Multiple states The Noose and the Chair, Undated

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The following is a list of persons who committed crimes or were
accused of crimes in Estill County and who were hanged or executed
legally or illegally by mcbs. They were:

Edward W. Hawkins, the desperado who committed numerous
crimes including the fatal shooting of Sheriff James Land and Deputy
Sheriff Jesse Arvine of Estill County for which he was convicted in
Estill Circuit Court and hanged May 29, 1857.

Jesse Crowe, accused of stabbing with a knife to death Lyon
Titus at Fitchburg in a brawl in 1863. Apprehended two months
later after hiding out, lodged in jaii and forcibly taken from the jail
by a mob and hanged on the Irvine courthouse square on a locust
tree.

Joe Finnell, a slave negro convicted of rape and hanged August
26, 1864, on the same tree in Ravenna used for the execution of
Hawkins.

William Puckett, charged with clubbing to death William Hall
during an election in Forks precinct in Estill County in November,
1890. Captured in Indiana where he had escaped, returned to Estill
County and convicted September 10, 1891. Hanged on a scaffold
near the city limits of Irvine February 5, 1892.

Elic Richardson, accused of murdering Barbara White October
7, 1894, hanged two days later by a mob who took him by force from
the Estill County jail.

Arnold Powell and Bonnie Griffin, convicted of the murder of
Marion Short at Knob Lick in Estill County January 5, 1937; elec-
trocuted March 3, 1939, at Eddyville for the crime.

The Noose

by Robert Barker

All Publication Rights Reserved

Robert Barker

The author of this compilation of crimes was born January 17,
1901, at Locust Branch (name of area postoffice) in Estill County,
Kentucky, in a cabin in a stone’s throw of the Estill-Madison Coun-
ties line about 15 miles from the County seat of Irvine. He attended
one-room schools beginning in 1907 until 1913 after which he moved
e pile with his parents Elias and Fannie Durbin Barker, and

amily.

He attended elementary and high school in Irvine and in the
meantime learned the art of printing in Irvine newspaper offices. He
became editor-publisher and owner of The Irvine Times, a weekly
newspaper, in 1921 and continued its operation until October 1,
1968, when it was sold to Newspapers Inc., to be combined with
another Irvine weekly newspaper — The Estill Herald to be named
The Irvine Times-Herald. He became editor and manager of this
periodical until his retirement on April 13, 1974, due to his illness.

lawyer, Wat. Andrews, one of the best lawyers in the State of
Kentucky. That suited very well, though her parents objected to
our union. That did not suit me.

The girl was surprisingly beautiful. She was thirteen years
old, fine in form and graceful of manners. She was willing to leave
with me, provided her parents would not consent to our marriage.
That was all I wanted to hear. I went to her father and asked him
for his daughter. He said he had no objections to me, but thought
we were both too young. I told him that I thought we both being
very young, and being our first love, that we both would be
satisfied and happy. He said that if nothing else would do he
would consent to our union, provided we would wait three
months, and I would promise not to take her from home. That
suited me, because I never intended to take her from home. I
refused to consent to wait three months. He then requested me to
tell him how long I would wait. I consented to wait two weeks. He
made no further objections, and the time for our union was set for
the 25th of May. The time came and we were married.

The old man was very much pleased that his only child had
married a lawyer. But, O, what a delusion! Little did he think that
his young unsuspecting daughter had done that which would load
her and her doating parents with heartrending sorrow which
thing was soon made known, for, on the 3rd day of June I left her,
taking what money her father had given me to commence house-
keeping with. He followed me to Elkhorn, Mo., where he found me
and asked me to take a walk with him. I very readily consented,
and while on the walk he asked me what were my reasons for
leaving my wife. I told him that I had not left her; that I had heard
of my father being here, and was fearful he would be gone before
I would get to see him. He inquired of me when I was coming
home. I told him I would be there in a very few days. He returned,
and told my wife that they had accused me wrongfully; that I had
not left her; but they soon found out differently.

There I got acquainted with William O. Wallace, and he
claimed kin with me. The 9th of June I borrowed his horse to go to
William Crowley’s, to make up a school. I took the horse, saddle
and bridle, and went to Topeka, in Kansas Territory; there I sold
the horse for one hundred and thirty-five dollars.

I did not stay there long, but went from there to Easton, Kan-
sas, where I soon formed an acquaintance with a Miss C****
W**** the daughter of Mr. T**** L. W****, I had to have some
pretended occupation, so I passed myself for a dentist. This I
thought best, because I knew that there was none of it to do there.
I courted Miss C**** some five or six days, and we were engaged
to each other to be married. I asked her father for her, he very
readily consented, and the 18th was set for our union. The time
passed slowly away, but at length the long-wished for time arriv-

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convenient he might pay me. He then said that he could put up
$300.00 to me for the start. That suited me exactly; but I did not
like to leave Miss C****, though I could soon find another. Accor-
dingly we made preparations for me to start to St. Louis to lay in
our stock of goods. I took two Colt’s revolvers and his $300.00 and
set out for St. Louis but I did not go to St. Louis, as you might sup-
pose, I went to Platte City, and took lodgings at the Farmers Hotel
kept by Mr. Nash. Then I took the peddling-box of a Dutch
(jewelry) peddler. Then I was fixed for traveling, I left there and
was pursued to Fishing River. They were so close on me that I had
to hide the box of jewelry and escape as fast as possible. They
overtook me at Elkhorn, but finding nothing with me, did not take
me back. The next day I went back to get my box and started to go
to Dover, Missouri, where I deposited my box with Mr. C****, a
man who was very smart. I told him to sell the articles and I would
pay him well for his trouble. He was as smart as I was. He sold the
goods and I did not get one cent for them. But I soon made it up;
for myself, 1**** L7**** and Et*** BY****, went to lus store
and took from his showcases about five hundred dollars worth of
jewelry of different kinds. We disposed of them to the best advan-
tage.

Then on May the ist, as well as I can remember we went to J.
L. Whittington’s lot, and took from it a fine horse and a mule. The
two were worth three hundred dollars. We then went to Platte
City, Mo., where we intended to sell the horse and did sell the
mule and was detected five days afterward.

There was a man who would swear that my partner had
passed thirty-five dollars in counterfeit money on him, and that he
was also concerned in breaking open the store of Wm. C. Brown,
which would convict him to the State prison for several years.
When they examined him for stealing the horse, he proved by a
man named Spears that he had bought the horse, and was cleared
of that charge.

But the counterfeit money was the most difficult matter. The
man who was to prove it lived three miles from Westport, on the
Independence Road. I thought that if he was out of the way my old
friend might come clear; but the thing was how was he to shoot
him at his plough. I scon came to the conclusion that I was the
man who would have this desperate deed to perpetrate, and I felt
a great reluctance in doing it; but rather than part with my com-
panion, and one whom I had sworn to be true until death, I braced
myself up to a determination to commit the horrible deed.

Accordingly, | prepared myself, by taking with me a rifle, gun
and two Colt’s revolvers, and going to the place where Mr.
William Jones resided, for this, I think, was his name. I found him
on the road hauling a wagon load of plows to the shop to have
some repairs made upon them. When I saw him I hid my gun and

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went where he was and asked him if I could get a ride with him.
He said he had no objections to my riding with him. I therefore got
on the wagon and rode some distance with him.

I brought up the subject of counterfeit money and asked him
what he would swear against the accused (E**** B*****), He
said he would swear enough against him to put him where the
dogs could not bite him. I told him that B**** was my friend and
that I would give him one hundred dollars if he would not appear
against him. He told me that he was compelled to do so. I told him
there were men who would kill him as sure as they saw him on
that day. He told me there was no use trying to scare him out of
his determination to appear against him for that could not be
done.

My determination was then to raise an affray with him and
shoot him. That came very near being my last scrape for as he
spoke to me, he drew his knife and struck at me and cut through
my coat and shirt. The next lick was mine and I made use of it. I
drew my revolver and fired. The ball entered near the left eye,
and penetrated the brain. He fell dead. The horses started to run
but I caught them and prevented them from running. I took the
dead man and placed the head before the wheels so that the
wagon would run over it and crush it. It did so and so crushed it
that no man would have suspected that he had been shot.

This was the first thing I had ever done in the way of murder,
and, consequently, the most dreadful crime of my life. Wicked and
hardened to crime, as I was, it tormented me day and night. It was
considerable time before I got over that dreadful deed; but, never-
theless, I comforted myself that I had done it for my friend; that I
did the deed, and having become callous to remorse by the many
atrocious crimes I had committed, I, by degrees, wore off the im-
pressions which that awful! crime had made upon my mind.

After committing the deed I went and got my gun, which I had
hid, and returned. The news soon flew over the country that Mr.
William Jones, of Jackson, near Westport, had been killed by a
wagon running over his head and crushing it to pieces, and thus I
escaped suspicion.

When I told my comrade what IJ had done, he applauded me
greatly, and said if he could always have such a partner as I was,
he never would fear anything. Soon he had his trial, and no
evidence appearing against him, was, consequently, set at liberty.
This pleased me very much, because I was lonesome.

Soon after that time we went to Glascow, Mo. There I formed
an acquaintance with Miss M**** F****, daughter, of S****
F****, | passed myself off for a young lawyer looking for a place
to locate to follow my profession. Soon after this the family got ac-
quainted with my partner. He told them that he had been well ac-
quainted with me from my birth, and that I was the son of a

b47 o

ed, and we were married. That was the finest wedding that I ever
had, for all parties were willing, and they were wealthy, and were
willing to spend it, and I took great pleasure in enjoying it. I did
enjoy it for three weeks. My next aim was to manage some plan
whereby I could get hold of some of the estate—that was the thing
I was after. The plan fell upon was, I pretended that my father
had sent for me home, that he was very unwell, and did not expect
to live long, and wanted me to be present when he made his will,
being wealthy. I told my father-in-law that I wanted some money,
as I was going by land. The old man soon thought it was the best
way to go; he went to Greenleaf, Leavenworth City, and hired a
horse and single buggy. I left, and went to Booneville, Mo., where I
sold the horse and buggy for three hundred dollars.

I then went back to Kansas and took charge of a party of
twenty men. Our purpose was to make money—-any way, and
every way, where any kind of opportunity offered. But before we
got to make any money the party got to wrangling and fussing-
every one wanting to be boss. I soon became dissatisfied, and
gave up the party. They were all very sorry that I was going to
leave them. I have heard since, that the party has disbanded and
scattered. I heard that my father-in-law (Mr. W****) had sent to
Kentucky to find me. But his expedition failed, and he never found
me, or his horse and buggy.

I went to John Hays’, in Lafayette county, and got acquainted
with Mr. D. M. Allen, from South Carolina; he had come out with
Captain Buford’s company. He wanted to go to Independence. Mr.
Thacker Webb took his mule and buggy and got me to drive it, and
take him there; and if the company had not horses enough, for him
to take the mule with him, and for me to go to the City Hotel and
hire a horse, and bring the buggy back. I accordingly took the
mule and buggy, and went on, and as [ went through Wellington,
Mo., Dr. John Poston sent twelve bottles of champagne wine to Mr.
Hemek. That suited me, for I took it very freely myself, as I went
along. I hid the box as I went, intending to get it as I returned.
When we went to Independence the company was ready to start,
and had five surplus horses, consequently had no use for the
mule. I was glad of that, for I wanted to get the mule myself. I did
so, and the owner was none the wiser as to what went with his
mule.

On the 6th of July, Captain Bledsoe was going to start with a
company to Kansas. He was trying to make up horses to go. Tom
Clark and Mr. William Grooms were the agents to count the funds
that were made up for the expenses of the border ruffians, while
they were in the Territory. I sold him (Captain Bledsoe) my mule,
and left the buggy there. I went back to where my box of cham-
pagne was left and found it still there; took what I wanted to drink
there, and took two bottles with me and went to Mr. Webb’s. He

i

brother my conclusions, and it seemed to excite him more than
anything I ever saw. He undertook to counsel me, and never
before did I receive such a piece of advice in all my life, from any
person, young as he was. | had to promise him that I would per-
form his wishes, in order to allay his excited feelings. And now,
dear reader, had I taken the advice of that young brother, and
fulfilled my promise to him, it would this day be worth ten thou-
sand such worlds as this to me. But, alas, how soon are the prom-
ises of the wicked forgotton.

In a day or two after I went to get a fine mare of Owen
Karr’s. On the night of the 11th of March, I took her out, went to
Hezekiah Oldham’s took his saddle from his saddle house, put it
on the mare, and tried to ford the river. The mare would not go in;
the river was not fordable, which I did not know. Then I went
back to the Irvine pike, and took the end leading to Irvine. This
was about two hours before day. At daylight, or a little after, I
came to the ford at Irvine, and tried to ford it. The mare would not
go across. I then went up to the ferryman’s house, as I supposed it
to be, where two men were saddling their horses. I rode up and
asked if either of them was the ferryman. One of them called a lit-
tle boy from the house and told him to set me over the river. When
we arrived on the other side I told him I wanted to see Mr. Curtis,
and would be back in an hour or two, when I would pay him for
the ferriage, that I had no change, but would get some in town. I
passed through town, and took the road leading up the Kentucky
river. After passing Old Henry Thomas’ I saw two men coming
after me. I did not know but they might be in pursuit, at which I
felt somewhat alarmed, but they came up with me, and passed on.
Soon after another passed me and rode on a piece and stopped to
adjust his saddle blanket. I overtook him and we rode together to
the corner of Wiatt’s fence. There I saw a son of Albert G. Clem, a
little boy called William. I stopped and talked with him, and my
companion went on. I went with Will Clem and got my dinner, and
then went to my cousin James Smith’s. They all inquired of me
where I got my fine mare. I told them that I had bought her from
Ned Karr. They bragged on her very much and my aunt Betsey
Smith wanted to ride her to my grandfather’s which I would not
consent to, for fear the owner might get her. I was going to Mont-
gomery county, but wanted to see my cousin William Smith, and I
went up to the three forks of the Kentucky river at Proctor. There
I got to drinking, and passed myself off for a recruiting officer,
and wanted several to go with me to the army. Mr. A**** M****
agreed to go, but insisted that I should first come and fish with
them. This suited me precisely, for I had seen his sister at a
distance, and fell very much in love with her appearance. I told
A**** that I would go with him on Wednesday and stay two or
three days. On the day before I sold the mare to William Smith for

- 29.

one hundred dollars. He paid me ten dollars in money down and a
watch for twelve dollars, and I took his note for twenty-eight
dollars which I thought I could sell and get the money for it, but I
found that was hard to do. Thursday came, and I made prepara-
tions to go to see that pretty girl. The young man came down to
Proctor, and his father and brother came with him; he had told
them that I was to go home with them. When I first saw the old
man I did not know him; but he soon told me who he was. I desired
to get in with him, because I wanted his girl, and the way was to
get with the old folks first. He went with me to hunt A****, when
we found he was drinking at Mason Williams’. He asked me if I
was going home with him. I told him I was and was going to stay
and fish with them some time. I felt that every minute I remained
there | was exposed. They had advertised the mare that I had
taken from Madison county, and there were men there who would
have sacrificed the life of their best friend for fifty dollars, and I
knew it; but my anxiety for the girl led me to do that which I would
not have done under other circumstances, for if it had not been
for her, I would have been gone before they found out that I was
the man.

