Raub - Bill - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Bill Raub, self styled “Black Hawk,” died very suddenly at half past twelve Wednesday. He was able to be about Tuesday in his usual health and there are several versions as to the cause of his sudden demise. Some state that he died of heart disease and others that his death was caused by an overdose of morphine. He died at his home on Spring Street.

Bill Raub was one of the best known colored men in Crawfordsville and was a man of some considerable ability. He was a skillful trader and at one time owned several pieces of property here. His estate is still something better than merely solvent probably, although dissipation worked against him during the last few years of his life. Bill has been a resident of Crawfordsville for many years and was born in Kentucky, where he served as a slave. He boated that he had brought $2,200 at a sale. Bill for many years operated the famous North Green Street “Temperance Hotel,” so called from what it was not rather than what it really was. He lodged in this rambling old frame building sometimes as high as thirty people, Negroes and Italians, and the fellow in hard luck always received accommodations at Bill’s place. He was a rough and noisy character, but withal kindhearted and willing to befriend the unfortunate. He leaves a wife but no children. – thanks to S for this one