There are few pioneers of Madison County now living, who have any vivid recollection of the intense excitement caused by a deed of blood which occurred in what is now Canaan Township, on the 29th of September, 1822. There lived in the township at that time a school-teacher named Levi Phelps, a man of so much influence that, upon its erection in 1819, it was, in honor of him, called Phelps Township. Near where Mathias Slyh's farm is located resided George Blalock and family, and with him lived a Miss Sallie Whitney and Levi Francis. It became the current report that Blalock and this woman were living together as man and wife, although not married. At that time, the settlements were quite scattered, and the settlers became quickly excited at any offense against the morals of the community, deeming immediate justice the best and cheapest punishment under the circumstances. So it appears that this case so shocked the early residents of that portion of the county that many thought it expedient to put a stop to such licentious conduct. A meeting was held, and it was determined to notify Blalock that if he continued any longer such an immoral example to the settlement, he would be treated to a coat of tar and feathers and driven from the community. Blalock was either innocent or defiant, as he paid no attention to the threat.
Early one morning, John Kilgore went to Jonathan Alder and invited him to join a crowd then assembled near where the Baptist Church now stands, whose object was the expulsion of those sinners against the fair name of the neighborhood. Mr. Alder declined taking any part in the affair, and warned Mr. Kilgore that such a proceeding was illegal and dangerous; that, although Blalock was considered a coward, Mr. Francis was not, but on the contrary, was a man who would most surely resist any demonstration of the kind. So strongly did Mr. Alder represent the danger and illegality of the movement that Mr. Kilgore concluded to have nothing to do with it, and urged Mr. Alder to go with him to the meeting and persuade the others to abandon the project. To this Mr. Alder consented, and on the way there an owl flew down from a tree and lit upon the road in front of them. Mr. Alder, true to his Indian education, immediately exclaimed. "That is a bad omen, and means trouble!" He, however, went to the meeting, and probably would have succeeded in breaking up the raid had it not been for the influence of Levi Phelps, who was determined that Mr. Alder's advice should not be followed. Denouncing the latter bitterly, he wound up his harangue by intimating his willingness to assist in putting Mr. Alder's head under the fence and leave him there twenty-four hours, as a punishment for what he considered his officiousness in trying to prevent the execution of the proposed scheme.
The men of peace failed in their object, and Phelps was victorious. The men blackened their faces, and, thus disguised, Levi Phelps, Robert Patterson, William Patterson, Isaac Johnson, Stephen Cary, Caleb Strawbridge, Arnold Fuller, David Garton and others, whose names are not now remembered, marched to the house where Blalock lived. As the fates would have it, neither of the men were at home, and the party retired. A week later, another visit was made, which resulted in a bloody tragedy, that filled the community with horror. Attempting to force the door, they were warned by the inmates that any farther trespass would be dangerous; but, persisting in their efforts to gain an entrance, a gun was thrust through the half-open door and discharged, instantly killing Isaac Johnson. A few moments later, another shot was fired from the house, mortally wounding Stephen Cary, when the attacking party fled. Mr. Cary was attended by Dr. Wetmore, of Worthington, but died on the following day.
Blalock and Francis were arrested and lodged in the Madison County Jail, at London. On the 25th of November, 1822, they were indicted by the Grand Jury for willful and malicious murder, and arraigned before Hon. John A. McDowell, who was then the Presiding Judge, while Hon. Caleb Atwater was Prosecuting Attorney. They pleaded not guilty, and elected to be tried by the Supreme Court. At the July session of the latter tribunal, in 1823, they were tried and acquitted. Thus ended one of the saddest scenes in the history of Madison County, casting its gloom over a whole community, that, prior to its enactment, was peaceful and happy. All of the actors in this tragic affair have doubtless gone to their final account, and the story, which, for twenty years was familiar to every one then residing in the county, is to-day remembered only as a fading dream; but the name of Phelps became so odious to the residents of the township that its title was changed to Canaan, a word suggestive of joy, happiness and plenty.