But I hardly thought of anything but accomplishing my
desires, which I was in a fair way to do. When I and the Mr.
McGuires went to their house they were all very friendly to me. I
had treated them at Proctor’s until they all were pretty drunk;
besides I had bought a quart for us to take home with us. The old
lady and the girl were friendly, and treated me with as great
politeness as their ability would permit. I did not have much to
say to the girl on the first interview. I did not want to make too
free, for fear I would offend them. I stayed and fished with them
the next day or two, and then, on Friday, we went to a log rolling. I
worked very hard, and came back to Mr. McGuire’s, and that
night there were two men who were going to perform at Mr.
Thompson’s. They were negro actors, and Miss D**** was going
there. I thought that was the time for me to commence my court-
ing. We all started, and I asked Miss D**** for her company. She
very readily consented. As we went along we were talking about
Arch and Jack going with me to Kansas. I asked her if she did not
hate for them to go and leave her behind. She said she did. I told
her that I would like very much to take some one of these moun-
tain girls with me, and she was the prettiest I had seen, and would
be very glad if she would meke up her mind to go with me and her
two brothers. I had not time to say very much before we got to the
place where we were going to stop. I parted with her at the door,
and had no other conversation with her until we started back.

There was a good many persons there, as there was never
such a thing in those regions before, as I imagine. They all seemed
very much pleased at the performance. We started back, when

40 =

mare, and I thought I would take her, as she would bring me a con-
siderable sum of money. We went to where my wife was when I
last heard from her, but when we arrived she was not there, but
at her brothers. My intention was to get her if I could, and settle
myself. But upon seeing me she appeared frightened, which hurt
me worse than anything that had ever happened to me in all my
life. I told her that I loved her dearly, and would take her and take
care of her, but I had deceived her so badly, at first, that she
could not confide in me.

This is the way, my readers, when confidence is once lost it
cannot be regained. You may tell the truth and be ever so honest
in your intentions, but having once forfeited your word and honor
you can never be believed any more by those whom you have
deceived. My readers, let this lesson sink deep in your hearts. You
may think that a poor, manacled, condemned malefactor is a poor
hand to give lessons of morality; but remember that it is said that
experience is the best of teachers. it is also said that experience
keeps a dear school, and that fools will learn in no other, which is
partially verified in my deplorable case. Therefore let me exhort
you to learn by precept and good example, instead of by evil ex-
perience, as I have.

But I must proceed with my narrative. The night I went to see
my wife she got me my supper, and we had the before named con-
versation. She then went out and was gone, I suppose, about an
hour. When she returned, I discovered she had been weeping. I
did not say very much to her. She went out again and did not
return any more. I did not know what to do. I loved her dearly, and
knew that I could never be satisfied without her, and she had gone
without giving me any satisfaction. That, [ thought, was evidence
that she did not intend to go with me, and would rather have no
conversation with me. I always thought I had too strong a mind to
give way to such things, but it was impossible to put it out of my
mind.

I went then to Clifton Hazlewood’s and stayed all night. I
tried to get Cliff to help me get her. We went to bed, but not to
sleep (on my part.) All I could think of was my young and lovely
wife. The next morning, as soon as daylight appeared, I went to
James Maupin’s to see if my wife was there. He is the man on
whom I forged a thirty dollar note, but the love I had for her
banished all fear; but to my great disappointment she was not
there. I then returned to her brother’s who informed me that they
were very uneasy about her, not knowing where she was. I wrote
a letter and left it with them for her. My brother and myself then
returned, since which time I have heard nothing from her.

Then came the greatest trouble that ever enshrouded my
bosom. I thought I would take to hard drinking to down my trou-
ble, but alas, dear readers, it only made bad worse, I told my

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Miss D**** and myself renewed our conversation in regard to her
going with me to Kansas; and after considerable conversation on
the subject, she consented to be mine and accompany me to Kan-
sas.

I stayed about Mr. McGuire’s until Sunday morning, the 25th
of March, 1857. I was standing out in the yard conversing with
some of the family, when we saw three or four men coming down
through the field, and when they came up they turned out to be
James Land, Jessie Arvine, Mason Williams and perhaps others.
Mason Williams pointed me out to Land as the man who had been
to his house and who sold the mare. Mr. James M. Land then came
up to me and took my arm and said I was his prisoner, when
another took me by the other arm. They then asked me where was
my money. I told them I was broke. Williams asked me what I had
done with the large roll of money I had at his house. I told him I
had spent it. He said I could not have used so large an amount in
so short a time. From their interrogations, I supposed they had ar-
rested me upon suspicion of counterfeiting, or having counterfeit
money about me. I then inquired of them what they were arresting
me for. They replied it was in consequence of the mare which I
had let Smith have, that precisely suited the description of the
stolen mare from Madison county as advertised in the
newspapers. | told them that I would easily clear myself out of
that scrape. They said that was what they were going to give mea
chance to do. They then permitted me to go into the house and
speak to Miss D**** and bid her a short farewell—as I then told
her it would be—but never before in my life was the power of
speech so completely denied me as at that time. I, however, after
a long time made out to tell her I would have to go with these men
and prove myself clear of this charge, which I could easily do, and
then I would return to her. But, poor girl, she did not know that
she was, fortunately, parting forever with a vile seducer, who
was using all his arts and flatteries to plant a thorn in her bosom
that would destroy, for all time to come, everything that makes

life desirable.
They started with me, one having hold of each arm, and so

conducted me until we got to the fence, when James Land told
them to let me go; that he did not think I would attempt to leave
them, and intimated a belief that I was not guilty of the charge.
They still kept very close to me, on each side and behind, and I
was confident that they were well armed, because they would
have been fools to go on the expedition which they were on
without being well armed. They frequently pressed me to drink
with them, but I refused several times. I was thinking of a plan to
make my escape from them. We had the river to cross in a canoe,
they having left their horses on the other side, and my settled

ne: ge

besides the witnesses introduced, it becomes more, and if proven
by several witnesses to be made, then it becomes strong evidence
of the truth of the admission, and if the jury believe that the con-
fession or admission was actually made to the full extent, as pro-
ven by the witnesses, then it becomes strong and powerful
evidence of the truth of the admission against the party making
them.

Confession or admission made by a party charged with a
criminal offense, under a promise that it would be to the advan-
tage of the party making them, or under a threat that induced the
party to make them through fear, ought not to be considered by
the jury, and are not evidence against the accused.

With which instructions the jury retired, after an able argu-
ment by S. M. Barnes, Commonwealth’s Attorney, pro tem; able
and appropriate speeches for the prisoner by D. C. Daniel and H.
C. Lilly, Esq.; and after mature deliberation returned into court a
verdict upon each indictment, that the prisoner was guilty of the
murder of James M. Land and Jessie Arvine, upon which verdict
the prisoner was sentenced and executed.

Letter To His Father

Irvine, Estill County, Ky.
April 22, 1857.

Dear Father:

I take my pen (with a heavy heart) to inform you of my unhap-
py and deplorable situation, of which, I imagine, you are not fully
apprised. Oh, my dear father, it grieves my heart to have to in-
form you that I am at this time chained down in the dark and
loathsome dungeon of the Estill county jail, awaiting the day of my
execution, which is fixed by my sentence, for the 29th of May
next, which sentence I can meet with all the bravery of one of
Kentucky’s bravest sons. But, alas! that will not keep the stain
from my little innocent brothers and sisters; but they shall have
the (poor) consolation to know that, if their brother was hung, that
he died like a man, and not like a coward. Alas; if I had given heed
to those admonitions, I would not this day have been in this
loathsome dungeon, loaded with chains. But, alas! it is forever too
late to recall time and incidents, after they are passed and gone.
But, my dear little brothers and sisters, take warning by the un-
fortunate situation of your unhappy and disconsolate brother;
and when you think about disobeying your father, who is our only
living parent, just look back and see what a similar disobedience
has brought your unfortunate brother to. You know that I always
gave you good counsel; but alas! did not practice the precept
which I gave you.

aid «

bread, which she did, and gave him some meat. Witness asked
prisoner how he managed to kill Land and Arvine. He said he did
it very slick. She asked prisoner where he was going. He said he
was going to the New Furnace, where he had a friend that would
protect him.

Harrison Moore was then introduced for the Commonwealth,
who testified that he passed the Winding Stairs, in Estill county,
on Sunday evening, the 22nd of March, 1857, about one hour by
the sun in the evening; that a short distance from the top of the
Winding Stairs hill, he came upon Jessie Arvin in the last agonies
of death, and that within a few steps James M. Land was lying
dead; that in going down the Winding Stairs hill he overtook the
horses of James M. Land and Jessie Arvine, and that he did not
recognize the slain men until he saw their horses. No cross ex-
amination by defendant.

George S. Williams, Esq., was introduced by the Com-
monwealth, who testified that he met James M. Land, Jessie Ar-
vine and the prisoner on Sunday evening, the 22nd of March,
1857, between the Winding Stairs and the top of Contrary hiil;
that the prisoner (Hawkins) was riding behind Land upon the
same horse; that he shook hands with Land and the prisoner, and
talked with them for some few minutes and passed on. No cross
examination by defendant.

James Warner was then introduced by the Commonwealth,
who testified that he was traveling on the road leading down the
Winding Stairs, in Estill county, on Sunday evening, the 22nd of
March, 1857, and that when he had advanced some considerable
distance down the Winding Stairs, he heard three distinct reports
of what he then thought was a revolving pistol; that when Har-
rison Moore gave the above information, witness, with others,
went back to where he supposed the pistol firing was, and there
found James M. Land dead, having been shot in the right eye, and
Jessie Arvine still struggling in the agonies of death, and who died
a few moments afterward.

Mason Williams was introduced by the Commonwealth, and
testified that the prisoner came to his house at Proctor some few
days previous to his arrest but had left his home before Land and
Arvine came in pursuit of him. Witness went with Land and Ar-
vine to Benjamine McGuire’s where they found the prisoner and
arrested him, and brought him back to the house of the witness on
the 22nd of March, 1857. Land, Arvine and the prisoner left the
house of the witness on the same day, and started, as they an-
nounced, for Irvine, prisoner riding behind James M. Land, upon
the same horse. Witness saw no more of them, but heard the next
day that Land and Arvine were found upon the road murdered.

The foregoing is substantially the evidence before the In-
quiry Court, the prisoner waiving the introduction of any

- 40 -

witnesses; upon which the court sentenced the prisoner to further
trial before the Estill Circuit court, and remanded him to the
dungeon of the jail without bail or main-prize. And afterward; on
the ——day of April, 1857, a Call Court was held at the court-
house in Irvine, by Hon. Granville Pearl and the Grand Jury hav-
ing found true bills upon two separate indictments for murder
against the prisoner, he was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to
each of the indictments, and was put upon his trial, the court hav-
ing assigned to him as counsel Henry C. Lilly, Thomas H. Carson,
R. W. Smith and Dillard C. Daniel, Esq., whereupon in addition to
the evidence as detailed before the Inquiring Court——

Henry M. Judy was introduced and sworn for the Common-
wealth, and testified that some short time after the commitment of
the prisoner by the Inquiring Court, he, witness had an interview
with the prisoner, in which he told the prisoner that there was a
reward of fifty dollars offered for the recovery of James M.
Land’s pistol, and that if he, prisoner, knew where it was, and
would inform witness so that he could find it, he would divide the
reward with him, and that the prisoner informed witness that the
pistol was in a certain cave, where he, prisoner, had taken refuge
a few nights after the murder of Land and Arvine; the prisoner
drew a map describing the cave, with a trace leading to where the
pistol was concealed. Witness went to the cave, and in pursuance
of said instruction, found the pistol in the place as described by
the prisoner. Witness brought the pistol and gave it to A. W.
Quinn, County Judge, for safe keeping until the day of trial.

A. W. Quinn was called and produced said pistol in court,
which was identified by several witnesses to be the pistol that
James M. Land was carrying at the time of his murder. Three bar-
rels of said pistol was empty and three were loaded.

Joel Storm was then called and sworn for the Commonwealth,
and testified that he had been in pursuit of the prisoner pretty
much from the time of the murder until the apprehension of the
prisoner, and that he assisted in bringing him to the jail of Estill
county, and while in jail the witness had an interview with the
prisoner, in which interview the prisoner confessed to witness
that he did murder Land and Arvine, and told witness the par-
ticulars of said transaction.

Cross-examined.—Witness said that he did not hold out any
inducements to prisoner to make said confession, but told him that
he would be hung, and that he, witness, wanted him hung, but that
his confession of the matter might create some sympathy for him,
and have a tendency to somewhat lull the excited feelings of the
public mind, but that he need not expect thereby to escape the
penalty of the law.

~41.-

The foregoing is substantially the amount of testimony given
before both courts, upon which the latter gave to the jury the
following instructions:

The court instructs the jury that if they believe from the
evidence, to the exclusion of a reasonable doubt, that the
prisoner, Edward W. Hawkins, in this county, and before the find-
ing of the indictments, did willfully and maliciously kill James M.
Land and Jessie Arvine, or either of them, with a pistol, the
prisoner is guilty of murder, and the jury ought so to find.

The court further instructs the jury, the killing of a person by
the hands of some person being established, the law then
presumes the killing to be murder; and then if the person who did
the act or deed be identified, to the satisfaction of the jury, to the
exclusion of a reasonable doubt, then it developes upon the accus-
ed to show extenuating circumstances that would reduce the kill-
ing from murder to manslaughter, unless it arises out of the
evidence introduced by the Commonwealth.

That if the jury believe, from the evidence, that the prisoner
did the killing deliberately, having previously conceived the
design to kill the deceased, or either of them, and said killing was
not done in his own necessary self-defense, that is, in order to pro-
tect his life or protect his person from great bodily harm, he is
guilty of murder and the jury ought so to find.

But if the jury should believe from the evidence that the
prisoner killed the deceased in order to preserve his life, or to
protect his person from great bodily harm, and not from a
preconceived intention to kill the deceased, or either of them, then
the jury ought to acquit the prisoner.

That the confession of the defendant, unless made in open
court, will not warrant a conviction unless accompanied with
other proofs that such an offense as is charged against the defen-
dant was committed.

That if the jury believe that there are reasonable doubts,
growing out of the evidence, of the prisoner being guilty, they
ought to acquit the prisoner.

Malice is presumed from any deliberate act done by a person
which shows that the person doing the act was regardless of the
laws of society, and fatally bent upon mischief, and it is not
necessary that the person accused should have any particular ill
will towards the deceased. If it appear from the evidence that the
accused in doing the killing showed that he was regardless of the
laws of society, and recklessly and without provocation, and not
in his own necessary self-defense, killed the deceased. That the
law presumes a man innocent until his guilt is clearly proven.

That the confession or admission of a party made in the
presence of the witness alone is the weakest and most suspicious
evidence known to the law; but if made in the presence of others

- 42 -

unquestionably true. Therefore, my advice to you is, obey your
parents in all things; by so doing, you will render both your
parents and yourselves happy.

Just reflect for one moment, and see what would be more
mortifying to a parent than the reckless disobedience of a child.
But, my young friends, permit me to impress upon your minds the
importance of the advice which I have this day given you, for if
you should take one step toward crime, you soon become so
hardened in it, that you will not care to commit any crime, no mat-
ter what its character be. You are then prepared to share my
fate, which is a very sad and deplorable one indeed.

O, what a heart rendering thought! that a person must be cut
off in the morning of life and in the vigor of health!

But alas! I have transgressed the laws of my country, and
therefore, must suffer their penalty, which I cannot consider
otherwise than just. But it is natural for the human family to
endeavor to avoid the afflictions of punishment, however just it
may be.

But, my young friends, if all crimes were to go unpunished,
our glorious union would very soon be dissolved, and would, con-
sequently, very soon relapse back into a state of barbarity and
heathenism.

I now ask the special attention of the ladies for a few
moments, and then I am done forever. Though you may think it
very imprudent for a man of my character to thus address an au-
dience of respectable young females, yet my experience, and the
cruel manner in which I have treated your sex, makes me more
complete to point out to you the many dangers to which you are
exposed. And may the few remarks that I may make serve as a
beacon to guide your feet into the paths of virtue and safety.

