The tragic news items tell the story and features the HAMILTON surname. Initial research was done by volunteer, L. Ziemann.

 

 

 

Yester Year Stories, Backed with Today's Research

H*A*M*I*L*T*O*N

LeMars Sentinel,  Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1888

HAMILTON SHOT DEAD.
Samuel H. Hamilton While Performing His Duty as Special Policeman
Shot Dead Last Saturday Morning.

The ink recording the inquest of the jury held over the dead body of James Keegan was scarcely dry before the city was startled with the news that night watchman Hamilton had been shot dead.  Rumors are rife and the coroner’s jury is working with closed doors, having failed to reach a verdict at this writing.  One thing is sure, Hamilton met his death by a pistol shot, and John Gainor is under arrest for murder. 

The particulars are already known so far as can be ascertained and anything further would be speculative until the verdict of jury is reached and made public.  About midnight of Friday a crowd of young men emerged from the club room, corner at Main and Seventh street, and went south on Main, making undue noise.  Policeman Hamilton met them near Carter’s store and attempted to quiet them, when a short melee ensued a pistol shot was heard.  Hamilton staggered down the street and fell dead on the side-walk in front of Evans’ store.

The autopsy by Drs. McMahon and Ensimger disclosed the fact that the bullet passed through the lower portion of the heart.

Messrs.  C. B. Smith, H. W. Wilcox and J. M. Emery were impaneled as a jury have had several witnesses before them.  They expect to be able to render a verdict by tomorrow. 
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Samuel Hamilton was born in Manchester, Indiana, July 22d, 1861, and was therefore 27 years old.  November 8th, 1882, was married to Emma Bourdelais.  He was employed by the merchants as a nightwatch and entered upon his duties as such Aug. 2d, 1887. He was a pleasant, social citizen and faithful energetic officer.  His habits were good and there is no record of his deviating from his line of duty.  The funeral took place yesterday and was witnessed by a large concourse of people.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Globe, November 28, 1888

Samuel H. Hamilton, merchant police, was shot dead on the streets last Saturday morning.  John Gainor was arrested for the crime.  John Eckert, E. Harder, Joseph Keen, ____ Kelley, and Murphy were also locked up, they being in the crowd when the shooting took place.

In The Sioux City Journal’s report of the late murder it was stated that Dr. Ensminger conducted the autopsy.  This was a mistake.  Dr. McMahan, who was first called after the shooting, conducted the post-mortem, assisted by Dr. Ensminger.

We do not like to see law-abiding citizens (so-called) inciting others to anarchy and murder at the street corner, in moments of intense excitement like that we have gone through in the last few days.  The good citizen should be careful and guarded in his language.  A little spark has before now caused a great explosion.

A number of the preachers last Sunday referred to the recent shooting in the course of their sermons.  We believe another Sunday should have been chosen for the remarks.  The high tension of public opinion should not unnecessarily be strained immediately after an event so deplorable as this.
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The inquest on the body of S. Hamilton is still in progress with closed doors.  The city has hired a stenographer to take down the evidence and it is not likely that a verdict will be rendered before Saturday.

The funeral of the dead policeman, S. Hamilton, was attended by a large and sympathizing crowd.  The services took place at St. James’ church, Rev. Father Barron officiating.


LeMars Semi-Weekly Globe, December 1, 1888

The Coroner’s jury concluded their work last Wednesday afternoon in the Hamilton case, and brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased had come to his death by a pistol shot fired from a pistol in the hands of Gainor.  Geo. Murphy, John Eckhart, Harry Fuller, Joseph Keehn, and E. O. Harder were placed under a $2,500 bond each to appear as witnesses at the preliminary examination.  John Eckhart has been released, J. M. Dunn becoming responsible for his appearance, the rest are in jail.

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