The Hartford herald., 1875-03-17
killing of A. L. Hawkins and Attempt
ed Suicide of j. M. Basham.
From the Glasgow Times, 1lth.


One of the most appalling and unex-
pected tragedies occurred in this place day
before yesterday, about four and half
o'clock, p. M, that has ever stained the
record of our countys history, resulting
in the almost immediate killing OF Mr.. A.
L. Hawkins, Of Glasgow Junction, by a
pistol shot inflicted at the hands of Mr..
John NJ. Basham. of this places and the
subsequent immediate attempt of Basham
to commit suicide.
The origin of the deplorable calamity
is traced to Basham's conduct as sheriff
during the past two or three years, during
which time he has been defaulter to the
State and to individuals, in his official ca
paeity, to an amount variously estimated
from twenty-five to forty thousand doll
lars. His securities, comprising a num-
Der of the most substantial and best citi-
zens Of this county, have recently been re-
duced to almost penury by the sacrifice
of their property as security for Basham.
Mr.. Hawkins, who was one OF the suffer-
lamity that had befallen him in his old
age, that he had taken legal steps to have
Basham prosecuted for embezzlement,
and on Tuesday was here for the purpose
of looking after the settlement of the mat
ter il possible. or to insist on the prosecu-
ton in case of failure to obtain satisfac-
tion. Basham failing to adjust the matt
ter satisfactorily, be was arrested by our
town marshal, Mr.. James Murrell, aud
he, Basham and Hawkins were resting
for some purpose in the portico of the
county clerks office. Basham and Hawk
ins were engaged in a quiet conversation
about the matter, and were apparently
entirely free from unusual excitement
Mr.. Hawkins sat down on the bench on
the outer edge ofthe portico and was lean
ing forward without suspicion of harm
or violence, and Mr. Murrell had turned
with his face momentarily away from the
parties, and hearing the sharp click of a
pistol, whirled around only in time to see
Basham fire, the ball striking HaW kins a
Hawkins without a murmur fell slowly
forward and without an effort sank to the
floor. The report of the pistol attracted
the attention of our people at once, and
great crowd rushed for the courthouse
from every direction. Basham after firing
the fatal shot, Immediately made a de-
monstration of warning to Murrell, and
leaped off the end of the portico to the
ground, distance OF five or six feet, and
began to make frantic efforts to shoot him
self, but made several failures to discharge
his pistol. He continued to run in the
direction OF his home at the Shirley
House, and on reaching the pavement al
most Immediately in front of the lower
portion of the Shirley House, on Wash-
ington street, he again put his pistol to
his head and fred, falling heavily on the
pavement He was picked up and car
ried into his bedroom and medical aid
summoned, but he persistently refused to
allow a minute examination, and theex-
tent of the injury was unknown. A shot
hole was discovered penetrating the scalp,
but further than that nothing was known.
Mr.. Hawkins was carried to the Glas-
gov House, and expired in about an
hour, remaining in perfectly uncon-
scious state until he died. The nature of
Basham's wounds being unknown, a
guard was placed at his house, and up to
nine O o'clock he was resting quietly enough,
with no evidence of serious injury, farther
than was manifest, in the obscurity of the
diagnosis, from his continual refusal to
have his wound examined.
Early yesterday morning one of his at
tending physicians called professionally
little after suurise, and discovered that he
had eluded the vigilance Of his guard and
had escaped. He Immediately informed
Sheriff Pace, who was at the Shirley
House, of Basham's absence, and without
delay parties were summoned and dis
patched in all directions to secure Bash
ans arrest 1t is not within our prov
ince to forestall public opinion by invo-
king vengeance or adverting to the le-
gal consequences. We have discharged
our duty in simple recital OF the terrible
| affair.
Mr.. Hawkins, who was so suddenly
hurled into eternity, was about sixty years
of age, and one of the best citizens of our
county. He was quite unobtrusive and
honest, and was universally esteemed by
| all who knew him,