Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc., Part 119

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Akron > Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc. > Part 119

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

acquainted any more than I shall. The sun of heaven shines bright and

959

FIRST MEETING OF THE LOVERS.

glorious, and I feel as though the Creator of the Universe had made this beautiful world specially to confer bliss upon us poor mortals. * * * I will now close by wishing you good night and pleasant dreams.

Yours in love, CHLOE E. GARGETT."

ETERNAL FIDELITY .- In another long letter, dated August 14, 1870, Miss Gargett commences : "My Ever Beloved and Intended Husband," and besides repeating many of the endearing expres- sions, already quoted, made use of many others equally loving and loyal to her plighted troth. Speaking of a married friend who was supposed to be "rather afraid of her man," she said :

" If such is the case I feel sorry for her, indeed Ido. I do not know what I would do if I had such a man; but I should be pretty apt to tell him that I wasn't born in the woods to be scart by owls; but I never would quarrel with him. I have always said, ever since I was knee high to a toad, that if I couldn't live in peace and harmony with a husband I would not live at all. But, my own dear John, I know I shall never know how to sympathize with those who have the misfortune to unite their destiny with such a man, from experience, for I know that my heart and hand are pledged to a pure and loving soul, and to a whole-hearted man. *

* * Our friends who visit us in our sweet home, will find a paradise here below, and realize a sight of Heaven, that beautiful place, the far away home of the soul; for " Love and Union " is our motto, and " United we stand, and divided we fall."

* * * But, dear Intended Husband, you will always be sure of your Pet Chloe, (as you call her), whether you are rich or poor, for I never

will forsake you as long as my life is spared. * * * If you had gone off and we had not known each other, I know I should have died an old maid, for you are certainly my mate, and the only one in this wide world. Oh, I never thought I should be so well suited; but I am suited to a T. *: * * . I think we did not waste much time in forming acquaint- ance, but it's just as you say yourself. It is not much trouble to do any- thing, when we know how it's done; but it isn't every one that knows how. But sister Mary is right; we will just make a match span every time; what one can't think of the other will. * * * I am thinking there will

be some tall talking and laughing done when you come down.

* * It is * * * I could not sleep until I had answered your loving let- ter, which set my heart a throbbing with love for you *

nearly 12 o'clock, and so I will bid you a sweet good night, my heart's bright star of love. How happy I am to feel sure in my heart, as I say good night, that nothing but death can ever part you and me. There is no earthly power can do it. * * * It would make no difference with me what Orpha or any one else could write, and I guess Orpha has nothing to say against you, dear John, for Mary says she likes you ; but if she does not, it will make no difference, for I love you and always will; no matter what any one tells me, I am yours, and never can be anybody else's, and a happy and contented couple we will make too, in spite of anybody in the world.

* From your loving and intended wife,

A sweet good night kiss from your Pet."

C. E. GARGETT.

MEETING OF THE LOVERS .- A letter from Miss Gargett, dated August 27, abounding in similar asseverations of affection and fidelity, declared that she would stick to him "like grim death," and a letter from Hunter, dated September 25, after referring to his intention to soon visit her, said: "I am rather green, but, as the girl said, 'it is better to be green than withered.'" Further .on he said: "I wish you were locked in my arms and the key was lost," and closed with " Your own true and intended husband, JOHN H. HUNTER."

About the 20th of October, Hunter visited Miss Gargett, at the home of her parents, where he was well received by the family, hospitably entertained, and created such a favorable impression that, after a sojourn of some three or four days, he left as the .acknowledged suitor for Miss G's hand.

960

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH."-Return- ing to Elm Hall, correspondence between the lovers was resumed in much the same strain as before, but about a month later a marked coolness began to pervade Miss G's letters which caused Hunter, under date of December 6, to write as follows:

" MISS C. E. GARGETT : DEAR CHLOE-As I must still call you, it is with no small amount of bitter grief or sadness that causes me to sit down to answer your letter of November 27, which I received this evening. * * * By the way you wrote this last letter to me so cold, I thought I would answer it at this time. But no coldness has as yet reached the heart of the boy who loved you as his own soul. I am so full of grief to-night, I am almost down sick. Oh, Chloe, I have loved you dearly. But in the light that your love appears to be in your last letter, causes me sadly to lament the day I first wrote to you. Oh, Chloe, don't deceive me. Come out in true colors and say, as you said before, 'I am your true or intended wife.' If you don't, for God's sake tell me. Let us part and have no more correspondence, for I might as well know my future prospects first as last. * * * Mary has been telling me of Orpha deceiving me and her also, and trying to pick faults and bad meaning out of some things I should have said to her when I canie back from Ohio. She found fault because I mentioned your teeth to her ; also of your having a sore ear or head, and that I spoke of your not putting on as much style as her or Mary. But if she takes that to herself, I think she would say nothing to you about it, as your style suits me very well.

Also Mr. Gee told Orpha he would not for $25 you would

marry me. * * Your brother, James, was to Orpha's just before she went down, and Isaac told him a lingo about us, and he said he would C* write to you and put a stop to it. * * If you are to marry to suit them all, you will break the heart of a true and confidential lover. * * According to Orpha's say to Mary, she was going down to try to break your promise. * * But if you will only prove true to me, Chloe, I will make you a happy wife during life. * * What an awful feeling it is for either one of us to break that solemn promise for the false per- suasions of others, and make ourselves forever unhappy in this world. * * * I am just one of the best boys on the top of the earth, but only a few know it, and that's just as I want it to be, for if you and me get married we won't have to look to relations for a living, I hope, for I calculate to do that part myself. * *

* If I am too fast in my opinion of this letter, I beg of you to forgive me, for as you said yourself, I fairly love the ground you tread on; and why shouldn't I ? * *

* I will now address myself to you as usual, your loving and intended husband, which you cut off in your last to me, also your first ; but I cannot do it. You said ' Yours. in love, etc. That is played out. Well, I must dry up, as my paper is near full also. *

* From your intended husband,

A big kiss for you as usual." J. H. HUNTER.

