Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-12
TO MURDER The MINISTER
The Noted Case of DR.. Hamill Ready
for Trial.
His Attempt to Commit Murder
Charged to Emotional Insanity
but He Says That He Is
Not Insane.

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interest is manifested throughout this
section in the case of the state vs.. DIR.
II. A. Hammill for attempted murder,
which will be tried during a term of
circuit court now in session here, Judge
Smith presiding. Hammill on Septem-
Der 3 last, attempted to Kill Rev, T.. w
Jenney, formerly of this city, but now
Of Huron, by firing at him with a reVol-
yer at close range. Hammill is a grad
uate of a Des Moines, Ia. medical coll
lege, and was Valedictorian of his class,
He is not yet 80 years OF age, and soon
after graduating, about six years ago,
am TO Chamberlain To locate and work
up a practice. He was exceedingly
bright, an interesting conversationalist
and O numbered his friends by the
score. a year or more ago he met a
lady named Miss Leta Lyons, who was
then and is still employed as a teacher
in the city schools, and whose home is
in PlankintOn. The young lady bears
IN excellent reputation. While in the
city she boards at a local hotel, where
Rev. Jenney and family and DR.. Ham
mill We're also guests. Hammill, prior
TO meeting the young lady, drank intox-
icating liquors occasionally, but so deep
was his affection for the young lady,
who is a member of the Congregational
church, that he professed religion,
ceased his Incorporate habits and in
tended Joining the church. Matters
went along smoothly until last spring,
when the young lady told Hammill he
must cease his attentions TO her. Miss
Lyons and Rev. Jenney n family were
on the best Of terms, and something she
told Hammill when they parted led
him TO believe that the minister and
his family had Influenced her in re-
jecting his attentions. Those who know
say there was absolutely no grounds
for this supposition. Anyhow, he pub
licly and every possible occasion mani
tested bitter enmity toward the pastor,
and frequently made threats. Hammill
is of an exceedingly nervous temper
ment, nd even the sight of the minister
walking along the street would throw
him into a perfect frenzy. One day,
when nearly frantic from thinking over
his wrongs he went to the pastors
apartments in the hotel and raped on
the door. The family We're IN and
when they refused Hammill admittance
he pounded on the loo with a heavy
cane, stamped around in the hall
way, cursed and sWore, made threats
and called the inmates names. He was
finally subdued and led away by
friends. 1t was hen ascertained hat
during his visit he had a loaded revol-
YER in his pocket, Complaint was made
and he was arrested and placed under
bonds TO keep the peace. During inter
walls of weeks at a time Hammiil would
be his natural self, and then without
apparent cause he would become vio-
lent in his ~denunciations OF Rev. Jen-
ney. Information of these periodical
explosions always reached the ears Of
the pastor n his family, and natural
~ the ladies, believing Hammiii would
attempt something desperate, became
nervous and anxious for the safety of
the husband and father. A transfer to
Huron was secured, and the family
moved there. Rev. Jenney returned to
this city o Huron on the evening of
September 8 TO close up some business
affairs. A half hour after his arrival he
walked to the hotel where he had for
merly boarded, being accompanied by
a friend, Prof. Jones, principal Of the
city schools. When nearing the front
entrance Of the hotel. Hammill, who
had been sitting on the Veranda SEEM
ingly waiting for his intended victim.
rose from his seat, approached the two
men and, after Il few heated exclama-
tons, leveled a pistol and fired point
blank at the minister, who was only a
few feet distant. BY a miracle the bull
let missed its mark, but passed so close
that Rev. Jenney felt the wind Of ii on
his cheek. The nervousness of Hammill
unquestionably saved the minister's
life, for Hammill, who was terribly ex-
cited when he presented the pistol,
trembled so violently hat in order to
hold the weapon more steadily he
grasped it with both hands and thus
unconsciously detected the muzzie suf-
ficiently to escape being a murderer
Before he could fire a second shot he
was grasped and held by Prof. Jones
until relieved by those who at once
appeared on the spot. The attempted
murder created great excitement, and
some few of the citizens were in favor
OF a lynching, but fortunately for thu
good name of the city the law has been.
permitted to take its course. Hammill
has since remained in the county jail
here. An attorney has been appointed
by h court to defend him. 1t Is under
stood the defense will strive to clear tbs
prisoner on the plea of emotional insan-
ity. Hammill himself is quoted as say
ing he would rather go to the peniten-
tiary than have anyone think he is even
slightly unbalanced. A brother Of the
prisoner is here from Iowa to await the
result of the trial. Numerous witnesses
have been subpoenaed by both sides,
and the case promises to be the most.
stoutly contested ever tried here. Rev.
Jenney stands high in the work of the
congregational church i'm South Da-
kota, and Is well known throughout the
state. He was a missionary in Turkey
Tor many years, II prior to coming to
Chamberlain was stationed at Bosco-
haJ W..