(By Judy Ann Fields from the People’s Defender 1967)
The Counterfeit House, A Genuine Tourist Attraction:
For an afternoon of fun, mystery and adventure the Counterfeit House is the place to go. I went totally unprepared for what I experienced. The owners, Mr. and Mr. John R. Johnson, very graciously gave me a tour of their home. There are so many topics to tell about that I must leave some out of this article, but when you visit the house for yourself, you will get to discover them first hand. It was in the 1850’s when Oliver E. Tompkins rode horseback up the road from Wrightsville and declared that he would build “not a house, but a mansion.”
The plans for such an ingenious house must have taken and a considerable amount of time to work out, but when completed, the material was cut to precision for the construction and shipped by boat to the location. No doubt at that time most of the dwellings on Gift Ridge were made of logs. The building of such a fine home was probably followed by every settler for miles around with great interest. They had probably not seen such an extraordinary house of planned yellow poplar with a cupola and seven chimneys. Little did these neighbors know that within this house there were such mysterious things as a trick indoor catch, two exchange doors, false chimneys where lead and men were hid, a cave entrance and a secret room.
The counterfeiters included Oliver, his sister, Anna and an unidentified man. There were known as the “mysterious trio” and didn’t associate with the other settlers on the ridge.
From a small lookout window above the roof a lantern was hung, giving of a red or green light. This was the method used to tell the riverboat passengers that the money was ready to pick up. Most of the counterfeit money was fifty cent pieces and five-hundred-dollar bills.
It is said that there was a steady stream of strangers going and coming from the house without needing to ask for directions. As you walk through the rooms, the Johnsons will tell you the story of the mysterious trio and show you the points of interest that pertain to the story.
When you enter the parlor, you will hear about Oliver Tompkins’ funeral. As the tale goes, the federal agents were close to catching the Tompkins’ for their crime, when the word was spread around that Oliver Tompkins was dead. A funeral was held at midnight by the light of one flickering candle. All the while, the “real” Mr. Tompkins was hid in the false chimney across the hall. The body in the casket is supposed to have been a wax dummy, but whatever it was, it is buried in the Fenton Cemetery. The monument over the grave reads: Ezra Tompkins, Nov. 27, 1861.
Oliver had always signed his name Olive E., which would have been for Ezra. The trio soon disappeared and was never heard of again, but the community has never forgotten the tales of mystery and suspense that the counterfeiters left behind. You will also see the blood stains in the hallway where a peddler was killed. It wasn’t known whether he was a secret agent or just an innocent peddler trying to sell his wares. Whichever is the case, the proof of his mistake of entering the house shall always be upon the walls and nothing seems to erase them.
Also in the hall is a showcase filled with antiques, rocks, arrowheads, etc. There are even bones, believed to be those of the peddler, that Mr. Johnson found while digging a barbecue pit by the trail.
The Johnsons have their home furnished with antiques but are quick to assure you that none of them have anything to do with the counterfeiters. These old pieces of furniture add to the mood of the history of the old house and to the enjoyment of the visitors.
There are also many interesting things outside to see.
One is the spring house, that has never gone dry. It has the original double layer clapboard shingle roof and has had iron-barred windows, but only one is left barred. There is an upping rock, for a lady riding side saddle, by the front steps. Three of these steps are cut out of a huge boulder along the bank. They are perfectly matched with the hand hewn ones.
A trail has been made through the woods and a picnic area and barbecue pit fixed for the tourist convenience. Don’t hurry on the trail, there are a lot of trees and wild flowers to see. You’ll also want to see the cave entrance. It is filled up now, but in his spare time Mr. Johnson works at clearing it. This walk will give you a change to enjoy the peace and beauty of Adams County that can be had by all. There is also a view of the Ohio River and Route 52. Take your time and don’t miss anything.