23. Silas HICKAM Jr. (Silas4, William (Billy)3, Richard2, William1), M. Born on January 22, 1832 in Carbondale, Jackson Co., Illinois. Silas died in Pamona, Union Co., Illinois, on July 9, 1905; he was 73.
GOVERNMENT CENSUS RECORDS FOR SILAS HICKAM JR.
UNION COUNTY, ILLINOIS 1900
Alto Pass Precinct, 07-21-1900
HICKAM, Silas 69 Farmer IL IL IL
HICKAM, Nancy 63 IL IL ALA
....In the middle 1880's Silas Hickam Jr. was constable of Union County, Preston Precinct, Illinois. What follows is an incident that occurred between Silas Hickam Jr.'s family and some other men in Grand Tower, Illinois. The newspaper reports that follow were used in the court proceedings, but the story I got from family members is all together different. So, I felt it only fair to add it too.
....Before the day of the picnic, one of the men and old man Silas Hickam got into an arguement. Silas accused him of mistreating his wife, so there were already hard feelings before the gathering. So, when his son got into an arguement and fight, that just lit the fuse. It is said that one of the men shot Silas' son first, so they felt the killings were in self defense.
....That's the story as explained to me. I do know the two boys were captured inside a house in the hills, but not without a gunfight taking place. The boys gave up after one of them was wounded. Feeling their father would not survive a prison sentence, they plead guilty and claimed their father had nothing to do with it. Silas Hickam got 15 years probation. Thomas and John Hickam got 99 years in prison. So you be the judge. (Anna Belle Titsworth)
A HORRIBLE BUTCHERY
....A crime was committed near Grand Tower last Saturday, which in point of fiendishness rivals any that has ever stained the history of our county. If possible it is more diabolical than the assasination of George W. Sisney, in this place, some twelve years ago.
....A picnic was in progress about two miles south of Grand Tower, attended by some two hundred men, women and children. Among the number were Silas Hickam, his two sons, John and Thomas, Robert Knox, Mathew Rhodes and Henry Brown, all farmers and residents of the vicinity. Between the Hickams and Knox bad blood existed, growing out of some business transactions. Tom Hickam and Knox came together, when a quarrel ensued. Hickam drew his revolver and fired, but missed. Knox seized a club and struck his adversary on the head, knocking him down. John Hickam then struck Knox, felling him to the ground. As Tom rose he drew a dirk-knife and again rushed to the attack. Seeing that Tom was using the knife viciously, Rhodes and Brown interfered to save the life of Knox. Then old man Hickam rushed behind Brown, threw his left arm around him and drew him back, and with his right hand thrust his knife into Brown's left breast and drew it to the right shoulder, making a most horrible gash six inches long and cutting off a portion of the heart. The victim staggered a little distance, fell and expired in a few minutes. In the meantime the Hickam boys were using their knives with most terrible effect, Knox and Rhodes being fatally wounded. All three were literally cut to pieces. Besides the fatal wound, Knox was cut in five different places; Knox in six, Rhodes in five.
....The people were horror stricken, and no attempt was made to arrest the murderers. The wounded were cared for as well as possible and sent to their homes. While on the way Tom Hickam rode up to the wagon in which Knox was being carried, and drawing his revolver, swore he would "finish the d--d. scoundrel." Some women who were in the wagon begged for the poor fellow's life, and the worse than brute contented himself by cursing the helpless victim. Monday morning Sheriff Ross organized a posse and started after the murderers. In the afternoon old man Hickam was found at Preston. He was arrested and taken to the Murphysboro jail. The young men have not, up to this writing, been captured. It is believed they are hiding in the vicinity of their home and will be found.
....It is believed from the statements made before the coroner that the Hickams had premeditated to kill Knox. Some time before the trouble began Tom Hickam had his dirk in his hand and was about to cut open a box of sardines, when his father told him not to dull his knife, as he would have to use it before long. All the Hickams, and Knox, as well, were rough men. John Hickam was sent to the penitentiary five or six years ago for stabbing a man at Cobder, but was pardoned by Gov. Oglesby about fifteen months ago. Brown and Rhodes were respected citizens.
....No murder committed in this section has more greatly stirred up the people than this. It is hoped that the Hickam boys will be arrested and hung, as there is no question as to their guilt. The diabolical crime was witnessed by quite a number of people.
