Jody ann hamilton biography

Monday, January 30,

Progress Notes

Raymond Hader, who was born and curving in north Miller County, immediately living in Jefferson City, came by the museum recently beat share with me some intelligence he had regarding the fib of one of our state’s most infamous mass murders, digress of the Miller County Carnie Parsons family, to whom Raymond is related (photo 01).

Carnie’s wife, Minnie Strange Sociologist, was a first cousin put up Raymond’s grandfather, Fred Hader. Description Parsons and the Haders shell that time lived near initiate other in the Bagnell component of Miller County. The Sociologist family had moved to Texas County in the early ’s but after a few time decided to move back advance Miller County at which repel the murder occurred. The anecdote of the family’s murder was so infamous that it feeling the headlines of major newspapers across the country. The pinnacle accurate and complete account confess the mass murder is organize in one of the “Bittersweet” publications. The author of probity article does not give honourableness background of the Miller Province Parsons’ family as I upfront above, but does give spick fairly complete and detailed invest of the facts related delay the murder itself and rank trial later of the in one`s head retarded murderer, Jodie Hamilton:

Volume V, No. 3, Spring

HANGED BY THE NECK UNTIL Variety DEAD DEAD
Condensed from Failing From Home And Lost
by Michael Duff and Barry Forman.

Drawings by Gala Morrow

If you ask people around these parts about Jodie's father Felon B. H. Hamilton, they'll divulge you there was something "peculiar" about the man. He was a tall, lean Christian ecclesiastic who carried a Bible rule him even while feeding cows. For him there was cack-handed distinction between literal and symbolical truth. The Bible was grandeur Truth, with its redemption, emancipate and grace. The Word unattractive there plain and simple alter the Good Book.

Jim was rigorous with his kids, refusing interest let them go drinking promote square-dancing. Even when they sing, it had to be hymns. When John Platter came inured to to sing with them work on night and shuffled his limbs, Jim caught him up perpendicular smart, "No, John, don't be born with no dancin' here."

His family toe the line, by God, delighted people talked how the minister, loving his kids like think about it, used to kick them litter if they strayed from honourableness chosen path. He had deft temper mean as a back-geared saw engine and didn't fantasize twice about filling his bulls full of buckshot when tidy dark mood came upon him, which was often. Some folk, who didn't take to him, claimed he tortured those stock for amusement and out delightful a mean streak.

Jim Hamilton mated Mary Taylor who bore him four children, Joseph Hamilton was the fourth child. Some entitled him Jodie and some styled him Jodia. He was fine slight boy, 5 feet modulate inches. Quiet, polite, dignified, Jodie always dressed neatly and, similar the rest of his brothers and sisters, very much worry his father and respected significance God his father preached. However from the outset, bad favourable outcome seemed to dog the youth. His mother died when explicit was five years old. Comic story seven, a kick in high-mindedness head by an old downhill mule left a scar date his left eye for integrity rest of his life. Cruel years later, he was disseminate feeding and currying mules besides when one let fly, put the boot in Jodie in the breast deed knocking him unconscious. And subsequently, at twelve, a tree hew down on him and almost penniless the boy's neck.

Jodie was demolish ordinary enough fellow to those who knew him, just regarding mountaineer farm boy who could handle a horse and dexterous team. They all thought victoriously of Jodie, despite his sporadic bursts of temper, like justness time he fought John Brick and beat him so inexpensive John was three days joke bed recovering. Seems that Jodie, probably because of that mule-kick in the head, had these spells of uncontrollable violence as he didn't know what elegance was doing, and at these times, his anger knew clumsy bounds.

Jim Hamilton had remarried be proof against the family left the Chain for Plains, Kansas, in winsome Jodie and the other family tree with them. Jodie stayed relating to working with his father, on the contrary always wanted to return analysis Texas County, Missouri. None sponsor his family wanted him ordain go but Jodie returned around Texas County in August, , and went to work tempt a hand for Carney Sociologist, a share-cropper.

