Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 27, 1866
Interesting History of the Loomis Family (From the Utica Herald of June 19)
George Washington Loomis, husband of Mrs. Rhoda Loomis, and father of William, George Washington, Jr., Grove, Wheeler, Plumb and Denio Loomis, who comprise the male portion of this notorious family, came to Sangerfield Center, in the town of Sangerfield [Oneida Co. NY], about the year 1802. His brothers, Walter and Willard, also made their homes in the same vicinity. At the time of his (George W. Loomis) settlement in Sangerfield Center, and on the same farm where the affair of Sunday last occurred, he was reputed to be worth several thousand dollars. He married Miss Rhoda Mallett, of Waterville [Oneida Co., NY], a woman said at the time to be handsome and prepossessing, and not without considerable culture and refinement. Mrs. Rhoda Loomis, the mother of the "Loomises", to say the least, was once much respected. Still, her history since marriage, would hardly assist one to that conclusion. So far as her father was concerned, however, she comes honestly by the bad character, it must be said, her neighbors ascribe to her. He was sent to State Prison in 1812, we are told, being convicted of perjury.
George Washington Loomis, the husband, died long since, but he is remembered as a man whose character was not of the best. About 1810 he was arrested, with four others, his brother Willard, and men named Reynolds, Howard and Prentiss, upon the charge of passing counterfeit money. Reynolds, Howard and Prentiss went to State Prison for their crime. The two Loomis brothers, equally guilty, were never indicted; the reason as given at that time being that a grand juryman was bribed by the worthy couple, to use his influence and vote for them in the jury room - which arrangement was duly and successfully carried out.
Since the death of the father, George Washington, Jr., Grove, Plumb and Denio Loomis, have laid claim at least to the reputation bequeathed them. They have resided upon the farm and formed the nucleus of a gang that has spread terror, alarm, and distrust, not only throughout their immediate neighborhood, but in the state at large. They have a reputation for thieving, cunning, and wonderful shrewdness in evading either the letter or spirit of the law. The crimes laid to their charge are numerous, and yet, there is much in their manner and habits as neighbors, that is even praiseworthy. G.W. Loomis, the brother, recently murdered, had a fine address and was much of a gentleman, nor are these characteristics wholly wanting in Grove and the younger brothers. William Loomis, the oldest brother, resides, we believe, near Higginsville, in this county, and Wheeler Loomis is at Oswego. The two latter named do not appear to be mentioned in connection with the nefarious operations of the remainder of the family.
A grand feature of the family's iniquity seems to be their readiness to harbor and protect horse thieves and the like. And many a neighbor, we understand, has found his horse in the barn of the Loomises, without being able to tell exactly how the transfer was made. And so great has been the terror of their name, that those thus imposed upon by the members of this family, of late years, have seldom acted as if they dreamed, much less really intended to apply the "rigors of the law" to the offenders. Sudden destruction of property or swift calamity has inevitably befallen the unlucky wight who made such complaint.
The Loomis Premises - As They Were
The former residence of the Loomis family, and the place where the transaction of Sunday morning last occurred, is situated in the southwestern part of the town of Sangerfield, about four and a half miles form the village of Waterville, and upon what is known as the old "Oxford turnpike." The house was a two-story wooden one, some forty feet front, extending rearward with the additions perhaps fifty feet. It was situated upon a slight elevation, and commanded a pleasing view of the country roundabout. the Loomis farm comprises about three hundred acres, under a good state of cultivation. Across the road from the dwelling was the hop house, a substantial building and of a respectable size. It was perhaps twenty-five rods from the house. In the rear of the main building was an apology for a barn, where Grove, upon the morning of the fire, had his favorite and really valuable horse. Two years since, the Loomises had a fine barn upon their premises but it was burned, as "Wash" used to say, by La Vern Beebe (who recently escaped from the custody of Filkins). After that misfortune the family built another barn, but that was burned at the time of the Fracas that resulted in the death of "Wash" Loomis. The barn, therefore, burned on Sunday, appeared but a temporary structure, at the best.
