The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-31


incarcerated in Marion county Jail, Will
his escort, claiming his reward, returned t
y Louisiana.
t Excitement throughout Marion count
ran high, and it being deemed prudent t
move his trial, change of venue was oh
, tanned, and his trial moved to Monticello
} He was tried at the April term of Court
but the Jury failed to agree and mis-tria
was the result. At the the October tern
following, new jury was empannelled. II,
was tried, found guilty, sentenced to bt
hanged, and on the 9Th day of December
1850, he paid the penalty of the law, pro
testing his innocence to the last. There are
many now living, who heard that trial
J there are many now living who heard
VIM. Graham-one of the witnesses, and
l think juryman on the inquest held ovel
Aliens body-testifed that Allen was shot
by rifle ball, the ball penetrating his skull
behind, and passing out through the eye;
he even swore that he inserted his finger in
the hole. and was positive the ball entered
his skull. Able counsel defended the pris-
oner, but to no avail his guilt was appa-
rent to the jury, and he must die. He had
often sent after his wife, but she failed to
come to him.
The day of his execution was approaclIe
ing, only forty-eight hours now intervened
haf o+o bo L.,
the following confession to Mr. Frank
Larkin, who is now resident of Brooks
haven, and to whom am indebted for
many incidents in this strange story.
'''Frank, said Hicks, 81 am about to die
for crime am innocent of, and am 60
ing to tell you the whole truth of the affair.
Allen had, on one ortwo occasions, offered
insult to my wife during our journey, and
determined to quit his company and stop
with my family on the way. With this re-
solve, started early on the morning of the
killing, to visit some houses about mile
from camp. Allen was apparently asleep
when left, but my wife was up, pounding
coffee for breakfast with an iron wagon
hammer. had not left camp great while
before I heard my wife scream, and upon
fastening back found Allen lying on the
ground, with the blood running from his
mouth and nose. My wife explained the
matter, by saying Allen had made improper
advances towards her after 1 left, and she
struck him with the hammer to save herself.
I, thinking she had only stunned him, has
tened to a little branch close by, and got
some water and bathed his head, thinking
to bring him to, but found he was dead.
Then 1 became frightened, thinking my
wife would be hung for murder, and per-
haps myself too, as an accessory. After
brief consultation, we concluded to secrete
his body, take his team and effects, and
leave the State. The deed was done, and
could not be helped, so we dragged the body
into the woods, some two hundred yards
from the camp, and left it; taking his
pocket-book, which contained a small sum
of money, and his watch, we rolled out of
camp. The rest is already known up to my
arrest. The night spent in Jail in Green's
burg, my wife on her bended knees, made |
me promise never to implicate her in the
affair." and you know how well I have kept
that promise till now. have written to |
her, and sent her word time and again to
come to me, that might get her permits
sion to tell the whole truth in the affair, but
she has, during all my long imprisonment
and trial, failed to visit me, and l must die
for crime 1 never committed. My time
IN earth is short, and the secret can no
onger be of any use is the reason l now di
yulge it. 1 die an innocent man. and in
proof of what say, hope some one who
las heard my trial, some one who has heard
he witnesses in the prosecution testify that
Allen was killed by rifle ball, go, after 1
I'M dead, and dig up his body and see for
themselves if rifle ball ever penetrated
lis skull. have told the truth"
The above recital made great impress
ion on the citizens of Monticello many
+ whom had entertained doubts, all along,
f Hicks guilt although circumstances
ointed strongly against him, yet all the
vidence was circumstantia, for no posi-
i've proof had been produced.
The morning of the execution dawned
mid cold, pityless, drizzlipg rain, which
ontinued throughout the day. The gal
,ws was erected about mile and a quar-
,r to the North West of Monticello and to .
ne left of the Jacks IN road, in a small hol-
wv. Long before the hour hundreds of ,
ager spectators had taken possession of /
10 hills on either side and patiently await> '
l the fearful spectacle which was to satisfy +
lie demands of an injured law by taking !
le life of its unhappy victim, The wagon L
ontaining the condemned man arrived at v
le place of execution about half past !
wen o'clock. Seated on his coffin, be-
yeen the Sheriff and his deputy, and G
1arded by a posse of citizens. Hicks t
,emed as composed and unconcerned as a
spectator. He ascended the 1
affold with firm step, the fatal moose was II
liusted, he took leave of the Sheriff, Il
ndly thanking him for courtesies received
his hands during his confinement, and
the cap was drawn over his eyes he SAID. "
DON'T never hang another innocent man.
signal was given, the rope which sup U
,rted the drop was severed, and the soul of
.muel Hicks was launched into eternity.
is grave was dug on hill near by which
known to this day as clicks HILL =,