Another Little Thing about Hiram Case

A little insight into Hiram's sense of justice...

From the Western Reserve Chronicle, Warren, Ohio
May 26, 1858

"THE TOLL GATE SUITS

We mentioned the fact, two weeks since, of the Toll gate on the Turnpike north of this town, having been cut down, and the fact that it had been done to test the right of the Trumbull & Ashtabula Turnpike Company to charge toll for that part of the road not finished.  Two suits of the Company vs. Mr. Hiram Case, were tried before Judge Abell last week, and at the same time, a complaint for assault and battery was heard.

It seems that Mr. Case refused to pay the tolls demanded of him, claiming that the dirt part of the Turnpike should not be charged for, but only the plank.  The gatekeeper refused to allow him to pass, when Mr. C. sent his son for an axe and cut down gate.  The gatekeeper complained of an assault against Mr. C. and his son.  He did not claim that his person had been injured, but that he had been pushed aside.

Mr. Case was bound over, but the young man was discharged.  The Company brought suit for trespass to their gate.  Mr. Case offered a judgment of four dollars, which was accepted.

The other suit for the statuory penalty for the use of the county had been commenced also, and this was tried by a jury, resulting in the assessment of a fine of Ten Dollars."

If the connection between Hiram and Caleb Jr. and Caleb Sr. holds up, then the rest of the line back is pretty well documented through Caleb Sr.'s father, Zaccheus.