CENTRAL INDIANA--I had mostly rural assignments in Central Indiana. The majority were incident free, or simply people who did not answer their doors. Addresses to visit were a challenge the entire time. Especially the rural addresses. Many times I would find myself at a dead end, ending in someone's driveway.
It was my last address on my list for the day and I was determined to locate it. After several attempts, I noticed a dirt road that seemed to lead beyond what I could see. I took a chance and followed it. Sure enough! I saw a beat-up, rusty- old mailbox with the house number I was looking for, so I went ahead and followed the narrow, winding lane to the top of the heavily-wooded property. It was very overgrown with weeds and brush, downed limbs and trees.
As I approached the top, I noticed a closed gate and "NO TRESPASSING" signs on a tree and the gate. Enumerators were instructed to disregard such, so I put my vehicle into park and prepared to step out to the gate and take a couple photos, in case my supervisor questioned why I was going to list the address as uninhabitable.
As I was standing near the gate taking pictures and entering info into our census phone, I heard the sound of ATV's coming up the narrow lane I had followed. Within seconds, two, four-wheelers appeared, a man and woman on one and a man on the other. Then, I suddenly had two large mixed-breed dogs within inches of me, each dog out of breath from running, stopping close enough to feel their breath on my legs, with each bark and growl.
One of the men yelled out to the dogs and they backed up somewhat, yet continued to bark at me. One of the men then yelled out to me that I was on private property. I then showed them my census badge and explained I was here to get updated information and was merely taking a couple pictures and entering info and would be on my way.
Each man was holding a rifle or shotgun. Neither pointed their guns at me, but one of them was quick to tell me they had told the last "government person" they would shoot anyone else that showed up at their deceased parents' property. I was then asked to get my supervisor on the phone and tell him not to send anyone else out there, because this would be the last warning they would give. I tried to call my supervisor but was unable to get reception.
I remained calm and suggested I make notes under the address, explaining adult children of the deceased property owner will shoot the next government employee that comes to the address. That is when the woman stopped me and suggested to the men it may not be a good idea to threaten to shoot someone. She then asked me to convey the message, but without threats of violence. I entered the info as requested. By the time this whole ordeal was over with, the group opened the gate so I could turn around and depart, rather than have to back all the way back down the narrow lane.
I was shaking from head to toe as I left the property. A few minutes later my supervisor returned my call and I informed him what had just happened. I could not understand why no notes had been left by the previous enumerator, warning me of hostility of the owner's adult children. I proceeded to leave a lengthy, detailed message for any other enumerators that may ever be sent to that address.
This incident had me so rattled, I resigned my position upon arriving home that evening. No amount of money was worth losing my life over. I still am uncertain what rattled me the most, the gun-toting men or the hot breath of the dogs. Regardless, I survived!
--2020 Indiana Enumerator
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