In the first place, let me implore you never to place your af-
fections on a man with whose history you are not familiar; or
without a recommendation from some of your own friends, and on
whom you can rely with implicit confidence; for if you do, you ex-
pose yourself to the greatest danger, the danger of being ruined
forever. I, myself, have witnessed the everlasting downfall of
young, confiding and unsuspecting females, which was caused by
being too confiding, and placing their affections on a flattering
stranger.

Therefore, my fair friends, my advice to you is, never listen to
the flattery of any man, no matter how well acquainted you may
be with him—and more especially the stranger. Never give the
slightest attention to a man whom you do not consider worthy of
your admiration. You will generally find that the most unworthy
men are the ones best calculated to gain the affections of the
young and unsuspecting female. And why? Because they are men
who make that their constant study, and who are also accomplish-

« 46 -

Oh! my young brothers and sisters, this is the last and dying
advice that your unfortunate brother can ever give you. There are
some of you old enough to know how to act, and I want you so to
act that your actions will be an example of morality and honesty
to your younger brothers and sisters, who are (from their infantile
state), less conscious of right and wrong. There are some of you
who are in the habit of profane swearing. Now, as the last request
of a dying brother, let me implore you to quit that practice, for it,
like other evils, will lead to greater ones. Do not let this admoni-
tion remain dormant in your own breasts, but spread it about
among your little playmates, so that my unhappy fate will be a
warning to them. Now, by the light of a dim candle within these
dark and dismal walls, I trace these, my last lines, to any of you.
My heart is so full of grief, I cannot say more than farewell
forever. We shall meet no more until we meet at the great judge-
ment bar of God. Now, my dear little brothers and sisters, let me
implore you to prepare to meet your Savior in peace at that awful
day. Do not put it off, for you may be called off in the bloom of
youth, without a moment’s warning. Remember, none of us have
any lease for our lives; therefore, do not put off until it is forever
too late, but seek forgiveness while your crimes are not so great.
Do not falter at the first effort, but persevere. Remember that
however great a sinner you may be, God is still a great Savior, and
is able to forgive, even unto death.

Now, my dear father, brothers and sisters, when you receive
this I shall be in the cold and silent grave; but oh, my father,
forgive a dying son for the anguish brought down upon your gray
hairs by his reckless disobedience. Full of grief, as I am, gladly
would I take yours if thereby you could be relieved by it. I cannot
say more; but farewell! farewell forever, my dear father, and may
God Almighty bless you and my dear little brothers and sisters
and prepare you to stand on his right hand when the great day of
His wrath shall come; is the prayer of your unworthy, but affec-
tionate and dying son. —Edward W. Hawkins.
John W. Hawkins and family.

Speech Of Edward W. Hawkins, Delivered At The
Gallows On The Day Of His Execution, May 29, 1857

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the opportunity once more of presenting myself before
you for the last time in this world.

I have arisen before you, ladies and gentlemen, for the pur-
pose of making some brief remarks. I shall be very brief; for it is
reasonable to conclude, that the condition in which I am now plac-

4s.

ed in the art of seduction—a thing that men of honor know nothing
about. They turn their attentions to something better than
destroying the peace and happiness of the almost helpless and in-
offensive girls, and thus bring them living sacrifices to the brink
of destruction.

Never place your affections, my fair friends, on men who
visit the tippling shops and card tables, for they are unworthy of
your attention. They are also very sure to render you unhappy, if
you countenance them, or show the least degree of attachment for
them.

Never place any confidence in a man whose natural trait is to
always have something disrespectful to say about others; for they
themselves are the guilty villains, who wish to clear themselves
by condemning the innocent and to pull down all others to their
own detestable level.

I know this to be a fact by a shameful experience. For young
as I am, I have become thoroughly acquainted with the art of
seduction.

But it is unnecessary for me to say more on the present occa-
sion as my time is so near to a close. I have but a very few
moments more to stand before you; therefore, I will close my
remarks by entreating my young friends, both male and female, to
heed the advice which I have this day given them, for it will, no
doubt, prove to be a great benefit to them, after I have been laid in
the cold and silent grave.

Now, permit me to return to you my thanks for your silent and
respectful attention, and to bid you an eternal farewell!

Statement Of G. B. Hawkins, A Half Brother To
Edward W. Hawkins

I was born July 29, 1848; I am the only child out of 37 living. I
am the youngest son of John W. Hawkins and Polly Smith
Hawkins, his second wife. I am the youngest of 15 children born to
this union. My father’s first wife was a Miss Barnes; to the first
union 22 children were born. My father owned a farm on Wood-
ward’s creek, in Estill county, Ky. His two wives lived at the same
time on this farm with their respective children, about a quarter
of a mile apart. Perfect harmony existed between the two wives
and families of children. To this union of my father and the
Barnes woman was born a set of triplets on the 11th day of July,
1836, two girls and one boy. The boy, Edward W. Hawkins, was
hanged in Estill county, May 29th, 1957, for the murder of James
Land and Jessie Arvine. They were the sheriff and deputy sheriff
of Estill county, and had Ed. in custody conveying him to Irvine, at
the time he murdered them. I was nine years old at the time of his

ae ty gar

ed would prevent a very lengthy discourse. The time of my execu-
tion has arrived.

In a very short time I must be hurled into Eternity, and that
too, by an ignominious and disgraceful death!

But before the arrival of that awful moment, I wish to give the
young and rising generation a piece of dying advice, and at the
same time warn them against the indulgence of crime, and of evil
habits of all kinds, that it may not be your unhappy lots to have to
share the same fate which I must very soon suffer.

The way by which you may shun this, my young friends, is to
act honestly to all persons, and endeavor to shun the paths of vice
and immorality. By so doing, you will be sure to gain the love and
esteem of all with whom you may chance to form an acquain-
tance. But on the other hand, I care not how successful you may
be in the indulgence of any evil habits whatever, it will be very
sure to render you unhappy. If you go in company with those
whom you know to be honest, you will be unhappy because you
feel the weight of your own guilt, and their innocence. You com-
mence your career by the commission of small and petty crimes;
but the smaller the crime, the weaker the mind; for a growth in
crime produces a growth in depravity.

But how very different is the condition of the innocent! They
always breathe the sweet air of freedom, the value of which is
almost utterly impossible to express; for, my young friends, what
is life without liberty: Liberty is one of the greatest blessings
vouched to us by our beneficent Creator.

My heart’s desire is, my young friends, that you may learn to
appreciate its value without having to be confined in the jail’s
dark and dismal dungeon, as I have been for the last two months.

I do not speak from imagination, but from sad and woeful ex-
perience. I once enjoyed the freedom of an innocent life. I have
also lived in the indulgence of wickedness and crime, which later
has brought me, as you will soon witness, to an early and untimely
grave.

I must now be cut off from the enjoyments of this life, from
the society of father, brothers, sisters and friends, while in the
bloom of youth. Oh, horrible contemplation.

If I had taken the advice which I am this day giving you; my
young friends, I might this day have been as free as air, and an
honor to my connections and myself; but alas! instead of that I
must leave a stain upon them, which will likely never be
obliterated. But, my young friends, I do hope this may be a warn-
ing to you; and that you may never suffer yourselves to be led
astray by the allurements of the wicked; for if you do, you will be
very sure to fall into the snares of destruction! You will, very pro-
bably, be surprised to hear me say that my present condition was
caused by disobedience to my parents. But, my young friends, it is

« 45 =

Joe Finnell

joe Finnell, a negro owned by Jones Finnell, was indicted in
Estill Circuit Court for rape June 22, 1864, convicted the following
day and sentenced on June 25 to be hanged.

The execution took place August 26, 1864, in a place where
the city of Ravenna stands, on the same gallows used for the hang-
ing of Edward W. Hawkins in 1857.

The jury was composed of:

James Wagers Jonah Park

H. D. Wagers J. M. Park
John Brandenburg Ben Gee

J. W. Taylor J. T. Garrett
Wathew Walden G. Howard
Hugh Banks Tipton Jeptha Watson

The value of the negro, a slave, in accordance with law was
fixed at $400, and when certified to the state auditor the payment
was made to the owner.

William Puckett

The story of the hanging of William Puckett, the murder he
committed, his escape, capture and trial in Estill Circuit Court is
told in detail in the county newspaper, the Estill Eagle, edited by
W. H. McCarty, in its issue of February 5, 1892. The news story
was embellished by such headlines as ‘Justice Vindicated”’;
“William Puckett dies on the Gallows’; ‘‘For The Murder of
Henry Hall in November, 1890.’ Here is the full account as
published in The Estill Eagle:

Today at 12:50 o’clock William Puckett paid the penalty for
the killing of Henry Hall in Estill county in November 1890.
Wednesday night at dark, Sheriff S. P. Richardson, accompanied
by his son, left Irvine for Richmond, in a buggy, and on the morn-
ing train Thursday he brought Mr. Puckett to Irvine, guarded by
six men, and delivered him to the jailer of Estill county.

In the afternoon, Rev. J. P. Strother, who was on the train that
brought the condemned to Irvine, called on him in the jail, and
with a large number of Christian people of Irvine and Richmond,
prayed, sang hymns, and held edifying conversations with the
condemned. A guard of 16 men was selected by the sheriff, and
immediately the death watch was placed upon the condemned
man. A large number of people called at the jail, but Sheriff
Richardson gave positive orders regarding admittance and this

-49-

order was carried out to the letter by the guards. Early Friday
morning the hills and vales of Estill begun the discharge of the
curious into Irvine. For hours the upper ferry was blocked. And
from Happy Top, Forks precinct, and around and about, men,
women and even children of tender age, came flocking in, until at
least 3,500 people were in town. The wife of the condemned arriv-
ed on the morning train from Richmond, and delayed the execu-
tion for one hour. At 12:00 the march for the gallows was begun.
First came a guard of six men armed with Winchesters and dou-
ble barrell shotguns. These advance guards drove all before
them. Following came the hack, containing the condemned and
Sheriff Richardson, with three or four others. Around the hack
and following it was the others of the select guard. The arrival at
the place of execution was made without any incidents of note.
Surrounding the enclosure was an assembly of fully 3,000 people.
The trees were filled—many risking their life and limbs to see the
execution. Boys, women and children were in the majority.

The number of people allowed by law to witness an execution
is 50, but only about 36 were in the enclosure. Rev. J. P. Strother
accompanied the condemned man and gave him spiritual counsel.
The prayer was offered at 12:40 and hymns sung by Rev. Strother,
Bros. White, of the Associated Press, John Taylor, of Richmond,
and B. H. Sales. The hands of the watch pointed to 12:46 as the
hands of the condemned man were bound. Just at this point he
recognized a woman of Madison county in the crowd assembled
on the hill side, and called her name. The noose was affixed at
12:49, and at 12:50 the black cap was drawn over his head. He
said in a loud voice ‘‘Lord, have mercy on me,”’ and repeated this
rapidly until the drop fell at 12:51. His neck was broken, and
death was instantaneous, there being but two quivers of the body.
Drs. Stagner, Turner and Evans examined him and in five minutes
pronounced him dead. When called upon by Rev. Strother to make
any statement he simply said: ‘“‘Boys, men, everybody, let me warn
you to let whisky and cards alone, and join the church.”

The Crime

The crime for which Wm. Pucket was sentenced to death was
committed in the Forks precinct, Estill county, on November elec-
tion day, 1890. He and his two sons, using clubs, fatally wounded
William Hall. He was carried to his home and died the next day.
(The full particulars of the killing is best given in the testimony of
the two principal witnesses for the Commonwealth.)

- 50 -

The Testimony

Allen Wood testified—I was at the November election 1890
for congressman in the Forks precinct, Estill county. In the morn-
ing about 8 or § o'clock Wm. Puckett and his sons, Ambrose and
Tobe, were there. About 10 o’clock, while the voting was going on,
a difficulty arose in front of the place of voting between said Am-
brose and Tobe Puckett and Dillard Adams; that Ambrose had a
club and Tobe a knife; that other parties interfered and soon
quieted the disturbance; that it only was a quarrel and did not
amount to much; that he saw the parties during the difficulty and
there was no trouble between said (Wm) Puckett and Henry Hall.

In the afternoon about 3 o’clock I saw a difficulty take place
about 30 or 40 yards from where I stood near the voting place bet-
ween the defendant, (Wm Puckett) Ambrose and Tobe, and Henry
Hall. Hall was in the road and witness heard Ambrose Puckett
say to him ‘‘] want you to give me up my knife.’’ Hall replied that
he did not have his knife. Ambrose said ‘‘I know d— well that you
have,” and then struck at Hall with a club which he had brushing
Hall on the arm thrown up to ward off the blow. Hall then struck
Ambrose with his fist, knocking him down or partly down. Am-
brose then struck Halli with the club once or twice about the
shoulders and head, and Wm. Puckett then struck Hall with a club
on the head and Hall was knocked over on his hands and knees,
and Tobe Puckett struck him with a club, and Wm. Puckett kicked
him. Hall went from the road down the hill, with the three
Pucketts after him and striking him with clubs. Hall got down in
the hollow below the road and was brought by some parties back
to the place of voting and sat down on a pile of rails: he was
bleeding about the head and was badly hurt: see that Wm.
Puckett and Ambrose and Tobe pursued him with clubs. Dr. Ber-
ryman attempted to examine him, but he was jerking and throw-
ing himself from side to side and appeared to be greatly frighten-
ed and in great misery. The Pucketts had clubs or sticks in their
hands all the time. William had a club about two and a half feet
long as large as a man’s wrist and of dead timber; Ambrose and
Tobe each had green clubs about the same length. While Hall was
being examined all three of the Pucketts came up, and Wm.
Puckett said ‘‘G-d—you, if I haven't killed you I will, let me to him
and I’ll finish him,’’ and the Pucketts pressed up and tried to get to
Hall. John Puckett and other kept them back, saying ‘‘you have
already killed him, stand back.”’

J. F. Engle testified—I was clerk of the election on the day Hall
was wounded, am also a Justice of the Peace; that in the morning
about 10 o’clock at the polls, he saw a difficulty between Dillard
Adams and the Puckett boys; that when the fuss arose I attempted

- 5] -

execution. My father often punished Ed. for his misdeeds, but his
mother always tried to shield him. I can remember very clearly
his mean and overbearing nature. Notwithstanding his criminal
inclinations and his malicious and treacherous nature, he was a
favorite with the entire family and all the neighbors. He had the
reputation of being the handsomest man in the county, having a
perfect physique. I now attribute his downfall, in a great degree,
to his excessive vanity.

G. B. Hawkins
Irvine, Ky., October, 1906.

On the day of the hanging Hawkins was taken from the jail
and shackled to his coffin, and placed aboard an oxen drawn
vehicle to be taken to the place of the execution about two miles
from Irvine to what is now the city of Ravenna. The site was what
is now the corner of Seventh and Elm Street where a tree stood.
The rope was thrown over a tree limb and at a given command the
oxen moved with the vehicle, leaving the victim suspended. It is
said he jumped rather than waiting to be strangled, breaking his
neck.

The route traveled from the jail was along what was then
called Millers Creek Pike, now Broadway. And he was shouting to
spectators: ‘‘Come out to see a brave man hanged.”’

Jesse Crowe

Lyon Titus was stabbed and killed in 1863 by Jesse Crowe
with a knife at Fitchburg. Circumstances surrounding the inci-
dent were related to this writer by relatives of Crowe who still
live in Estill County and details went like this:

A dance was in progress at Enoch Reed’s place and a fight
developed between Titus and Crowe’s son, Richard Crowe and
Jesse waded in to defend his son who probably was getting the
worst of the altercation.

