Richard Fulkerson b: August 1837 in Indiana d:  11 Dec 1913  in Brown county Indiana

Named after his grandfather, Richard was John's 3rd oldest son.  Richard grew up in John's home in Clinton County Indiana and became a harness maker.  He maintained that profession all thoughout his life.  Even at the age of 73 in 1910 he lists that as his occupation.   Richard probably never married as he is always listed as single and was a bit excentric.  He was a loner and is refered to in his obituary as a hermit. Richard lived in Clinton county through 1877.  In 1875 38 year old Richard was engaged to 19 year old Francis A. Kutz or so it was said.  In Dec 1876 a Grand Jury handed down a criminal Indictment against Richard for Seduction.  It was claimed he made the promise of marriage to her in order to take advantage of the young woman.  The Indictment was filed in Clinton County on January 3, 1877 with a $1000 bail set.  At the moment I am not aware of the result of the trial.  Three years later in 1880 Richard was living in Madison county as a boarder and Harness Maker, far across the state from his home and family.  Could he have been driven out as a result of the trial?  It's a good bet this incident may have been the reason Richard decided to remain a batchlor the rest of his life.  He then moved to Noble County in Northern Indiana where he was a Border with the Bury family in 1900 to Brown County by 1910 in the south where he bought a farm and lived there until his death.  He was convinced his farm had a huge vein of gold and spent a great deal of money in an attempt to find it.  Below is a newspaper account of his efforts.   I'm not sure what the final reselt of this is.

Indianapolis Star June 16th, 1913                                   ________________        New Company Formed to Get Brown County Gold   NASHVILLE, Ind., June 15 -- A company of farmers and businessmen of Brown County are forming an organization for the purpose of digging gold.  Since the recent flood gold has been discovered in several places in the southern part of the county, one man having found $48 worth in one day.  Bear Creek in the last few years has yielded considerable gold and the company proposes to begin operations in that vicinity.    Richard Fulkerson, an aged and crippled bachelor living near here, says that on forty nights he has dreamed that gold could be found abundantly on his farm, and about three months ago he employed several hands, who have dug up ditches all over his farm.  He has found little gold, but still believes it is there.  He has refused to sell his farm for a large sum and has driven several newspaper reporters off his place, fearing publication would get strangers to settle near his land.  An expert from Ohio was hired by Fulkerson to locate the vein of gold.

Richard's Obituary in a Brown county newspaper.

Richard Fulkerson           Dec 11, 1913 "Daddy" Fulkerson, a bachelor,  age 77, a harness maker and  gold prospector, suffered a stroke. He had lived a hermits life for  many years in a cabin 1 1/2 miles from Nashville

Return to home page