The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-01-25

eircumstantial evidence is due one, at
lesst, of the tragedies crimsonlng
Kentucky's annals. In the early days
of the past century DR.. John P. San
derson was murdered in that portion
Of Barren (now known as Metcal1)
county. Suspicion soon fell on John
G.. Hamilton, a wealthy citizen of the
neighborhood. Hamilton was tried
convicted and hanged. Wholly cir
cumstantial, the evidence was with
al so remarkable in character as to
convince 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 faith
er.
Hamilton came of a wealthy, proud
and aristocratic family. His exclu-
siyeness 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 re-
turn trip that had proved successful
accompanied by DR.. Sanderson, rlch
planter. residing near Natchez. San
flerson came to Kentucky for double
purpose-to enjoy his friend Hamil-
tons hospitality, and to buy slaves
in Kentucky for service on his Mlssls-
sippi plantation. To buy these slaves
be brought with him large sum or
money. of which fact Hamilton was
fully aware. The route on horseback
Law through wild and thinly settled
portion of the Indian territory, as
the vast region Immediately south OF
Kentucky was then called. DR.. San
derson was taken at the outset with
q severe illness, which harassed him
through the greater part of the: Jour-
new. Arrived in Barren county, Ham
ilton and his friend went to the resi-
dence 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 act
ing as guide for nine miles to point
where the road forked, one branch
leading to a neighboring county
where Sanderson proposed to attend
a sale of negroes at public auction.
The two men we're seen together at
various points along the nine-mlle
stretch, the last time at point three
quarters of a mile from the forks.
Hamilton soon after returned alone.
Sanderson's riderless horse came the
night following to the Hamilton; resi-
dence.
Sanderson was never again seen
alive. Several days having elapsed
without any word from the missing
man, suspicion arose that he had been
foully dealth with The people turned
ont en- masse to search for his body.
Covered with brush and briars, it was
found near the road. The dead man s
hat was found in 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
the lining of his hat was secreted a
list of thirty-three $100 Mississippi
bank bills, their numbers and an
enumeration of those to whom the
bills were payable. =.
When Hamilton was arrested bills
corresponding to the list found IN
Sanderson's hat were taken on him:
It was further shown by the State
that he had borrowed the pistol from
Colonel Gorin. of Glasgow, that the
shot in Sanderson's head correspond
ed in size with the shot bought a few
days before by Hamilton, that Hamll-
toms overalls, concealed in his faith
er's barn were blood stained. They
were fully identified by the dead
mans sister. "
For the defense it was urged that
Sanderson and Hamilton were lntl-
mate friends; that for many days they
had travelled together through a wild
country; that 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
under. 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-