Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-31
The Killing of Mr. Hamilton.

MARYsyILLE, Ohio, Dec 23-This vii
laGe and community are eushrouded in a
mantle OF gloom by one of the most horrify>
ing tragedies known in the annals OF crime,
By the death OF Hon Cornelius S Hamilton
member Of Congress from the eighth con-
gresslODal district of Ohio, by the hand of
his eldest son, Thomas G. Hamilton. a youth
Of eighteen. The facts in short are about as
follows: The son Thomas was a remarkably
good aud steady boy. About three weeks
ago he became uneasy about himself and
wished his father to come home. Ills moth
er also being concerned about him, wrote Mr.
Hamilton to come home. He came home,
and on Saturday last instituted proceedings
il he Probate Court to send the boy to the
IusauC =; '"'u, BIZ: did rot get the papers in
time to send him oE: SATURDAY.
Sunday morning at about o'clock, Mr..
Hamilton said to his two oldest boys, Thomus
aud John, they would 60 out aud feed
The three went out, the tuthcr carrying e ne
corn fodder, distance Of ten or fifteen wards
and throwing over in the barn LOT, the young
err (John) going over and distributing it to
tue stock as the father directed Mr. Ham
iton then babe John so and prepare for
Sunday school. lie did so. leaving the faith
er and IhOmuS picking up and scattering corn
and stocks. He testifes that he locked back
when part way to the house and that Thomas
was watching him. He had got to the house
and partly prepared to go to Sunday school,
when the mother went out on the porch and
saw Thomas coming to the house alone
She inquired where was iatherE He picked
up IN axe and made for the mother. John
seeing this demonstration, screamed, and di-
vertcd Thomas from the mother TO himself
lie 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 slipped and fell about the
time lie reached the door, Thomas making
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.. Guthrle's family and Mr. T. Wood,
superintendent of the public schools of this
place, who bid him put down the axe-he
carrying 1t IN an elevated and menacing atti-
tude. lie assumed Il more threatening man
rer, and made at Mr.. Wood, who retreated
into the house. Thomas followed to the door
with the upliited axe.
lie then returned to the street, where he
was met by NJ. g. Lawrence, Esq, who in
quired of him, "Where is your father ~
suspSctlnS lOul pay. lie, with an upiittcd
axe, then made for Mr. j.. who retrented
down and across the street, Thomas following
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 distance Of one hundred
yards more, and was calling to Dir J. C.
BOtkin, who had been attracted b. the CRY of
distress, Save my two little sisters" Mr..
BOrkiu reached the two sisters and took them
up, but Thomas was coming in aud cut of
his retreat. so he took them back TO where
they were by woodpile Taking a stick .!
wood. which TO him seemed too uuwieIdy. he
dropped it rs Thomas was coming on him
with an uplitted axe clenched 10 both hands.
Botkin, with great presence of mind. seized
p the only alternative left him by jumping into
him head first, striking him in the breast
wnIie his arms were up!ited TO tell him with
the axe. Thus he was captured.
Search was now made for the father, and
the sequel shows that a, the very place where
John left them-Which Is about thirty or
forty yards nom the house Thomas had
killed his father and covered the body with
corn fodder. 1t appears that he bad felled
him with heavy piece Of tWo-ineh board.
striking him from behind. and fructuring the
right postegior of the skull The left nos
terror was also fractured, or better described
by being badly mashed in. The heart sick
ems to describe and contemplate how one
highly respected BY all, and loved by many.
was so suddenly and trsgicaIIy removed
from Us