HETFIELD, Lewis
Source: Indianapolis News Thurs 30 Jan 1908 p 1
Covington, Ind Jan 30 - In the death of Lewis R. Hetfield here yesterday another human link in the chain of Indiana’s pioneer history is lost. He was associated with stage coach days, watermill days and the removal of the Indians from the lands the white man sought. He was the last of “The Raging Tads,” an organization of 20 young men of Covington that “grew out of a banquet at Philander Brown’s tavern on Thanksgiving night, 1847.” He was a Master Mason, having been raised in 1866. A widow and two sons survive him.
Mr. Hetfield was born in Chemung County, NY 85 years ago. In the spring of 1824 he came to Indiana with his parents and settled on a farm on the banks of the Little Shawnee River, in what is now Fountain County. Their log cabin was in the very heart of Indian villages and young Hetfield had papooses for playmates when the Indians were in peaceful mood. The Hetfields remained on this farm until 1831.
At this time the senior Hetfield was commissioned by the Government to move the Indians of his locality to Ft. Wayne and in doing this young Hetfield witnessed one of the many interesting sights of his life. The Indians were gathered together and their belongings were tied on long poles that were attached to the horses in about the same manner that vehicle shafts are used today. The horses dragged their burden and the Indians stalked along, sullen and unwilling travelers. In 1836 young Hetfield came here to school, living with an uncle here until he was 21 years old. He then occupied a small farm, but soon gave it up for the horse trading business. His only market was Chicago and he often told of the hazardous life he led, for he frequently rode miles without seeing man or habitation. Next he went into the hotel business here and was the agent for the Western State Company.
At the beginning of the civil war he was commissioned to buy horses for the Government and remained in that service until its close. After the war he engaged in the milling business near Veedersburg. He was also the superintendent of the Fountain County Poor Farm being the first to hold that office. When he was 75 years old he again engaged in the hotel business and remained in that business until he retired in 1898. He then took a small cottage at Hillsboro and lived there several years. A short time ago he moved to Covington. The most remarkable event of his life was his act as the last participant of The Raging Tads. When that organization was formed a little more than 60 years ago it was agreed among the 20 present at the first banquet that a bottle of port wine should be among the bottles left unopened at the feast. The bottle was to grace the banquet table each succeeding Thanksgiving night and was to be opened by the last surviving member of the club. A banquet was held ever Thanksgiving and after each supper the sealed bottle of port wine was turned over to a banker for safe keeping.
It fell to the lot of Mr. Hetfield to be the last Raging Tad. On the night of Thanksgiving, 1906, the last banquet was held at the home of Col. JB McMannomy, the last survivor, save Hetfield. Colonel McMannomy died during that year and left Mr. Hetfield to open the port, an act that was full of sorrow to him. The old man entered the banquet room and took his place at the head of the table. 20 covers were laid, but only one was there – the last of The Raging Tads. Mr. Hetfield alone with the memories of his 19 companions who were with him 59 years ago that night, opened the bottle and drank to their memory. Then several friends entered the room and enjoyed the feast with him. Now he is gone and The Raging Tads are only a memory!
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THINK he is this one, too
Source: Muncie Star Press Sun 23 Dec 1906 p 26
An article published in The Sunday Star regarding the hanging of John Hubbard at Wabash in November 1854, has aroused the memory of Mr. LR Hetfield of Hillsboro, Ind who recalls an execution at Covington, the county seat of Fountain County which preceded that at Wabash by 24 years. Mr. Hetfield writes that a man by the name of Richison murdered his wife in Fountain County in the fall of 1829. He was tried and convicted of the crime. A desperate legal fight was made to save Richison but he was finally hung at Covington in the fall of 1830, about a year after he committed the murder. The execution was a public affair and attracted a great crowd. Mr. Hetfield remembers the incident very distinctly, as his uncle Robert Hetfield was sheriff of Fountain County at the time and had charge of the execution. Mr. L.R. Hetfield settled in Fountain County in 1824, two years before the county was organized in November, 1826. He is still hale and hearty at 82.