Sunday, February 26, 2023

Murder of John Gresham

On February 27, 1871, 43-year-old John Gresham, his 15-year-old son, and 18-year-old Bartholomew Barnes were in Clarksville, Missouri and the three crossed the Mississippi River to get to Illinois. John and his son stayed in a wagon on the boat. When the boat landed John, who was fairly drunk, and his son were asked by Bartholomew if they'd let him ride with them with the promise of being quiet and peaceable.

John accepted, but his son rejected. It was known that the John and Bartholomew did not get along.Earlier that month Bartholomew became very angry with John, reason not stated why, in Plesant Hill, Illinois. He had threatened to whip him, but the constable warned him not to do it and would be arrested if he did not stay quiet. He was fuming and said he would tear John's heart out. Bartholomew claimed that he was threatened by John in 1869, but they were never followed through.

On the wagon Batholomew sat next to John while John's son sat up front driving. It wasn't long before the two in the wagon began arguing. Bartholomew would yell "You damned old son of a bitch." as he jumped up. This caused the board that John was sitting on to tip having him fall out of the wagon on the otherside He would land on his back near a wagon and a fence. Bartholomew would jump out and run back to the wagon to where John was laying and would lean back onto the fence to steady himself. Bartholomew would then began to stomp on John's head and chest with the heel of his boot 8 to 12 times.

This would kill John whose nose, cheekbone and jaw was broken, his head was kicked in more than an inch. His face was left unrecognizable. Two people witnessed the murder, John's teenage son and a Mr. Oyler. Mr. Oyler started running towards the murderer who jumped the fence and ran. Mr. Oyler was able to catch him in a few minutes. When caught he claimed he had nothing to do with it and did not see him even though blood whiskers and hair covered the heel of his boot.

Bartholomew would go to trial in Pike County even though it had happened in Calhoun County after a change of venue was granted. The trial would start on November 27, 1871. His only defense was the threat from 1869 who his brother testified in court. There was no other witnesses to help the defendant. He would be found guilty and set to hang.

Bartholomes's execution was the first and last one to take place in Pike County. On December 29, 1871. His would say"I pray thee to forgive my sins, to save any soul and take me to heaven, repeating the petitions, as we thought, twice or more." At 2:25 the bag and noose were slipped over his head he said "O'Lord save my soul." When he dropped his neck was instantly broken and after 20 minutes he was pronounced dead..

SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri Pg 4
99 Nooses pg 119
Nashville Journal April 27, 1871
Chicago Tribune December 12, 1871
Alton Telegraph December 15, 1871
Chicago Tribune December 30, 1871

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