Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-09-09
Hall Hanged.
no ATTEMPT AT REsCUE-TnE MURDERER
BREAKS DOWN COMPLETELY.

no ATTEMPT AT REsCUE-TnE MURDERER
BREAKS DOWN COMPLETELY.
NORTON, Va September 2.-Talt Hall.
the murderer, was hanged at IL a m. The
execution was without special incident.
No attempt at rescue was made. The
guards searched all persons coming into
the town and found great mauy re-
volyers.
Hall broke down completely. He slept
but little during the night. This moru-
ing he ate no breakfast, aud had but
little to say TO those around bin.
His sister, Mrs. Bates, was in conference
with him all the morning. Other rela-
tives ano friends from Floyd and Letcher
counties also visited him.
They all declare that there had never
been any danger OF mob rescuing him f,
bnt say somebody must snffer for this
hanging. Father F. J. Luckie, of Lynch
burg, was with the prisoner several times
since last night.
HIS CRIMINAL RECORD.
Talton Halls criminal record has prob
ably never been paralltled 10 the United
States. He is credited with ninety-nine
murders, and while this is probably an
responsible for the death OF ct least two
score men. He was born in Letcher county,
Ky., forty-six years ago and grew up with
such desperadoes as John Wright, who is
credited with twenty-seyen murders, and
the "DOc" Tay lor against whom he is now
so bitter. These men joined Morgan's
band when the war broke out, and made
themselves conspicuous for their deeds OF
reckless daring. When the war ended
they returned to Kentucky and inaugu-
rated reign of terror in the mountains.
Murders were the daily amusement of the
gang, and although they we're frequently
arrested the terror which they inspired
insured their acquittal when brought to
trial.
He began his career of crime at a very
ea-ly age. When be was thirteen years
of age his brothers, John S. and Marshall
were killed by George Hank. They were
Confederate soldiers and Hank command
ed bush whacking company known as the
10th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. Tails
brothers were returning to the army from
furlough, when Hank took them prison-
ers for purpose of robbery and revenge
and then killed them. Talt swore revenge
and started of by killing his brothers
assasslns.
lie was in all the battles of the H. W.
ards, Turner's, and Eyersoles, and had
several vendettas of his own.
1t was well known that any Juror who
voted to convict any of the desperadoes
would be marked for their friends, and ~
a consequence they always escaped. Ir
this way Hall was acquitted of the cold
hooded murder of Henry Maggard in 1866
He killed Dan Pridmore in 1915 and va'
acquitted. A cowardly jury acquitted
him of Nat 3 ker's murder in 1881, and
he went free when he murdered his
brother n-law, Henry Triplett. in 1852
He killed Henry Honk in 1888, and was
indicted, but no officer dared arrest him
and in 1855 be killed his cousin, Mach
Hall, and laughed at the sheriff who tried
TO arrest him. Finally. on July II. 1891
he deliberately murdered Chief OF Police
Hylton, of Norton, Va. By this time
public sentiment was too strong for him
and he hod the country. He was captured
at Memphis Tenn. however, and brought
back for trial. He was dulv tried and
convicted. An appeal to the supreme
court resulted in an affirmation of The
sentence, and the Governor refused t.
commute it,