The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-01-18
Information.
-rhc KfIiin. az COnxressnA~s HAN
ilron. Of Ohio, ~ Ms 1npAAa Sepr.

The KiIiin: Of ConxressnA~(s saa'
ilssn. Of Ohies ~ Ms h.eAne So
The following letter concerning thexfa( al
death of Congressman Hamlton ID puhGshs1 In
<Ae Ohio STATE Journai, ~ 4
EVANSVILLE, O., Dec. %.
This village and community enshrOuded
IN a mantle of gloom, by of the most horri.
fvine tragedies known in the annals OF crime, BY
he death of Hon. Cornelius q. Hamilton mem
her of Congress from the eighth Congressional
district of Ohio, by the hand of his Oldest son,
Thomas c. Hamilton, youth of about eighteen
The facts in short are about IA follows: The SON
Thomas was considered, and 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 to Mr.. II. to come
home He came home, and on Saturday last IN
stituted proceedings in the Probate Court =
send the boy to the Insane Asylum, but did net
get the papers in time to take him on Saturday.
SUNDAY morning at about o o'clock, Mr.. H.
said to his two eldest boys, Thomas and John,
that thew would 90 out and feed the stock. The
4hree went out, the father carrying some corn
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
"A the father directed. Mr. H. then babe John
20 and prepare for Sunday School He did 90,
leaving the father and Thomas picking up and
scattering corn and stalks. He testiies 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
ian ak and made for the mother. 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-ooom Here Thomas
.came upon him. John ran pasthim, 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 fed across the
street to Mr. John Guthrie's, distance OF about
two hundred yards Here he met by Mr..
sG.'s family, and Mr.. f. Wood, Superintendent Of
the Public Schools of this place, who bade him
,put down the ak, he carrying it in an elevated
and menacing attitude. lie assumed more
threatening manner, and made at Mr.. Wood, who
setreated in the house. Thomas followed to the
door with the uplifted ak. ii
He then returned to tbs street, where he was
met by NJ 9. Lawrence, ESQ, who inquired OF
him, "Where is your father" suspecting foul
play He, with the nplifted ak, then made for
Mr. L., who retreated down and across the street
Thomas following. lie (lhomas) tnen crossed
.over the fence, and made in the direction Of the
wounded boy who had gone back to the house
and carried two small sisters distance Of one
hundred yards 81 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 small sisters and took
them up, but Thomas coming in and cut of
Ibis retreat SO he took them back to where they
were by wood-pie. Taking stick Of wood,
which to him seemed too unwieldy, he dropped it
AS Thomas coming on to him with tho up
lifted AK clenched in both hands Botkn with
great presence OF mind seized the only alterna-
live left him, by Jumping into him head.first,
striking him in the breast while his arms were
uplifted to strike him with theax. Thus he was
captured. {l
Search made for TIE father, and the sequel
SHOWS that at the very place where Joha loft
them, which is about 30 or 40 yards frsrn the
house, Thomas had killed his father, and covered
the body with corn-fodder. 1t appears that hs
had feled him with a heavy piece Of two-ineh
board, striking him from behind, and fracturing
tthe right posterior of the skull. The left pos
p4erior was also fractured, or may be better dss.
'cribed by saying badly smashed in.