At our program, “Lost Villages of Mercer County”, we talked briefly about Walkatemoke, the small, fortified dwelling of William Simison. It was located in the swampy area near Black Acres and Cranberry Prairie and was known for being infested with rattlesnakes and copperheads. Simison was a wanted man who sought refuge from the law in the inhospitable land and, since our program, more information has come to light.

In the spring of 1877, Simison was coming back from hunting and saw that his hogs had wandered onto his neighbor’s land. His neighbor, Thomas Atkinson, had fought with Simison several times over similar events, demanding that Simison keep his livestock off Atkinson’s land. So Simison went about laying the fence down and getting his hogs out of the area.

One of Atkinson’s sons saw Simison and confronted him. When Simison threatened to shoot the child, he went and told his father what had happened. Frustrated, Atkinson went out to Simison and they argued, so viciously that Simison threatened Atkinson with a knife before leaving toward his home. Atkinson returned to his own home… and re-emerged with his gun.

A neighbor by the name of O’Neal heard the argument and had headed their way, spotting Atkinson as he came out of the house armed. He warned Simison with a shout, causing Simison to jump behind a tree. Simison raised his own gun and shot Atkinson in the stomach. He died a half hour later.

This new information about Willaim Simison is available to us thanks to Beth Keuneke. Thank you again to everyone who attended the program on the 23rd! The Riley House museum is located at 130 E. Market St. in Celina, Ohio. We are open Monday and Friday 9-5 and admission is free.