The Property - As It Is
We reached the Loomis place, yesterday, about 3 P.M. All the way thither from Waterville, we met people returning from the ruins. Indeed, whatever rose to the dignity of a vehicle of any kind, at Waterville and vicinity, appeared to be pressed into service. At the place itself, teams were hitched at all eligible places, and the people, full two score at that time, were looking with evident interest at the scene before them. All that remained of the Loomis house was the charred and blackened cellar walls, a pile of brick in the center, which appeared as if once it might answered for a chimney, and timbers still burning, showing with what intensity the flames raged. The fence, situated some feet in front, alone remained unscathed.
Across the way, an equally desolate scene marked the spot where once stood the hop house. We noticed "Cornelia" Loomis looking about the ruins with commendable activity. Just outside the front yard, in the corner of the driveway near the road was the maple tree to which Plumb and the Dutchman, John Stone, were hanged until they made confessions. An Irishman about the grounds, who rejoices in the euphonious, but somewhat common name of John Smith, informed us that he had been working for Grove for some time, and that upon the night preceding the fire, there were in the house among others, the following persons: Mrs. Rhoda Loomis, Cornelia, Grove and Plumb Loomis, a lad, the son of Wheeler Loomis, John Stone (the Dutchman), John Smith (the speaker), Adelaide Glazier, --- Crandall and Elizabeth Hawkins.
The Loomis property, as it now appears, is a desolate and sorry scene enough, and thus thought, we imagine, all who have visited it.
What Mrs. Rhoda Loomis Thinks About It
This lady we found safely domiciled with her daughter Cornelia, at the residence of a neighbor, Mr. Welch--said residence being but a few rods from her old abode. Mrs. L. did not express herself as peculiarly pleased with the affair which deprived her of a home. Still, her conversation was calm, intelligent, and not particularly vindictive. That the affair was premeditated she does not allow herself to doubt. Indeed, a week ago last Sabbath, she stated two men came to their house and informed them that a caucus of citizens had just been held at "--- City," having for its object the destruction of their property, but they gave the news no practical attention. She stated the family's loss by the affair to be large and said that there was no insurance of any kind upon the property; that they had applied to the agent of the Agricultural Insurance Company of Watertown for a policy, but the agent informed them he was under bond of one thousand dollars not to take risks so dangerous as theirs evidently would be. Nothing was saved from the fire, she said, except a few articles of inferior value, including some beds, which the crowd did not steal, but allowed them to keep, with the sympathizing ejaculation, "Let the poor cusses have a bed to sleep on." Among the officials present at the place before and after the fire, Mrs. L. recognized Deputy Sheriff Stone, of Madison county; Sheriff Conger of Madison county; Constable Hess of Hamilton (we believe) and Hibbard of North Brookfield; also an official from Canastota, named Cole. And this Cole, she stated, informed her that they (the officials) had a bench warrant for Plumb, who stole a cap in Canastota, last winter, and was indicted at the session of the court, Morrisville, Madison county, but who had not recognized his bail, and that they had come to arrest him. Mrs. L. complained that herself and Cornelia were rudely treated by the officers and put in irons. Who fired the house, she don't know, but that it was fired in three different places, the cellar, the garret and a closet, she is certain.
What "Cornelia" Remarked
Miss Cornelia Loomis does not impress a stranger unfavorably. She speaks with apparent sincerity and candor about the transaction of Sunday morning, indorses the sentiments and account of her mother, filling up the "chinks" of conversation with much fact and success. She remarked to us, in addition to other things, that she threw her trunk out of the window of the house, while the building was burning; that said trunk, which she forgot to lock and which she intended to go immediately and recover, contained eight hundred and thirty-six dollars in money, but that before she could get it it, the crowd had rifled it of every cent.
Rumors
Madame Rumor was around yesterday. We met her many times. Those that please may believe her as follows: that the Loomises were informed previous to the affair that resulted so ruinously for them, that if they would leave the vicinity and take a fair price for their property, it should be paid them. Again, that Deputy Sheriff Stone of Madison county, said he did not doubt, that the bodies of three dead men, all of them shot by Filkins, were [consumed in the fire] which destroyed the buildings, and once more that "Alvord," who Plumb and Filkins shot a week ago Sunday, was in reality killed, and secretly buried by the Loomises.
What Took the Officials to the Loomises?
