In December of 1877 a new school term was beginning in Funk's Grove School #8. A letter from the Funk's Grove school teacher appeared in the Pantagraph, explaining the events that took place on December 17, 1877 in her schoolroom. The schoolteacher, Hattie Johnson, had made an inventory of the books available in the school earlier in December and found that there were not enough readers to use in the school. She requested that the school board make a decision regarding the purchase of new readers and suggested that either Edward's or Wilson's readers be used. Three members of the school board met -- Mr. C. Smith, Mr. L Biggs and Mrs. Doane -- with Miss Johnson and the decision was made to purchase the Edwards' readers for the school. Miss Johnson was authorized to purchase the new readers and distribute them to the students. Any student who could not pay for the new books would receive a book at no cost, but others would pay for the new books.
On the date when the new books were distributed to the students, Mr. Levi Biggs, one of the board members, was present at the school to help the teacher carry the books and also perform some needed maintenance in the building. One other man, who was unknown to Miss Johnson, also came to school that day and sat with Mr. Levi as Miss Johnson called the school to order. As she distributed the books several children refused to take the new books. Miss Johnson advised them that if they could not purchase the book, a book would be provided and the child told her that he did not want the book at all.
At that point the stranger stood and asked Miss Johnson by whose authority she was requiring poor children to pay for a new book. She replied that it was by the authority of the school board. He then claimed that he had spoken to two members of the board -- Mr. Noble and Mr Smith -- and that neither of them had agreed to such a change. This man was Mr. Denham, the father of five children in the school.
Mr. Biggs interjected at that point that Mr. Smith had agreed, and that he believed that Mr. Smith was a sensible man who had not changed his opinion. Mr. Denham then said that his five children would NOT be using the Edwards reader and that they would use the McGuffey reader instead (which of course would be an inconvenience and hindrance to the teacher, who was already teaching children of all grades). He and Mr. Biggs left the school house shortly thereafter and Miss Johnson, who was making this report to the Pantagraph, did not witness what occurred outside the school house. Miss Johnson had apparently been asked to write a report of what had occurred leading up to the violent attack against Mr. Biggs.
What occurred outside the school house was that Mr. Denham argued with Mr. Biggs and when his temper got the better of him, he took a baseball bat and began clubbing Mr. Biggs. After breaking Mr. Biggs' arm, he took out a knife and slashed Mr. Biggs' face. He continued to cut Mr. Biggs on his hands and shoulders until the assault was stopped by unnamed persons. Dr. Noble was called to dress the wounds, and it was feared that Mr. Biggs would die from his injuries. The paper reported at this time that Mr. Biggs was another wealthy farmer who was "a peaceful, quiet and respected citizen." Mr. Denham was described as having come from Kentucky after the war.
Criminal charges were brought against Mr. Denham, who was said to be a wealthy farmer in the area who had lost a school board election to Mr. Biggs the previous year. Reportedly, bad feelings had continued between the two until Mr. Denham was finally able to vent his ire toward his political opponent with the baseball bat. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but the second, more than a year later, ended with an acquittal of Denham.
Mr. Biggs did not die from his injuries, but four years later in 1881, when his arm was broken again, the Pantagraph reported that Mr. Biggs' arm had been nearly useless since the assault in 1877. Mr. Biggs' died a year later.
Mr. Denham lived until 1897, when he committed suicide by drowning in a cistern on his property.