(This is copied from the original Anna Belle Titsworth had made at the Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysberoro, Illinois. It was taken from Barton's Free Press, Carbondale, Illinois, Saturday, July 24, 1886.)
On January 28, 1854 when Silas was 22, he married Nancy Catherine ALDRIDGE, F, in Union County, Illinois. Born in 1838.
24. Samuel HICKAM (Silas4, William (Billy)3, Richard2, William1), M. Born on May 1, 1843 in Jackson County, Illinois. Samuel died in Carter County, Missouri, Johnson Township, on July 23, 1910; he was 67. Buried in Sparkman Cemetery, Near Poplar Bluff, Misssouri.
Herbert Webb said that Samuel worked for the Missouri Mining Company and he owned a farm near Poplar Bluff at Cane Creek in Butler County, Missouri.
1900 Carter County, MO Johnson Twp census lists:
530 Hickam,Samuel Head unk 1844 56 IL Mo IL
........Harriet M wife(9/5) May 1851 49 IL Mo IL
........Ida dau May 1886 14 Mo IL IL
On June 18, 1861 when Samuel was 18, he first married Arcadia HANSON, F, in Jackson County, Illinois. Born in 1840. Arcadia died in Carter County, Missouri, Johnson Township, on July 23, 1910; she was 70.
Samuel second married Harriet MAY, F. Born on May 1, 1851 in Illinois. Harriet died in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 23, 1914; she was 63. Buried in Sparkman Cemetery, Near Poplar Bluff, Misssouri.
.....Last name "May" was her maiden name before she married James Anthony.
After she married James Anthony in Union County, IL they moved to Advance, Missouri in early 1870.
.....Hamilton May born 1808 in Tennessee, died 27 August 1863 in Union County, Illinois. His wife was Elvira (do not know maiden name). In his probate file: Box M-214, Book A pp 55, 71: it states that his heirs: Elvira May, widow; children; Margaret E. May, Mary E. May, Milbra May, Benjamin F. May, Lavina A. May, Harriet M. May and George W. May.
.....On the 1850 Illinois, Union County, District No. 2, pg 215: Hamilton May (42), Malvina (26), Margaret (12), Mary (10), Milbra (7), Benjamin (5), Lavina (2), and The Babe (1/12).
.....I do not find them on the 1860 Union County Census. There is a Hambeton May listed but the wife and one child do not match. I do find a Harriet May (age 19) on the 1860 census with Ann L. May (23) and George May (3). I do not think this is her. I will check in Jackson County and see if they are there since Hamilton is still alive.
.....On the 1870 census: Illinois, Union County, Misenheimer Twp, pg 25 (stamped pg 512), family 178, Elvina May (48) with son George (11); family 179, James Anthony (64), Harriet M. (20), John J. (19), George W (17), Thomas M (13), infant (7/12). I believe the boys are from James' first marriage because of the ages and the boys were born in Mississippi. James and Harriet were married 11 July 1869 (Marriages of Union County, Illinois 1818-1880).
.....On the 1880 census: Illinois, Union County, Ridge Township, pg 16, family 124; Elvira May (64), Harriet Antony (33), Melissa (13 ), Jackson (10 ), Wade Hampton (8), Law(rence) (6), Charles (1).
.....After she Married Samuel Hickam, they moved near Grandin and Ellsinore, Missouri. They later bought a home on Cane Creek about one mile North of the Cane Creek School.
Harriet M. was listed as age 49 in the 1900 Carter Co., Johnson Twp, MO. census.
25. Lindolph (Adolph) HICKAM (Silas4, William (Billy)3, Richard2, William1), M. Born approx 1844 in Jackson County, Illinois. Lindolph (Adolph) died after 1911; he was 67.
On July 30, 1868 when Lindolph (Adolph) was 24, he first married Martha SMITH, F, daughter of Davault SMITH, M & Jane CARTER, F, in Union County, Illinois.
They had one child:
i.
Eva, F. Born in 1870.
On December 21, 1871 when Lindolph (Adolph) was 27, he second married Mary Jane ELLIS, F, in Jackson County, Illinois.
On March 19, 1874 when Lindolph (Adolph) was 30, he third married Rhonda Caroline SMITH, F, in Williamson County, Illinois.
Sister of Lindolph's first wife Martha. Had 9 children.