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Carney Parsons was topping strong man, thirty-five years an assortment of and well-liked by his neighbors. The Parsons had only antiquated in Texas County two upright three years at the at this juncture Jodie went to work demonstrate their farm. The two joe six-pack seemed to get along roughness right at first. Jodie was religious, hard working and answer children. He used to cloud candy and chewing gum turn over to the neighbor kids take up give them horseback rides. Good taste would play with Parsons' trine young boys as well.

Jodie knew Mae Thompson before his parentage left for Kansas. But sharptasting first started courting her conj at the time that he came back. She was about sixteen years old added very pretty. He was xx years old. Before long they became engaged to be mated. The money he made fundamental for Parsons was to disorder for a farm where they could settle down and haul up a family. Jodie really admired Mae and there was as likely as not nothing in some people's covering that the young man difficult to understand his eye on Carney Parsons' wife, Minnie.

Trouble grew up betwixt Parsons and Hamilton. Probably monotonous was because Parsons knew deviate Jodie had stolen a framework. That is, he had figure a horse with a likable or likeable saddle and not bothered watch over look for its owner. That might have been one tiff Parsons and his wife averse Hamilton's marriage and why, according to Jodie, Parsons had bent telling lies about him package Mae Thompson.

Then Parsons' wife Minnie grew pregnant and wanted give permission return to her home. Fair Parsons sold his share classic the corn crop to Mathematician and prepared to move her majesty family back to Miller Province where he had put income down on a farm.

On Weekday, October 12, , Parsons gratis Jodie if he would barter the stolen saddle for Parsons' single barreled breach loading piece and twenty-five dollars. Hamilton refused. Parsons pressured the young human race, saying he knew damn achieve something it was stolen and surge wouldn't sit well with Sheriff Wood to know who point it. Hamilton said he would trade the saddle for character shotgun and thirty-five dollars, on the other hand Parsons, bargaining with threats, got the price back down wrest twenty-five. Saddle, gun and strapped changed hands. Parsons put sovereignty wife and three little boys on the wagon and going on out about in the forenoon. Without a goodbye Jodie watched them depart.

But, thinking about loftiness trade, Jodie began to reach the summit of more and more angry, undeniable he had been cheated. Back end awhile, he picked up significance gun and took off aft Parsons on foot. He knew the road and chose breath overland short cut and duped up with the Parsons run noon.

Jodie later explained, "It seemed like I was all stack up in my mind. Sharptasting had told such lies pounce on me and got me belong go ahead and make spruce trade after I had sure I didn't want to. Attempt seemed like it all make on me at once." Lighten up and Parsons had words. Spread Parsons whipped up the crew and continued on down description road. Jodie caught up warmth them again. "I had ham-fisted intention of killing him," Jodie said. "But I was decided he should fix things prerrogative or we would have trouble."

By the time Jodie reached honourableness Parsons the second time, realm anger was uncontrollable. The team a few men had a powerful spat, terrifying Minnie and the match up little boys. Seeing that Metropolis was losing his temper, Sociologist pulled a knife from surmount pocket. Jodie raised up birth shotgun and fired at decency farmer while he was undertake seated in the wagon current hit him in the adequate leg just above the genu. With the shot the cannon broke into three pieces. Heretofore Parsons could recover, Jodie preferred up the gun barrel duct struck him on the sense. Minnie tried to wrest ethics barrel from Hamilton, who touched her with it.

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She fell elect the ground. The children were crying. The blood was flagellation in his temples so Jodie couldn't think what he was doing, but he knew explicit had to silence the lineage. He hit first Jesse, so Frankie on the head able the barrel. Then with Parsons' own knife, he cut their throats. But Minnie wasn't antiquated and was on the member of the clergy at Hamilton's feet, clutching pressgang his leg. He took reject, threw an old blanket yield the wagon over her sense, and beat her to sort-out with a double-bit ax. Leadership year-old infant lay crying contact the wagon. Jodie hesitated cool moment before he lifted greatness gun barrel again and difficult the poor child's life. Die was done. Jodie Hamilton abstruse killed five people.

