Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-11-25
An Innocent Man Hung--Justice Fifty
f Years After Date.

comes from source of high respectable
ty. 1t recalls the story of a murder COM
mitted fifty-three years ago. and which, at
the time, created profound sensation in
the "Green river country" as follows;
In the year 1877 Dr. John z. Sander
son was murdered in that part of Barren
county which is now Metcalf county, KY,
and John @. Hamilton, wealthy citizen,
residing in the neighborhood where the
body was found, was arrested tried, and
convicted of the murder The evidence
against Hamilton was wholly circumstan-
tial, and so remarkable in its character as
to produce not only in the minds of the
jury, but of the whole population in that
section, clear conviction of the guilt of
the accused. 1t appeared upon the trial
that Hamilton was trader, driving stock
and occasionally carrying slaves to Missis-
sippi to sell.
The family was aristocratic, one of the
sisters having married General Carroll, of
Tennessee, and the other Colonel Ander-
son, 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 successful trip to Mississippi, in
company with DIR. Sanderson, who was a
wealthy planter near Natchez. He came
to Kentucky for the purpose of purchasing
slaves to work on his plantation, and
brought with him a large amount of
money, and of which fact Hamilton was
apprised. They came through wild and
sparsely settled portion of the Indian Ter
ritory, and DR.. Sanderson was very sick
during the greater part of the journey.
On their arrival in Barren county they
went to the residence of Hamilton's father,
n, for
weeks, and until he recovered his health.
1t was shown that after his health was
restored, the two left the house in compa-
ny. Hamilton, who acted as was said, as
guide tU ascertain the point where the road
forked, and one of which led to a neighbor-
ing county, where sale of negroes was to
take place at public 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 they were seen togetherw was
three-quarters of mile from the forks of
the road. a short time afterwards Hamil-
ton returned alone, and the night follow
ing the horse of Sanderson came up rider
less to the house of Hamilton's father.
Sanderson was never again seen alive.
Several days elapsed, and suspicious were
aroused that he had been foully dealt with.
The neighborhood en- n,dsSe made search
for his body. 1t was found on the road in
the direction of the point where the negro
sale was to have taken place, covered up
with brush and briars. His hat was dis
covered in a hollow stump and under log
near by was found brass horse pistol
with the hammer broken In the head OF
the murdered man were found number OF
shot and a piece of the hammer of the
pistol which fitted exactly. Under the
lining of the hat there was list of thirty
three hundred dollar Mississippi bills
the numbers thereof and to whom payable
When Hamilton was arrested the bills
corresponding with the list were found in
his possession. 1t was shown that he had
| borrowed the pistol from Colonel CORN
of Glasgow, Berrien county, and that the
| shot in the head of DIR. Sanderson CORES
ponded in size with the shot purchased 6
few days previous by Hamilton in Glas
| gov.
1t was proved on trial that Hamilton:
| sherry-vallies or overalls, were concealed
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 defense that hC
and Sanderson were and had been for year.
intimate friends; that they had Travelled
together through wild country, and that
if he had had sinister designs, nothing
more than little neglect of Sandersol
during his sickness would have insured
his death, and that he could have thu
secured the money. He said that Missis
sippi money was at discount in Kentucky
and Kentucky money at discount in Mis-
sissippi; that he (Hamilton) was about I,
return to Mississippi, where he could us
the money of that State, while DR..
wanted the Kentucky money to buy nc
groes; and that for mutual accommodate
and profit, they made an exchange of money
And he further proved that he borrowed 81
000oc the Bank of Glasgow to make up tn
sum required for the exchange. AS to tn
pistol, he said he borrowed it from ColonC
CORN to lend to DR.. Sanderson, VIII
wanted it for his personal protection, an
that in parting with him at the forks of tn
road he had given it to him. He allege
that his negro servant had stolen his sherry
vallies, gone to dance, where he got int
fight, and concealed them in barn, unit
he (the negro) could have an opportunit
to clean the blood from them. His stat,
ments were not corroborated, and he ws
convicted and hung.
The celebrated John Rowan was h
chief counsel, and defended the unfortI
nate man with his accustomed ability, bI
, the evidence was so strong that he felt
J presented a hopeless cause. Indeed, Judp
Rowan subsequently decided that, with or
exception, he never had case possessin
as few points for successful defense.
Solomon p. Sharpe, whose tragic fate
few years later sent thrill of horrt
, throughout the State, prosecuted Hami
ton, and, being thoroughly convinced
his guilt, showed him no mercy. Hami
tons family alone believed him the victil
OF circumstances, and the accused die
protesting his innocence.
Now for the sequel. In the year 18(
Hon. Richard II. Rousseau, of Kentuck
, then Minister to Central America, wi
visited at Tegucigulpa, Honduras, by Col
mel Gibson, rich planter who then res
! ded near Vicksburg, Miss, which is sti
his home, who told him that some thirt
years ago a man was executed for murd,
in the eastern part of Mississippi, and thi
while under the gallows he heard hil
confess that he and comrade, both fug
tives from justice, were hid at the head
the ravine where the body of Sanderso
was lOulu lnCJ saw nm as nC dpplOdCl
ed, dashed out and seized and dragged hil
from his horse that he endeavored TO u,
his pistol, which they wrenched from h
hand, and shot him in the head that the
then struck him with the pistol and broB
the hammer, which remained in his heaC
that they robbed him and concealed h
body and fled.
, They afterwards heard that Hamilto
2 was hung for their crime, but the facts ha
never been made known until that tim
This mans comrade had met his death b
the hangman for another murder, but die
without disclosing his connection with til
foul deed, and it rested with him alone
reveal the true story Mr.. Rousseau, froI
whom we derive this statement, inform
us that he was authorized by Colonel Gil
son to make known these facts, that the
might reach Hamilton's relatives, if an
were living, and thus wipe out from til
dead and the living the stain which reste
on them. We print this article for tn
purpose, as we'll as to show that truth