Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-12
cIRcUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
A Tragedy That Crimsons the Annals
of Kentucky Recalled.

| in the dark and bloody ground To
circumstantial evidence is due one, at
least. Of the tragedies crimsoning Ken
tucky's annals. In the early days or
the past century DR.. John P. Sander
son was murdered in that portion OF
Barren (now known as MetcalG coun-
ty. Suspicion soon fell on John c.
Hamilton, a wealthy citizen of the
neighborhood. Hamilton was tried,
convicted and hanged. Wholly circum-
stantial, the evidence was withal so
remarkable In character as to con-
vince the jury and the whole sur
rounding population of the accused
mans guilt, and this notwithstanding
the fact that Sanderson was his friend
and fellow traveller, the honored and
cherished guest of Hamilton's father.
Hamilton came Of wealthy, proud
and arstocratic family. His exclu-
siveness excited the prejudice of en-
vious neighbors. He was a trader,
driving stock to settlements in Missis-
sippi. where he made much money and
some friends. He was on return trip
that had proved successful, accompa-
MED by Dr. Sanderson, rich planter,
residing near NatcheZ. Sanderson
came to Kentucky for a double pur-
pose-to enjoy his friend Hamilton's
hospitality. and to buy slaves in Ken
lucky for service on his Mississippi
plantation. To buy these slaves he
brought with him large sum of mon
ey, of which fact Hamilton was fully
aware. The route on horseback lay
through a wild and thinly settled por-
ton of the Indian territory, as the
vast region Immediately south Of Ken
lucky was then called. DR.. Sander
son was taken at the outset with Sc
we're illness, which harassed him
through the greater part Of the jour-
ney. Arrived in Barren county. Ham
ilton and his friend went to the res
idence of Hamilton's father, where 1t
took several weeks for Sanderson to
recover his health.
Soon after Sanderson's recovery
young Hamilton and his fathers guest
| left the house, Hamilton acting as
guide for nine miles to a point where
the road forked, one branch leading to
neighboring county, where Sander
son proposed to attend a sale OF ne
groes at public auction. The two men
were seen together at various points
IL ctr
time at a point three-quarters of a
mile from the forks. Hamilton soon
after returned alone. Sanderson's RI
derless horse came the night follow
ing to the Hamilton residence.
Sanderson was never again seen
alive. Several days having elapsed
without any word from the missing
man, suspicion arose that he had been
foully dealt with. The people turned
out en- masse to search for his body.
Covered with brush and briars, 1t was
found near the road. The dead mans
hat was found In q hollow stump,
while under log close by appeared a
brass horse pistol with the hammer
broken. In the murdered mans head
were found a number Of shot and a
piece of the pistols hammer. Under
of thirty-three 800 Mississippi bank
bills, their numbers and an enumera-
ton Of those to whom the bills were
payable.
When Hamilton was arrested bills
corresponding to the list found in San
derson's hat were taken on him. 1t
was further shown by the state that he
had borrowed the pistol from Colonel
Sanderson's head corresponded in size
with the shot bought few days be-
fore by Hamilton. that Hamilton's
overalls. concealed In his fathers barn
were blood stained. They were fully
identified by the dead mans sister.
For the defense it was urged that
Sanderson and Hamilton were init
mate friends; that for many days they
had travelled together through a wild
country; that a little neglect during
his sickness would have caused San
derson's death and Hamilton could
have thus easily secured the money.
Mississippi money was at that time un-
der discount in Kentucky and Ken
lucky money under discount in Mis-
sissippi. Hamilton being about to Wis
| it Mississippi. while Sanderson needed
Kentucky money to buy slaves. they
had. for mutual accommodation, ex-
changed money. Hamilton proved
that he had, in order TO make up the
sum needed for the exchange, borrow
ed $1,000 from a Glasgow bank. Ham,
ilton's father declared that he had
borrowed the pistol from Colonel Co
rim to lend it to DR.. Sanderson, who
desired it for personal protection.
When leaving Sanderson Hamilton
gave the pistol to his friend.
AS to the blood stained overalls
Hamilton averred that they had been
stolen by a negro to go to a dance,
where he got into a fight, involving
much blood-letting. The negro had
it was claimed concealed the garments
in the barn till an opportunity might
offer to efface the blood stains.
Hamilton's defense lacked the cor