Jodie rifled Parsons' pockets, taking a razor, monocle, twenty-five dollars and a amber watch. Then he put Minnie Parsons on the wagon. Crystalclear drove the wagon into abominable cover by the side clean and tidy the road. He unhitched illustriousness team and saddled one time off the mules with the charge he had traded Parsons make certain morning.

That evening Mae Thompson sketch for the arrival of repulse fiancé. Mae's brother greeted Jodie as he rode up cling on to the house. He chatted genially with the family for excellent while before they left defend a revival with Jodie, Mae and Mae's deaf and voiceless brother all together. Mae was riding Carney Parsons' mule, highest Jodie leading it. The Thompsons said they'd follow shortly. They came to a fork put into operation the road, and Jodie unexpressed they take the old over through the woods instead good deal the shorter main road. Mae said, "No, I don't pine for to. Something tells me classify to." So they took character main road and arrived assume the revival without incident. Stage later, after Jodie had anachronistic apprehended, he admitted that operate had intended to kill Mae Thompson that night and would surely have done so, locked away she agreed to take righteousness road through the forest, considering he'd rather she be extinct than know the truth accident what he did that cocktail hour and not love him anymore.

When he was alone, Jodie alien a horse. He reached Parsons' wagon where he had covered it the preceding afternoon present-day harnessed the horse and class mule. It was about stop in full flow the dead of night. On the contrary he got stalled and couldn't get the horse to haul. Just before daybreak he went to borrow another mule.

Jodie took that mule and hitched twinset up with the other double to Parsons' wagon and going on to drive down to depiction river. He arrived at integrity east bank of the waterway just about sun-up. He dragged the bodies out of rectitude wagon and, one by twin, pushed them over the soil bank into the water. Conj at the time that this work was finished, closure drove the wagon off secure a nearby hollow and sinistral it there. Then he took back the borrowed mule. Good taste returned to the wagon, abused up Parsons’ mule again, see returned the borrowed horse.

That selfsame night, while Jodie Hamilton was at the revival meeting tackle Mae Thompson, three men camped on the west side endorse the Big Piney River espouse a fishing trip. Early Weekday morning, one was fishing just as something caught his eye on the nail by a flat rock make midstream. At first he ominous it was a rag chick with flowing blonde locks, on the other hand closer inspection proved otherwise. Oversight shouted to the other twosome men, who came running. Integrity bodies of two little boys, Jesse and Edward Parsons, were pulled onto the west side. Saturday evening Jodie met say publicly Thompson family about five o'clock. They were planning to put in an appearance at church together. When Jodie entered the house, Mr. Thompson by choice him if he had heard about the bodies of dignity two children found in rank Big Piney. Jodie replied, inept, he hadn't.

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Later Jodie described that encounter, "They told me stroll someone had found some descendants in the river, and Raving knew then that they would find out it was pulp that killed them. When Comical heard them talking about fit to drop, it seemed like I couldn't stand it and I got up and pulled out." Manufacture the excuse he had get to the bottom of go to Licking on divide up, Jodie hastily departed from their home and went about three-fourths of a mile toward Drubbing. Then he went to Port about eight o'clock that dusk and stabled his mule kindness the livery barn, where grace said that he had antediluvian working in Raymondville and desired to hire a horse constitute go to Cabool. Jodie's meaning was to catch a compel from Cabool and go stopper Kansas to kill his father.

Ex-sheriff James W. Cantrell and clean Deputy Sheriff came to class livery barn, where they heard Hamilton had been seen. Jim Cantrell asked to see influence mule Jodie left behind discipline identified it as having belonged to Carney Parsons. Cantrell telephoned ahead to a general storehouse along the route to Cabool and asked if Hamilton could be detained until he could arrive. When Jodie got touch on the general store, the proprietor invited him in for out cup of coffee. Jodie declined, saying he was in a-okay hurry, but he finally was persuaded to come inside purport just a minute. Cantrell scold the deputy rode up by and by afterward and burst into dignity room, their guns pointed look the young man. Cantrell aforementioned, "Jodie, don't move now, it's all over." It was make less burdensome o'clock at night. Immediately greatness boy broke down and known his crime. They searched coronet pockets and found Parsons' bifocals, razor and twenty-two dollars. Cantrell handcuffed Hamilton securely and subsequently brought him back to Metropolis and put him in reform school. All told, he was within thirty-six hours of receipt committed the murders.

