Owner and builder of the Thomas Hall House (also referred to as the Hylton Farm and Catalpa Hall) on whose land this cemetery sits.
______________________
DEATH FOR A DEATH
*Revenging the murder of a friend - Particulars of the killing of a wealthy Montgomery County farmer*
Central, VA. August 19 -- Reaching Central depot, on the Norfolk and Western road, a few hours after Thomas B. Hall, a wealthy farmer of Montgomery county, was shot and killed by Pierce Crockett, of Wythe, I found the village in a great state of excitement and the people were discussing the tragic affair. The shooting, as has been telegraphed, occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and in half an hour afterwards Hall was a dead man. He was sixty seven years of age and Crockett was much younger. The section master at Central depot witnessed the shooting as did several other persons. Their story is that Crockett came down the mountain road to Central somewhat intoxicated. He was not very drunk, but was "feeling his whiskey." He stopped at the depot, and while engaged in conversation with some of the men who were lounging upon the platform one man in the crowd remarked, "Yonder is old Tom Hall." Crockett at once asked, "Is that Tom Hall?" An affirmative answer was given him, and thereupon he left the platform and walked down the railroad tracks about a hundred yards where Hall was, and, addressing him, said: "I want to see you." The two men walked towards a fence, apparently talking as they went along. They stopped at the fence and continued the conversation. Hall had both elbows resting upon the top of the fence and one foot was carelessly placed between the two bottom rails. Crockett stood off a few feet from him.
Presently Crockett asked, "Is your name Tom Hall?" The answer came, "That's my name." Crockett next asked, "Are you the father of David Hall?" Hall again answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Crockett, "I am going to kill you." Suiting the action to the word, Crockett drew a pistol from his hip pocket, and levelling it at Hall, pulled the trigger. The weapon missed fire, and Hall then exclaimed, "Don't shoot me," and began to shake the walking cane he held in his hand as if attempting to ward off the pistol shots. After the pistol snapped, Hall retreated a few steps, twirling the cane in the air as he moved backwards. Crockett cocked the pistol again and a half-dozen persons saw him send a bullet into Hall's breast. The wounded man staggered, and then turned just in time to catch the second shot in the right side, the ball passing through the arm into the body.
The third shot grazed the left side, and the fourth and last one struck the ground close to Hall's feet. The wounded man walked a few steps and then sat down. After saying Crockett had shot him he drew a long breath and died.
The Murderer Moves Off
The murderer, without appearing in the least alarmed, jumped into his buggy and moved slowly away, brandishing his pistol as he moved along. He had gotten out of sight before a pursuing party started after him. He was overtaken at a branch about two miles from Central by the section master and another gentleman who saw the shooting. One of the men levelled a gun at him, thereupon Crockett lifted his hands and said, "I surrender." He made no further attempt to get away, and said when arrested, "I killed him, and I have nothing to regret."
The prisoner was not brought back to Central, but was carried through the mountains over to Christiansburg, the county seat, and there lodged in jail.
There was some apprehension at first that the prisoner would be lynched, and this was why he was taken over the mountains instead of on the cars. Crockett, it seems, killed Hall to avenge the death of Charles Bowyer, who was killed by David Hall. The story, as near as I can get at it, is this: Bowyer was once a well-to-do farmer. One day he saw, or at least testified in court that he saw, David Hall strike his (Hall's) sister with a fence-rail. The girl died afterwards, but she, it is said, was induced by her father upon her death bed, to say that she was wounded accidentally while getting over a rail fence. Bowyer stuck to his statement, and the result was his property, amounting to $10,000, was won from him by Hall in a suit for damages. Bowyer was afterwards seized with consumption, and was but a few weeks from death's door when he was murdered. David Hall was sentenced to be hung, but afterwards got a new trial, and is now serving a term of eleven years in the penitentiary. It is said that at least $12,000 were spent in his behalf during his trial.
Some persons believe that the elder Hall was deeply concerned in the murder of Bowyer, and it is supposed that this is what led Crockett to murder the old man. --
Thomas Hall leaves property worth $125,000. He was extensively known in this section of the State, and Crockett is connected with a prominent Virginia family. Everything indicates that Crockett's trial will be one of the most celebrated criminal cases that have ever occurred in Southwest Virginia.