Crowe hid out in a cave for about two months near his place
on Tipton Ridge and food was carried to him by is son Ira Crowe.
Officers kept an eye on the Crowe home and noted Ira going to
and from the cave. Crowe’s arrest then followed and he was lodg-
ed in the Estill County jail. But before his trial feeling ran high. A
mob was formed and he was taken from the jail and hanged in the
Irvine court yard on a locust tree. A warning sign was placed on
his body forbidding him to be cut down for 24 hours. However, a
man defied the edict and cut Crowe down at once.

- 48 -

to keep the peace and called upon or directed M. H. Hawkins, con-
stable, to keep the peace and summons men to aid him in so doing;
that Hawkins in my presence summoned Spice Jordan, Henry Hall
and others; that directly Hawkins came and said he thought the
difficulty was stopped and showed two or three pocket knives as
being taken from the parties. The Pucketts had clubs. I saw no dif-
ficulty in the morning between them and Hall. When the difficulty
occurred in the evening I was in the voting house at first, and
when I got out I had to pass some steps around the head of a
hollow before I could see the parties.

I heard the blows, and upon getting in view saw Hall making
along down the hill, trying to free himself from the parties along
with, some of whom seemed to be holding him and he stumbled
over a log and jerked loose, and ran of up the branch or hollow
with Wm. Puckett, and Ambrose and Tobe in pursuit of him with
clubs. After a short time Hall was brought back to the voting
place and sat down on some rails. He was badly hurt; was ex-
amined by Dr. Berryman. That the Pucketts came up and Wm.
Puckett said ‘‘where is he? G-d—him, if I haven't killed him I will,
let me to him and I’ll finish him.’’ John Puckett and others
prevented them from getting to Hall.

The Capture

Upon being informed of the death of Hall the county judge
promptly issued warrants for the arrest of the murderers, but
they were securely hidden for weeks and then made their escape
from the county. Nothing was heard of them for some time. S. T.
Weeks, town marshal of Irvine, formerly of the Lexington police
force, and who has given general satisfaction, went to work quiet-
ly on the case, although many warned him that it was dangerous
to do so. After two months of hard labor he finally located the
Pucketts in Brown county, Indiana, near Peter Cooper post office,
one of the wildest and roughest parts of the state.

Securing the assistance of J. B. Park, a young merchant of Ir-
vine, he left Irvine on the 28th of April, 1891. Securing the
necessary papers from the governor, they arrived at Indianapolis,
Indiana, at 6 p.m. the 29th. After supper they hunted up Myron D.
King, assistant Secretary of State; the papers were secured; Gov.
Hovey found at his hotel (it being about midnight) and his
signature placed upon the documents.

At 3 a.m. they left for Columbus, where stage was taken for
Nashville, the county town of Bowen county which was reached
at 3 p.m. Securing the assistance of the sheriff and another man,
who was a relative of the Pucketts, and who betrayed them for $2,
they proceeded to the vicinity of the huts where the men were
located. Awaiting until after dark they proceeded through the

+82.

underbrush to the huts where the boys, Tobe and Ambrose, were
living. They were arrested without trouble. Leaving the boys in
charge of the sheriff, the officers next went to the log cabin of the
old man about two miles distant, and arrested him. It was now
about 3 a.m. and the start was made for Irvine, where the party
arrived about 6 o'clock of afternoon of May 2, 1891. When ar-
rested, the prisoners, who had been joined by their families, were
in a destitute condition. The boys being barefoot and almost nak-
ed. At Columbus the sheriff William Smith, gave each a pair of
pants and one of them a pair of shoes. The other was shoeless
when they arrived at Irvine. The two gentlemen received great
praise for their bravery in hunting down the men.

The Trial

The trial of the Pucketts was called at the regular September
term of the Estill Circuit Court, 1891. On the second day, Sept. 8,
the cases were Called. A separate trial was demanded, and the
father Wm. Puckett, was placed on trial.

Judge Lilly, the regular judge being sick, Hon. Robt. Riddle
was elected special judge. In the absence of Hon. J. P. Marrs,
Commonwealth’s attorney, W. H. Lilly was appointed to represent
the State. A jury was secured composed of the following
gentlemen:

David Powell Sim Hamilton
Am Durbin S. F. Tipton

B. C. Richardson T. C. Vaughn
Louis W. Cox David Witt
Milton Estis George Wilson
Ab Wiseman William Sample

A better selection of honorable conscientious men could not
have been found in the State. The principal testimony for the Com-
monwealth is given above. For the defense, no witnesses were in-
troduced except the defendant who testified as follows:

William Puckett—That upon going to the voting place the day
named he had got heavily drunk in the morning and could not tell
how the trouble occurred; that he had no remembrance of striking
Hall. After argument by counsel W. H. Lilly and G. E. Lilly for the
State, and V. P. Smith and Hugh Riddell for the defense the case
was given to the jury, Thursday, Sept. 10, at noon. At 5 p.m. they
returned a verdict of guilty, fixing the punishment at death. As
soon as verdict was returned County Judge A. J. Tharp ordered a
guard of eight men placed around the jail. On Sept. 14, the
sentence of death was pronounced by Judge Riddell, the place
selected being near the lane running up Sweet Lick branch, near
Estill Springs. December 4, 1891, was the day set. Objection was

- 53 -

made by attorneys for defense to the instructions given, the court
over-ruled the objection, and defendant excepted.

The defendant excepted to the verdict of the jury, and to the
judgement of the court. A motion for a new trial was over-ruled.
Defendant (applied) for an appeal to the Court of Appeals, which
was granted. After a review of the bill of exceptions, the Court of
Appeals affirmed the decision of the lower court. Upon decision
being given by the Court of Appeals, the death warrant was sign-
ed by the governor and sent to Sheriff Richardson, fixing Feb. 5,
1892, as the day for execution of the sentence.

A petition to the governor was circulated in Estill and
Madison and signed by hundreds asking him to commute the
sentence to imprisonment for life.

After a full review of the case, Governor Brown refused to in-
terfere in the judgement of the court setting forth his reasons as
follows:

“William Puckett, condemned to be hanged, fails to furnish
me with satisfactory reasons for commuting his sentence to im-
prisonment for life. He was drunk when the tragedy occurred, but
not too much so to engage actively in the fight, to pursue his victim
for a great distance, to club him, and when he was dying, to de-
mand if he were not dead he was ready to kill him.

“His illiteracy, intoxication, even his reported imbecility, do
not excuse his awful crime. The laws must be enforced, and I
decline to interfere with the judgement of the court.”’

The Boys

Ambrose and Tobe Puckett were tried at the same term and
sentenced to the penitentiary for life, where they are now
confined.

Alexander (Elic) Richardson

In researching for the facts involving the clubbing death of
Mrs. Barbara White, wife of Wiley White near Rice Station Oc-
tober 6, 1894, this writer could not find that there was an Irvine
newspaper which could have carried an account of the tragedy.
We found a copy of the Richmond, Ky., Climax at the library of the
Eastern Kentucky University which narrated the events of the
crime. The Climax was edited by S. F. Rock and the following is
the newspaper account of the crime as carried in the Climax
dated October 10, 1894:

<4...

‘‘A Horrible Murder

The Innocent Mother of Five Children
Brained By A Cur, After An Attempted
Outrage, Within Calling Distance
Of Her Home, Near Fainville
Estill County

On Saturday, the 6th instant, at about the hour of 11:00 a.m.
Mrs. Barbara Allen, the wife of Wylie White, a farmer residing a
mile north of the postoffice and store called Fainville, on the Rich-
mond and Irvine turnpike, six miles west of Irvine, was way-laid
by a fiend in human form, on her return from the store at Fain-
ville, where she had been to make some purchases for her
household and after an attempted outrage, was brutally clubbed
to death. The scene of the horrible crime was at a lonesome spot a
short distance from her home. Her children distinctly heard her
frenzied call for help and recognizing her voice called for their
father who was at work on the farm and he went to the rescue
armed only with a heavy weeding hoe that he had been using, but
when he reached the spot the murderer or murderers were gone,
and she was breathing her last.

The back portion of her head was crushed to a jelly with a
huge oaken club that had been wrenched from the body of a
decaying oak, behind which the villain had evidently lain while
awaiting her approach.

Blood, hair and brains were mingled on the club, and the
evidence shows that it was the work of a powerful man, and one
made desparate by the cries for help, and her efforts to escape.

A coroner’s jury was impaneled as soon as possible and they
gave the following verdict: ‘‘We, the jury, find that the dead body
now before us is that of Barbara White, of Estill County, Ken-
tucky, who was killed and murdered on the 6th day of October,
1894, by being beat and struck on the head with a club, by an
unknown party, on the lands of Stephen White. (Signed) W. T.
Tharp, A. D. Marcum, John M. Kirby, Leonard Bergen, Jas.
Clowers, Oty Winklus, A. C. Floyd, F. M. Kirby, John Newman, J. C.
Eckley, Joseph Rice. Witnesses Sam Richardson and Stephen
Worrell. ALEX UNDERWOOD, Coroner.”’

Suspicion immediately rested upon Alexander, the son of
Levi Richardson, a neighbor’s son, who we have been informed,
about a year ago made an indecent proposal to Mrs. White, and of
whom she has lived in constant dread. He was arrested late that
evening and lodged in the Irvine jail.

There is fast being woven about him a web of circumstantial
evidence that will undoubtedly hold him over to court.

- 55 -

Arnold Powell
and
Bonnie Griffin

One of the worst crimes in the history of Estill County was
committed in the community of Knob Lick, about 12 miles west of
Irvine Tuesday night, January 5, 1937, by two young men bent on
robbery to ‘‘get some money.”’

The scene of the tragedy was the home and store of Marion
Short, 75, and wife Martha Short, 40. Their charred bodies were
found early January 6 by neighbors who went to investigate the
fire.

Jesse W. Henderson, a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Shelt
McKinney, arrived at the scene about 1:30 a.m. and on examina-
tion found that three ribs of Short were broken, indicating that he
had been mauled to death.

Henderson sifted the ashes in search of immutable articles
like a pistol, shotgun, white handle knife and silver dollars known
to be in the possession of the Shorts, but these items were missing.

Henderson got information that a tall and a short boy were
seen leaving the scene of the fire, one carrying a suitcase and the
other a shotgun. Continuing his investigation he learned the men
bought something to eat at Kingston and paid for it with silver
dollars. Later the men bought train tickets at Richmond for Cin-
cinnati, paying for them with silver dollars.

Acting on a tip, Sheriff McKinney and Deputy Sheriff J. W.
Baber went to Hamilton, Ohio, where they arrested Arnold
Powell, 21, and Bonnie Griffin, 22, son of Joe Powell of Red Lick
and Granville Griffin, Madison County, respectively.

The arrests took place Tuesday, January 12. At first the men
denied having anything to do with the murder of the Shorts, but
the next day (Wednesday) they confessed to the crime and detail-
ed events before and after they killed and set fire to the Short’s
store.

McKinney and Baber brought the two men to Irvine and lodg-
ed them in jail, but they were later confined to the jail in Win-
chester for safe keeping.

The men were put on trial in Estill Circuit Court and in
February, 1937, were convicted and given a life sentence for the
murder of Martha Short by a Powell County jury.

In February, 1938, in Estill Circuit Court, Powell and Griffin
were tried for the murder of Marion Short and they were given
the death sentence by a Clark County jury.

- 60 -

Their convictions were affirmed in October, 1938, by the
Court of Appeals. Their petition for a rehearing was overruled
January 27, 1939.

Both died in the electric chair at Eddyville March 3, 1939.
The confessions sworn to by the two prisoners, follow:

Powell’s Statement

Hamilton, Ohio, January 13, 1937.

Question: What is your name?

Answer: Arnold Powell.

Question: How old are you?

Answer: 21.

Question: In your own words, tell what happened on January
5; 1997.

Answer: On Tuesday morning I took a notion I would come
out here, then I packed my suitcase and started away. My sister
called me. She brought my tie pin. By that time Mr. Ebb Rose came
by. I told Mr. Rose “‘I am leaving this morning to get a job.’’ I says,
‘‘My brother will collect this money.’ So I went down on the road.
I went up through the woods where Bonnie Griffin was. I met Bon-
nie, then we made it up then to leave. We parted and then met
again at his work about one o'clock. I hid around there during the
afternoon while he was at work. He quit work at four o’clock and
he went to his home and got his clothes, and he met me at 4:30
about 300 yards from his home. He put his clothes in my suitcase.
We laid around then until dusky dark and pulled out and went to
Marion Short’s place and fooled around there until about 9:00 or
9:30. Griffin called Short in the other room to get some candy, and
Griffin winked at me and then J made my pass at the woman (Mrs.
Short) and he made his pass at the old man, and we just mobbed
up them right there. We knocked them down and killed them. I
knocked her out but he finished her with a chair post. We hunted
the money and he got the pistol and a suit of clothes. I got a pair of
pants, a coat and vest. Then he set the inside of the wardrobe
afire and I set it next to the door. We came out the front door and
he closed it. We came out to the county road and then down the
county road, left the county road on a cut off and returned to the
county road.

We followed the county road to the old red commissary and
then went up in the edge of the woods and counted the money out
there. We had eight dollars apiece in bills. Then we went back in-
to the Bark road until we reached Bear Waller, and then we
followed this highway into Kingston. We fooled around there until
about one o'clock. We got the truck and went to Richmond where
we got a train to Cincinnati. At Cincinnati we got a bus to
Hamilton.

- 61 -

I am making this statement of my own free will and accord
and without any duress being used upon me and same may be us-
ed against me at any time.

Signed: Arnold Powell.

Witnesses: J. W. Baber, John A. Bippers, Sheriff Shelt McKin-
ney and Oscar Decker.

Griffin’s Statement

Question: Repeat your name.

Answer: Bonnie Griffin.

Question: How old are you?

Answer: 22.

Question: Bonnie, in your own words (story) tell what happen-
ed on January 5, 1937.

Answer: About ten o’clock in the morning I met Arnold
Powell down on Copper Branch in Madison County. We sat down
and talked about how to get some money. We decided to rob
Marion Short. After that, I went on back to work until 4 o’clock.
At 40’clock I met Arnold Powell and we went to the wood and cut
two clubs. After getting the clubs we went on to Marion Short’s
place. We got to Short’s place about 7 o'clock. We went in and
bought some smoking tobacco. Powell and I and Mr. and Mrs.
Short sat around and talked for about an hour. Then I told old
man Short that I wanted some candy. Me and him walked into the
store house to get the candy and while I was in the storehouse, Ar-
nold Powell hit the woman. She hollered and he hit her again. Mr.
Short went toward the room where his wife was and when he
reached the door I hit him in the back of the head. I hit Short the
second time and he fell into the room where his wife was. When I
entered the room I saw Mrs. Short lying on the floor, struggling
with Powell, and I picked up the chair and hit her in the head. She
fell over and didn’t do anything any more. The Powell boy search-
ed Short’s pockets and I went into the storehouse to see how much
money was there. I found about $5 all together and he found plen-
ty. | peeped under the bed and found the gun. Then we just set the
matches to the paper on the wall. Then we got out and fastened
the door and beat it down the road towards the Bark road. We
went out the Bark road to Bear Waller and from there to
Kingston. We got a coal truck at Kingston and rode it to Lex-
ington. We walked through Lexington and caught another coal
truck to Cincinnati. We walked all through Cincinnati and caught
an automobile and rode to Hamilton. We got out of the car at East
Avenue and Grand Blvd. Arnold went on up the boulevard and I
went to Piqua by hitch hiking. I came back to Hamilton Monday,
January i1, 1937.