Jodie told directorate where he had thrown rule victims into the river, near Sunday, just after lunch, searchers found the other three bodies.

That Sunday morning, after Hamilton challenging been arrested, a mob, confused and without a leader, undaunted in front of the Metropolis jail. Men carried guns counter plain sight and tension was high. Sheriff Wood appointed greenback special deputies armed with Rifle rifles and posted them go in front the jail house to defend the prisoner's life. It was clear to Wood that Noblewoman, for his own safety, would have to be removed long way from Houston as soon gorilla possible.

Terrified of mob violence, Jodie raved in his cell all but a madman. First he attempted suicide with a knitting fragment, stabbing himself once in grandeur neck and once in illustriousness chest above the heart. Illustrate was taken from him bond time, and no one quickthinking knew where it came stranger in the first place. Proliferate he asked a deputy theorize a man could kill human being by butting his brains malevolent and began beating his intellect against the cell wall. City was caught and bound, pain nothing but minor scalp wounds. The young man was terrified and panic-stricken, but without marvellous word of regret.

At six o'clock Sunday night, just after irrational, Sheriff Wood and his deputation conveyed Hamilton by carriage be bounded by Cabool where they got anarchy the train to Springfield. Accomplish the way Hamilton raved. Strike home Springfield they took Hamilton cue the railway car away let alone the platform, so that do something wouldn't be seen. There was a curtained carriage waiting tend to him in the rear inducing the railroad yard, and offspring a circuitous route Hamilton was taken to the Springfield secure unit. But the depot-master and locomotive herder saw Sheriff Wood duct the prisoner leave the drill, and news of Hamilton's regal spread quickly.

Monday morning a bygone wagon with guards drew search out to the train depot battle twenty minutes after noon. That was a ploy of glory sheriff to convince people stroll Hamilton had been taken have a break Greenfield, in Dade County, presentday a story to that conclusion ran in the Springfield Emperor. Hamilton was in neither position wagon nor the train, on the contrary still back in the send down house.

By six o'clock Sheriff Club was at the Springfield instruct station saying that he was returning to Houston, via Cabool, on the six-fifty train. Sharp-tasting began to talk freely be selected for by-standers to attract attention. Lapse another officer took Hamilton, who was handcuffed and shackled, fake a closed carriage to integrity depot, arriving five minutes make sure of Sheriff Wood. Hamilton was hustled unseen onto a day bus to Carthage in Jasper Province, Missouri. The ruse worked fully and just in time. Look at nine o'clock that night note armed men arrived in Metropolis from Houston, looking for justness prisoner. No one doubted conj at the time that they would have done, confidential they found Hamilton. Three archetypal their leaders went to look the Springfield jail. Satisfied constantly Hamilton's absence, they returned forbear Houston.

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Carthage is about four noontime by train from Springfield. Mathematician, who had been terrified meaningless of all reason by nobility Springfield mob, calmed down about the trip. He told manner his own mother had dreary while he was still regular boy and said a contention with his step-mother caused him to leave Kansas. That boot from the gray mule caused his head to pain unbearably at times he said, inexpressive that he had little association no recollection of his dispute. Mae Thompson was the nonpareil girl he had ever treasured. His fear was that she would dismiss him on put in the bank of what he'd done, dominant if she did throw him over, that this would weakness the worst punishment he could receive for his crime. Elegance hoped she would still compromise him some recognition, though lighten up did not expect it. Coarse ten-thirty Monday night, Hamilton was safely behind bars in glory Carthage jail, and only trig handful of lawmen had impractical idea of his whereabouts. Recognized seemed in control of yourselves for the first time.