(article from the Friday, September 10, 1886 edition of Woodstock, VA's "Shenandoah Herald")
______________________
DEATH FOR A DEATH
*Revenging the murder of a friend - Particulars of the killing of a wealthy Montgomery County farmer*
Central, VA. August 19 -- Reaching Central depot, on the Norfolk and Western road, a few hours after Thomas B. Hall, a wealthy farmer of Montgomery county, was shot and killed by Pierce Crockett, of Wythe, I found the village in a great state of excitement and the people were discussing the tragic affair. The shooting, as has been telegraphed, occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and in half an hour afterwards Hall was a dead man. He was sixty seven years of age and Crockett was much younger. The section master at Central depot witnessed the shooting as did several other persons. Their story is that Crockett came down the mountain road to Central somewhat intoxicated. He was not very drunk, but was "feeling his whiskey." He stopped at the depot, and while engaged in conversation with some of the men who were lounging upon the platform one man in the crowd remarked, "Yonder is old Tom Hall." Crockett at once asked, "Is that Tom Hall?" An affirmative answer was given him, and thereupon he left the platform and walked down the railroad tracks about a hundred yards where Hall was, and, addressing him, said: "I want to see you." The two men walked towards a fence, apparently talking as they went along. They stopped at the fence and continued the conversation. Hall had both elbows resting upon the top of the fence and one foot was carelessly placed between the two bottom rails. Crockett stood off a few feet from him.
Presently Crockett asked, "Is your name Tom Hall?" The answer came, "That's my name." Crockett next asked, "Are you the father of David Hall?" Hall again answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Crockett, "I am going to kill you." Suiting the action to the word, Crockett drew a pistol from his hip pocket, and levelling it at Hall, pulled the trigger. The weapon missed fire, and Hall then exclaimed, "Don't shoot me," and began to shake the walking cane he held in his hand as if attempting to ward off the pistol shots. After the pistol snapped, Hall retreated a few steps, twirling the cane in the air as he moved backwards. Crockett cocked the pistol again and a half-dozen persons saw him send a bullet into Hall's breast. The wounded man staggered, and then turned just in time to catch the second shot in the right side, the ball passing through the arm into the body.
The third shot grazed the left side, and the fourth and last one struck the ground close to Hall's feet. The wounded man walked a few steps and then sat down. After saying Crockett had shot him he drew a long breath and died.
The Murderer Moves Off
The murderer, without appearing in the least alarmed, jumped into his buggy and moved slowly away, brandishing his pistol as he moved along. He had gotten out of sight before a pursuing party started after him. He was overtaken at a branch about two miles from Central by the section master and another gentleman who saw the shooting. One of the men levelled a gun at him, thereupon Crockett lifted his hands and said, "I surrender." He made no further attempt to get away, and said when arrested, "I killed him, and I have nothing to regret."
The prisoner was not brought back to Central, but was carried through the mountains over to Christiansburg, the county seat, and there lodged in jail.
There was some apprehension at first that the prisoner would be lynched, and this was why he was taken over the mountains instead of on the cars. Crockett, it seems, killed Hall to avenge the death of Charles Bowyer, who was killed by David Hall. The story, as near as I can get at it, is this: Bowyer was once a well-to-do farmer. One day he saw, or at least testified in court that he saw, David Hall strike his (Hall's) sister with a fence-rail. The girl died afterwards, but she, it is said, was induced by her father upon her death bed, to say that she was wounded accidentally while getting over a rail fence. Bowyer stuck to his statement, and the result was his property, amounting to $10,000, was won from him by Hall in a suit for damages. Bowyer was afterwards seized with consumption, and was but a few weeks from death's door when he was murdered. David Hall was sentenced to be hung, but afterwards got a new trial, and is now serving a term of eleven years in the penitentiary. It is said that at least $12,000 were spent in his behalf during his trial.
Some persons believe that the elder Hall was deeply concerned in the murder of Bowyer, and it is supposed that this is what led Crockett to murder the old man. --
Thomas Hall leaves property worth $125,000. He was extensively known in this section of the State, and Crockett is connected with a prominent Virginia family. Everything indicates that Crockett's trial will be one of the most celebrated criminal cases that have ever occurred in Southwest Virginia.
