The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-01-02
THE MARYSvILLE TRAGEDY.
OF the Killing Of Hon. c.
Hamilton by his Insane Sen.
Correspondence Of the Ohio State Journal

Marysville O., Dee. 23
This village and community are enshroud-
ed in mantle OF gloom by one of the
most horrifying tragedies known In the
annals of crime, by the death of Hon.
Cornelius S. Hamilton. member Of Con-
gress from the Eighth Congressional Dis
trict of Ohio, by the hand of his eldest
son, Thos. G. Hamilton a youth of about
eighteen. The facts in short are about
as follows. The son Thomas was consid-
cred, and was a 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. H. to come home. He came home,
and on Saturday last instituted proceed
ings in the Probate Court to send the boy
to the Insane Asylum, but did not get
the papers in time to take him on Sat
urday.
Sunday morning, at about nine 0 clock
Mr.. H. said to the two oldest boys,
Thomas and John, that they would go
out and feed. Three went out, the faith
er carrying some corn fodder, 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. II. then
bade John go and prepare for Sunday
School He did so, leaving the father
and Thomas picking up and scattering
corn and stocks. He testifies 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 go to Sunday School, when the mother
went out on the porch and saw Thonas
coming to the house alone.
She inquired, where was father? He
picked up an axe and made for the moth
cr. John, seeing this demonstration,
screamed and diverted Thomas from the
mother to himself He ran into the
house, first into the dining room, then
into the hall, then into the sitting room.
Here Thomas came upon him. John
ran past him, and slipped and fell about
the time he 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 fled across the street to MIR. John
Guthrie $, distance of about two hum
dred yards. Here he was met by Mr..
g. S family, and Mr.. +. Wood, superin-
tcndcnt ef the public schools Of this place
who bade him put down the axe, he car
rying it in an elevated and menacing attl
tude. He assumed more threatening
manner, and made at Mr.. Wood who re
treated to the house. Thomas followed
to the door with the uplittcd axe.
He then returned to the street, where
he was met by NJ. c. Lawrence. Esq. /,
who inquired of him, Where is your
father?' suspecting foul play. lie, with
the upEfted axe, then made Tor Alr. H.,
who rctrcated down and across the street
Tholn;,,, following. He CIhomas) then
crossed over the fence, and making III
the direction Of the wounded boy, who
had gone back to tne house and carried
two small sisters Il distance OF one hun
dred yards or more, aud WAS calling to
MIR. J. c. Botkir. who had been attracted
by the cry of distress Save my TWO llt-
tie sisters !, Mr.. Botkin reached the
two small sisters and took them up, but
Thomas was coming III aud cut OFT Ills re-
treat, so he took them back to where
they were hy wood pile. Taking a
stick of wood, which, to him, seemed too
unwieldy, he dropped it as Tholnas was
coming on to him with the uplfted axe
clcnchei in both hands. Botkins, with
great presence OF mind, seized the only
alternative left him by jumping, into hlnl
head first, striking him in the breast
while his arms were uplitted 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
about 30 or 40 yards from the house,
Thomas had killed his father, and covered
the body with corn-fodder. It appears
that he had fellcd him with a heavy piece
of two-inch board, striking him from be-
hind, and tiacturing the right posterlol
of the skull. The left posterior WAS also
fractured, or better described by saying
| badly smashed in.