could be adopted on the subject; that is, to allow the jury to inflict either the death penalty or imprisonment for life.
The Murder Of William Walker
Copied from The History of Greene County, Indiana -
Published 1908 by B.F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis -
Vol. 1, page 191
In September, 1850, Hiram Bland was indicted for murder. He was charged with the murder of William Walker. Contrary to the usual practice, and in opposition to the opinion of one of his attorneys (Maj. Livingston), he entered upon his trial at that term of court. The State was represented by A. L. Rhodes, and the defense was conducted by George G. Dunn and H. L. Livingston. It was a clear and aggravated case of murder. He murdered his victim in daylight, for revenge. The main effort in the defense was to save the defendant's life. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung by the neck, on the 15th day of November next following. This is the only case in the county where the accused has had the death penalty pronounced upon him. On the 28th of October, 1850, at night, the defendant broke jail and escaped. He was concealed near his house, and did not make an effort to escape from the county. Great efforts were made to find him, but for a long time they appeared unavailing. His hiding place was finally revealed by one of his pretended friends for the price of a new saddle, and on the 2d day of January, 1851, he was retaken. His hiding place was in a corn pen, in the center of which was a place prepared for the purpose. The corn pen was against the house in which his family lived, and he had a secret passage under the floor from one place to the other. At the April term, 1851, a motion was made for a new trial, and affidavits were read contradicting several particulars in the testimony that was given by the State on the trial. Mr. George G. Dunn made a powerful effort to procure a new trial, but it was unavailing. The court pronounced judgment that he should be banged on the 25th day of April following. On that day an immense concourse of people assembled to witness the execution (in that day execution were public),but it was postponed by the Governor until the Supreme Court could review the decision of the Circuit Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court, and Mr. Bland expiated his crime on the gallows on the 13th day of June, 1851. On that day, another large body of men, women and children assembled to witness the execution: The gallows was erected a short distance southwest of the place where the southwest corner of the depot now stands, and from it, in public view, the unfortunate man was suspended by the neck until he was dead. The land on which be was executed belonged to Peter C. Vanslyke, who now resides in Bloomfield, and it was made a part of the contract of permitting the execution there that the gallows should, after execution, remain on the ground until it disappeared by decay, and it was left standing until it rotted down. William J. McIntosh was Sheriff at the time, and conducted the proceeding with intrepidity, and great credit to himself. One thing that contributed largely toward bringing about the death penalty in this case was the turbulent charac; ter'of the accused. He and several brothers were powerful men physically, and when drinking were very quarrelsome and dangerous. When not under the influence of intoxicating liquor, as a rule, they were peaceable. Then this trial came off when the public mind was excited to the very highest pitch, and it is impossible for jurymen to be different from other men. All persons become excited over a sudden and seemingly unprovoked murder. If the advice of Maj. Livingston had been taken, and the case bad been continued one term, the probabilities are that, after the first burst of excitement abated, the jury would have sent him to State prison for life. During this year, Hiram S. Hanchett, James McConnell, Wells N. Hamilton, William P. Hammond and Aden G. Cavins were admitted to practice. Mr. Hanchett was a student in the office of the Rousseaus, and soon after his admission to the bar moved West. W. P. Hammond was afterward Governor of the State.
The Murder Of William Walker
Copied from the History Of Greene County 1884 - By Col. B. H. C. Caving - Chapter VI
In September, 1850, Hiram Bland was indicted for murder. He was charged with the murder of William Walker. Contrary to the usual practice, and in opposition to the opinion of one of his attorneys (Maj. Livingston), he entered upon his trial at that term of court. The State was represented by A. L. Rhodes, and the defense was conducted by George G. Dunn and H. L. Livingston.
It was a clear and aggravated case of murder. He murdered his victim in daylight, for revenge. The main effort in the defense was to save the defendant's life. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung by the neck, on the 15th day of November next following. This is the only case in the county where the accused has had the death penalty pronounced upon him.
On the 28th of October, 1850, at night, the defendant broke jail and escaped. He was concealed near his house, and did not make an effort to escape from the county. Great efforts were made to find him, but for a long time they appeared unavailing. His hiding place was finally revealed by one of his pretended friends for the price of a new saddle, and on the 2d day of January, 1851, he was retaken. His hiding place was in a corn pen, in the center of which was a place prepared for the purpose. The corn pen was against the house in which his family lived, and he had a secret passage under the floor from one place to the other.
At the April term, 1851, a motion was made for a new trial, and affidavits were read contradicting several particulars in the testimony that was given by the State on the trial. Mr. George G. Dunn made a powerful effort to procure a new trial, but it was unavailing.
The court pronounced judgment that he should be hanged on the 25th day of April following. On that day an immense concourse of people assembled to witness the execution (in that day executions were public), but it was postponed by the Governor until the Supreme Court could review the decision of the Circuit Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court, and Mr. Bland expiated his crime on the gallows on the 13th day of June, 1851. On that day, another large body of men, women and children assembled to witness the execution. The gallows was erected a short distance southwest of the place where the southwest corner of the depot now stands, and from it, in public view, the unfortunate man was suspended by the neck until he was dead. The land on which he was executed belonged to Peter C. Vanslyke, who now resides in Bloomfield, and it was made a part of the contract of permitting the execution there that the gallows should, after execution, remain on the ground until it disappeared by decay, and it was left standing until it rotted down. William J. McIntosh was Sheriff at the time, and conducted the proceeding with intrepidity, and great credit to himself. One thing that contributed largely toward bringing about the death penalty in this case was the turbulent character of the accused. He and several brothers were powerful men physically, and when drinking were very quarrelsome and dangerous. When not under the influence of intoxicating liquor, as a rule, they were peaceable. Then this trial came off when the public mind was excited to the very highest pitch, and it is impossible for jurymen to be different from other men. All persons become excited over a sudden and seemingly unprovoked murder. If the advice of Maj. Livingston had been taken, and the case had been continued one term, the probabilities are that, after the first burst of excitement abated, the jury would have sent him to State prison for life.