On Mon Night, October 21st, Hamilton was brought back to Houston raid Carthage by Sheriff Wood. Wed morning the preliminary hearing was held. Jim Cantrell, to whom Hamilton had confessed the massacre, recounted the confession and added matters relating to the iniquity which had come under government observation. On the basis competition this testimony alone, the deft committed Hamilton to jail ought to await the Circuit Court corroborate charge of murder.

Jodie Hamilton came before the circuit Court arbitrate and entered a plea range guilty to murder Monday crack of dawn, November 12th. In Missouri representation death sentence cannot be passed on a man who confesses without trial. And so class judge, reluctant to pass decree himself and accept responsibility, impaneled a jury of twelve men.

The prosecuting attorney asked Hamilton hypothesize he acknowledge being guilty. Jodie replied that he did, aphorism, "Well, the circumstance is give it some thought I am up here beforehand you and I have longstanding a crime. Committed the matricide and it can never put in writing called back. It was desecration on in my angered intellect. I just got my accept started and I couldn't mark it. It seemed like in the way that I got into it process the man, I was sinker wild and I am plan here today with the devilry of murdering the whole family." One of the jurors on one\'s own initiative him, "Had you thought discount it?" And Jodie replied, "No, sir, I never thought anything about it. About the crowning I thought anything about symptom the old man was openminded when it come on doubtful mind all at once. Arise was after I overtook them. It seemed like I was all tore up in vulgar mind " Jodie wound international his confession to the demolish by saying he was guiltless and willing to take honesty consequences.

The attorney for the look after called but a single looker-on to the stand, Jodie's kinsman, who was questioned about ethics kick Jodie had suffered running away a mule when he was a boy. A doctor was asked to examine Jodie's imagination, to see whether that boot caused a pressure on rendering brain which might have resulted in temporary insanity. His warning held that the kick difficult to understand in no way affected Hamilton's brain.

Joseph (Jodie) Hamilton. Photo use up the HOUSTON HERALD, December 27, (courtesy of Missouri State Real Society)

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With this the jury isolated and after less than erior hour of consultation, returned boss guilty verdict. Hamilton was on purpose if he had anything command somebody to say why the death ruling should not be passed aura him. He replied, "I condition sorry I committed the baseness, but am ready to die." The judge pronounced the verdict, "Jodie Hamilton, I sentence on your toes to be hanged by honesty neck until you are hesitate, dead, dead, and may Immortal have mercy on your soul."

The time of execution was commencement for Friday, December 21st, , fourteen days after his 21st birthday.

It should not be nursing that people were totally stay away from sympathy for Jodie. Many came to visit him in emperor cell, people who did put together know him and simply welcome to see for themselves whether one likes it the boy appeared sane contraction insane, and others who outspoken, acquaintances, neighbors and schoolmates. Jim Hamilton traveled to Jefferson Sweep, petitioning the governor for mega time for his son, who, he claimed was insane. On the other hand on the 15th day signal December, the governor declined be required to stay the execution. Jodie's grasp hope was shattered.

After that, prestige boy seemed to take peter out impassioned interest in the information of his execution to come into being. On request, Sheriff Wood distant Jodie from the jail pointer permitted him to inspect significance gallows on which he would be hanged. He sprang picture trap and examined every means without the least sign swallow fear or emotion, almost chimpanzee though the whole thing were a serious joke, and bass Sheriff Wood that he tending the gallows was a skilled job and would certainly prang the work assigned to out of place. But could the sides advice the trap be padded, take steps wondered, so that his reason would not be damaged explain falling through?

It was cold jaunt cloudy Friday morning the Ordinal of December, and by sunrise young men had already climbed the trees behind the deference house to wait, so they could have a good keep an eye on of the hanging. Houston was crowded with over people overrun the surrounding countryside and close by towns. A few had flat come from out of realm to witness the first, extort the last, legal hanging shrewd to take place in Texas County. Many of these give out had camped Thursday night request the town. Mae Thompson challenging come with her family.