What it was that induced the Sheriff and nine officials of Madison county to visit the Loomis house last Sunday morning, is a question which receives but little else than a wise shake of the head in that locality. Upon this point, however, the story of Mrs. Rhoda Loomis and officer Filkins, as told us yesterday, agree. And that is the circumstance, as stated above; that they held a bench warrant for Plumb, who had failed to recognize the bail in his case as brought before the last seasion of court at Morrisville. And, it will be remembered that Plumb was actually taken to the Madison county jail, at Morrisville, and locked up.
Who Set Fire to the Loomis Buildings?
We don't know. Whoever does, very like other people in the same circumstances, we ascertained, is not caught informing people about the particulars. Many of the officials present at the affair, we understand on good authority deprecated the act upon the spot, as one they had not come to perform or one which they sanctioned. There were from sixty to one hundred persons present at the time. Who the incendiaries actually were, officers of justice should ferret out, and courts of justice punish.
Grove Loomis
This member of the family has not been one of the most prominent characters in the affair of which we write. The crowd who surrounded his dwelling Sunday last, did not for some reason (probably because he signified his willingness to tell what he knew) oblige him to share the hanging process undergone by Plumb. Grove, we understand, went to Hamilton yesterday.
The "Dutchman"
The "Dutchman" John Stone, has gone to Oswego to inform Wheeler Loomis of the Sunday affair, and to pave the way for the removal of Mrs. Loomis to that city.
Public Sentiment
So far as we were able to observe, the majority of the people of Waterville and the town of Sangerfield, do not condemn, in those emphatic terms one would think they should the high-handed proceedings of last Sunday morning. They do not openly applaud the deed. What they think about it is an inference each reader may decide for himself. How the public at large view this latest chapter in the history of the Loomis family and their neighbors, is not so uncertain. The people do not approve of mob law, no matter how long borne or stinging the provocation.
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Perspective of Grove Loomis
We give on our first page an interesting history of this family who are now the subjects of so much public attention. Below we print Grove Loomis' account of the recent "cleaning out" operation by the mob in Sangerfield.
"I should think the party, numbering from 60 to 75, arrived at our house about daylight, Sunday morning. I dressed and went downstairs and found from 10 to 15 persons in the kitchen; some of them spoke and said, "We have no papers for you, you shan't be hurt." I then passed out and washing myself, and coming in to wipe, the officers produced handcuffs and placed them upon me, as well as irons upon most of the other members of the family including mother, who is 72 or 73 years old. The house was then searched from garret to cellar. In the cellar were 8 to 10 barrels of nice cider, some of which I pointed out to the men, and they drew in pans what they wanted and drank. there was in the cellar two barrels of pork, a large quantity of potatoes and much other valuable property. The house was fired in several places, while we were all still ironed. I asked to be allowed to go up to my room to save some of my clothing, as well as my sleeve buttons which were worth $16, but was not allowed to do so, they telling me it was of no use, as I had not more than three minutes to live. During this time a large rope had been procured and the Dutchman, who is a foolish fellow and knows hardly enough to feed cattle and do ordinary farm work, was hung up to a tree, the mob saying they were going to kill him. Plumb was soon after taken and hung in the same place, the rope tied in a running knot around his neck, and he was held up there until his face was black, and he was seemingly dead. He was then let down, and after a short time again hung up, both times with his hands ironed behind him. He was left a long time, until he was perfectly quiet this time, and when let down his face had been severely hurt by drawing him against the limb, and it was a long time before he recovered.
When I wanted to save property out of the burning house, they told me it was of no use, it would do me no good, as I had but three minutes to live. They told me they would spare my life if I would hold myself responsible if there were any more buildings burned or horses stolen in the State, but I could not do that. They finally threatened to shoot me if there was ever any of that kind done in the vicinity. Although we were not allowed to go into the house to get the property out, mother and the girls threw some things out of the windows. Cornelia's trunk was broken open, and from $800 to $1000 in money taken out, and all her best clothes carried off. Mother threw out her silver spoons and forks which were all picked up and carried off. But two of three beds were saved out of some 20 or 25 in the house. The present value of the property saved from the house could not exceed $50, besides the clothes we had on. After the Sheriff came back, he said he did not suppose there was going to be any such destruction of property, that it was all wrong, and he sent or ordered some to go and put out the fire which had just started up at the hop house. I was then released and succeeded in saving a light trotting cutter and some harnesses. The loss by the burning of the house and barns, and what was carried off by those there, is not less than $5000. I know very who it was that hung Plumb, and who carried off some of the property."
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