The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-03-23
Murder ofaPrcacher.

u
We have alresdy, says the State Journal,
made a brief notice or two of the murder of the
Rev. ]. J. Scott. Presbyterian preacher of
Henry county, by Benjamin Hickman, and the
ditional particulars in our exchanges from
the Eastern part Of the State. which may be
of interest. The Connersville Times says
the following statement was furnished it BY
Rev. Mr.. Pelan who oficlated at the funeral
of Mr.. Scott:
On Thursday, March 9Th, Rev. J. ]. Scott,
Pastor of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.
about two miles southeast of LewisvilIe, Hen.
ry county, while attending to the feeding Of
his stock, at or near his barn, was stabbed in
the abdomen, with butcher knife. in the
hand Of a near neighbor, one Benjamin Hick-
man. Mrs. Scott, seeing her husband fall
forward, was going towards him, when Hick-
man seized stick to strike her, but she, look
ing intently at him and exclaimed, "yOn
would not hurt me-" he dropped the stick,
and went off towards his residence, which
was in southern dfection-but turned and
went due west course to point in the
creek, where he must have deliberately
drowned himself, as there was but three and
half feet water where he was found.
No cause i'm assigned for the rash act. Mr..
Scott was gentle and amable minister; his
losssas Pastor, and also as teacher will be
severely felt. He leaves a wife and three
children. In his dying moments, he often
expressed wonder why Hickman stabbed him,
forgave him, and prayed that God might for
give him also.
The murderer had hitherto borne good
character, and was upon the most friendly
terms with Mr.. Scott-so much SD, that he
allowed Mr.. Scott 10 retain q certain amount
Of money due him for land sold Mr.. Scott,
saying he should pot it at interest anyhow,
and had just made arrangements to make
sugar together.
Mr.. Scott died about four hours after being
stabbed, about which time the murderer was
found dead in the creek.
The Brookville American from private in
formation gives rather different version OF
the matter. Both accounts say that no cause
was known for the act, and the Cambridge
City News thinks the murderer was in a
drunken frenzy at the time. Our correspon.
dent stated that it grew out Of a difference in
regard to some deprecated Free Bank paper,
which Scott refused to take back, as it was
good when lie paid it out. The American
says:
=. Benjamin Hickman went to the Rev. Mr.,
Scots, a Presbyterian Minister, who lived
> about half mile of, and went into the house
in his usual manner, and while there was
talking and laughing with Mr.. Scott. After
pleasantly conversiDg, they started out OF
the house into the yard to feed his hogs that
q were in a pen at the corner of the yard
!, While feeding them Hickman stabbed him
just below the heart, the point of the knife
: striking the back bone. SCOTS wife hear.
: ing her husband halo Immediately ran out
: and saw him leaning xsainst the fence, ant
Hickman turning andtwisting the knife in
him as though he was trying to touch hi
heart. The wife went up 10 Scott, took hole
Of him, nd was in the act Of taking him into
the house, when Hickman picking Up a club
= was about striking Mrs. Stotgj when casting
up her eye ID the drection, she saw him anl
exclaimed, "Mr. Hickman you will not strike
: me-" when he dropped the club and started
{ off, and went to u creek about half mile
3 from SCOTS dwelling where he drowned him.
e sell.
> Mrs. Scott, in the meantime, was engaged
in getting Scott into the house, and had sue.
ceeded in getting him as far as the back door
when neighbor who having heard him hol
3 low, arrived and helped to place him on the
bed, after which they sent for Doctor but al
in vain.
He died about IL O'Clock. He was sensi
BILE to the last, and said that there was mol
: hard thought between them to the best o
his knowledge. His last words were: 81
. hope the Lord will forgive Mr.. Hickman, fol
don't know what he should kill me for
4 unless il Was for pure love-"
9 acknowledgement.