BEAMER, Reuben
Reuben Beamer became locally and state known for several reasons. For one, he was the youngest enlisted soldier in the Civil War, being 13 years and 10 months old, joining the 126th Indiana making a fine soldier. A few younger may have been messengers or drummers or cooks, but Reuben Beamer shouldered his gun and fought with the best of ‘em, being wounded three times during his service. Not many have a job for 45 years, but Reuben Beamer served as the Attica town marshal for that long, first being elected on May 7 in 1877, defeating Frank Hegler. In the beginning of his years the regular presented drunken brawls (Attica owning 13 saloons at the time) and men frequenting the 14 brothels as well as several gambling dens. Don’t think it was easy as during his time as sherif, he was shot 12 times.
At least two interesting murders were during Beamer’s time, one in January 1886 when John Reinhardt killed Henry Lodde who owed him for room and board and couldn’t pay. Reinhardt whipped out his pistol and shot Lodde right in the eye, the bullet entering the brain and killing him. The other was ... The “bad part of Attica” was called Texas at that point, and the Sherif at age 27 stood close to 6’ tall, with muscular arms and weighing about 170#, he having fought some professionals (learning the art in camp during the CW) including tieing with the state champion (after 32 rounds), George Kidney, splitting the purse of $1500 in 1866. During the popularity of the “saloon years” Beamer would arrest as many as 20 per day. In 1886, breaking up a horse thief group was one of his toughest jobs and he had several odd shootings, even some on the river in the dance boats.
Reuben Ford Beemer was born on 10 Sept 1849 in Nicholasville (Jessamine County) Kentucky, coming to Indiana with his family at age eight. Parents were Samuel (who was a saddler) and Mary (Ford) Beemer and he was fourth of their five offspring. His father is buried at West Lebanon under the spelling of Beymer. Reuben married Catherine (Cassie) Goans (1856-1880) and they were parents of three children, the first passing young (Ora 1874-1876) and Harry fairly young (1876-1897) but Cora Evalee was 77 at her passing (married Russell Smith – they lived with him for most of his later years as well as their son). Lucy is also on his gravestone 1840-1922, his second wife.
Beemer also served as detective for the C&EI and CB&Q railroads for some time. Besides all his work in the law field, he was an active member of the Methodist Church as well as the K of P and Masonic lodges. Think this will end with an extremely fitting quote from his obituary: “Local people feel that few if any police officer ever honored more his badge of office!” Amen, and rest in peace, RFB!
**
Sources used: Crawfordsville Weekly Argus News 31 Jan 1891. Kokomo Daily Tribune 27 March 1925. Attica Ledger 26 March 1925. Lafayette Journal and Courier 26 March 1925.
