Geo P. Defends Himself
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Saturday June 2, 1849: Today while Geo P. was plowing out his nursery on R. G. Pierce’s farm James B. Chapman insulted him by taking his horse by the bits and then kicking the horse, which startled the horse and broke the harness.
Sunday: This afternoon I and Geo P. took the one horse wagon and rode out to Squ Strait’s. Geo P. went to inquire of said Squ concerning the indictment of taking James Chapman before the Grand Jury, and on the way we called to Elisha Bennet’s to let his son Caleb know that Geo P. would carry him to Troy as a witness in the case of James B. Chapman before the Grand Jury.
Friday, June 8: I took my two horse team and drew two loads plank from Adams saw mill for the two brothers Barker to rebuild their factory where it was burned up near Hancock Village. This is a gift.
Saturday: This morning I took my one horse wagon and rode over to Joshua B. Maxon’s to let him know that his horse had got into my meadow over his line fence and carried my wife and Miriam Newton to see Manuel Buten for he is quite sick.
Sunday: This afternoon Mr. Manuel Buten died in the tenant house of Mr. John Russell.
Tuesday: This afternoon I tended the funeral of Manuel Buten at the house before mentioned where he died and Elder Sweet preached, and towards night I mended my line fence joining Joshua B. Maxon’s, the fence was torn down by his unruly oxen.
Wednesday: Today while my two sons and Abraham Haley was to work on R. G. Pierce’s farm a tending to the fruit trees James B. Chapman and his hired man laid violent hands on Geo P. and Geo defended himself with his hoe which caused Chapman to have a sore head.