Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-03

her Pa
tIculars of the Tragedy-The Insane Sons
Attempts to Murder his Mother and
Brother.
MARYsvLLE, Ohio, Dec. %, 1867.
This village and community are en-
shrouded in mantle of gloom by one of
the most horrifying tragedies known in the
annals of crime, by the death of Hon. Cor
nelius S. Hamilton, member of Congress
from the Eighth Congressional District of
Ohio, by the hand of his eldest son, Thos.
| G. Hamilton, q youth of about 49, The
facts in short are about as follows The
son Thomas was considered and was n re-
markedly 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.. Hamilton to come
home. He came home, and on Saturday
last instituted proceedings in the Probate
Court to send the boy to the Insane Asy-
luro, but did not get the papers in time to
send him on Saturday.
Sunday morning, at about 8 o'clock, Mr.
Hamilton said to his two Oldest boys,
Thomas and John, that they would go ont
and "feed." The three went out, the
father carrying some corn and fodder, a
distance of ten or fifteen yards, and throw
ing it over in the barn lot, the younger
John going over and distributing it to
the stock as the father directed. Mr.. Ham
ilton then babe John go and prepare for
Sunday school. He did so, leaving the
father and Thomas picking up and scat
tering corn and stocks. He testifes 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 Thomas
coming to the house alone.
She inquired where was father? He
picked up an axe 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 to the ball. then into
the sitting room. Here Thomas came upon
him. John ran past him and slipped and
fell about the time he had 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 Mr.
John Guthrie's, a distance of about 200
yards. Here he was met by Mr.. Guthries
family and Mr.. T. Wood, Superintendent
of the Public Schools of this place, who
bid him put down the axe-he carrying
it in an elevated and menacing attitude
He assumed q more threatening manner
and made at Mr.. Wood, who retreated into
the house. Thomas followed to the door
with the uplifted axe.
He then returned to the street, where he
was met by NJ @. Lawrence, Esq, who i'll
quired of him "Where is your father ?"
suspecting foul play. He, with the uplifted
axe, then made for Mr.. L., who retreated
down and across the street, Thomas follow
ing. Thomas then crossed over the fence,
and making in the direction of the wound
ed boy, who had gone back to the house and
carried two small sisters distance of ono
hundred yards or more and was calling to
Mr.. j. G. Botein, who had been attracted
by the cry of distress, "Save my two little
sisters!" Mr.. Botkin reached the two sis
tiers and took them up, but Thomas was
coming in and cut off his retreat, so he
took them back to where they were by
wood pile. Taking a stick of wood, which
to him seemed too unwieldy, he dropped
it as Thomas was coming on to him with
the uplifted axe clenched in both hands.
Botkin, with great presence of mind,
seized the only alternative left him by
jumping into him head first, striking
him in the breast while his arms were
uplifted to fell him with the axe. Thus
he was captured.
Search was now made for the father.
"llu ii0 StIucA SLOWS LudG III INC very
place where John left them-which Is
about thirty or forty yards from the house
Thomas had killed his father and GOV
cred the body with corn-fodder. 1t appears
that he had felled him with heavy piece
of two-inch board, striking him from
behind, and fracturing the right posterior
of the skull. The left posterior was also
fractured, or better described by being
badly mashed in. The heart sickens TO
describe and contemplate how one highly
respected by all, and loved by many, was
SO suddenly and tragically removed from
us.