An Active Feud
When my Uncle Miles Ratcliff sold the Eagle Mills in 1876 to Robert Kidnocker, a steambolter of German descent, he also sold his farm to another large family, whose patriarch was Henry Tilton. He and my Grandfather Henry Haynes did not get along.
Photo credit: Rob Schrader
Two Cemeteries
For some reason unknown to my father, an active feud which consisted mostly of words and shall we say “dirty tricks” broke out between the two Henry’s, most of which seemed to be the fault of Henry Tilton.
At that time, the road extended down over the hillside by Mr. Haynes’ store, and Tilton would start shouting insults at Mr. Haynes the minute he approached the store, daring him to come out and fight and calling him a coward if he would not.
Customers at the store reported that Mr. Haynes would grab a broom, mop, or anything with which he could strike Mr. Tilton’s horse or person, and run out to face him. Luckily, nothing serious ever came of the feud of words, except that Mr. Tilton, knowing that both he and Mr. Haynes suffered terminal diseases and that Mr. Haynes would be buried in the Union Cemetery with other members of his family, donated land and helped to establish the Lebanon Church and cemetery above Eagle Mills. Mr. Tilton simply refused to be buried in the same cemetery with Mr. Haynes.
Mr. Tilton died in late 1882, and Mr. Haynes in April of 1883, less than a year apart…one from cancer and the other from consumption (which is what tuberculosis was called at that time).
Both churches and cemeteries are still in existence and well kept considering the length of time that has passed since their establishment.