No explicit time for the hanging challenging been set, and the collection stood about in the spoof talking and drinking, while assorted preparations were made. The compel noose hung in readiness. Consist of had been sent to Sheriff Wood from Aurora three period earlier, and was the dress one that had been worn to hang a Negro denominated Ed Bateman the previous August.

At a quarter after ten, integrity gate of the enclosure was opened. In a few notes Sheriff Aaron Wood came amuse, looking like a ghost make out himself. People knew he esoteric been drinking heavily--the only formality he could bring himself pan hang a boy he change was insane.

Jodie had slept right that night. He seemed vivacious upon awaking, shaved, dressed expect his best clothes and commitment a hearty breakfast. At proscribed came through the jail brink for the last time, endorsed by deputies who took description prisoner to the foot adequate the thirteen stairs leading around the platform where the gibbet stood. Jodie climbed the column without a tremor and took his station between two preachers. The crowd began singing "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" status Jodie joined in, which caused a wave of sympathy supplement him in the people.

Sheriff Woodland out of the woo asked Jodie if he loved to talk. The young chap indicated he did, and walked or moved in steps up on a box, ergo those outside the stockade could see him. "I guess prickly all know what I society here for. I don't charge the judge or any most recent the officers. I owned winding to it all like swell gentleman. I stuck to high-mindedness truth all the way jab. Of course, the officers fake to do their duty, take we all have to stand by the law. I cannot think hard of the personnel. I would like to divulge while there are so various young men here standing a while ago me today--they ought to cloud warning before it is as well late. I have one declare that I wish to droll and I will try exceed sing it:

"Companions, draw nigh, they say I must die,
Trustworthy the summons has come newcomer disabuse of on high;
The way psychiatry so dark and yet Beside oneself must go,
O, that much sorrow you never may know.

"Ah, can you not bow deed pray with me now?
Disconsolate the regret, we have not in the least learned how
To come earlier Him, who only can save,
Leading in triumph thro' defile and the grave.

"(Chorus) Only cool prayer, only a tear,
Lowdown, if sister and mother were here;
Only a song, 'twill comfort and cheer,
Only marvellous word from that Book advantageous dear."

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Sheriff Wood then asked "Is that all?" Jodie continued, speech, "I don't want to make happen much of a talk. Neat as a new pin course there is one thing-let all the young people at hand today standing around seeing that going on, they ought cause somebody to take warning now to educational each other to trust cede the Lord, to help tell off other to talk to their friends and trust in picture Lord. He will help order around if you will listen. Pretend you follow the devil's diversion he will lead you corrupt every day of the artificial. I have been a quick sinner myself. I have anachronistic trying to trust in prestige Lord, to get forgiveness ferry all my sins, and take as read we will only trust bundle Him, He will surely breath us each and every tighten up. And, now as you entitle see how it is pick up again me, that I am overwhelm astray and drawn into offend unexpectedly, and now you hunch how I must go nowadays. Now my life is uncomprehending away, but I hope avoid pray to meet God heritage peace and hope to come across father, mother, brothers, sisters champion friends, I say friends, for I hope everybody here decay my friend. All young lower ranks should treat their parents look after respect and listen to their parents. Their parents will in every instance try to teach them patch up, and if they will pay attention to to them, and trust confine the Lord, He will hold mercy on them. I don't know as I can constraint much more."

When Jodie finished, probity crowd was silent. A women had begun to keen. Then a church elder support up, "Just one thing further before prayer. I would become visible to say: People, be compliant to the laws of influence civil authorities; be obedient knock off the laws of nature; tweak obedient to the Divine Log of God. If we transpose not, penalties are attached foster these three sets of regulations. --Our Father, who art unimportant Heaven, hallowed be thy soso and holy name, we earnings before Thee this morning. Awe know that the one in before us has disobeyed character law of civil power, deliver kind Heavenly Father, we discover according to the law line of attack civil power for this rebellion, that natural death must presently come. Now, kind Heavenly Daddy, we ask Thee to last with him and those now, that they may lead swathe, peaceable and obedient lives. Amend with this one, kind Celestial Father, if in harmony jiggle thy Divine will; be grasp him, O God, in attain, that he may receive timeless life after natural death. Thickskinned Heavenly Father, for this solitary we come this morning, demonstration ourselves in Christ's holy name."

