The New York herald., 1868-08-21
THE DEATH PENALTY.


n Y-singuIar Apprehensions OF Violent
Death-PersOnal Descriptions Of the MUIR
derer and his vicsim-HistOry OF the Crime
Arrest, Trial and Conviction of the Crni-
naI--Scencs On and Around the GaiIOws.
CANTON, August 90 1868.
The execution Of John Kennedy for the murder OF
Thomas Hand in February, 1867 took place here al
half-past one O'Clock this afternoon. The weather
was very gloomy and the dark clouds shed
o sombre and pa-like hue over al nature as the
hour OF noon approached
In order that the readers of the HERALD may be
fully acquainted with the crime for which Kennedy
to-day paid the full penalty of the law, the follow
ing particulars are given describing the murderer
his victim, the deed and the incentives to the com
initial OF the awful crime OF murder:-
THE VICTIM.
For many years previous 10 the month OF February
1867, there resided in the town of De Kalb St. Law
renee county n. Y, person by the name of Thomas
Hand. He was a native Of England, where he bore
the name OF Thomas Jackson but on coming to this
country on account OF some singular freak Of TASTE
or for some reason that has been explained he
cropped his family name and adopted the one that
ne was universally known under Nature had early
stamped him as one OF her most peculiar and eccen-
trio geniuses He was bachelor, q farmer by occu-
patton, and, although possessed OF considerable
means, lived in a small dwelling In thnly settled
portion Of the country. He had no friends and made
no confdants Although enterprislng in trade and
vgant in attending to all OF his pecuniary interests
his mind was partially deranged. During the entire
period OF lifetime Of half century one thought
alone had governed his actions, one terrible
apprehension had embittered all Of his days.
He had early become imbued with the idea
that his life would be terminated by the
violent hand Of q murderer Restless under the
thought he emigrated from his English home, sepa-
rated himself from his Eindred and sought to lose
this land. Yet although he had abandoned all else
even the name that he bore, the fearful appre-
henson chung to him. Believing that the mark
which the murder sought for was visible upon his
brow, he regarded all men as murderers, this world
as hell and the hand Of every man raised against
him. He dwet In q scantily and even wretchedly
furnished house Not on account of misery dispo-
ston, but that there might be no object to murder
him for what the house contained. He dwelt alone,
Tor he would put trust In no human being Even the
innocent hands OF women and children were to his
diseased imagination ready to clutch the dagger of
He made no secret whatever Of this When brought
in contact with his neighbors and questioned in
regard to hts peculiar mode Of life he freely admitted
the fears that constantly oppressed him. When he
proceeded about his farm he was constantly upon
the alert lest some tree might conceal an assassin
them might be lurking those who sought to
murder him. During the still hours OF the night,
ss ne sat alone, with barred doors, within
for fear that some one was lurking outside,
ssy,nsta only waiting Ing ito to send @ & bullet that woald
closely veed for the same precaution, and year
after year he thus lived on, constantly fearing the
blow that would send his miserable soul into eter-
nifty. When he walked abroad by day the grim
phantom of death seemed to follow his footsteps
and beckon him on, and in the lonely mdnight
hours when all alone he was uncheered by the
presence OF any human being, it stood by his bed
side and extended its bony fingers as If to grasp
him, and then laughed with demoniac glee as he
DOSsegspd
and ferocious, that seemed to possess all OF his mas
ters DISLIKE and aversion to strangers and kept the
premises clear OF ntruders by day and guarded the
solitary occupant Of the dwelling by night.
THE MURDERER.
John Kennedy the murderer Of Thomas Hand,
was born at Glengary, Canada East in the year lslO
and Is consequently twenty-eght years Of age. His
family is a numerous one he having three brothers
and six sisters now living and having lost brother
by drowning not great while ago. His parents are
both living and together with the other members Of
his family, are honored and respected by the COM
munity in which they reside, and feel very keenly
the blow which has fallen upon them. Since his
apprehension they have spared no EFFORT that their
means would permit OF to establish his innocence.
He was five feet eight inches in height, light CON-
plexoned, with dark gray eyes. He was rather full
protruding upper lip He rather appeared to be
simple minded good natured sort OF person, and
could be the perpetrator OF such an Internal and da
bo1cal deed as the murder Of which he was after
wards guilty,
NADIA in the early part OF the fall Of 1885, and obtained
work from o man residing near the residence OF
Thomas Hand. His first step towards securing the
friendship OF his victim 10 conctate the dog al
mded to, and 30 well did he succeed that the savage
brute-ttle less ferocious than trained blood
hOund-who had never manifested any friendship for
person except his master, would soon do his bid
ding as readily as that OF the one whom he was kept
To protect The monomanac seemed TO consider the
conduct OF the dog a better Recommendation for
Kennedy than any that any human being could give,
and he very soon admitted him TO his house and his
confidence and soon after employed him to work
with him. They took their meals at the same rude
Fable and together shared the same bed
Hand na all OF h secrets him
when he was with him. With fatality as
strange as It was unexpected, the man who had
meet his murderer now weicomed and reposed full
trust In the one who was TO strike the long feared
blow: Can an especial significance be attached to
this fact or was the easily impressed mind Of Ken
nedy, In his association with his victim, so wrought
upon by the weird fears and terrible imaginlngs OF
Hand that the commission OF the deed had fascina-
ton for him that he was unable TO resls
Shortly before the New Year Kennedy left Hands
employ and went to place couple Of miles dis
iant
TIE MURDER.
on Friday, the lst day OF February last, John
Kennedy left house at which he had been stop
ping for a short time in the town OF De Peyster at
four o'clock in the afternoon, with the avowed pur
pose Of proceeding TO Canada but with all OF the
devilish instincts OF his nature fully aroused, and
determined 10 commit the act for which his lie has
paid the forfeit. on being offered O ride for some
miles In the direction of Ogdenshurg, where he must
proceed If he wished 10 cross into Canada, he de-
clined on the pea that he preferred TO walk,
and continued ON until he arrived at the
road leading TO Hands, which he took. He
continued on for some distance and, on account
OF the darkness, made a mistake IN the roads,
and entered one which took him considerable dis
tance out of his course. Here he was met by num-
Der OF persons with whom he was acquainted but
paid no attention 10 their saluiations, until one Of
them inquired, "ls that you, Johnf' To this he re-
piled evidently anxious 10 know whether he was
positively recognized or not, "What Johnyn "J0hn
kennedy was the reply. "What John KennedyS'
he asked little disconnected and still unwilling TO
admit his Identity but being confused az 10 his
course, was compelled 20 stop and inquire the way,
which he did by asking to he directed to the resi-
dence OF the neares, neghbor OF Hand.
He arrived AT his place OF destination in the even-
ing and proceeded up towards the solitary and dark
dwelling The watch dog sprang fosward TO meet
him with savage growl, but only 10 greet MIN with
such a fawnng welcome as the JOY OF a brute could
manifest Hand called out In apprehension from
behind his barred door 10 know who the intruder
could be, but opened wide the portal and gave him
hearty welcome when he knew who was his visitor.
No longer fearing that proving assassin was near,
q long unused candle was brought forth, and tts
cheerful rays Illuminated the ROOM supper was
n oil nd nj lp no