-62-

I am making this statement of my own free will and accord
and without any duress being used upon me and same may be us-
ed for or against me at any time.

Signed: Bonnie Griffin.

Witnesses: J. W. Baber, John A. Bippers and Sheriff Shelt
McKinney.

It should be noted that all the persons involved in the arrest
and trial of Powell and Griffin are now dead except Lohris
Stevens, who was then the county attorney and is now retired and
residing in Irvine. The defense attorney was Ezart Ashcraft, the
county judge was W. M. Noland; the jailer John Martin Webb, and
of course Baber, Henderson and McKinney have passed on. Judge
Sam Hurst presided at the trials in Estill Circuit Court and he is
dead.

263.

for one hundred dollars, and another for ten dollars. I sold the
large note to H. Wilson for ninety-one dollars, and the small one I
sold to Andrew J. Wells for its full amount. That was in the late
fall of 1852. I then thought I was very successful and that this was
the way to make money. I then forged a note on G. D. Blanton, for
the small sum of thirteen dollars, and sold it the same night to
George Cooper, of Estill County, Ky., for seven dollars. I was
rather afraid of exciting suspicion for selling it so low, but I told
him I was in debt and was compelled to sell it in order to save my
word.

I then went from there to Louisville, Ky., and I soon formed
the acquaintance with T***** L*****, whose most prominent oc-
cupation was that of a pick-pocket. He undertook to learn me the
art. The first thing I took under my new occupation was a pocket-
handkerchief, which was easily accomplished. The next thing
was a pocket-book, containing seven dollars and twenty cents.
The owner arrested me on suspicion, and had me searched, but I
had hid the book and money, and so it was not found, and conse-
quently I was acquitted. I was somewhat fearful to commence
again for awhile, but still remained with my old teacher, T*****
L*****,

The next thing I undertook was to take a watch from a big
man’s pocket, at the National Hotel, in Louisville, but in this I fail-
ed. I then left and went with my old teacher T***** L*****, to
Cincinnati, Ohio, where they arrested him for stabbing a nigger.
He had his trial and he was acquitted. He wanted me to swear
him clear, but I refused. He became very angry at me and re-
quested me to quit his company. I did so, and then returned to
Louisville. There I met with my old acquaintance W*** R****, He
had gone to handling counterfeit money; he gave me information
where I could get plenty of it.

I went to the man and told him that Mr. R**** had sent me to
get some of the money. He told me that I would have to swear that
I would be true and never tell anything. I took the oath and then
received the one hundred and thirty dollars, and was to give him
half of the profits for passing the money.

I passed seventy-eight dollars of the money and I received
full value for it and gave Mr. F*** S***, (the man I received it
from), one half of the profits, which gave him great confidence in
me. I then got one hundred dollars more. The first I passed off was
detected. They came back with it and I told them that I was not a
judge of money. I took it back and there was no more said about it.
Then my partner instructed me that I must never carry more than
one bill at a time, then if they shouid search me and find no more,
they could not hurt me, if I took it back. I next passed twenty
dollars, which was also detected and brought back. I then con-
cluded to quit that business, as it appeared that I was in bad luck

= AD «

Elizabeth Gabbard. I courted her for some time telling her all
sorts of lies. I told her I was the son of a rich Mr. Turner, and that
there were only two children of us, which was myself and my
sister; that my father and mother were both dead and that my
large estate was in the hands of a guardian and consequently I
could not have control of it until I arrived at the age of twenty-one
years. All this answered my purpose very well as there was a man
by the name of D***** who professed to be well acquainted with
the name and the circumstances, and his story corresponding
with my own. Upon these conditions she consented to mary me on
the 17th day of May.

The time came and we were married. Then came a trying
time with me, for I wanted to live in splendor, and to keep her the
same way; but to accomplish it was the rub with me. She was a
lovely girl, aged seventeen years, genteel and of graceful man-
ners. I loved her as I did my own life, and to maintain her high and
gay, I took to robbing night and day. I then forged a note on James
Maupin for $50.00. I then went to a certain M***** C**** to
know about getting some counterfeit money; he told me to go to
E**** L***** that he could let me know all about it. I accordingly
went and told him I wanted to know where I could get some of the
coin, as we calied it. He told me that he would go with me the next
day. Accordingly the next day we went to W* R*****, near Scof-
ford Cane, in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He told me that he had
none at that time but to come the next day and he would then have
plenty of it. I went the next day and found him as good as his
word. I got ninety dollars from him for which I paid him one for
two. He told me when I wanted more to come and get it. The note
which I forged on Maupin I gave to the counterfeiter for his
money. He went to Maupin and swore off the note, and R*****
was afraid to prosecute me, for fear I would inform against him
and thereby let the cat out of the wallet upon him and his clan.
There is a party concerned in that business, which it has always
been difficult to detect. Now for fear that they may be the instiga-
tion of leading some other young men to their ruin, I will give the
initials of the names of the party who are concerned in it. I do not
know the name of the man who manufactures it, but I will put you
on the track, so that he may be easily found... This B*¥*** R**** is
the head man in superintending the passing of it. E*** L***,
M*** Grr, L*** L*** T*** L*** Lo. and G*** > aval are all
understrikers in giving circulation to it. They are the principal
men of that band, and all live in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, on
a creek called Round Stone, except R****, who lives on Ebar
Creek.

At the time I got this last counterfeit money a discovery was
made of the cheat and deception I had practiced upon the girl.
They tried to arrest me but I was too smart for them. I left there

ies

with it. Then myself and L*** L***** left and came to Hazel
Green, in Morgan County, Kentucky. There we formed acquain-
tance with some fellows who called themselves the sweepstakes
company. Their business was to steal anything and everything
that they could lay their hands on. They requested us to take a
hand at their game and that suited us first rate.

The first step we then took was to steal four horses, and run
them off to a well known stand for the reception of stolen proper-
ty. That stand was near to West Liberty. We sold the horses and
got the money for them. We then returned to Hazel Green. By this
time I had become hardened to any sort of crime. I then concluded
to return home, which I did, and stayed about two weeks, but I
was afraid to remain long at a time on account of the charges
against me for forging those old notes. Then in 1854 I forged a
note on Nimrod Wells, for a smal! amount, and sold it to Louis W.
Carnet; he did not find it out for some time, and not until after I
was gone. Shortly afterward I forged an order on Samuel Frame
to James Reckets for $16.00, for which I received the pay in full,
and left there and went to Stephen King’s. There I concluded to
work on the railroad; and I worked about two weeks and took a
notion to quit, and called on them for my wages. They refused to
pay me until their pay day; that did not suit my arrangements and
I left the railroad, but before I left I tore up the track, threw their
picks and shovels into a deep creek that was near, broke up their
wheel-barrows, and destroyed their powder and fuse. I then went
to my brother-in-law’s, George W. Campbell. I there got to drink-
ing and cutting up all kinds of freaks of dissipation. I then broke
into the store of Samuel Thompson, at Pleasant Valley, in Fleming
County, Kentucky. I got into the house by boring off the lock with
an auger. I took as many of the goods as I could well carry and
left. The third day afterwards I was arrested and taken back to
Carlisle jail, and remained there three months, when trial come
on and I was convicted and sentenced to state prison for a term of
one year. I was there three months, when I was taken sick, and re-
mained sick four months, unable to do any work. As soon as I got
well enough I went to work in the shoe shop, where I stayed the
remainder of my time. I left there on the 10th day of April, 1855, I
went home and found my mother almost distracted at the news of
my misfortune and bad conduct. During the time of my absence
she had become blind, and consequently could not see me, which
greatly augmented her distress.

I was still afraid of those old charges of forgery, and conse-
quently did not stay many hours, I left and instead of taking warn-
ing by the cruel ignominious lesson which I had just received, I
was determined to make amends for the loss of time in the com-
mission of crime. I went to Madison County, Kentucky, where I
soon formed the acquaintance with a young lady by the name of

td =

on the 19th of June, and left my wife behind, in whom was
centered all my hopes of future happiness. I went from there to
Lexington, Kentucky, where I enlisted in the United States Army,
for the term of five years. I stayed there seven months. The first
trip we took was to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory. We
reached there on the 15th day of September, 1855, and on the
20th received orders to start to Fort Laramie, in Nebraska Ter-
ritory, but before we got there received orders to return to Fort
Leavenworth. We then remained there three days for the purpose
of resting our horses. There I commenced betting with a man nam-
ed Tankersley. We were betting on shooting. I got hold of his gun
and moved the sight; he shot and missed my hat, and consequently
lost the bet. This was one of my first tricks in the army. We soon
returned to Fort Leavenworth and there I commenced my old
game of thieving. I took twenty pairs of pantaloons from the store
room of the Quartermaster, together with nine overcoats, twelve
pairs of soldiers’ boots, and seventeen dress coats, and put them
on board of the packet Keystone, and sent them to Wayne City,
Missouri, on the 23rd Day of December, 1855. I left there and
went to Wayne City, Missouri, and got my goods, and then went to
Liberty, in Clay County, Missouri. Then I passed myself off for a
recruiting officer. I soon became acquainted with a Miss S****
S**** ] commenced a courtship with her. I told her I was an of-
ficer belonging to Carlisle Barracks, in Pennsylvania. I told her of
the great splendor in which we lived and that suited her exactly
because she was a girl of most exquisite taste, and was very much
taken with my appearance as an officer. We engaged to be mar-
ried on the 17th day of January, 1856, and were accordingly mar-
ried that day. I did not stay there more than two weeks before I
took a notion to go to Lafayette County, Missouri. From there I
went to Camden, Missouri, and left my young wife only thirteen
miles from Camden. There I became acquainted with a Miss
M**** M****, T went there on Sunday evening, and they found
out that I was an officer from Carlisle Barracks. I immediately
commenced courting her, telling her many fine yarns, and on
Thursday following we were married. That was on the 7th day of
February, 1856.

On the 27th I left and went to Leavenworth City. Here I took
my lodgings with M**** R****, There I soon got acquainted with
his daughter C****, and there I passed myself off for the editor of
the American Eagle. I got in with Mr. John Clark to buy a house
and lot in Leavenworth City, and there went under the name of
Anders. The house we were going to buy was a store house, in
which we were to sell merchandise. He told me that he had not the
money to commence with. I told him that made no sort of dif-
ference, that I had plenty, and that I would put up the store and
he might attend to selling the goods, and when he could make it

Cae

particularly where it has resulted as did my last experiment. Now
my young female readers, I hope you will pardon me for offering
you a few words of caution (unworthy and hell-deserving as I am.)
My experience in perfidious villany with your sex makes me the
more competent to point out to you the dangers of an over-
confidence in the flatteries of a smooth-tongued, fine dressed
young man. I know it is a characteristic trait in your unsuspec-
ting, innocent and lovely sex; therefore be extremely cautious
how you receive the flatteries of a handsome, finely dressed, elo-
quent young man, and more especially a stranger, whose history
and character you are not well acquainted with. Remember, that
while you are giving heed to his flatteries, and ardent profession
of honorable and uncontaminate love, you may be standing upon
the brink of everlasting distruction.

After the death of my young, beautiful and lovely wife, I
determined to return to the land of my childhood. I did so, and to
my great mortification I found that my best friend on earth had
passed away—my dear mother, who had so often dandled me on
her lap, when in my innocent childhood, has passed from time to
eternity. There was no satisfaction there for me. All my little
playmates, with whom I had passed my childhood, had grown up
to almost the years of maturity, innocent, happy and free as the
birds that soar the air. I almost imagined myself again a child. Oh
that dream of my childhood was now a reality, and I in that in-
nocence could have a revelation of past history!—how changed
would that be from my present awful condition! But, alas! it is too
late! In place of infantile innocence and freedom, an outcast and
a by-word for the world, and a slave to chains and fetters, and
that slavery to last through the few remaining hours of my life.
While at home everything surrounding my childhood seemed to
have lost all its former sweetness. My dear mother was gone; my
little brothers, and my only sister were no company for me. I did
not stay there long until I started to my brother-in-law’s, George
W. Campbell’s. As I went along, I formed an acquaintance with a
very pretty girl; and for the sake of the girl, I declined giving the
name in full. Miss B****, is her name, as far as I am inclined to
give it.

I courted her three or four days, when we were engaged to be
married. My young readers will likely think that I was very suc-
cessful always in courting. This is all true; for of all the girls that I
ever courted, and a considerable number more than I had thought
necessary to mention, but as I am near the time for my history and
life to close, I will mention some of them only in order to show my
young readers my character for that kind of vice, and hope the
public will not wrongfully appreciate my motive; for, as a dying
man, I do not wish it appreciated as a disposition to boast of my

- 24 -

come home by herself, and for me to come with her. After
breakfast we went up to her father’s. The old man would not
speak to me, nor to E. either. The mother told E. what the old man
had said, which was the first she knew that her father was mad at
her. She commenced crying. I asked her what was the cause of
her grief. She told me what her father had said, and she did not
know what to do. I told her that she need not be any way uneasy,
that he should not do it, and that she should not stay there any
longer. She said that she was willing to go with me anywhere, and
that if her father said anything to me, she wanted me to whip him.
Her mother said the same; she said that it was none of his
business what E. J. had done. That was a new notion to me, for a
mother to try to contract her daughter’s ruin. That was what I
wanted to hear, to get the consent of the old lady, and then I
would make the old man hold his peace.

I told the old man that I understood he was somewhat offend-
ed at the conduct of Miss E****, and that I was going to take her
away, and that if he said anything more I would certainly kill him.
The old man talked pretty saucy until he found that I was in
earnest, when he said that he had no objections to me, but that he
wished to keep down talk, and that if I wanted to be with the girl
and intended to marry her, he would rather I would stay there,
and then there would be no talk. This suited me precisely. I told
him I did not blame him for wanting to keep down talk, and told
him his offers were very fair, and that I would accept of them
great pleasure, if Miss E. J. was willing. She said she had no objec-
tions, if her father had none. They were apparently weil pleased,
and treated me with the greatest kindness.

I told her father that I wanted him to go with me to Missouri. I
had land there, and if he would go with me that he might have it.
He said he did not like to leave his peach orchard, as there were
plenty of peaches, a good fruit year to make two or three hundred
dollars. I told him that did not make any difference; that I had
plenty of money, which he could have whenever he wanted it, and
gave him to understand that he would never have to pay it without
he chose to do so. It took him some time to make up his mind to
leave the peach orchard; but at length myself and the family per-
suaded him to go.

One morning he took me to one side and asked me if I thought
he would that much benefit me as above stated. I told him it would
to E****, and would be a great satisfaction to me. ‘“‘Well then,” he
said, ‘‘I will go with you as soon as | can get ready.”’ I told him the
best way to advertise his land and other property for sale; and
also that I wanted to start as soon as the river opened. He did so,
and told everyone that he was going to get out of the mountains
soon; that he had been talking it for a long time, but now he was
going.

- 26 -

wicked success, but as a beacon, by which all giddy youth may
steer off from the same beaker.