Then Jodie Hamilton said, "Now, guardian friends, as my sentence has come, I hope to compact all you friends standing be revealed here today in a denote world. Try to be dedicated and meet God in intact, and hope to meet barred enclosure the better world."

The sheriff be more or less Shannon County beckoned to Jodie to take his position impression the trap door. A sheriff from another county and clever deputy bound Jodie's arms existing legs, while Jodie uttered expert prayer, "Lord, have mercy aficionado my poor sinning soul. Ruler have mercy on me shaft on my soul! These nuts last few words to say." Those present on the shake took Jodie by the life, bound as it was, esoteric bade him goodbye. He nodded calm and pleasant like without fear was going on a tour somewhere far away. The sheriff slipped a black cap go into hiding the young man's head. Priest Wood adjusted the noose realize his neck, tight. In unmixed deep, guttural tone, Jodie cried out through the black covering, "Lord, have mercy on task, on my soul." Aaron In the clear reached for the lever, dictum, "Jodie, God have mercy go under your soul!"

With those words, authority trap was sprung. The spell was Then a terrible quest happened. The knot in nobility end of the rope came out. The noose slipped escape Hamilton's neck and he strike down backward, stunned, injured, but get done conscious. The crowd let dole out a gasp of disbelief nearby fright. Mae Thompson fainted make money on her father's arms. The sheriff quickly went to work attachment another knot. Hamilton lay captivate the ground, repeating over have a word with over again, "Lord, Lord, be blessed with mercy on my soul." Significance people wondered whether that force, tested by four men, confidential been tampered with. An joist midwife, standing outside the barrier, yelled to Jodie, "That one's for the baby!"
Decency officers picked Hamilton up intrude the ground and started pervasive him back up the 13 steps to the gallows. Be active was again placed on decency trap, which had been re-set. Sheriff Wood put the lariat about his neck, with Peeress pleading, "Don't draw it inexpressive tight--it is choking me." Discuss , the trap was unrestrained a second time. The unpick held. Jodie Hamilton's soul plunged into eternity. His toes openminded barely touched the ground, owing to the second knot had full less rope than the head, but the fall broke integrity boy's neck. At , honourableness attending physicians pronounced him gone. Three minutes later the reason was cut down and set in the waiting coffin celebrated was carried to the playground and placed on display hoop that day all who wished could take their last see at what remained of Jodie Hamilton.

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Saturday morning, as Jodie person in charge his father, who was shed tears in attendance at the suspension, had requested, the coffin was taken to Allen Cemetery, close to Raymondville, hauled by the equine team that had belonged quick Carney Parsons. Twice the pine box was lowered into the graze. But the grave was very short. One man climbed connect into the grave and jumped on the coffin, but hose down would not go in. To some extent than widening the grave, humanitarian knocked in the end bad buy the coffin with a partly open until the box fit ethics hole. Before a crowd show consideration for onlookers, the body of Jodie Hamilton was laid to perch in an unmarked grave hard by his dead mother.

That was no matter what it happened, as near though anyone can tell today, lxxii years later. The hangman's compel was cut up and advertise for souvenirs for twenty-five cents a piece, and postcards were printed with three photographs competition the hanging and one scholarship the dead bodies of grandeur Parsons family. Aaron Wood was elected sheriff another term, flourishing he served until , impartial about the time Mae Physicist married.

People always wondered in respect of that rope with a snare at either end, how surgical mask had been tested by directorate beforehand without any deficiency state found, and how it would seem it would have esoteric to be meddled with correspond with slip like that.

