13 Jan Processing the 100th Anniversary of the D.C. Stephenson Trial
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Madge Oberholzer and the resulting trial and conviction of D. C. Stephenson. To read more of the story, scroll to the bottom of this page. Noblesville Creates, Gal’s Guide Library, Copper Z Creative Wellness, Hamilton County Historical Society, Noblesville Diversity Coalition, Roberts Settlement, and other local partners are commemorating this occasion with special events, workshops, and resources throughout the year.
Come back to this post often for updated information on events, resources and opportunities.
Processing Wellness Workshops:
Copper Z Creative Wellness, in conjunction with Noblesville Creates, is offering workshops dedicated to helping adults and families encounter and process the story of Madge Oberholzer’s death and the conviction of D.C. Stephenson. Each workshop will reflect on a noble act highlighted through Madge’s life and work. (Registration link coming soon)
There are 4 workshops open to the Community:
April 14th 6:00pm (A Noble Act of Resilience)
August 9th 1:00pm to 2:30pm (A Noble Act of Community)
May 3rd, 1:00pm to 2:30pm (A Noble Act of Forgiveness)
July 12th, 1:00pm to 2:30pm (A Noble Act of Service)
Opportunities for Artists:
Noblesville Creates is coordinating an exhibit of visual art, as well as a theatrical performance in response to this challenging anniversary. Scroll down for details about each project and how to get involved.
If you would like to participate in any of these events, sponsor an event, or assist us in planning observation of this trial, please contact Aili at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Gal’s Guide Podcast: Madge Saved Lives
Available where you like to listen to podcasts, starting on Mar 15, 20205
Also available at Galsguide.org
D.C. Stephenson Trial Exhibit & Historic Jail Tours
Tour Dates: Apr 25, May 23, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 15, Sep 12, Oct 10, Nov 7
Hamilton County Historical Society
Madge: Empathy and Wisdom, 100 years later – A Conversation with Charlotte Halsinger Ottinger, author of Madge
Apr 14 at Gal’s Guide Library, Noblesville
Gal’s Guide Library.
Jurors in the Trial of D.C. Stephenson: The People and the Process, Presented by Hamilton County Historian David Heighway
May 10 at the Historic Noblesville Courthouse
Hamilton County Historical Society
Processing a Hundred Years: Artists Reactions to the D. C. Stephenson Trial and the Death of Madge Oberholzer
Aug 1st-30th at Hamilton County Artists’ Association
Noblesville Creates
Noblesville Diversity Coalition Community Conversation: Exploring Our History
Aug date and location TBD
Noblesville Diversity Coalition.
Persistent Destroyer: An original one-act play, in the room where it happened
Nov 14, 7 pm; Nov 15, 7 pm, and Nov 16, 2 pm at the Hamilton County Courthouse
Attendees may also sign up for tours of the historic jail and a community conversation
Ticket link coming soon – For more Information contact info@noblesvillecreates.org
RESOURCES:
Mandala Art Wellness Workbook:
Designed by Wellness Therapist Lindsay Zehren and artist Jessica Hancock, this book provides readers of all ages the opportunity to reflect and process the life of Madge Oberholzer and her impact on history. The book includes beautifully-designed coloring pages, reflection questions, journal prompts and other tools rooted in themes of empowerment and Noble Acts. Science shows that the act of coloring helps people of all ages process trauma, focus their minds, and improve their mood.
Physical and digital copies of this book will be available soon!
Story Walk
Designed by Wellness Therapist Lindsay Zehren, this kit includes everything organizations, families, or individuals need to set up a story walk devoted to the memory of Madge Oberholzer. The process of walking and talking together helps individuals and groups process difficult topics, and this kit includes question prompts and activities inspired by several authors of books for children and adults.
History Reading List:
Our friends at the Hamilton County Historical Society and the Hamilton East Public Library have assembled a list of books that explore the history of this story and the individuals involved
(Link coming soon)
Wellness Reading List:
Sometimes the raw facts of history are not enough. Our friends at Copper Z Wellness have put together a reading list of resources that can help you process the story of Madge’s death and Stephenson’s conviction, as well as empower you to take next steps.
(Link coming soon)
Central Indiana Programs & Resources:
Many area organizations are observing this challenging centennial. Click here to see listings of upcoming events, reading lists and more.
(Link coming soon)
Volunteer Opportunities:
If this story has inspired you to want to take deeper action, here are some organizations and events that could use your help:
(Link coming soon)
Places to Visit:
If you would like to connect more deeply with this centennial by visiting places that were central to the story, here is a list of sites open to the public:
(Link coming soon)
SPONORS:
Thank you to Arts Midwest and Hamilton County Tourism for their generous pledge of support to this important project. We are seeking sponsors and donors who want to support all or part of the projects marking this centennial. Please contact Aili at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org to make your pledge or find out more.
Processing 100 Years: The D.C. Stephenson Trial and Its Legacy:
By Ailithir McGill
On April 14th, 1925, Madge Oberholtzer died at her home in Irvington from injuries she received at the hand of D.C. Stephenson, the Grand Dragon of the Indiana Ku Klux Klan. Her signed statement, taken upon her deathbed, was read in court and was used as the primary piece of evidence to convict one of the most powerful men in America to life in prison for second degree murder. That trial – the trial that triggered the collapse of the Indiana Klan – took place here in Noblesville, in the historic courthouse in a courtroom that is still in use today.
One hundred years later, we are all still affected by the ripples from this seismic event. Madge reported that Stephenson had no fear of retribution for her kidnapping because, he said, “I am the law in Indiana,” and the vast network of police, sheriff’s offices, elected officials, and community leaders that were on his payroll or in his debt undermined the confidence in Indiana’s political system for years. Hamilton County’s reputation is still shadowed by the Klan’s activities here, and Noblesville is nationally recognized as the place where twelve white male jurors ended D.C. Stephenson’s power and influence, proving that he was not, in fact, the law. The trial and Madge’s testimony are both still referenced in law schools across the country as precedent for murder trials and victim’s rights.
As we approach this dubious anniversary, we at Noblesville Creates have been working with several other Central Indiana cultural organizations to determine the most effective ways to commemorate and process this story.
In many circles, any mention of the Klan triggers anxiety and concern. Some may fear that this anniversary could encourage reemergence of the Klan’s hatred, violence, and rampant discrimination. Some could be concerned that probing into this story could reveal that their own family and friends may have been part of the Klan, whether by choice or by coercion. Some could find the horrific details of Madge’s final days to be too painful to discuss.
However, to gloss over this landmark event, with its sordid details and its intricate connections to so many aspects of American life in the 1920s, would be to take something away from the victims in the story, and, indeed, to today’s citizens of Noblesville.
It’s a cliche to say that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, and I’m sure that many who are familiar with this story can find echoes of it in modern America. But that’s not all that observation of this centennial is about: it is also about remembering the ordinary, everyday people whose lives were forever changed by Madge’s murder, Stephenson’s conviction, and the collapse of the Klan.