I have said that Miss B**** and myself were engaged to be
married. The day of our union was set for the 25th day of August,
1857; but my conduct will have brought my life to a close before
that time arrives. I left there on the 10th day of November, 1856,
and on the 15th went to see my father in the state of Ohio. There I
found plenty of pretty girls that suited me. You may very well sup-
pose that I always thought myself a lady’s man; I went to their
schools and spelling matches; the girls were very anxious for an
acquaintance with me, and would tell my little sister to tell me to
come to school, that they wanted to see me. I would not refuse go-
ing, of course. I soon formed an acquaintance with the daughter
of one of my father’s nearest neighbors, Miss E. J. A.****. I saw
her on Christmas day, and on the same evening we were engaged
to be married. The time was not set for our marriage, because I
thought I could accomplish my designs without it. I went with my
brother Thomas to one of his acquaintances, to see a girl that he
had told me a good deal about. He had been going to see her
younger sister. When I went, Margaret was not at home, and I
had to take his girl from him. This was the second girl I had
courted in the State of Ohio. The Ohio girls were as keen to marry
as I was, though they did not marry so often as I had done, to my
shame and present regret. This was on New Year’s Day, 1857. On
the second day we made up the match, and on the 15th we were to
be married. I then went back home and found my old sweet-heart
(Miss A****) at my father’s; she had come to see what had
become of me. I made up to her. Her father had found out that we
had fell too deep in love with each other, and said he would break
it up. She came to my fathers and staid all night. Her father sent
for her during the night. She wanted to obey him; but I told her if
she thought more of her parents than she did of me, she might go.
She said that her father would be angry with her, and she always
had obeyed him, and she hated to disobey; but rather than do
anything against my wishes she would stay. Then poor, unsuspec-
ting girl, but little did she think that she was listening to the ad-
vice of her worst enemy, and a man who was anxiously seeking
her everlasting downfall, but she agreed to what I said, and told
her sister to tell her father that the hill she had to climb was so
bad she could not climb it at night. I sent my little sister home with
her sister to hear what the girl’s parents had to say. When they
went the old man asked where E. J. was. The little girl told him
that E. J. was not coming home that night. The old man got very
mad, and said he would go after her the next morning, and whip
her all the way home. The old lady was afraid she would come
home by herself, without me, knowing what the old man said. In
the morning she sent her little girl with my sister, to tell E. J. not to

- 25 -

Poor old fellow! He did not know how badly he was fooled.
We then set the time for our union for the ist of March. I was to
go to Maysville to get our wedding garb. On the 10th of February,
(as near as I can remember) I borrowed his horse, saddle and bri-
dle, and went to Aberdeen. When I arrived there, the ice was so
rotton I was afraid to cross with a horse, and had to wait until the
ice broke up. My intention was to sell the horse, pocket the money
and never return, as I had never intended to marry the girl. I staid
in Aberdeen a week trying to sell the horse but could not do se. I
left him there at James Helms’ hotel, and wrote to A**** to go and
get his horse, which he did; and when he found how badly he had
been fooled, he told everyone he saw that I had stolen his horse
and he intended to publish me all over the United States. Some of
them told him that if they had let a boy fool them in that way, they
never would tell it; and that they would deny it as long as they liv-
ed. Mr. A**** came to the conclusion that he would say no more
about it.

When I left Maryville, I went to my brother-in-law’s, George
W. Campbell. There I saw many of my old acquaintances, and
among the rest Mr. A**** B***** the man who arrested me
when I was sent to the penitentiary. This was the first time I had
seen him since the arrest. I did not know him, as it was well for
him that I did not; for when I heard that he was in his shop, I took
my pistol and went to where he was, with the deliberate intention
of shooting him. But there being three other men with him, I did
not know which to shoot. I asked my brother and my brother-in-
law to tell me which of the four he was. They refused to do so. it
was well for him, and me too, that they did. I was angry at them,
and threatened to avenge myself. But they sent the men off and
would not tell me which of them was my intended victim. That was
on the 4th of March, 1857. I left there and went to see my old
sweet-heart, near Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, where I staid three or
four days. I had a ten dollar counterfeit bill on the bank of West
Union, Ohio, for which I bought a watch of a black man. I left
there and went to Slait, and tried to get one of old Hannah-ben’s
Barneys to go with me, pretending that I wanted him to wait on me
while I was courting a girl. My intention was to get him off and
sell him; but in this I was disappointed, I went from there to Estill
County, but did not remain long, for fear of those old charges for
counterfeiting and forgery. I told all my old friends that I was go-
ing to England, and from thence to Italy. Several of them re-
quested me to bring them some grape seed from Italy on my
return. Better would have it been for me had I went to Italy before
I committed the crimes for which I am incarcerated.

On the 9th of March (as well as I can recollect} my brother
and myself went to Madison County to see the wife that I first
married. As we were going past Owen Karr’s I saw a very fine

Pee

they ever caught Hawkins, they would see just such a man as |
was. He said he would be mighty glad to catch him, and if they did
they would hang him to the first tree they came to. After they
passed on, I went on until I came to the road that leads from the
mouth of Cabin creek to West Union; there I took the West Union
road and traveled very slowly, for I did not suppose they would
hunt that road any more Thursday, the 2nd of April. There I heard
of some persons hunting me; I did not stay long. That night I went
to an old friend of mine and stayed there some two or three hours.
I then went and got into a haystack and went to sleep and slept till
Friday, the 3rd of April, 1857. I traveled very slowly all day, and
arrived at my father’s that night before daylight some two hours.
They were all asleep; I hallooed and waked them up and went in.
My father was still asleep. My little sister and Polly Smith were
telling me about what old A**** and his family had said about me
while I was gone, when I told them that I had killed two men, and
went on to relate the whole circumstance. They thought I was
jesting, and did not appear to pay any attention to what I said. My
father waked up and I related the circumstance to him; he, like
the rest of the family, thought I was jesting. After breakfast I ask-
ed my father to go with me to old A***’s; he consented to do so,
and we met several of my old acquaintances and conversed with
them. When we arrived at old A****’s no one was at home but the
old lady. She told me that there had been men there hunting for
me. I asked her what for. She told me the circumstance just as it
had been related to her, as she said. I readily knew that she had
heard the circumstances by the way she told it. I did not stay long;
my father and myself started back home, as I told them, but I had
no notion of going there myself: We went on together near to Mr.
Hampton’s, and there we parted; alas, forever! I went to the
woods to keep from being seen by any person. This was on the 4th
day of April, 1857. That night was a very bad, rainy night and
quite dark, so much so that I could not see to travel. I got under a
cliff and built a fire. In order to keep the light of my fire from be-
ing seen by any one in search of me, I built a wall about three feet
high all around it, and remained there all night. Next morning a
little independent company was raised to hunt me and they got on
my track; it had rained the night before which made the ground
muddy. They tracked me up and found me, but were afraid to
come near me until I showed them my empty pockets. They then
came forward and took hold of me. There is one thing that mor-
tifies me and will the few remaining days that I have to live; that
is this, after having so long eluded the vigilance of so many smart
men, then to be captured by a set of fools and cowards.

The party that took me carried me to Rome and delivered me
up to a certain Mr. Rose. They delivered their interest in my cap-
ture to Mr. Janes, of Rome, Ohio. The next day we got on board the

ae

at them through a crack. There were a great many persons pass-
ed the road that day, the 28th of March. On the same day I saw

Wn. A. L. B. Sharp hunting for me. I had gone upon a high point
from which I could see in every direction for a considerable
distance. There was a man named Nathan Clemmons, ploughing
by the side of the road, who knew all about where I was. I saw
Wm. Sharp call him to the road; and I mistrusted he was trying to
find out where I was, and was a little apprehensive he would do it.
I knew that if he did that Sharp would come right to where I was,
in which event I would have to kill him; and this I did not wish to
do, as he and all my connections were at a good understanding.
But he failed to find out where I was and went on. I had sent H. W.
Patton down to my uncle Wm. Hawkins’ for my clothing. He did
not come back until afternoon. When he came he told me they
were gone in every direction hunting for me, and they said they
would have me if it cost ten thousand dollars. I thought my chance
of escape was very bad; from what I could hear those men were in
every direction in pursuit of me, hunting me down as a ferocious
wild beast of the forest. I felt that mine was a forlorn case, cast
off from the society of all my nearest and dearest friends, loaded
with mountains of guilt and rivers (as it were) of innocent blood.
Truly, thought I, ‘‘the wages of sin is death.”’

I continued there until nearly sundown, and then started to
try to make my way to Ohio. I traveled on that night, but did not
get very far. I went through the Levy, and tried to get into the road
that leads into Mt. Sterling, but I got lost and went down on
Howard’s creek. When J got there it was nearly daylight. I then
took the road leading to Mt. Sterling. I passed there on Sunday
morning, March 29th. I left the town on my right and kept some
distance from the pike, and went to a friend of mine and got
breakfast.

After breakfast, I traveled on—went through Sharpsburg,
through by Buzzard’s Roost, then to Licking river, and crossed in
a canoe, and left Elizarville on my right and Centerville on my left,
and took the Orangeburgh road until I came to the Cabin Creek
road. I stayed all night at Mr. McNap’s three miles from the
mouth of Cabin creek, and on Monday, the 30th, I crossed the
Ohio river. I was traveling on the road leading to Manchester, not
thinking of any person being in pursuit of me, when I happened to
look back and saw the heads and guns of several men coming in
the direction of me. I knew in a minute what their business was,
and they were so close to me that there was no chance for me to
run, and too many of them to undertake to fight, and the thought
struck me to play the farmer off on them. So | got over the fence
and commenced laying up some loose rails that had been brought
there for that purpose. The party rode on by me, and just as they
got opposite one of them pointed at me, and told the others that if

- 37

telling me the news, when my grandfather came in and asked me
where I was going. I told him I did not know where to go. I told him
that I was going to try to make my escape, but thought it very
doubtful whether or not I could do it. He told me they would be
sure to catch me. There was no way in the world for me to get
away. | did not stay there long, but went to uncle Moses Hawkins’,
and from there to my brother-in-law, Wm. King’s, and from there
to uncle Henry Hawkins’, where I remained until after dinner,
and went home with my sister. I had not been there long before a
party of men came, and I| had to run to make my escape. They did
not discover me; I suppose, though I thought they had seen me,
and that there would be no chance for escape. I then went back to
Wm. King’s, and took down his gun, determined to fight as long as
I could stand rather than be taken alive. I then went on past uncle
Henry Hawkins’, and saw several of the party sitting on the
hillside looking right at me, and never offered to stop me; but after
I got out of sight, started after me, hallooing, yelling, and making
as much noise as they well could do. I went to where there was a
man ploughing, and asked him if he had seen anything of
Hawkins, the man who had murdered the two men in the moun-
tains. He said he had not seen any person pass. I then went over to
uncle Williams’, and there I met with my brother, Wm. Hawkins. I
requested him to take uncle’s horse and set me over Red River at
Hilblick’s Mill. He did so. We crossed the river after night. We
went to Polly Ann Patton’s home some time in the night, perhaps
about 9 o’clock. I told her the circumstances and requested her
not to let it be known that she had seen me. I did not feel any way
uneasy, for I had no thought that they would come there to hunt
me. | went to bed and was uninterrupted, and having lost con-
siderable sleep, I slept soundly until I was awakened by the family
next morning, when I felt greatly refreshed. I then sent my
brother back with the horse he had taken to set me over the river.
We parted that morning, (I imagined) never to meet any more this
side of the vast eternity; but wicked and wretched as I now am, I
hope we may meet in a better world than this, where parting will
be no more.

The morning he started, he gave me a piece of advice I never
should forget. He told me that if they came on me, he wanted me to
fight until they killed me; that he would much rather see me die
any other death than to be caught and hung to gratify a party of
prejudiced men, but if I did make my escape to always act honest-
ly in the future, and try to get forgiveness for what I had done. I
had to make that promise before he would leave me satisfied. This
was Friday, the 27th of March. This day I saw Mr. Joel Storm and
Mr. John Packet pass, and stop where Polly Ann Patton’s son was
at work, and they asked him if he had seen anything of Edward
Hawkins. He told them that he had not. I was then sitting, looking

- 36-

steamer Bostona, bound for Cincinnati. Mr. Janes acted the
gentleman with me; but as for old Rose, I would like to put a mark
on him so that my friends will know him wherever they see him,
and do for him what I certainly would do if I could live. On the 7th
we reached Covington and took the cars for Lexington. We arriv-
ed there on the same evening, and went to Captain Blincoe’s.
There they put me in jail and the next day, the 8th of April, they
hired a horse and hack and took me to Winchester; there Mr.
Storm joined our party and came along with us to Irvine, where I
now lie chained down in a loathsome dungeon awaiting the day of
my execution.

As a dying man, I hereby certify that the foregoing pages con-
tain (substantially) a true history of my life and actions as therein
represented, to the best of my recollection of the facts therein
detailed.

Edward W. Hawkins.

Attest:— R. B. Craven, Capt. of Guard.
Eli Stuart.

The Trial

The following is the evidence on behalf of the Commonwealth
on the trial of Edward W. Hawkins, under a charge of murdering
James M. Land and Jessie Arvine, before the Court of Inquiry, and
before the Circuit Court on his final trial.

The court of inquiry met at the courthouse in Irvine, Estill
County, Kentucky, on the 11th day of April, 1857. Present, A. W.
Quinn, Judge Estill county court, and R. W. Smith, Esq., Justice of
the Peace for said county, who composed the examining court.
The prisoner, being brought into the bar, and waiving the rights of
counsel and announcing himself ready, was put upon his trial.

Mrs. Sallie Tyry was introduced and sworn for the Com-
monwealth. She testified that on the night of the —th of March,
1857, the prisoner knocked at her door some considerable time, in
the night. She asked the prisoner who he was. Prisoner said it was
Hawkins. Witness asked what Hawkins it was. He answered it
was Ned Hawkins. Witness said, ‘‘Ned, I am afraid of you.”
Prisoner said, ‘‘Are you afraid of me, who has been playmate and
connection?’ Witness repeated that she was afraid of him, and
would not let him in until he pledged his honor that he would not
hurt her. Witness then opened the door and let him in. He said he
wanted something to eat; that he was very hungry. Witness told
him she had nothing cooked, but that she could soon bake some

30.

Ss

Persons involved in the capture and trial of Arnold
Powell and Bonnie Griffin: (left to right) County At-
torney Lohris H. Stevens; Defense attorney Ezart
Ashcraft; Sheriff Shelt McKinney; Arnold Powell; Bon-

nie Griffin; Deputy Sheriff J. W. Baber; Deputy Sheriff
Jesse W. Henderson; County Judge W. M. Noland and
Jailer John Martin Webb.

The Noose
and
The Chair

The Noose

The Chair

by Robert Barker

Edward W. Hawkins

While in the Estill County jail awaiting execution Hawkins
made his confession to R. B. Craven, captain of the guard, and Eli
Stuart, detailing numerous crimes he had committed listing four
distinct murders and the courtship and marriage of six females.

County Judge Abner Quinn, who has presided at the court of
inquiry and examining trial of Hawkins, holding him without bail,
told him he would furnish him with a new suit of clothes to be
buried in if he would permit him to use the confession to be
printed in book form. Quinn had printed several hundred of the
books containing the confession.

The Confession
of

Edward W. Hawkins

I was born in Estill County on the 11th day of July, 1836, I
commenced a life of recklessness at about the age of ten years.
My mother was a pious member of the Baptist Church, and
always gave me the best of counsel; but alas, I heeded none of her
admonitions, but gave up to my wayward course of disobedience
and crime, until I have thus been overtaken by the retributive
justice of an outraged and violated law; and now, here I wish to
admonish my young readers to beware of small crimes—they will
harden you and prepare you for the commission of larger ones;
yea, crimes without parrallel, as is verified in my present unfor-
tunate and hopeless case. Oh, my young readers suffer me to ex-
hort you to read the following pages with care and attention; they
may serve you as a beacon by which you may escape the wretch-
ed condition which I am now in—incarcerated in the walls of a
dungeon, loaded down with chains and fetters, with the grim im-
ages of my murdered fellow-men haunting me day and night; and
soon, oh, very soon, to be taken to the gallows, and there in the
spring season of my life to be hurled into the presence of an of-
fended God, who cannot look upon sin with the least allowance.

