The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-11-24
An INNOCENT MAN HANGED.

| A Case Of GIPc0mssamGial Evidenee-A
Story OF Crime Halfa Century Age.
From the Louisville Courier. journal, Nov. 10.
In the year 1871 DR.. John P. Sandersor
was murdered in that part Of Barren County
which is now Metcalf County, KY, and John
c. Hamilton, a wealthy citizen residing in
the neighhOrhood where the body of the muir.
dered man was found, was arrested, tried,
and convicted for the murder. The evidence
against Hamilton was wholly circlmstantial,
and so remarkable in its character as to pro.
duce, not only in the minds of the jury. but
clear conviction Of the guilt of the accused.
1t appeared upon the trial that Hamilton
was trader, driving stock, and occasionally
carrying slaves to the Mississippi to sell.
The family was aristOcratic, one of the sis.
tiers having married General Carroll, Of Ten
nessee, and the other Col. 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 successful trip to
Mississippi, in company with DR.. Sanderson,
who was wealthy planter, residing near
Naichez- He came to Kentucky for the pur
pose Of purchasing slaves to work on his
plantation and brought with him large
amount Of money, OF which fact Hamilton
was apprised. They came through wild
and sparsely- settled portion of the Indian
Territory, 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, where DR..
Sanderson remained for several weeks, and
until he recovered his health.
1t was shown that after his health was res
tOred the two left the house in company,
Hamilton, who acted, as was said, as guide,
to neighbOring county, where a sale OF ne
grOes was to take place at public auction,
which Sanderson wanted to attend. The two
were seen together at various points on the
road. A short time afterward Hamilton
returned alone, and the night following
the horse Of Sanderson came up
riderless 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- masse made search for
his body. 1t was fonnd on the road in the
direction to the point where the negro sale
was to have taken place, covered with brush
and briars. His hat was discovered in hol-
low stump, and under log near by was
found a brass horse pistol with the hammer
broken. In the head of the murdered man
was found a number of shot, and piece of
the hammer of the pistol, which fitted ex-
actly. Under the lining of the hat there was
3 list of thirty-thrce 500 Mississippi bills,
the numbers thereof and to whom PAYABLE. |
When Hamilton was arrested the bills cor
with the list were found in his |
possession. 1t was shown that he had Dor |
rowed the pistol from Col. CORN, of Glas-
Cow, Barren County, and that the shot in the |
head Of DR.. Sanderson correspondent in size
with the shot purchased few days previous
BY Hamilton in Glasgow. 1t was also
proved on trial that Hamilton's sherry-val-
lies or Overhauls were concealed in his faith
sr's barn, and there was blood upon them.
They We're fully identified by his sister.
This was the evidence introduced by the
State
Hamilton alleged in his defense that he
md Sanderson were and had been intimate
friends for years; that they had travelled to-
,ether through wild country, and that, if
lie had had sinister designs, nothing more
han little neglect of S;inderson during his
ickness would have insured his death, and
hat he could thus have secured the money
He said that Mississippi money was at a dis
cunt in Kentucky, and Kentucky money at
discount in Mississippi; that he lHamil-
on was about to return to Mississippi, where
lie co,fld use the money of that State, while
Dr.. Sanderson wanted the Kentucky money
o buy negroes; and that for mutual accom-
and profit, they made an exchange
Il money. And he further proved that he
borrowed 81 900 of the bank in Glasgow to
make up the sum required for the exchange
Is to the pistol, he said he borrowed that
rom Col. Goran to lend to DIR. SandersOn.
nd that in parting with him at the forks of .
he road he had given it to him. He al
eyed that his negro servant had stolen his
herry-vallies gone to a dance, where he got
ntO fight, and concealed them in the barn,
ntil he (the negro could have an oppOr;u-
ity to clean the blood from them. His |
tatements were Tot corrOborated and he was
onvicted and hung.
The celebrated John Rowan was his chief +,
ounsel, and defended the unfortunate man
nth his accustomed ability, but the evidence
las so strong that he felt he presented hope
go cause. Indeed, Judge Rowan subsequent
: declared that with one exception he never
ad a case possessing as few points for sue
cssful defence. Solomon =. Sharp, whose
-agic Fate few years later sent a thrill of
orror throughout the State, prosecuted
and being thoroughly convinced
his guilt, showed him no mercy. Ham
tons family alone believed him the victim !
{ circumstances, and he died protesting his
innocence.
Now for the sequel. In the year 1869 a
Ion R;ck,rd II Rnrrco,n Of Eo,,tu.l,,, l
Ten Minister to Central America, was visi- .
d at Tegucigulpa, Honduras, by Col. Glib
IN, u rich planter, who then resided near
'icksburg, Miss, which il still his home,
nd who told him tina; some thirty or forty ,
ears ago man was executed for murder in
he eastern part of Mississippi, and that
lille under the gallows he heard him confess 8
lat he and a comrade, both fugitives {
ON justice, were hid at the head of the raw o
'e. where the body Of Sanderson was found
hey saw him as he approached; dashed out
I'D seized and dragged him from his horse; t
lat he endeavored to use his pistol, which c 6
icy wrenched from his hand, and shot him
the head; that they then struck him with r
Ie pistol and broke the hammer, which re- c
aimed in his head; that they robbed him G
I'd concealed his body and fed.
They afterwards heard that Hamilton was i.
lng for their crime, but the facts had never
zen made known until that time. This
ans cOmrade had me; his death by the r.
for another murder, but died with .
1t disclosing his connection with the foul
.ed, and it rested with him alone to reveal
e true story. Mr.. Rousseau, from whom ,
e derive this statement, informs us that he
rs authorized by Col. Gibson to make II