Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-01-01
Violent Death of Hon. G. S.
Hamilton.

Terrible Struggle with His Insane
SOn-He attempts the Murder Of II lis
er-kageS about with an Axe in his
Hands-Hfs Final Capture.
Aarysville. Dec. .. Cor. Columbus Journal
This village and community are en-
shFeUded 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 Congress from the Sth Congressional
District of Ohio, by the hand of his
eldest son, Thomas c. Hamilton, a
youth of about eighteen. The facts in
short are about as follows: The son
Thomas, was considered and was q re-
markably good and steady hoy. 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.. II. to
come home. He came home, and on
Saturday last instituted proceedings 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 9 o'clock,
Mr.. II. said to his tHo oldest boys,
Thomas and John, that they would go
out and feed. The three went out, the
father carrying some corn fodder dis
taEce of 10 or Is yards, and throwing it
over into the barn lot; the younger
(JOhn) going over and distributing it
TO the stock, as the father directed
Mr.. II. then babe John 90 and prepare
for Sunday School. He did so, leaving
the father and Thomas pitching up
and scattering corn and stocks. He
testi6es 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 |
1u to the porch and saw Thomas COM
nyy 10 the house alone.
She inquired, where was father? He
Diel fed mp an axe and made for the
John seeing this demonstra-
.ion. screamed and diverted Thomas
rom the mother to himself. He ran
mo he house, first into the dining |
,oom, then to- the hall, then into the /
sitting room. Here Thomas came upon !
MIN. 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 lef. shoulder /
and partially stunned him; but he
crawled out of the house. Thomas
then made pursuit of the mother, who |
Aed across the street to Mr.. John |
q distance Uf about 100 yards. |
Here he was met by Mr.. G's family, |
and Mr.. F. Wood, Superintendent of
the pubic schools of this place, who
bid him put down the axe-he carry
ing it in an elevated and menacing at
titude. He assumed a more threaten
ing manner, and made at Mr.. Wood,
who retreated in the house. Thomas
10 the door with the uplifted
He theu returned to the street, !
where he was met by Mr., C. Lawrence,
Eq., who inquired of him, Where is
7Our fatherf" Euspeet:ng foul play
He. with the uplifted axe, then made
l1r Mr.. L., who Tetreated down and
C ross the street, Thomas following.
Ia (Thomas) then crossed over the
su ee. and making in the direction of
he wounded boy, who had gone back
o he house and carried two small
istel-s q distance of one hundred yards
r mCire, and was calling 10 Mr.. j. e.
I0tki 4, who had been attracted by the
~ of distress, "Saye my two little
isters." Mr.. Botkin reached the two
mall 81 sters and took them up, but
'homas was coming in and cut off his
30 he took them back TO where
hey were. by a wood-pile. Taking a
lick of wood, which, 70 him. seemed
DO unwieldy, he dropped it as Thomas
as coming on to him with the uplift-
d axe clenched in both hands. Bot
in, with great presence of mind, seiz-
the only alternative left him Ly
lmping into him head first, striking
i'm in the breast while BIS arms were
plifted to fell him with the axe. Thus
Q was captured.
Search was now made for the father. ]
nd the sequel shows that at the very
lace where John left them-Which Is '
bout 30 or 40 yards from the house 1
homas had killed his father, and cCv- {
red the body with corn fodder. 1t
ppears that he had felled him with a |
esvy piece Of two-inch board, striking }
i'm from behind, and fracturing the
ght posterior of he skull. The left
was also fractured, or better c
escrlbed by saying badly mashed in. a
The heart sickens to describe and 4
'ntenplste how one highly respected v
7 all, and loved by many, was so sud- v
emily and tragieally removed from US. f
As the evidence before the Coroner's
ury Will be published in full, I will
ere stop. J. A. HENDERSON. f