Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-11-26
THE COCKRELL TRAGEDY.

Our former countyman, A. NJ. Chamber
lain, Esq sends US recent copies of the
Boonville (Mo) Topic, from which we OBJ
tain. the following particulars of the late colds
blooded murder, at Ridge Prairie, in that
State, Of Mr. Thomas G. Cockrell, formerly
of this county, and brother of Capt. Jno. G.
Cockrell, one of the Justices composing the
County Court of Jefferson
BLAcKwATER, Mo, Nov Son Thurs
day night of last week, 3lst ult.. in a dry
goods store, at little town in Saline county
but very near the line separating it from
Cooper, called Ridge Prairie, was perpe>
trated one of the most brutal dastardiy and
revolving murders that ever startled a refined
and moral community; Mr.. Thomas G.
Cockrell a widely>known, worthy citizen,
being the victim.
The following are the facts and theorising
concerning the murder, as ascertaincd by
your correspondent, who visited Ridge Prairie
to day:
Mr. Cockrell failing to respond to the
breakfast bell the following morning, little
four, year old boy was sent to summon him,
but returned only to state that he was un>
able to find MIR. c.. whcreupon the child's
father, accompanied by Messrs Sam'l Cock
rell, nephew of deceased, and A. Frost, of
Boonville, repaired to the store, and, having
searched the main building in vain, lighting
lamp, entered the shed room where they
made the horrifying discovery. The inani>
mate form of poor Cockrell, besmenred with
gore, the right hand drawn across the back,
was prone upon its face.
The wretch who committed the atrocious
act, deslt his victim FIVE blows upon the
~,
satisfied with his work, doubtless fearing that
the unfortunate man (who probably knew
the preparatory, even with a shattered skull,
would live long enough to disclose the MUIR
derer's name, the fend in human shape cut
the throat of his victim from ear to ear,
leaving the knife, dull one of the sizo
usually carried in the pocket. with which he
had, in part, performed his hellish deed,
lying near the corpse.
Mr.. Cockrell slept in the store room, and
was accustomed to retire about niue o'clock.
He used great caution in allowing persons to
enter the store after closing for the night,
having been heard frequently to say that he
would suffer no one to come in, save an in-
innate acquaintance.
On the night of his murder a gentleman,
or gentlemen, were in the store as late, per-
haps, as eight o'clock, and leaving, it is sup
posed, hlT. U. locked the door, brought MS
bed into the main room, had prepared it to
retire, and was reading a newspaper, Gas next
morning the bed was found prepared, and
newspaper, together with his specsacles lying
on the counter when the heartless demon
cptreated entrance. which having gained, he
presented, as is the theory. with little room
for doubt, the half pin. bottle which was
found near the whiskey barrel. just inside the
door opening into the shed room, and desired
Mr.. g. to fill it with whiskey, which, stoop-
ing over he was in the act of doing, when
the murderer, from behind, struck him with
an unusually heavy stove leg, found in the
room, and, when Frustrated, cut his throat,
rifed his pockets, pilIaged the money draw
crs and fed from the scene of his heinous
crime.
Mr.. Sotts, proprietor of the store, was abb
sent the night of the murder. He has since
returned and estimates that the money taken
from the drawer will not exceed s65. Mr..
G. had some silver in his pockets which was,
of course, extracted.
Thomas G.. Cockrel was about forty-fse
years of age, erect, we'll formed, and person.
able He was unmarried, intelligent, cu-
tured and true gentleman.