(article from the Friday, September 10, 1886 edition of Woodstock, VA's "Shenandoah Herald")
Owner and builder of the Thomas Hall House (also referred to as the Hylton Farm and Catalpa Hall) on whose land this cemetery sits.
______________________
DEATH FOR A DEATH
*Revenging the murder of a friend - Particulars of the killing of a wealthy Montgomery County farmer*
Central, VA. August 19 -- Reaching Central depot, on the Norfolk and Western road, a few hours after Thomas B. Hall, a wealthy farmer of Montgomery county, was shot and killed by Pierce Crockett, of Wythe, I found the village in a great state of excitement and the people were discussing the tragic affair. The shooting, as has been telegraphed, occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and in half an hour afterwards Hall was a dead man. He was sixty seven years of age and Crockett was much younger. The section master at Central depot witnessed the shooting as did several other persons. Their story is that Crockett came down the mountain road to Central somewhat intoxicated. He was not very drunk, but was "feeling his whiskey." He stopped at the depot, and while engaged in conversation with some of the men who were lounging upon the platform one man in the crowd remarked, "Yonder is old Tom Hall." Crockett at once asked, "Is that Tom Hall?" An affirmative answer was given him, and thereupon he left the platform and walked down the railroad tracks about a hundred yards where Hall was, and, addressing him, said: "I want to see you." The two men walked towards a fence, apparently talking as they went along. They stopped at the fence and continued the conversation. Hall had both elbows resting upon the top of the fence and one foot was carelessly placed between the two bottom rails. Crockett stood off a few feet from him.
Presently Crockett asked, "Is your name Tom Hall?" The answer came, "That's my name." Crockett next asked, "Are you the father of David Hall?" Hall again answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Crockett, "I am going to kill you." Suiting the action to the word, Crockett drew a pistol from his hip pocket, and levelling it at Hall, pulled the trigger. The weapon missed fire, and Hall then exclaimed, "Don't shoot me," and began to shake the walking cane he held in his hand as if attempting to ward off the pistol shots. After the pistol snapped, Hall retreated a few steps, twirling the cane in the air as he moved backwards. Crockett cocked the pistol again and a half-dozen persons saw him send a bullet into Hall's breast. The wounded man staggered, and then turned just in time to catch the second shot in the right side, the ball passing through the arm into the body.
The third shot grazed the left side, and the fourth and last one struck the ground close to Hall's feet. The wounded man walked a few steps and then sat down. After saying Crockett had shot him he drew a long breath and died.
The Murderer Moves Off
The murderer, without appearing in the least alarmed, jumped into his buggy and moved slowly away, brandishing his pistol as he moved along. He had gotten out of sight before a pursuing party started after him. He was overtaken at a branch about two miles from Central by the section master and another gentleman who saw the shooting. One of the men levelled a gun at him, thereupon Crockett lifted his hands and said, "I surrender." He made no further attempt to get away, and said when arrested, "I killed him, and I have nothing to regret."
The prisoner was not brought back to Central, but was carried through the mountains over to Christiansburg, the county seat, and there lodged in jail.
There was some apprehension at first that the prisoner would be lynched, and this was why he was taken over the mountains instead of on the cars. Crockett, it seems, killed Hall to avenge the death of Charles Bowyer, who was killed by David Hall. The story, as near as I can get at it, is this: Bowyer was once a well-to-do farmer. One day he saw, or at least testified in court that he saw, David Hall strike his (Hall's) sister with a fence-rail. The girl died afterwards, but she, it is said, was induced by her father upon her death bed, to say that she was wounded accidentally while getting over a rail fence. Bowyer stuck to his statement, and the result was his property, amounting to $10,000, was won from him by Hall in a suit for damages. Bowyer was afterwards seized with consumption, and was but a few weeks from death's door when he was murdered. David Hall was sentenced to be hung, but afterwards got a new trial, and is now serving a term of eleven years in the penitentiary. It is said that at least $12,000 were spent in his behalf during his trial.
Some persons believe that the elder Hall was deeply concerned in the murder of Bowyer, and it is supposed that this is what led Crockett to murder the old man. --
Thomas Hall leaves property worth $125,000. He was extensively known in this section of the State, and Crockett is connected with a prominent Virginia family. Everything indicates that Crockett's trial will be one of the most celebrated criminal cases that have ever occurred in Southwest Virginia.
