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Archiver > FOX > 1999-06 > 0929057551


From: Charla Marchione <>
Subject: [FOX-L] Re: John Fox of Hocking Co., OH - Parts V and VI
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 19:32:31 -0400


"V - The Execution

It was finished! The great tragedy which for months had agitated not only our own but all the adjoining counties had come to a close. On Wednesday, November 26, 1856, Elias Primmer suffered the last dread penalty of the law.

For months his name had been a familiar word to every ear in the county. The incidents of his crime, and the approaching execution had been the common theme of conversation. The awful nature of the crime for which he was to suffer, coupled with the fact that there never before had been an execution in Hocking County gave additional zest to
the horror and the interest felt by all.

At an early hour on Wednesday morning the roads leading to Logan were thronged by crowds of men, women and children, some from adjoining counties though most of them were residents of Hocking County.

The gallows was prepared within a boarded enclosure, twenty feet wide, twenty-eight feet long, and eighteen feet high. There was no scaffold, but the rope was passed through a beam and over two pulleys. A balance weight of a strong box filled with earth weighing about 300 pounds was fastened to the other end of the rope. This box was
suspended by a cord, the cutting of which would permit the weight to fall.

The night preceding the execution, until nearly two o'clock, was spent by the prisoner in prayer with the Reverend Martindale of the Methodist Church. Toward morning he slept a little. He ate scarcely any breakfast and seemed very much depressed, but before eight o'clock had regained his composure, and spoke more freely. He wrote a final
letter to his wife, and then asked that the relatives of the murdered man be brought in.

William, James, Peter, and Samuel Fox were introduced to his cell and the prisoner asked forgiveness which was freely given.

By this time it was a few minutes after ten o'clock, and he requested that the execution might proceed at once. He was dressed in his shroud, and after being allowed a short time to collect his thoughts, he walked with firm though rather hasty steps to the gallows which was within the same lot on which the jail stood.

He was closely guarded by a file of special assistants, chosen by the sheriff. On being placed beneath the gallows, Deputy Sheriff Davy asked him if he wished to say anything to the crawd. He replied 'No.' The Sheriff, Mr. Barker, inquired if he wished a few moments respite, which he declined.

'The fatal noose was then placed upon his neck, the cap drawn over his face, and at precisely twenty minutes before eleven, Sheriff Barker cut the cord, and poor Primmer passed into the presence of his God.

At fourteen minutes past eleven o'clock the body was examined by Drs. Krieder, Williams, Hoffman, and Pullen, who pronounced it dead. It was then taken down, placed in a neat but plain coffin and delivered to his friends.

During the time of execution a band of volunteer militia stood guard to prevent the intrusion of the crowd. Armed as they were with the most efficient weapons they were sufficient to prevent the intrusion of the crowd, but the moment the corpse was removed and the enclosure thrown open, it was thronged by eager hundreds anxious to pick up
some relic to treasure as a previous remembrance.

But the great center of attraction was the rope with which he was hanged. This is not only a relic, but also possesses the more valuable quality of curing fits, and preventing the approach of witches and evil spirits. We have not the least doubt of its efficacy if properly applied.

It will be many a long, long year ere the winter fireside will cease to hear repeated the story of the trial and execution of the first person ever hanged in Hocking County.

VI - Epilogue

One still wonders how the human mind works, why a person will do what he does. Are some of the motives that make people do good often the same as those that make people do evil? The desire for money will often make people strive to get it, and in their striving their character is enhanced and they become better, more useful citizens. In
others it will lead them to any means to acquire it; to lie, to steal, and even to MURDER.

Time, like Sandburg's 'Leaves of Grass' has ways of healing things. The lives of the people involved are all but forgotten; the terrible deed itself is not known by many people, and also would be soon forgotten if some local historian would let them die, as he probably should do.

We are told that John Fox was one of the early settlers of Laurel Township, raised a family who bought farms and lived in the area during the latter part of the century. John Fox is buried in the little cemetery of the United Brethren Church across the creek from the village of South Perry. His grave is marked and on it in large letters is
carved the word MURDERED.

Nancy Fox lived a number of years after the untimely death of her husband and is probably buried in the same cemetery; however, no marker can be found for her grave.

Elias Primmer was taken to a plot of ground on top of a hill above where the Primmer family lived. It is said that his was the first grave there, but later other members of the family were buried on the same plot. The hill is to the left of State Route 180 as one goes up the Stoody Hill and is in section two of Laurel Township.

This was a horrible episode in the lives of people that now lies all but forgotten in the dim, distant past. Perhaps we should leave it so.

For Further Reading
1. The Hocking Valley Republican; August 7, 1856, August 21, 1856.
2. The Hocking Sentinel; March 6, 1856, June 19, 1856, August 14, 1856.
3. The Athens Messenger; March 14, 1856, November 14, 1856.
4. The Ohio Eagle Gazette - Lancaster; November 27, 1856.
5. The Complete Record, Hocking County Common Pleas Court; Volume 7, beginning on page 245.
6. History of the Hocking Valley; page 1131."

This is the end of the booklet Journey to Nowhere written by James Frey. By the way, I think it was Walt Whitman who wrote Leaves of Grass.

Charla Marchione

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