With this short preface, I will proceed to give you a history of
my life, which is more heavily laden with crime than was ever
committed by one so young.

I am a son of John W. Hawkins. I was born on Woodward
Creek, in Estill County, Ky., on the 11th day of July 1836, and am
consequently in my twenty-first year. My mother is a daughter of
William Barnes. When I was a small boy my father sent me to
school occasionally, and being an apt scholar, I learned to read,
write and cipher; and after I left home I went to school some, and
acquired more proficiency in a common English education.

«9.

suffer me to caution you as to the company you keep. Shun the
gambler, the tippler, the profane swearer, and the idle and
dissolute of every discription.

I will now proceed with my narrative. I had indulged in these
petty thefts for two years, stealing first one thing and then
another, but during these continued acts of thieving I became
restless and wanted a larger field of operation, and find some one
of my own disposition and character. I accordingly in the latter
part of the year 1849, went to Lexington, Ky., where I became ac-
quainted with W* R*** who resided in said city. We soon became
very intimate, and he learned me the art of fraudulent card-
playing, and by which means I began to swindle and to cheat. We
followed the game of card-playing called ‘‘grab’’; if we could not
win by a fair game, then we would raise an affray, and one of our
clan would get the money and leave the room. This my young
readers, is the strength of the game of card-playing, therefore,
shun it as a poisonous viper calculated to sap the mainspring of
your moral intellect.

The next crime which I committed was the stealing of a gold
watch from Wm. Owen, who lived at the Owen Hotel in Louisville.
Finding myself so successful in connection with my partner and
accomplice (R***) I concluded there was no danger in doing
anything which our wickedness might prompt us.

About that time, while in Louisville, a man named T***
O*****, came to me and told me that he wanted me to go with
him, as there was speculation on hand. I inquired of him what it
was, and he informed me that he had seen a man at the Galt
House with $700 and that we could get it by breaking open his
room and going into his trunk. I refused to join him in his specula-
tion. He committed the crime himself and was arrested and
sentenced to the penitentiary for eight years. The result of this
speculation, as O***** called it, was a warning to me, and had a
tendency to restrain me from the present. I therefore returned
home, left my old partners, O***** and R*** with a determina-
tion to reform and go to work for a support, although I did not like
work; nevertheless I stuck pretty close to it about two or three
months. I got tired of work and resolved to try my hand again at
my old game of dissipation and theft.

Now my young readers, suffer me again to say to you,
idleness is the parent of vice. My next theft was stealing a pair of
boots from John Rucker, in Clark County, near the mouth of Wood-
ward Creek. I was detected, and my father and mother tried to get
me to take them back, but I would not. I left with a man from
Madison County, by the name of James Turner, a hog driver. I was
gone nineteen days and spent my wages in the drinking saloons,
and had nothing left to show for my trip. I disliked to go home
without funds, and consequently I forged a note on my employer

aa.

The body of Edward W. Hawkins, hanged May 29, 1857, for
multiple crimes, lay in a lonely grave beneath a persimmon tree with
initials carved in the bark of the tree for about 115 years until a
group of decendants about eight years ago provided a more suitable
marker for the grave, a photo of same listed here.

The monument is located in what is called the Hawkins
Cemetery in the Iron Mound section of Estill County.


The first acts of my life, which I can now remember, were
mischievous and evil disposed. My great evil trait in infancy was
reckless disobedience to my parents. When they told me to do
anything I disobeyed them, and never told them the truth; and, as
they knew my character in this respect, they gave me little or no
credit when I might happen to tell them the truth. My mother was
a pious member of the Baptist Church, as before stated, and
would frequently admonish me, with tears in her eyes, to mend my
ways, and always tell the truth, and be a good boy. Oh, my young
reader, had I only gave heed to that dear mother’s admonitions I
might now be as free as you are, in place of dreary walls of this
loathsome dungeon.

I would call my little brothers and sisters ill names and pro-
voke them to strike me, and would tell my father that they com-
menced it, and put the blame on them, false as it was. The first
crime I ever committed, in the way of theft, was going to the house
of one of my uncles and stealing some fish hooks the property of
one of my cousins. My mother found it out, and made me carry
them back and confess the theft. I then thought I would never do
anything of the kind again but, alas, how soon was the good
resolution forgotten. The next thing I stole was a pen-knife from
the son of Mr. Benjamin Poor. At that time these little petty thefts
seemed to me to be enormous crimes, that was while the mind was
young and tender.

I next learned to play cards—was taught by Mr. S*** B***,
and in order to carry on the game would cut the buttons from my
little brother’s clothes to bet on the game. From this I engaged in
water-mellon stealing, and from the indulgence in these seemingly
small offences, the propensity soon made me an accomplished
thief. Here again, let me call the attention of my young readers to
the all-important subject of early tuition.

Reckless as I have been, young as | am in years, but old in
crime, my heart’s desire, as a dying man is, that these lines may
be a warning to the youth of the country, and should they be the
means of reclaiming one solitary wayward youth from the path of
sin, it will be considered ample compensation for my exertions in
this gloomy place.

My young friends, suffer me to exhort you to be obedient to
your parents, particularly to your mother who gave you existence,
and who watches over your infantile helplessness, and whose
soul is intensly wrapped up in your present and future destiny.
My young reader, just a moment, look upon my deplorable condi-
tion, then look back at the agony of a bereaved mother, who has
given you existence and who has, all her life given you the best of
counsel, and who does not participate in your guilt, be it what it
may, would you then be willing to bring her gray hairs with sor-
row to the grave. You will say ‘no’, as a matter of course. Then

-10-

evidence was too conclusive in his favor. He then endeavored to
hunt me up to get the reward back, but was too late. I was out of
his reach. When E***** came out, he came to me to get his part of
the money that we had cheated the Dutchman out of. When he
found me, we divided the money. He offered to pay all the ex-
penses. I thought that rather too generous an offer inasmuch as
he had laid himself liable to the penitentiary if I had failed in pro-
curing the necessary evidence; and acting upon the old adage that
there is, or ought to be, some honor even among thieves, I paid
half of the expenses and we parted.

By this time I began to think of returning to old Kentucky, and
on the 28th day of July, 1856, I left for St. Louis, and arrived there
on the 5th day of August, 1856. I staid there three days and on the
8th day left for Louisville, Ky. I next went to Vincennes, and from
there to Indianapolis. There staid six days. On the 15th of August,
1856, I returned to Louisville, and I soon found some of my old
associates. They all appeared very glad to see me; they had heard
nothing of me since I had left them, and did not know whether I
was dead or alive. I did not commit any crimes there this time; I
had plenty of money, and intended to try and enjoy it; the only way
was to drink and spree it away. I enjoyed it for some time very
well, but I did not stay there long; I went to Shelby County, three
miles from Shelbyville. Here I stopped with H**** D****, and
saw a girl that I thought was the prettiest girl I had ever seen (his
daughter), and I determined to have her if it was in my power.

I commenced courting her, and determined to marry her and
settle down. This was on Friday the 28th, and on the 1st day of
September, 1856, we were married. The girl was engaged to be
married to another man on Thursday following; his name was
D****, The day before we were married he came to see her, and
she gave him some very plain hints that she was through with him,
and did not want to have anything more to do with him. That, I
thought, was very hard, but I was perfectly willing to it. I con-
tinued there with her until the 24th day of October. We were both
very happy, going to every party that we could hear of, and her
connections were giving parties on the occasion. But to my dread-
ful misfortune, a man came there who knew me well and called
me by name. I told him he was mistaken, but he still persisted in
asserting his knowledge of an acquaintance with me, and could
tell me where he had seen me, but I stopped him and would not let
him go on. It was noticed by my wife and seemed to mortify her
seriously, and it appeared that it would break the poor girl’s
heart. I found it utterly out of my power to allay her feelings any
way I could manage. I told her the man was most certainly
mistaken, and that she ought to believe me sooner than him. That
only seemed to make the matter worse. I found that I must leave

= 22s

asked me where the mule and buggy were. I told him that D. M.
Allen took the mule, and that I left the buggy at the livery stable.
He asked me why I did not bring the buggy back. I told him I could
not get a horse. He said that was all right. He said he was going to
town in a few days. This did not suit me so well, as I had some ar-
rangements to make, and would rather have had a longer time to
make them.

I left there on the 9th of July, 1856, and went to Lexington to
Mr. S. Howalter’s where I kept myself concealed for two days. On
the 11th there was a nigger hung. I disguised myself and went to
see him hung. That was my birthday, and little did I think that
before I should see another birthday I would have to meet the
same fate. If I had, and had taken warning by his sad fate, things
might have been quite different with me this day than what they
are. Alas! it is now forever too late. Those dreadful deeds which I
have committed, now in the bloom of my youth, have to be atoned
for upon the scaffold, and my own life is all that will pay the debt.
It seems incredible that a man so young could have been guilty of
go many enormous crimes. But alas! it is true, and I must pay for
them by being cut off from all enjoyments of this world, and chain-
ed down in a gloomy and loathsome dungeon, never more to come
out until I am carried to the fatal and awful platform, there to
meet an ignominious death. It seems hard that one so young
should have to part with all his friends and playmates before
passing the bloom of youth; but I hope my present condition will
be a warning to the rising generation, and keep every one of them
from having to meet a similar fate. And my young readers, the
only way to avoid it is to shun bad company and bad examples,
and act honestly towards all persons. But my time is limited, and I
must proceed. I very soon must pass from time to a never ending
eternity—I will not say without hope; because, as long as there is
life there is some glimmer of hope; however great the sinner,
there is still a great Savior. And may He have mercy on my poor

soul.
Now my young readers, I will pass on and inform you of my

many other horrible crimes. On the 12th of July, 1856, I went to
John Hayes’ and took his fine riding mare out of his stable, and
took his saddle from his saddle-house— I got the wrong saddle; it
was an old one. I went to Mr. James Hicklin’s saddie-house and
swapped my old saddle for his new one. I went from there to
Rockport, Missouri, and inquired for Captain Hatton. They told
me I would find him at or about Preston Philip’s and I went and
found him there. I told him that I was sent to him to get subscrip-
tions for the purpose of making up money for volunteers in Kan-
sas. He asked me for my recommendations which fortunately I
had written for myself, and signed the names of Gen. Atchison
and Col. Doniphan on it. It was all right. I went on making up

-20-

her, but told her that I would go to where I was raised and get
recommendations; that gave her the first apparent relief.

Accordingly on the next day I left, but not to prove my in-
nocence, but to take the life of an innocent and unoffensive man. I
found this man in Cincinnatti, Ohio. The first thing when I found
him, was to lay some plan to kill him. I found out that he was going
to Dayton, Ohio. I got on the same train and got with him, and we
soon brought up the circumstances of the disclosures he had
made upon me. He said he was very sorry that he had said
anything about the name. We were soon good friends apparently,
but little did he think that I was then laying a plan to kill him, and
yet be justifiable. We got to Dayton and got plenty to drink, and he
very soon got drunk and quarrelsome. He was trying to pick a fuss
with every person. I told him if he did not quit I would whip him to
death. That made him mad with me and he swore he would kill me;
that was just to my hand. He had a large knife and drew it, and
swore he would cut off my head with it. I told him that he had bet-
ter put that knife up or I would hurt him. That had the desired ef-
fect. So soon as I said that, he rushed at me with his knife. I drew
my revolver, but the crowd was so thick that I was afraid to shoot,
for fear of killing some other person. I dropped the pistol and
drew my knife, and when he came within reach of me, I struck him
and he fell. The next lick settled his fate; I struck him on the head
with a knife that weighed four pounds. He did not hardly breathe
after the second lick. I was arrested for it, was tried and acquit-
ted without any trouble.

I then returned to my wife with my recommendations, which I
had forged. She was glad to see me, and matters were all right
again. She was once more restored to her former hope of lasting
happiness, and the unclouded brow once more resumed its former
lovely radiance. She, like myself, was doomed to misfortune and
disappointed hopes.

The news soon came, stating and establishing the horrible
deeds that I had done, and her agony returned, and was greater
than she could bear. She went one night, when all but her was
wrapped in silent slumber and hung herself on a tree in the yard;
and was next morning found a lifeless corpse. Now my young
readers you can have no adequate conception of my feelings on
that occasion, wicked and hardened in crimes as I was, to see a
beautiful girl, as she was at the age of fifteen years thus so early
cut from the society of father, mother, brother, and sisters, and
brought to so untimely and distressing an end, and that by the flat-
tery and seductive arts of an unfeeling and hard-hearted demon.

My young readers, suffer me again to implore you to take
warning by my dark and deplorable history, and avoid all such
cruelty as deceiving and destroying the overconfiding and un-
suspecting young female; you could not commit a more cruel deed,

oe

money, and raised four hundred and nine dollars, and was afraid
to wait any longer. I left and went to old Chariton, where I had an
opportunity to sell my fine mare, by taking one hundred dollars
(twenty-five down.) I thought that was better than being caught
with her, or run the risk of it. I took a note for the balance, and
sold it for cash in hand, by shaving it ten per cent. Soon after that
Hayes came and proved his mare and took her home. They then
followed me, and came into an oyster saloon where | was eating
oysters. They inquired for me, and gave my description precisely.
I then thought the time had come for some of us to die; but the
landlord told them that no such man had been there. I had chang-
ed my clothes and they did not know me. They went on and made
no further inquiry for me.

Soon after that time a clothing store was broken into and rob-
bed, and the owners offered five hundred dollars reward for the
apprehension of the thief. I went to my old friend, E**** B*****,
and told him the circumstances, and told him that if he would go
with me that I would manage to get the reward. He consented to
do so. He did not know that I wanted him to take it on himself; but
he put such great confidence in me that he was willing to risk
anything that I would advise. I told him that I could procure
evidence abundantly sufficient to clear him. He was to tell the
owner of the store that he did it, and there was to be no other
witness but him, and then it would be no trouble to overturn his
testimony. That was sufficient for every one put such confidence
in me that they would do anything that I would suggest. Accord-
ingly we went to the place and gave up B***** to the proprietor of
the store and received the reward. They put him in jail, and when
his examination came on before the court of inquiry, he was sent
on for further trial, and held to bail in the sum of one thousand
dollars. I made arrangements with a man to go on his bail. They
questioned me pretty tightly as to my reasons for wanting him
bailed. I told them that he had acted so well while I had him in
charge, that I thought it would be right to bail him, and that I had
no doubt but he would appear and stand his final trial. That kept
down suspicion against me and gave the bail the more confidence.
My next business was to prepare witnesses to get him clear. That
was easily done; all I had to do was to establish an alibi, by prov-
ing where he was all of the night on which the store was broken
open. That I was very able to do by more than twenty men, as he
was at a party all the night on which the robbery was committed.
On his trial all these witnesses attended, and conclusively
established the fact that it was utterly impossible that he could
have done the deed; consequently he was acquitted.

When Mr. Bruce, the owner of the store, was infermed of his
acquittal, he was very mad, and endeavored to get the people to
assist him in taking the prisoner out and lynching him, but the

ts

determination was to turn over the canoe with them which would
render their arms useless, and swim out and leave them.

