Marion County AlArchives Obituaries.....CHASTAIN, E. Jordan December 1895
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Veneta McKinney http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00016.html#0003775 July 22, 2010, 6:57 pm

Hamilton News Press, Dec. 12, 1895 - pg 5
GOOD MAN FOULLY MURDERED – a Shocking Crime Committed in Itawamba
	One of the most horrible murders ever committed in any country, and the 
details of which are sickening in the extreme, occurred in the eastern part of 
Itawamba County, Miss., near Rara Avis, last Friday morning. We refer to the 
murder of E. JORDAN CHASTAIN near his home.  To add to its horribleness his own 
wife is under arrest charged with the crime.
	Mr. CHASTAIN was one of the oldest and best known citizens of 
Itawamba.  He was over 75 years of age, and was very badly crippled.  He could 
not walk at all without the aid of a crutch.  He had lived at the same place as 
a merchant and farmer where he met his death for over 50 years, and was 
universally liked by his neighbors.  In fact, every one in this scion who had 
the pleasure of his acquaintance speak of him in the highest terms of praise.  
Mr. and Mrs. CHASTAIN had live d together 48 years and reared a large family, 
seven sons and two daughters, and they are prominent citizens in the 
communities in which they reside.
	From the evidence adduced before the coroner’s jury it seems that h e 
and his wife , who is over 68 years of age, but a well preserved and fine 
looking woman, of late had been at outs about several little trivial matter, 
and for two or three days prior to the fateful morning had not spoken to each 
other. The last row grew out his buying some package coffee and failing to 
bring home the glass prizes given away with it.
	On Friday morning about 9 o’clock he took his ax and went to the woods 
about 150 yards from his house for the purpose of cutting some fire wood.  He 
had been at work for some time when his wife sent a negro girl named Fannie 
that she had hired to the post office, which is a mile from the house.  It is 
claimed that this is an unusual thing for her to do.  The girl claims that she 
noticed him chopping about 10 o’clock.  When she returned from the post office 
she prepared dinner, and Mrs. CHASTAIN instructed her to go after her husband.  
The negro girl, not hearing him chopping, went to the woods and finally found 
him cold in death with three frightful gashes in his head and his skull split 
wide open, which had been done with a small ax.  She at once gave the alarm, 
and the neighborhood gathered there to witness the gruesome spectacle, and to 
find out if possible who had committed the foul deed.  Upon inspection, it was 
found that some one whose track exactly tallied with that of Mrs. CHASTAIN had 
passed from the house through the orchard going in the direction of where the 
murdered man was found.  The premises were examined, and the small ax was found 
with human blood and gray hair all over it.  This was examined and tested by 
competent physicians present, who swore before the jury that the ax was the 
instrument used and that the hair and blood was that of the dead man.
	The body of the unfortunate man was consigned to its last resting place 
on Monday evening, and was followed to the grave by all of his neighbors as 
well some friends from a distance who had heard of his terrible death.  The 
Masonic Lodge, of which he was an honored member, will hold memorial services 
at some time in the near future, as it was impossible at the time to get that 
body together in order to have a Masonic funeral.	
	The coroner’s jury found a verdict in substance the E. JORDAN CHASTAIN 
came to his death from blows inflicted with an ax in the hands of Mrs. CHATIAN, 
the wife of the deceased.
	Mrs. CHASTAIN was placed under arrest on Monday evening, and the 
preliminary trial set for the next day.  Up to the hour of going to press we 
have not heard of the result of the trail. Hon. W. C. DAVIS of Hamilton has 
been retained to prosecute the case.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/marion/obits/c/chastain1745gob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb