The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-28
The Killing OF Mr.. Hamtlton-Fur.
Their Particulars OF the Tragedy
The Insane Sons Attempts TO Muir
der his Mother and Brother.

| The Insane Sons Attempts to Muir
| der his Mother and Brother.
MARYsvrLLE, OHIO, December 23.-This
village and community are enshronded in
mantle Of gloom by one of the most hor-
rifying tragedies known in the ann ais of
crime by the death of Hon. Cornelius S.
Hamilton, member Of Congress from the
! Eighth congressional district of Ohio, by
| the hand of his eldest son, Thomas G..
Hamilton, q youth of eighteen. The facts
are about as follows: The son Thomas was
remarkably good and steady boy. About
three weeks ago he became uneasy about
himself, and wished his father to come
home. His mother also being concerned
about him, wrote Mr.. Hamilton to come
home. He came home, and on Saturday
last Instituted proceedings in the Probate
Court to send the boy to the Insane Asy-
lum, but did not get the papers in time 10
send him on Saturday.
Sunday morning at about O'Clock Mr..
Hamilton said to his two oldest boys,
Thomas and John, that they would 60 out
and "feed." The three went out, the ia
ther carrying some CORE fodder, a distance
of ten or fifteen yards, and throwing it
over in the barn lot, the younger (John)
going over and distributing it to the stock
as the father directed. Mr.. Hamilton
then babe John go and prepare for Sun
day school. He did so, leaving the father
and Thomas picking up and scattering
corn and stocks. he testifes that he
looked back when part way to the house,
and that Thomas was watching him. He
had got to the house and partly prepared
to 60 to Sunday school, when the mother
went out on the porch and saw Thomas
coming to the house alone.
She inquired, "Where was father :" He
picked up an axe and made for the mother.
and diverted Thomas from the mother to
himself. He ran into the house, first into
the dining room, then to the hall, then
into the sitting-room. Here Thomas came
upon him. John ran past him, and slip
ped and fell about the time he reached the
door, Thomas making a blow at him,
which took effect in the left shoulder and
partially stunned him, but he crawled out
Of the house. Thomas then made pursuit
of the mother, who fed across the street
to Mr.. John Guthrie's, distance of about
two hundred yards. Here he was met by
Mr.. Guthrie's family and Mr.. F. Wood,
superintendent Of the public schools ofthis
place, who bid him put down the axe-he
carrying it in an elevated and menacing
attitude. He assumed more threaten
ing manner, and made at Mr.. Wood, who
retreated into the house. Thomas follow
ed to the door with the uplifted axe.
He then returned to the street, where he
was met by NJ. G. Lawrence, Esq, who in
quired of him, "Where is your father?"
suspecting foul play. He, with an uplifted
axe, then made for Mr.. L., who retreated
down and across the street, Thomas fol-
lowing. Thomas then crossed over the
fence, and making in the direction OF the
wounded boy, who had gone back to the
house, and carried two small sisters dis
lance of one hundred yards or more, and
was calling to Mr.. J. G. Botkin, who had
been attracted by the cry of distress,
"Save my two little sisters " Mr.. Botkin
reached the two sisters and took them up,
but Thomas was coming in, and cut Oft his
retreat, so he took them back to where
they were by woodpile. Taking stick
of wood, which to him seemed too unwieldy,
he dropped it as Thomas was coming to
him with an uplifted axe clenched in both
hands. Botkin, with great presence of
mind, seized the only alternative left him
by jumping into him head first, striking
him in the breast while his arms were up
lifted to fell him with the axe. Thus he
was captured.
Search was now made for the father,
and the sequel shows that at the very
place where John left them-Which is
aboutthirty or forty yards from the house
Thomas had killed his father and covered
the body with corn-fodder. 1t appears
that he had felled him with heavy piece
of two-inch board, striking him from be-
hind, and fracturing the right posterior of
the skull. The left posterior was also
fractured, or better described by being
badly mashed in. The heart slckens 10
describe and contemplate how one highly
respected by all, and loved by many, was
50 suddenly and tragically removed from