The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-11-23
THE GALLOWS AT AKRON.
Execution Of John H. Hunter, the
RiGhfieId Murderer.
HISTORY OF The CRIME.

On Tuesday, John h Hunter surrend-
cred his life at Akron in pursuance of the
verdict of the jury and the sentence of the
court for the horrid murder of old Mr.. and
Mrs. Gargett, of Richheld, Summit county.
We present again an account from the
Cleveland Ne10s, of Tuesday, of
THE BLOODY TRAGEDY.
In the quiet town of West Richfeld,
Summit county, lived for many years prior
! to the 9th day Of May last a farmer by
the name of Robert Gargett. BY life OF
industry and frugal habits he had amassed
liberal supply Of worldly comforts, had
won the esteem of all who knew him, and
lived in the midst of his family, happy
and content. Among his daughters was
Chloe, who had reached the age of twenty
two and whose life is now sullied with the
consciousness that she is the innocent cause
of the murder of her parents by the hand
of him who professed to be guided to the
bloody deed by his love for her, which
would not be thwarted, and which, strange
as it may seem, sought her destruction
rather than surrender her.
This man was John Hunter with whom
she had formed an acquaintance while
visiting at his home in Michigan and for
whom she had entertained an affection
which ripened into mutualssattachment.
which was preserved through the medium
of letters, after her return home, and
which won for long time cordial recep-
tion from Chloe and her parents when at
subsequent date he paid her visit. As
time passed, however, the relations Of the
two experienced a change, and Hunter
was informed in reponse to his urgent de-
mands for an early marriage. that such an
event was impossible, and that he must
relinqulsh all Pretentions to her hand.
Some time after the reception Of this de
cision, Hunter left his home in Michigan,
and took his way to Ohio, evidently intent
upon taking the life of her whom he pro-
fessed to love. 1t was Saturday after
ed at the house of Mr.. Gargett, in Richfeld
deadly affection. The request was refused
and Hunter received it with the threat
that unless he were grati6ed he would kIll
the whole family. No one could have i'm
agined that such q threat would be acted
upon even by one who was desperate
enough to utter it, but there was terrible
earnestness in it which only too quickly
revealed itself A few more words passed
between the two, when Hunter suddenly
drew a revolver and fred, the ball strIk-
ing the old man in the head The father
fell to the earth bleeding and miserable,
when the mother who had witnessed the
deed raised the alarm, calling upon her
daughter to flee. The murderer's work,
however, was but Just commenced. As
he sprang past the mother in pursuit OF
the girl without whose blood he would
not be satisfied, he discharged shot at
her, which took effect in her head, killing
her instantly. The house was now fully
aroused, and all were aware of the terrible
deeds which had been done. and the still
unsatis6ed purpose of the desperate man.
Chloe had thus far succeeded in eluding
pursuit, when her brother Rodney inter-
posed to protect her, and grappled with
Hunter, who was now perfectly frantic
with the murderous riot in which he was
engaged. The strength of the two men
under the excitement was unequal, and
Hunter soon overcame the half paralyzed
brother, giving him also shot, and re-
newed the pursuit. Miss Gargett had es-
capped from the house and sought protec-
ton at neighbor's house near by. The
murderer was soon upon her track, and pre-
sented himself before the door, demanding
admittance, but was refused, and held in
check by lady who risked her own lite
to protect that of the terrified girl. In
the mean time the brother had spread the
alarm throughout the neighborhood, and
the quiet people startled by the tidings oi
the dire CRIME, hastsned to the spot and
secured the murderer He was taken to
| Akron, and after a thorough examination
of the case, and full refutHtlon of the
standard plea of insanity, which was in
trodueed and adroitly supported by the
prisoner in his conduct Immediately after
his arrest and during his confinement, the
Jury, TO whose decision the solemn ques-
ton was left, pronounced him guilty ol
murder in the first degree, and he was
sentenced to be hung on the 2lst Of No
vember, 1871, between the hours Of lC
q. N. and u m. Every effort was made
to secure his pardon by those who were
engaged in HIS defense, and by his friends
and as the day of his execution approached
the same influences have prayed for ar
extension of the time, or a communication
of his sentence to imprisonment for life
The law, however, was allowed to worn
its own justification, and to-day he dies
under the terribly stern conditions of the
scaffold.