St. Louis County MO Archives News.....Execution of Sam Samuel (aka Samuel Earls or Earles July 9, 1831
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Kimberly Morgan http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000826 August 27, 2025, 4:24 am

Newspaper.com July 9, 1831
Columbia, Jun 18
The case of the State against Sam Samuel (aka Samuel Earles or Earls), for the 
murder of Charles B. Rouse, came on for trial at the recent term of the Circuit 
Court of this country (Boone County), and terminated in the conviction of the 
accused.

From the evidence elicited on the trial, it appears, that for a considerable 
time previous to the murder, (which occurred at New London, Missouri about 12 
months since,) there had existed great hostility between the deceased and his 
friends, and a number of persons residing near New London.  During the angry 
contention and warfare of these two parties, the deceased unfortunately shot and 
killed a young man by the name of Purdam, who had attached himself to, and took 
an active part with those who were opposed to Rouse.  For this Rouse was tried 
and acquitted.  This seems only to have inflamed and excited the animosity of 
the two factions to greater rancor and violence.—It was during this state of 
things, that Sam Samuel (whose true name is Samuel Earls,) (aka Earles) made his 
appearance in the neighborhood, a  stranger, apparently destitute of money and 
friends.  He did not know, nor does it appear that he had at any time ever 
spoken to the deceased.  On the morning of the unfortunate catastrophe, he had 
secreted himself in an old warehouse, and through a hold, apparently cut for 
that purpose, shot Rouse, while standing in the porch of Mr. Caldwell’s tavern.—
The aim seems to have been deliberately and but too accurately taken.  The ball 
entered the deceased just below the left breast, passed through the body, and 
wounded a gentleman standing near.  Rouse never spoke after he received the 
shot, and expired in a few minutes.  Earles could only have been moved to this 
unprovoked and aggravated murder by the influence of others, or another as 
guilty as himself.  As yet he is the only victim that insulted and violated law 
has reached—while those, by whom he was thus urged on to crime and guilt, have 
thus far evaded that punishment they so justly merit.  As far as credence can be 
given to the confessions of this unfortunate being, all criminal as he is, we 
may yet learn who have been the guilty beings concerned in this foul and bloody 
deed.  But whether they escape the vengeance of violated law and the just 
indignation of offended society or not, they are amenable, and must answer to 
that Tribunal which can neither be deceived nor evaded, and which will mete out 
its punishment according to the atrocity of the crime.

Earls is supposed to be near 60 years of age.  He is to be executed on 8 Jul 
1831, at, or in the vicinity of this place.

Counsel for the State—Wells, Attorney General.
For the Prisoner—Messrs. Anderson, Gordon, King, Van Arsdall, and Robinson.

Transcribed by Kimberly Taylor Morgan—Death Row Inmate, Samuel Earls (aka 
Earles), Missouri Intelligencer and Boon’s Lick Advertiser, Sat, Jun 18, 1831, 
Page 2, 
https://www.newspapers.com/image/937270685/?match=1&terms=earls, accessed 26 Aug 
2025


Columbia, Jul 9, 1831

Sam Samuel, (aka Earls or Earles), who was to have been executed yesterday, Jul 
8, 1831, agreeably to the sentence passed upon him at the late term of the 
Circuit Court of this County (Boone County), for the murder of Charles b. Rouse, 
has been respited by the governor until December next, to enable the Supreme 
Court to decide upon some points in relation to certain proceedings in the 
Circuit Court.

Information of the respite not having reached here until the morning of the day 
appointed for the execution, an immense collection of people, of all sexes and 
of all colors, assembled in the course of the day, notwithstanding the 
unpromising state of the weather.

Transcribed by Kimberly Taylor Morgan—Death Row Inmate, Samuel Earls (aka Earles 
or Sam Samuels), Missouri Intelligencer and Boon’s Lick Advertiser, Sat, Jul 9, 
1831, Page 2, 
https://www.newspapers.com/image/937270722/?terms=earls, accessed 26 Aug 2025


Additional Comments:
There are 2 articles, the date I used was the latest.  These articles are in the 
public domain as they are 194 years old.

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