HISTORY OF IGREEN COUNTY. 
 
John Marty, R. Knight, L. P. Aldrich, E. F. 
Wright and John Legler. 
VARIOUS MATTERS. 
In June, 1844, Author Smith, a native of the 
State of New York, was killed by some un- 
known person. Mr. Smith had just sold-his 
claim on section 17 for $200, but was to do some 
breaking on the place. This he was engaged 
at, and it seems that while in the act of 
sharpening the plow, he was approached from" 
behind by some unknown person, who dealt him 
a fatal blow with a hatchet. His body was 
dragged some -ten or fifteen rods, and left on 
some low: ground, and the cattle with which he 
was plowing were left to wander about the field. 
Mr. Smith was a young man, and at the time 
was. keeping "bach." He had been in the habit 
of calling at A. F. Steadinan's, and as he did 
not call as usual, Mr. and Mrs. Steadman went 
to his house where there found things in disor- 
der. ,This arouged suspicion, and Mr. Stead- 
man immediately went to Exeter to enquire if 
he had been seen; he also went to his uncle's at 
Monroe, but as he had not been there, search 
was commenced by the citizens, which resulted 
in the finding-of his body in a partly decayed 
state. An inquest was held at Exeter, but no 
clue to the murderer could be found. It ap- 
pears the murder Was committed for money,as 
his trunk had been ransacked, but the money 
was afterward found wrapped up in some cloth. 
His body was buried onthe Steadman place, 
but in * 1882 was ,removed to the Monticello 
Cemetery. 
In 1856 Charles Gilson committed suicide by 
cutting his throat while laboring under a fit of 
insanity. He had had an attack of fever and 
ague which had deranged his mind. He left no 
family. 
The first death occurred in 184i, Samantha, 
daughter of A. F. and .Patty Steadman. The 
remains were buried on the land owned by Mr. 
Steadman. 
rhe first buril place was on she farm of A. 
F. Steadman, where six bodies were intei'red. 
 
One has since been removed, and five remain, 
but there is nothing to mark the Spot. There 
were also a few bodies buried inthe southwest 
quarter of section 6. The first being a daugh- 
ter of David Smith. 
VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO. 
The land now occupied by this village was 
entered in 1843 by Robert.Witter, who-was 
acting as agent for his brother, Chester Witter. 
He immediately commenced making improve- 
ments, and the following winter completed, the 
first saw mill at-this place. In 1846 A.;F. Stead- 
man purchased the property and platted the vil- 
lage. In 1847 Hugh McClintock purchased a 
a half interest; but in 1848 Mr. Turman became 
sole proprietor of the property. He, however, 
owned the same but a few months, when'he sold 
to Jacob and Mathias Marty. These gentleman 
divided the property, Jacob taking that part 
lying o~the north side of the river, and Mathias 
that on the south. The latter vacating his por- 
tion, Jacob Marty, in 1850, gave one lot to Peter 
Wilson on condition that he at onee erect-a 
house, whereupon Mr. Wilson built a frame 
dwelling, 16X24 feet in size, one story in height. 
This was the first building in the village, and it 
now forms part of theRural House. 
The first store building was erected in 1851 by 
Sylvester Hills, who became, the first merchant. 
Lie carried a general stock of goods, and con- 
tinued in trade two years, when he was suc- 
ceeded by George Campbell, who soon sold to 
Mathias ,Marty. He was succeeded by S. S. 
Hills & Co. in 1855. J. W. F. Randall after- 
ward owned a half interest for a short time. In 
1857 George Gibson purchased the business and 
filially closed it out., 
The first hardware and tin shop was started 
by [)avid and S. S. Hills and L. B. Conant, but 
was continued but a short time. 
Tlhe Marty Bros., who were prominent among 
the pioneers of Monticello, were natives of 
Switzerland. They were well educated and 
good business men. Mathias was married to-a 
daughter of Josiah Pierce, and is now a resi- 
 
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