The New York herald., 1877-12-19
MURDER EXPIATED
Execution OF jackson Hunt
for Wife Murder.
A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE.
Last Scenes of a Shocking
Domestic Tragedy.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE HERALD.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE HERALD1
swEErwATgR, Tenn, Dec. IS. 1877
Tho little village Of Madsonville, miles from
this place, thronged to-day to witness the last
in the tragedy which began with wife murder and
ended with It's cxpIaton Tho execution had been liked
November but tile prisoner respitcd until
day by Governor Porter greatly 10 the disappointment
o! large number oil sghtsccrr, who came In on thai
day TO witness the unwonted spectacle Hunt laughed
heartily the crowd beiEg cheated OF the anticipated
scene when he received notice OF the rcspte but hs
did not again dsnppout them, though he tried hard
10 do So On Monday night, just before twelve
O'Clock, the guards attention was called to
the prisoner by his stertorous breathing and invcs-
tgn,on caused the act TO be discovered that he had
attempted suicide by taking poison. Two physicians
were at once called and emetic given, which re-
veaed that no had taken large dose OF morphine.
Ho was kept awake by great exer:ion with tho aid or
stimuonts and 80 Tar recovered as 10 converse CO.
herenty During tho morning tho prisoner Wis.
lied by large number OF friends and relatives. His
parting with his brother ana aged mother was most
affecting though not private he desired They had
visited prisoner the night previous and one or
the other It is supposed furnished tho poison With
which he attempted cheat the gallow Al pact
twelve the mournul cortcgc lcft tho prison for tho
scene OF execution, Hunt riding in band wagon, IN
which seated Sheriff Warren, two deputies and .
brothcr-in-law OF the condemned. On either side
marched n strong guard, ono OF whom Glenn
Davis father OF Hunts murocred wife. Tho gaiows
rude affair, two uprigh,s and a crossbeam with
an iron ring In the centre. This erected about
halt mile from the court house. Hunt was calm and
imperurbabc after his arrival at the gaows and dur.
ing the religious services lie snid nothing, being
pcrceptbly undcr tho influence OF tho poson though
stimulated by liquor; but he had letter read Ii
mother brothers ana sister HIS last words wore
whispered message 10 tho Jacrs wife, acknowledge
q p.
the black cap was drawn over his eyes and tho rope
adjusted about his neck. The prisoner was 10 weak
as 10 require support at this time. and two minu.es
later the unfortunate man swinging In tho air.
Death occurred by s.rangulation, and easy as
scarcely 10 be Observable to the bystanders Amor
| hanging twenty seven minutes the body was taken
| down and gwen to his brothers for burial
HUNTS ATRocIoUs CRIME.
Jackson Hunt was the son OF n farmer living In
had been married about eight months. HIS wiic was
farmers daughter, scarcely eighteen years Old. pos
sessed OF an exceedingly kind d'sposition habtualy
industrious, respected by her ncshbors and loved by
her friends shortly after their marriage his wifc's
father removed 10 North Carolina and she induced
| Hunt 10 follow. But he did not stay long. In few
months thcy returned 70 Monroe county, and ubout
this time Hunt began TO EXHIBIT his brutal nature by
who, through hts drunken. lazy hahi,s had
become destitute, often wanting tho neccssaries
| of lite. He thus forced her TO seek protection
from hcr neighbors, who, knowing his brutality,
! gave her shelter long she desired. On losk
delicate situation she had resolved Try him again,
and with trusting heart oncc more sought ner bome
shamcluily and then locked In tho house, taking
key with him. She, suffering Intense agony from
pain, Tried TO effect her escape. She succesacd u
pryng the hinges of the door, aod at once procseded
TO the residence OF her siser-n-law, Nrs John Far.
| ner, for shelter ana protection.
PEaocoCs ATTACK.
She had just arrived aud was relating her sad story
10 MrA Farmer when IN rushed Hunt. demanding vhy
she had lett home. Almost stunned al the abruptncas
Of ms entrance and the fcroo'ty Of hn mannet she
hesitated TO reply. Upon tho instant he drow re.
vover and scnt ball Kissing through her arm. With
scroan OF agony
Hunt stepped to.ard The door as though about'to
depart the poor wounded wife raised herself up
and IN q pcous, pleading tone begged him not 70
leave ncr. assuring him she would forgive him every
| thing, even the attempt 10 take her lie.
MuRDgRous SHOT
He turned toward her, and instead Of dropping on
his with covered faco and asking hcr forgive
ness another bali into tho body OF his helpless
| victim, penetrating through her, causing instant
| DEATH
Hunt hid himself IN the ncighborhood, but the newI
OF the murder spread quickly, and band OF weri
| coon engaged In hunting tho murderer down, hu
sisters husband being The first to cover him with hM
gun and demand his surrender On bis way to jail he
told he WAS arad a. y. MS we wooG 60 back e
that the old man woud k him. Romorse had ewi-
IDENTIFY begun 10 torture HIM and he was anxious to
justify himself
on being confined IN Jail Hun, assumed air OF tho
utmost unconccrn ana loviiy, as though entirely
| conscious Of any moral guilt, disgrace probable
punishment By this course no so throw his jaiiers
Hc booH iouuu hloous W otchR
out OF prison. But he lowered about tho neighbour
| hood and was soon rccaptured.
| TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
Hts case was brought before The January term O1
the Circuit Court OF Monroe but on account OF popu
| lar cxcitemcnl q change OF venue ordered "a
McMinn county, whero during the April term OF 1877,
he put trin And, upon tho evidence oil bis own
sister, the only witness Of tho terrible doed, he
COW OF murder the nrst dcgroc, but appealing
| 10 the Supreme Court he was rcmanded 20 Jail TO
await tho september term Of said Court, spon ding his
time tho indifferent as before. not seem.
ing TO realize the atrocious wickedDeus o the awful
OF which he had bccn convicted. Ho rofusod "a
| receive tho mnistrntions OF the preacher who At
tended him, maintaining an indifference ssOical ~
| man guilty Of such crime could DO thought capable.
| ISEyIrABLK
Al the September term OF tue supreme Court the
decision of tho lower court was sustained, November
ing no escape from the clutches o the law by legal
means. and nfighted at the Terrible fasc 10 which
was fast hastcnng he made second attempt 10 break
JAIL but unsuccessful the jaicr ovcrncaring him,
and recovering the tools that had been smuggcd %
help him effect his escape. Strios watch nov
kept him day and n,gnt both jailer and cuzons
| being determined hc shoud snfror
nc, sceiug 1ay TO eIudc tho demands Of
justice began TO change his dencanor, ackuowlcdg-
lug his awful crime and pleading forgiveness OF his
Maker. His rbaid songs wero exchanged Tor gospel
hymns and his pack Of cards Tor the consoling Ian.
| guage OF tho BiDic. The minister no received
with gratitude md sought hts advice with avidty, ro-
signing him self to the stern decree Of the law As tho
day fixed Tor execution Thanksgiv wing Day the
| Governor granted respite until the 18th OF Dsccm-
/ awful crmo OF which no was convicted.