The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-10-02

~, 80 SAASA cia .AiSi ANSi1NI ia
lles-merged finally into the Old and New
Court" parties, a profound sensation was created
by the assassination $50 called) at midnight, at
his own door OF the Attorney General of the
state.
In the chronological table which ~prefaces Col
hers recital OF the important events in the early
history OF Kentucky, may be found two short
no1lces, the only allusion made by the historian to
this tragedy, which so shocked the sensibillties of
The people of that state, famed from it's earliest
day, for the fairness of its women, and the chi
valIy OF its men. The first of these records, reads
us follows:
Nov. 9th, 1925, Col. Solomon p. Sharps assassin
ated at his own door in Frankfort. by Jeroboam
Q. Beauchamp. Nov. 10th, the Legislature offers
a reward OF $500 for the detention, apprehension
and conviction of the assassin. In the succeeding
year, is found this memorandum:
July Z, 1926. Jeroboam o. Beauchamp hung
at Frankfort, for the murder of Solomon p.
Sharp. He and his wife, who stayed with him in
Jail, at II O'Clock attempted to commit suicide by
stabbing themselves with a case-knife. Her wound
was mortal, and she was removed to the jailors
house where she died in three hours. They We're
determined to die together and had taken laud-
anum on the night of the 5th, but without success,
and took no nourishment afterward."
In these few sentences is summed up the tragic
ending OF these two unhappy lives. Upon all else,
save these bare facts, the chronicles OF Kentucky
are silent. The historian throws no side lights
upon the story leading up to this denouement.
No motive is given for an act SO dreadful as the
killing OF a man at his own door at the dead hour
of night. This absence of all detail seems
strangely significant OF an underlying mystery UNI
explained; significant of some cause, some motive
so strong, that to the loving wife it stood like a
frightful phantom reckoning, and calling her to
lay aside pride, ambition, honor-all things that
make great and beautiful the character of woman,
even life itself to follow him,-her husband.
Unto the awful and dishonored shades
OF the accursed land that's peop.ed with
Those unhappy spirits who have leaped
From life to death with lawless violence
by their Maker
Though no further light is thrown upon the
tragedy, a few brief sentences here and there
In the regular annals of the state make honor
able mention of the participants, Sharp and
Beauchamp, deepening thereby the mystery.
OF Col. Solomon p. Sharp, it is chronicled that
he represented Kentucky in Congress for two
terms-1Sl3-17. 1t is also recorded that he was
an ardent advocate of the Relief Party from it's
first inception, and classed with the brilliant
members oil the bar who supported the measure
and advocated it. He was a candidate for the
Legislature in 1924, upon the ticket with Gen.
Desha for Governor, and was his ardent supporter
both of them elected upon the Relief ticket.
For his fealty to Desha, Solomon P. Sharp was
rewarded by appointment to the office of Attorney
General for the state. He was the incumbent OF
that office when killed.
OF Jeroboam o. Beauchamp, the court records
of the trial show that in the absence of law
schools in the state, he studied law.-as was the
custom of that day,-in the office of an able lawyer.
He was classed as a brilliant young attorney.
scarcely past his majority, when the financial
disorder began. 1T is also shown that he promptly
arrayed himself with the "Anti-Iteliefs.' That he
became an abe champion of the cause through
out the various campaigns. was brought out in
his trial for the assassination of Col. Sharp, as
may be found in the court records. Everything
seemed to be pointing to a splendid future for
him, when Col. Sharp was killed by some person
unknown, and a price was set upon the apprehen-
sion and conviction of the slayer.
Beaucham was arrested upon the mute witness
of a blood.stained handkerchief left in the room
which he had occupied for a few days at the time.