The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-05-03
(Springflcld Republican,

circumstantlal eNluence II uuS Vhe' y"
least. of the tragedies crimsoning Ken
tuckys annals. In the early days Of
the past century DIR. John p. Sander
son was murdered in that portion CT
Barren (now known as MetcalO coun-
ty. Suspicion soon fell on John g.
Hamilton, wealthy citizen of the
neiehborhood. Hamilton was tried
convicted and hanged. Wholly circum-
stantiai, the evidence was withal so
remarkable in character as to convince
the jury and the whole surrounding
population of the accused mans
guilt, and this, Notwithstanding the
fact that sanderson was his friend
and fellow-traveler. the honored and
cherished guest of Hamilton's father.
Hamilton came of a wealthy, proud
and aristocratic family. His exclu-
sveness excited the prejudice Of en-
vious neighbors. lie was trader,
driving stock to settlements in Missis-
sippi, where he made much money and
some friends. lie was on q return trip
that had proved successful. accompa-
MED by DR.. Sanderson "a rich planter.
residing near Natchez. Sanderson
came to Kentucky for double pur-
pose--to enjoy his friend Hamilton's
hospitality and to buy slaves in Ken
lucky for service on his Mississippi
planta ton. To buy three slaves he
brought with him a 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 tie Indian territory, as the
vast region Immediately south of Ken
lucky was then called. Or. Sanderson
was taken at the outset with a Sc
we're illness, which harassed him
Though the greater part of the Jour-
hey. Arrived in Barren county, Ham,
ilton and his friend went to the resi-
dence of Hamilton's father, where it
took several weeks for Sanderson to
recover his health.
Soon after Sandersons 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 Sanderson
proposed to attend a sale of negroes
at public auction. The two men were
seen together at various points along
the nine-mile stretch, the last time
at a place three-quarters of a mile
from the forks. Hamilton soon after
returned alone. Sanderson's riderless
horse came the night following to the
Hamilton residence.
Sanderson was never again seen alive.
Several days having elapsed without
any word from the missing man, sus-
picion arose that he had been foully.
dealt with. The people turned out en-
masse to search for his body. Covered
with brush and briars, it was found
near the road. The dead mans hat
was discovered in hollow stump
while under log close by appeared
brass horse pistol with the hammer
broken. In the murdered mans head
were found number of shot and a
piece of the pistols hammer. Under
the lining Of the hat were secreted a
list of thirty-three SEQ Mississippi
bank bills, their numbers and n
enumeration of those to whom the bills
We're payable.
When Hamilton was arrested. bills
to the list found in San
derson's hat were taken from him. 1t
waS further shown by the State that
he had borrowed the pistol from Col.
CORN. OF Glasgow; that the shot in
DIR. Sandersons head correspondent in
size with the shot bought few days
before by Hamilton; that Hamilton's
cOHCtsiieu III pdTu,
were blood-stained. They were fully
Identified by the accused mans sister.
For the defense 1t was urged that |
Sanderson and Hamilton were intimate |
friends; that for many days they had
together through wild coun-
Try; that little neglect during his
sickness would have caused Sander
sons death and Hamilton could have
hus easily secured the money. Mis-
'issippi money was at that time I'M
Ter discount in Kentucky and Kentucky
money under discount in Mississippi,
being about to visit Mis-
issippi. while Sanderson needed Ken
lucky money to by slaves, they had,
or mutual accommodation. exchanged
money. Hamilton proved that he had
n order TO make up the sum needed
or the exchange. borrowed $1,000 from
Glasgow bank. Hamilton further de-
Jared that he had borrowed the pistol