The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-11-24
JUSTICE FIFTY YEARS TOO LATE.
[From the Lou isyille Journal

In the wear 1917, DR.. John 2. Sanderson
was murdered in that part of Barren county
which is now Metcalte county, Ky, and
John c. Hamilton, 4 wealthy citizen residing
in the neighborhood where the body OF the
murdered man was found, was arrested
tried and convicted of the murder. The evi-
dence against Hamilton was wholly circum-
stantial, and SO remarkable in its character
as to produce, not only in the minds OF the
jury, but of the whole population in that sec
ton, a clear conviction of the guilt of the ac-
cused. 1t appeared upon the trial that Hamil-
ton was trader, driving stock and occasion
ally carrying slaves to Mississippi to sell.
The family was aristocratic, one of the
sisters having married General Carroll of
Tennessee, and the other Colonel Anderson,
OF the same State, and there existed, as was
alleged strong feelings of envy against the
family. 1t appeared from the evidence that
Hamilton had Just returned from a successful
trip to Mississippi, in company with DR..
Sanderson, who was q wealthy planter, resid-
ing near Natchez. He came to Kentucky FOL
the purpose OF purchasing slaves to work on
his plantation, and brought with him a large
amount of money, and Of which fact Hamil-
ton was apprised They came through 3
wild and sparsely settled portion Of the 'In-
dian Territory" and DR.. Sanderson was very
sick during the greater part of the journey
On their arrival at Barren county they Wen.
to the residence OF IIamilton's father, where
DR. Sanderson remained for several weeks
and until he recovered his health.
1t was shown that after his health was re-
stored, the two left the house in company
Hamilton who acted, as was said, as guide,
to the point where the road torked, one OF
the forks leading to a neighboring county,
~ ..
apublic auction, and which Sanderson wanted
to attend. The forks of the road were nine
miles from where Hamilton's father lived.
The two were seen together at various points
on the road, before they reached the point
named The last place where they were
seen together was three-quarters of mile
from the forks of the road. A short time
afterward Hamilton returned alone, and the
night following the horse of SinaCr5on came
up riderless to the house of Hamilton's father.
| Sanderson was never again seen alive.
Several days elapsed, and suspicious We're
aroused that he had been foully dealt with.
The neighborhood en- masse made search
for his body. 1t was found on the road in
the direction to the point where the negro
sale was to have taken place, covered up
with brush and briers His hat was discover
ed in hollow stump, and under II log near
by was found Il brass horse pistol with the
hammer broken In the head of the murder
ed man was found number Of shot and a
piece of the hammer OF the pistol which fitted
exactly. Under the lining OF the hat there
was a list of thirty-three one hundred dollar
Mississippi bills, the numbers thereof and to
whom payable.
When Hamilton was arrested the biilS cor
responding with the lists We're found in his
possession. 1t was shown that he had bor-
rowed the pistol from Col. CORN, of Glas-
gov, Barren county, and that the shot in the
head of DIR. Sanderson cOrYesponded in size
with shot purchased a few days previous by
Hamilton in Glasgow 1t was also proved
on trial that llamilton's overhauls We're con-
cealed in his fathers barn, and there was
blood upon them. They Were fully identified
by his sister. This was the evidence intro
duced by the State.
Hamilton alleged in his defence that he
and Sanderson were and had been for years
intimate friends; that they had travelled to-
gether through q wild country, and that, if
he had had sinister designs. nothing more
than little neglect of Sanderson during his
sickness would have insured his death, and
that he could have thus secured the money.
He said that Mississippi money was ut dis
count in Kentucky, anG kentucky money at
a discount in Mississippi; that ne (llamilton)
was about to return to Mississippi, where he
could use the money OF that State, while DR..
Sanderson wanted the Kentucky money to
buy negroes and that for mutual accommo-
dation and profit, they made an exchange of
money. And he further proved that he bor-
rowed 81 900 Of the bank in Glasgow to make
up the sum required for the exchange. AS
to the pistol, he said he borrowed it from
Colonel CORN to lend to DR.. Sanderson, who
wanted it for his personal protection and
that in parting with him at the forks of the
road he had given it to him. He alleged
that his negro servant had stolen his
overhauls, gone to dance, where he got in
to fight, and concealed them in the barn,
until he (the negro) could have an opportuni-
ty to clean the blood from them. His state
meuts were not cOrrobolated, and he was
convicted and hung
The celebrated John Rowan was his chief
counsel, and defended the unfortunate man
with his accustomed ability. but the evidence
was so strong that he felt he presented a
hopeless cause. Indeed, Judge Rowan sub
se1uently declared that, with one exception,
he never had a case possessing 50 few points
for u successful defense.
Solomon 7. Sharpe, whose tragic fate Il
few Years later sent thrill OF horror
throu ghout the State, prosecuted Hamilton,
and beng thoroughly convinced OF MS Sullt,
showed him no mercy. iIamilton's family
alone believed him the victim Of crcum-
stances, and the accused died protesting his
innocence.
Now for the sequel. In the year 1869,
Hon. Richard II. Rosseau, of Kentucky, then
Minister to Central America, was visited at
Tegucigulpa, Honduras, by Colonel Gibson,
a rich planter who then resided near Vicks-
burg, Miss, which is still his home, and who
told him that some thirty or thirty five years
ago man was executed for murder in the
eastern part of Mississippi, and that while
under the gallows lie heard him confess that
he and comrade, both fugitives from JUS
tce, were hid at the head of the ravine
where the body of Sanderson was found.
They saw him as he approached; dashed out
and seized and dragged him from his horse !;
that he endeavored to use his pistol, which
they wrenched from his hand, and shot him
in the head that they then struck him with
the pistol and broke the hammer, which re-
NAMED in his body; that they robbed him
and concealed his body and fled.
They afterward heard that Hamilton was
hung for their crime, but the facts had never
been made known until that time. This
mans comrade had met his death by the
hangman for another murder, but died with
out disclosing his connection with the foul
deed, and it rested with him alone to reveal
+bo trua story Mr. ROsSeau from whom