During this year, Hiram S. Hanchett, James McConnell, Wells N. Hamilton, William P. Hammond and Aden G. Cavins were admitted to practice.
Mr. Hanchett was a student in the office of the Rousseaus, and soon after his admission to the bar moved West. W. P. Hammond was afterward Governor of the State.
Two Versions of the Slaying
Copied from A Vision of Unity, by Charles L. Bland
There were two versions of the slaying. Both agree that Hiram was drunk as a coot. One version, however, had Hiram drawing a knife while arguing with Walker and stabbing him. The other version contended that Walker was chasing Hiram with a stick, when Hiram turned and stabbed him. In April, 1851, according to Virginia Cowden (Virginia is the daughter of Lennie Bland, grandaughter of Melvin Bland, great-grandaughter of James W. Bland, great-great-grandaughter of James Bland, and great-great-great-grandaughter of Osborne Bland Jr.), who has read the trail minutes, Walker's wife (Hiram's older sister Lettice) changed her story from version one to version two, and told the court that her husband had brandished a stick at Hiram.
"My Grandpappy Was Hung In Bloomfield"
Copied from the Bloomington-Bedford Herald Times - January 25, 1970.
Bloomfield - Arthur Bennie stopped his automobile at the Ozarks Crossroads store. A lounger with a grey beard that reached almost to his belt buckle, and which was amber colored around his month opening, ambled over and said, "Indiana, huh?"
That was evident because Bennie's 1913 Model T 3-door Ford had Indiana License plates, front and back.
"Where from in Indiana?" said old greybeard.
"Linton," answered Bennie, "I'm from Linton."
"That anywhere near to Bloomfield?" "About 12 Miles," answered Bennie.
"Waal now," the amber stains in the grey beard parted, "my grandpappy was hung in Bloomfield..."
Greybeard said his name was Bland, and that his grandpappy's name was Hiram.
1850 Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana Census September 21
Hiram Bland - age 25 - farmer - born in Ky - cannot read or write
Rachael Bland - age 25 - born in Tenn. - cannot read or write
Betsy Bland - age 7 - born in Ind.
Jackson Bland - age 5 - born in Ind.
Nancy Bland - age 3 - born in Ind.
James Bland - age 1 - born in Ind.
Rachel Bays married Hiram Bland 17 January 1841 Bk. C, Page 98
Hiram Bland was hung for the murder of William Walker 13 June 1851
Rachel Bland married James Ray 25 June 1856 Bk. E, Page 195
1860 Center Township, Greene County, Indiana Census July 2
(671/671)
James Ray - age 26 - born in Ireland - farmer
Rachel Ray - age 30 - born in N.C.
Rose Ray - age 1 - born in Ind.
Elizabeth Bland - age 16 - born in Ind. - sewing
Jackson Bland - age 14 - born in Ind.
Nancy Bland - age 12 - born in Ind.
James Bland - age 9 - born in Ind.
Wiley Bays - age 21 - born in Ind. - farmer
1880 Center Township, Greene County, Indiana Census
James Ray - head of house - born in Ireland - father born in Ireland - mother born in Ireland
Rose Ray - age 21 - dau. - keeping house - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
Wiley Ray - age 19 - son - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
J.W.C. Ray - age 14 - son - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
J.H.B. Ray - age 12 - son - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
E.A.F. Ray - age 11 - son - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
Mary Margaret Ray - age 9 - dau. - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
Sally A. Ray - age 7 - dau. - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
Louise Ray - age 4 - dau. - born in Ind. - father born in Ireland - mother born in N.C.
George Irvin Ray - age 3 - grandson - born in Ind. - father born (unknown) - mother born in Ind.
Eliazabeth Bland married Andrew J. Burch 6 June 1861 Bk. G, Page 149
John Bland married Margaret A. Bays 21 March 1868 Bk. H, Page 197
Nancy Bland married James G. Bingham 16 January 1871 Bk. J, Page 3
James Bland married Elizabeth A. Abrams 28 December 1870 Bk. H, Page 506
(Hiram Bland was born about 1825 and hanged 13 Jun 1851 for the murder of his brother-in-law William Walker. Hiram was the son of Osborne S. Bland & Patsy Donahue, husband of Rachel S. Bays and father of 4 children. Rachel Bays was the daughter of Beverly and Nancy (Clements) Bays. Here are Hiram's 4 children:
(1) Elizabeth Bland married Andrew J. Burch - -
(2) Jackson Bland married Margaret A. (Graves) Bays - - (3) Nancy Bland married James G. Bingham - -
(4) James Bland married Elizabeth Abrams
No record can be found of the burial of Hiram Bland, the only man legally hanged in Greene County. Conder Cemetery (almost completely destroyed) had 11 markers listed in the book of Cemeteries of Eastern Greene County, the earliest in 1852 and states that Wayne Vandeventer said many Blands were buried there. It is assumed that Hiram Bland was buried in the Conder Cemetery in June, 1851 in Greene County, Indiana
My mother and I went searching for Conder Cemetery, I believe it was back in the 1960's. We finally found it, it was located on Tuney Sharr's farm. We had to climb a fence to get to it and there were cattle grazing in the field it was in. The markers that were there were hand made of sandstone, and had fallen apart into pieces. The ones that were still whole had just initials craved in them, no full names. All the initials we seen ended with B. So, I can say I actually seen there were many B.'s buried there. - Pam Jones)