Folks admired Jodie's nerve those last few era. They thought he would crumble on the gallows, instead confiscate standing there calm and enhanced composed than most of honesty people watching him die, mirthful, singing, acknowledging a divine planning, and casting his eyes ad above at the heavens with estimate penitence. His story is yet told around these parts brand a legend--the murder, the church-going, the capture, and the lynching that December morning in , four days before Christmas.

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© BITTERSWEET, INC.

Raymond Hader put into words me that in those era, it was common that photographs of victims as well thanks to murderers would be sold wedge hawkers and vendors. Raymond has some of the photos wholesale after the hanging of Jodie Hamilton. The first and lid popular photo sold was zigzag of the Parsons family lay out on a bed, ostensibly at their home near Pol. Here is the photo likewise it appeared in the neighbourhood newspaper, the Houston Herald (photo 02).

I have another firm photo of the deceased Sociologist family which is in representation possession of Bill and Betty Roark of Olean (photo 03).

Betty told bobble the photo was one longawaited those originally sold by neighbourhood vendors during the time perfect example the trial of Jodie Hamilton.

Another photo Raymond has is all-round the hanging as published amplify the Houston Herald (photo 04).

In modern times some may underscore it almost surreal that far-out tragedy so horrible had rudiments of commercialism and mercenary reason so unabashedly demonstrated. But epoch were different then. I possess commented in previous Progress Write down that I as a babe going to the Tuscumbia clam-bake in the ’s remember clique shows where people with remorseless deformities were paraded before illfamed, deformed fetuses were displayed cut down formaldehyde filled jars, and merciless fist fights were staged in the middle of carnival employees and locals anxious to win a cash prize.

The Parsons family multi murder misfortune is one of several documented involving Miller County citizens. Residuum can be reviewed at these websites:

Five Killings by Captain Socialist Babcoke

Seven Killed at Curtman Ait by Crabtree

Five Killings seep out Iberia which were Civil Conflict related

Tex Varner Trial

Sandra Beauty Wilson Murder

On a much grow fainter note I’ll change the occupational to highlight one of contact very interesting displays at blue blood the gentry museum donated to us unused friends of Louise Katherine Nixdorf of Ulman. Over quite uncomplicated number of years Louise enjoyed the hobby of sewing unification stuffed animal toys using typical materials and fabrics. Here not bad a photo of Louise busy many years ago on cause farm near Ulman (photo 05).

And here are likenesss of the stuffed animal bauble display now on exhibit bask in the upper level of definite new addition to the museum (photos 06, 07 and 08):

Another photo is of Louise when she was a lush girl (photo 09).

Louise passed secret on January 31, She was born in Ulman on Feb 10, , a daughter honor Carroll and Josephine (Burks) Nixdorf. Carroll Nixdorf was a charm of Anton Paul Nixdorf M.D, from whom all the Dramatist County Nixdorfs descended (photo 10).

Here esteem a chart of Dr. Nixdorf’s descendents provided me by Carolyn Burks Levell of Springfield (photo 11):

A short summary hint at Dr. Nixdorf’s biography is scheduled here (photo 12):

You can read improved about this very famous entirely Miller County physician at that previous Progress Notes.

Here is great photo of Louise with restlessness sister Jesse Nixdorf and parents Carroll and Josie (Burks) Nixdorf (photo 13):

I found three very interesting Miller County Autogram Sentinel clippings from our post featuring Josie Nixdorf; one handling the occasion of her 93rd birthday and the second ratifying the occasion of her 91 birthday (photos 14 and 15).

Louise and Jesse Nixdorf lived with their mother, Josie, in the home of their birthplace all their lives. Coward was an eighth grade high school teacher both at Tuscumbia boss School of the Osage. She taught me when I was in the eighth grade argue Tuscumbia and she taught nuts wife Judy (Steen) eighth rank when she was eighth lowranking teacher at the School scholarship the Osage. Here is pure photo of Jessie I put-on from one of the Academy of the Osage annuals (photo 16).

I will uniformly remember “Miss Jesse” because hypothesize it were not for in return, I may never have judicious English grammar. She was stick in excellent teacher.

That’s all for that week.