There were some persons near the river making sugar. The
company said they would go by the camp and get as much sugar
as we could eat. I, at length, took a dram occasionally; but, unfor-
tunately for my cance plan, when we got to the sugar camp there
were three or four men there with rifles, which blasted my hopes
of escape by overturning the canoe. Mr. Mason Williams bought
some three or four teacup cakes of sugar and gave me one of
them. We proceeded on from thence to Mason Williams’; there we
got something more to drink and took dinner. We then geared up
and started for Irvine. Mr. James Land took me up behind him and
we set out—no one in company but Land, Arvine and myself. We
went on until we came to the mouth of Contrary Creek, near
where Mr. John Gray lives; we got down and took something to
drink. We then went to Mr. Gray’s house; he was not at home.
Some of the family inquired if we were going to Irvine, and being
answered in the affirmative, they said that Mr. Gray had a letter
which he wished carried to Irvine and put into the postoffice. Mr.
Land took the letter and promised to mail it. Poor fellow, he never
did it himself.

We were then at the foot of Contrary Hill, and being steep
and rugged, we concluded to go up on foot. All my thoughts were
how I should escape from them, which I was determined to do or
die in the attempt; and there at the foot of that hill, I had formed a
plan, which was, while we were ascending the hill, to pick my op-
portunity and knock one of them down with a rock, and the other
if possible, and if not te risk running away from him. There was
any quantity and quality of rocks from the bottom to the top of the
hill, but I could not get them in a suitable position to effect my ob-
ject.

We arrived at the top of the hill, where we again mounted in
position as before. We went on a few miles and met a man called
George Williams, Esqr. We stopped and talked with him a few
minutes and then proceeded on a few miles further, when Jessie
Arvine got down to walk and gave up his horse to me. While I was
riding behind Land I ascertained that his pistol was in the breast
pocket of his coat; then my plan was to get it by some means, and
shoot Arvine, who had the other pistol, and then Land and myself
for it, single handed. I watched my opportunity for some time; at
last I got Arvine on the favorable side, and was riding close by the
side of Land; I seized Land’s right hand or wrist with my left hand,
and thrust my right hand into his bosom and drew his pistol, and
wheeled and shot Arvine in the head, and almost at the same time
pulled Land off his horse and at the same time came off mine; we
struck the ground about the same time, and as Land was in the act
of rising, I fired at him and missed him; he endeavored to escape,

= 32 <

laid down in the sunshine. I had not been long there before I saw
two men hunting me; they passed on, and went out of sight. When
they got out of sight, I started and went to the cave. I had not been
there long before a man came into the cave and got him a drink of
water. He looked right at me, but it was so dark where I was that
he could not tell what my bulk was. I could see him quite plainly,
he being between me and the light at the mouth of the cave.

He went away, and in the course of an hour or two, several
men came into the cave and searched for me. In the meantime, I
had climbed up and got under a shelving rock in a sink hole that
came in some thirty or forty yards from the mouth of the cave, and
they failed to search there. While I was there, they left to get
some fire, as I then supposed. So soon as I ascertained that they
were gone I went out, and crawled on my hands and knees in
order to keep from making tracks, and thus eluded their vigilance
for the present. I went to the cliff, at what is called the Narrow
Gap, thence down the road, and took the end leading to Irvine.

I had not gone far until I heard some persons on the hillside. I
stopped awhile and the talking ceased I resumed my travel, and
went to Satterwhite Tyry’s some time in the night. This was on the
25th of March. He was not at home. I knocked at the door. His
wife asked me who was there. I asked if she did not know me. She
said she did not. I told her it was Hawkins. She asked me what
Hawkins. I told her Edward Hawkins. She said, ‘‘Ned, I am afraid
of you.” I asked her if she thought I would hurt her, playmates as
we had been. She made me ‘‘pon my honor’”’ that I would not hurt
her. You can have no idea how that hurt me. To think that a
woman, with whom I had spent my childhood, should now be
afraid of me! But alas, it was all on account of my wretched
depravity. After I pledged myself that I would not hurt her she let
me in. I told her that I was very hungry, and wanted something to
eat very badly. She said that she had nothing cooked but that she
could soon bake some bread; she did do, and gave me some raw
meat. She told me that if they caught me they would hang me, cer-
tain. I asked her how she knew. She said she had been down to
Mr. Rankins’ and heard them say they intended to hang me as
soon as they caught me. She asked me why I did not throw those
shoes away; that they had measured my track and knew it
anywhere. She then asked me where I was going. I told her I was
going to the New Furnace. She did not ask me any more questions,
but said she wanted me to keep them from catching me.

I started from there and went to Woodward’s creek, near the
mouth of Red River. There I stayed until the evening of the 26th,
when they got after me, and I had to make my escape the best way
I could. I started from there and made no halt, but went to my un-
cle William Hawkins’. I got there just as they were sitting down to
breakfast. They were very much surprised to see me, and were

- 35 -

and put off on his hands and feet, not having straightened up, but
finding that I was upon him, with four barrels of the pistol loaded,
he gave up flight, and rather turned upon his side and implored
for mercy. But, O, horrid to tell instead of extending mercy to a
helpless, unoffending fellow, I fired on him; the ball took effect in
the right eye, passing through the brain, and he died without a
struggle.

I at first thought I would take Land’s money, but I could not
bring my feelings up to the act of robbing the dead body of a man
that I thought as much of as I did James M. Land, who had treated
me with so much kindness during my captivity with him. Now, my
readers, you may thing this a very strange infatuation, for a man
to profess any kind of friendly feeling for a man he had just
murdered in cold blood; yet it is true. I was acting in obedience to
the first law of nature, self preservation. I very well knew that if
they ever got me to jail that this charge of horse stealing, together
with my other murders, my various forgeries, counterfeiting,
bigamies and thefts, would convict me to a penitentiary from time
to time, for a number of years, equal to a long life time, than
which I would greatly prefer death. Yea, I would greatly prefer
my present sentence to a lifetime in the penitentiary. Therefore,
had it been my brothers, instead of James M. Land and Jessie Ar-
vine, who had me in custody, and I could not otherwise have
escaped from them, I would have done the same thing, however
much I might have regretted the necessity for the commission of
the deed. This enormous crime was committed where the North-
fork road intersects the Irvine and Proctor road, a short distance
from what is called the Winding-stairs hill, in Estill County, Ken-
tucky.

After committing this horrid deed, I ran back upon this same
road some thirty or forty yards, then took to the left, went to the
cliff and followed it until I found a gap, through which I could get
down; I then ran to the creek and followed it, endeavoring to keep
from making tracks, by stepping on rocks. I went on down the
creek until I came very near to Gray’s, where James M. Land got
the letter, at the foot of Contrary hill. It was not quite sundown; I
hid among the logs where I continued until after dark; I then went
to the road, to the first fence after you leave the creek, going
toward Proctor; here I got over the fence and lay down tolerably
close to the road, to ascertain whether any person passed or was
in pursuit of me. I heard some person pass, seemingly in a great
hurry; I thought it was some person going to Proctor to give in-
telligence of the death of Land and Arvine. After I supposed every
person was done passing, I went to the road and followed it to
where William and John Smith had a coal shanty. They were not
there, it being Sunday, and I went in and took their bed clothing,
went under the floor and wrapped myself up. On Monday morn-

33.

ing, there were some hands at work in the next shanty, within my
hearing. They were talking about the men who had been killed.
They said they did not believe that Hawkins killed them; they
thought it was some of his relations. While they were talking,
some person came into the shanty where I was, hunting for a coal
pick as I soon learned. They that were outside told him to look
under the floor; and they were under the floor, sure enough. He
happened to raise the plank they were under, and did not have to
look further. Fortunate it was for him that he found the pick in-
stead of finding me. I was not interrupted any more, and stayed
there until Tuesday night, the 24th of March 1857, when, suppos-
ing every person had quit traveling, I came out from under the
floor, and went to the shanty of Thomas Stapleton and James
Clancy, and took a fork, opened the lock and went in; my aim was
to get something to eat but could not find anything there. While in
there the thought struck me that I had better change my clothing,
so I went to a box and took out a pair of blue military pants, a
coat, shirt, and vest; I put them on and went to the road leading
from Irvine to Proctor, and took the end leading to Irvine. While
going on, I imagined that I heard some one coming behind me; I
turned out of the road and hid, to let them pass, but after laying
there some time, found I was mistaken. I thought, ‘‘Verily, the
wicked flee when no man pursueth.’’ I went back to the road and
traveled on until I came to the place where Land and Arvine were
murdered. I stopped and tried to ascertain any sign that was
there left in regard to them. The moon did not shine, as well as I
now recollect; it had rained during the day, but had cleared off,
and the stars gave some light, but I could not find any sign and
went on. I have since learned that I had stepped in the blood
where James Land lay. I went on down the Winding-stairs hill,
and came to the stable of Mr. Anderson Hamilton, where I turned
to the right, aiming to go to my aunt Elizabeth Smith’s, but got lost
and went too high up the creek; when I came to the cliff I knew
where I was and took across through the woods. When I came to
my aunt’s I hailed them to know if they were asleep; they inquired
who I was; I informed them and asked if they had anything cooked
to eat. They said they had not, and asked me where I was going. I
told them I did not know where to go. My aunt told me IJ had better
be traveling; that if they caught me they would shoot me certain. I
told her it was then daylight, and there was no chance for me to
get away until night. She told me to go to the cave and go in, and
they could not find me in there, I went to the cave, but did not stay
there long, because I was fearful they would come to my aunt’s
and make her tell where I was.

I went to the road that led down the cliff to Miller’s Creek,
and round the cliff some distance, and hid in it until I was com-
pelled to come out, which I did, and went up on top of the cliff and

ey

Among some of which is the fact that the dead woman in the
struggle had torn fragments of cloth from the clothing of her
ravisher, which correspond with clothing found at his home.
Another, and perhaps the most convincing, is the fact that the
murderer had a coarse heavy shoe on his right foot and on the left
one of a lighter make, which was so worn at the toes that the ball
of his great toe made am imprint on the ground where the struggle
took place. The shoes worn by the prisoner are of this description
and size. Sunday afternoon a party of 40 neighbors of the dead
woman came to Irvine on horse back, ostensibly to act as a guard
for the prisoner while he be taken to where the woman was laid
out, for the purpose of seeing if he would disclose any evidence of
guilt, but the better judgement of the citizens and of Jailer J. H.
Powell prevented, and they went home dissatisfied.

Great excitement exists and a word may precipitate mob
violence. All that stands in the way is the uncertainty as to his
guilt.

Later

On Monday night (Oct. 8) at 10:00 o’clock, a mob of the in-
furiated citizens who lived in the vicinity of where the murder
was committed, numbering irom one to three hundred, according
to various estimates, filed quietly into the town of Irvine and
demanded of the jailer the key to the cell in which Richardson was
confined. The jailer in the presence of the large crowd, at once
complied, and the prisoner was taken to the railroad bridge below
town, and after endeavoring for a couple of hours to extort a con-
fession from him he was hung to the lower chords of the bridge. A
placard was pinned to his back, forbidding any person to remove
the body before the hour of 9 a.m. next day, and warning evil
doers. Richardson asked as a boon to be taken to his home before
being hung, for his mother’s sake, if not for his own. This was
denied him.

The rope was put around his neck and he was drawn up into
the air and then lowered, but would not confess. He told the
crowd to hang him, if that was their intention, and not torture
him. At 12:15 he was finally suspended, and at 12:30 was pro-
nounced dead. Death came by strangulation. Few of the citizens
of Irvine were aware of what was transpiring in their midst.
About 75 citizens witnessed the transaction.”

There was another story in the Kentucky Leader of Lexington
which varied from the Climax article covering a few more facts
concerning the crime. It read like this, with accompanying
headlines:

- 56 -

‘“‘Mob Does The Work

Lynching of Richardson at Irvine Depot
One Hundred Armed Men Take Him From The
Jail And String Him Up. ‘Don’t Worry Me
By Choking’ He Pleads

IRVINE DEPOT, KY., Oct. 10—Monday night at 11:30 o’clock a
mob of about 100 men came into town, went to the jail, took Alex-
ander Richardson out, placed him on a horse, and took him to a
railroad bridge, about a mile from town, where they hung him.

It was one of the quietest mobs ever heard of. Not a word was
spoken by the prisoner or the mob until after they arrived at the
railroad bridge, when he was asked if he wanted to make a state-
ment.

He said ‘‘Gentlemen, I am not guilty of this crime. If you hang
me you will hang an innocent man.”’

After being questioned further, he asked to be taken to see
his father and mother, then he would be ready to die. He was
strung up at once and then let down to be questioned, but he stout-
ly denied it to the last. When fixing the rope on his neck he told
them not to worry him by choking, but to hang him if they intended

to.
He was hanged at 12:15 in the morning (Oct. 9) and then the

mob rode quietly away. There were no loud words or pistol shots.
Richardson was dead in 15 minutes. On his body was found this
notion, which was carried out to the letter:

“You are requested to leave this body hanging until 9 o’clock,
then his friends can take him if he has them. This should be a
warning to all rascals. We want no meddling in this. Beware.
COMMITTEE.”’

A large crowd of people came to view the body. It is not likely
that an investigation will be made.

The writer gained some other information concerning the
crime, not covered by the two newspaper stories above:

Richardson was 21 years old.

Barbara went ‘‘near way”’ to Rice Station store to buy some
goods, etc., to prepare for a visit to a relative. Returning with the
goods and 52 cents in change, she expressed a fear that
something would happen to her and asked a friend to accompany
her home, but went on alone.

Apparently the attacker was lying in wait behind a log. She
was struck by a small stick which had blood on it. A bigger club of
white oak weighing 12 pounds was found farther away in a brush
pile.

+ 87s

Barbara’s screams were heard about 10:30 a.m. by Alec
Worrell, then 13 years old, his brother Stephen Worrell, 16, and
their father, 48. They had finished cutting a corn patch. When
they arrived Wylie White was near his wife’s body exclaiming,
“Oh Lordy, somebody has killed Barbara.”

White said he had finished digging some sweet potatoes in
company with ‘Big Engine’’ David Richardson and they had
parted to go to their several homes. White was carrying a hog
trough. He heard the screams of his wife, he said, and as he
neared his home his attention was directed to the screams by his
daughters, Eva, Laura and Emma. One of the daughters said
“Hurry Daddy, somebody is killing mother.”

Shortly arriving on the scene were Oscar Winkler and his
wife Mattie; Bob Stone and ‘‘Big Engine’’ David Richardson. Later
County Judge A. J. Tharp, Sheriff J. F. West and Deputy Sheriff
Clabe Tharp arrived and took charge of the investigation.

They followed tracks which led to the home of Levi and Ar-
milda Richardson through a turnip patch. The tracks showed a
big toe through the right foot. When Richardson was taken into
custody by Deputy Sheriff Tharp he was wearing a right shoe
with a hole in it and blood on the shoes. Dr. Stagner said it was
human blood. Earlier Richardson had told his father, ‘‘A big limb
just fell on Barbara White and killed her.”’

Richardson took a horse from his father’s barn and rode it to
the home of an uncle, Elisha Kirby, four miles away. There it was
that he was arrested about dark six to eight hours after the
tragedy. Richardson said he was planning to shave and go over to
the Whites.

At Mrs. White’s funeral and burial on October 9 on Opposum
Run, mob feeling took hold there and mounted.

Richardson’s father was not allowed to see him in jail, so the
father shouted to him not to talk.

Richardson was buried in the Kirby graveyard near Rice Sta-
tion. On the tomb is an inscription under a fluttering dove design:
‘The Innocent Little Dove’’. Elic Richardson, son of Levi and Ar-
milda Richardson. Born June 7, 1873, died October 9, 1894.

A precious one from us is gone
A voice we loved is stilled

A place is vacant in our home
Which never can be filled.

It was never determined where the members of the mob came
from but it was thought the contingent was made up of citizens
from Estill and adjoining counties.

- 58 -

At one time there was a rumor afloat that Wylie White, who
had moved to another state, confessed that he had killed his own
wife, but this could not be authenticated.

- 59 -