(article from the Friday, September 10, 1886 edition of Woodstock, VA's "Shenandoah Herald")
______________________
DEATH FOR A DEATH
*Revenging the murder of a friend - Particulars of the killing of a wealthy Montgomery County farmer*
Central, VA. August 19 -- Reaching Central depot, on the Norfolk and Western road, a few hours after Thomas B. Hall, a wealthy farmer of Montgomery county, was shot and killed by Pierce Crockett, of Wythe, I found the village in a great state of excitement and the people were discussing the tragic affair. The shooting, as has been telegraphed, occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and in half an hour afterwards Hall was a dead man. He was sixty seven years of age and Crockett was much younger. The section master at Central depot witnessed the shooting as did several other persons. Their story is that Crockett came down the mountain road to Central somewhat intoxicated. He was not very drunk, but was "feeling his whiskey." He stopped at the depot, and while engaged in conversation with some of the men who were lounging upon the platform one man in the crowd remarked, "Yonder is old Tom Hall." Crockett at once asked, "Is that Tom Hall?" An affirmative answer was given him, and thereupon he left the platform and walked down the railroad tracks about a hundred yards where Hall was, and, addressing him, said: "I want to see you." The two men walked towards a fence, apparently talking as they went along. They stopped at the fence and continued the conversation. Hall had both elbows resting upon the top of the fence and one foot was carelessly placed between the two bottom rails. Crockett stood off a few feet from him.
Presently Crockett asked, "Is your name Tom Hall?" The answer came, "That's my name." Crockett next asked, "Are you the father of David Hall?" Hall again answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Crockett, "I am going to kill you." Suiting the action to the word, Crockett drew a pistol from his hip pocket, and levelling it at Hall, pulled the trigger. The weapon missed fire, and Hall then exclaimed, "Don't shoot me," and began to shake the walking cane he held in his hand as if attempting to ward off the pistol shots. After the pistol snapped, Hall retreated a few steps, twirling the cane in the air as he moved backwards. Crockett cocked the pistol again and a half-dozen persons saw him send a bullet into Hall's breast. The wounded man staggered, and then turned just in time to catch the second shot in the right side, the ball passing through the arm into the body.
The third shot grazed the left side, and the fourth and last one struck the ground close to Hall's feet. The wounded man walked a few steps and then sat down. After saying Crockett had shot him he drew a long breath and died.
The Murderer Moves Off
The murderer, without appearing in the least alarmed, jumped into his buggy and moved slowly away, brandishing his pistol as he moved along. He had gotten out of sight before a pursuing party started after him. He was overtaken at a branch about two miles from Central by the section master and another gentleman who saw the shooting. One of the men levelled a gun at him, thereupon Crockett lifted his hands and said, "I surrender." He made no further attempt to get away, and said when arrested, "I killed him, and I have nothing to regret."
The prisoner was not brought back to Central, but was carried through the mountains over to Christiansburg, the county seat, and there lodged in jail.
There was some apprehension at first that the prisoner would be lynched, and this was why he was taken over the mountains instead of on the cars. Crockett, it seems, killed Hall to avenge the death of Charles Bowyer, who was killed by David Hall. The story, as near as I can get at it, is this: Bowyer was once a well-to-do farmer. One day he saw, or at least testified in court that he saw, David Hall strike his (Hall's) sister with a fence-rail. The girl died afterwards, but she, it is said, was induced by her father upon her death bed, to say that she was wounded accidentally while getting over a rail fence. Bowyer stuck to his statement, and the result was his property, amounting to $10,000, was won from him by Hall in a suit for damages. Bowyer was afterwards seized with consumption, and was but a few weeks from death's door when he was murdered. David Hall was sentenced to be hung, but afterwards got a new trial, and is now serving a term of eleven years in the penitentiary. It is said that at least $12,000 were spent in his behalf during his trial.
Some persons believe that the elder Hall was deeply concerned in the murder of Bowyer, and it is supposed that this is what led Crockett to murder the old man. --
Thomas Hall leaves property worth $125,000. He was extensively known in this section of the State, and Crockett is connected with a prominent Virginia family. Everything indicates that Crockett's trial will be one of the most celebrated criminal cases that have ever occurred in Southwest Virginia.
(article from the Friday, September 10, 1886 edition of Woodstock, VA's "Shenandoah Herald")
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