THE FINAL DISMISSAL .- In reply to the foregoing letter, under date of December 11, Miss Gargett wrote:

"DEAREST JOHN :

Yours of December 6, reached me safely last evening, which found me quite well. John, you accused me of sending you a cold letter. From all accounts I think I had good reason for doing so. I know it is not a very pleasant situation to be in, but it is nothing when a person gets used to it. John, why did you not tell me, when you were here, that you thought I had tried to fool you on my age and false teeth? I never tried to fool you on either. If I had I should have accomplished my desire; and as for my taste and style, I think I shall always do in the future as in the past, have one of my own. You say you had no fault to find with the material, but the fitting and making did not suit; that I hadn't near as good taste as Mrs. Stiles or Mrs. Gee. So that is your mind on the subject, is it? Well, I can soon tell what my opinion is. I think the best thing you can do is to marry some one of my tasty sisters, for I do not wish a man for my husband that is more taken up with my relatives than with ine. * *

* I think if there has been any fooling on either side, you are the one that has done it, for I have never written one thing to you and told another story to some one else. What else was it but trying to deceive mne when you wrote that you could not find a single fault with me, and at the same time telling others that I had not near as good taste as my sisters. * * * Besides, John.

961

THREATENS DIRE VENGEANCE.

you do not give a very straight history of your life. I, of course, thought it to be my duty to find out all I could in regard to your past life and I find that you tell different stories in regard to your parents, etc. * *

* I tell you, John, things look dark to me. I feel as though you had done your best to deceive me. * * * I understand that you say you thought I had never been around much. I am glad you think so; but if I have not, I am sharp enough for the most of you fellows, every time. * . * * I had some doubts in my mind when you were down here, caused by the run of your conversation, which set me to thinking, and I asked some questions and of course they told me what they knew of you; and I find that you have tried to deceive me the very worst kind, and for that reason I could not write you as formerly. I can assure you, dear John, it is no pleasure for me to write you this letter, for I had placed great confidence in you, and expected to have you to walk beside through life. But I am very thankful that I got my eyes open before we were married, for, John, we are much better off to part as we are now, than to get married and lead an unhappy life. * * * I, of course, have no doubt you feel bad, but no more so than I do, for it is not very pleasant, after making the promises to each other that we have, to have any trouble arise like this *

* * I presume it will be many a long day before you or me will forget the past.

I know I shall carry it writ- ten on my heart to the grave * * * Oh, John, this is a very sad hour to me. I can never have any more confidence in the men, if I find you have deceived me, as I fear you have. I am thinking of coming up when Orpha comes home. If I do we can talk this matter over, but if I should not come if you think this worthy of an answer I shall be glad to hear from you. But, John, wherever you are, you may know I often think of you. This from your sad

CHLOE."

MISS GARGETT VISITS MICHIGAN .- As intimated in the last quoted letter, Miss Gargett's sister, Orpha, was then on a visit to her parents, in Richfield, and on her return to Michigan, soon afterwards, Miss Gargett accompanied her, remaining through the Winter; spending a portion of the time with her sisters, Mrs. Gee and Mrs. Stiles at Elm Hall, and a portion with her brother, James Gargett, at Alma, some ten or eleven miles from Elm Hall.

While at her brother's, in the latter part of December, Hunter called to see her. He inquired of her why she had treated him so? To which she replied that he had deceived her; that he had lied to her, and was not the man he had represented himself to be. He then turned upon her brother and accused him of having broken off the match because of his poverty, and left in considerable of a rage. Sometime afterwards he called again, and asked to see Chloe. Mr. Gargett went and called her, but she sent word to Hunter that she did not wish to see him. Whereupon he became very angry, pulled off his coat and swore that he would see her if she was in the house. Mr. Gargett stepped in front of him and told him he could not run that house while he was there. Hunter replied with an oath, that if Gargett interfered he must take the consequences, whereupon Gargett said: "You infernal scoundrel get out of the door," and as he did not inove fast enough to suit him, Gargett kicked him out.

HUNTER THREATENS REVENGE .- Hunter always seems to have been of a very vain and boastful turn of mind, and from the very commencement of his correspondence with Chloe, and especially after that correspondence had developed into a marriage engage- ment, he made a confidant of almost every one with whom he conversed, showing and reading her letters to them, and boasting of the handsome dower she would bring him, which he variously stated at from $10,000 to $16,000; and after his his final rejection he was continually talking about the matter to whoever would listen

962

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

to him, and threatening vengeance against James Gargett, and the other members of the family, who had come between him and "his girl." These threats, of course, reached the ears of Miss Gar- gett and her friends, but were regarded as idle talk, born of his insatiate vanity and boastful proclivities, or uttered while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, to the use of which he was more or less addicted. But the sequel showed that his talk was not as idle as had been imagined.

DELIBERATELY PLANNING FOR REVENGE .- About the middle of May, 1871, Miss Gargett returned to her home, in Richfield, on learning which, Hunter, in his usual braggart manner, swore that he would follow her to Ohio, demand a fulfilment of her promise, and compel her to marry him, or he would "clean out" the entire Gargett family, accompanying these threats with a great show of anger, and the most profane and obscene expressions that his naturally low instincts could devise. These wild anathemas, too, were regarded as idle talk, by those in whose presence they were uttered, the general belief being that he was too cowardly to attempt to put his threats into execution. But in this opinion, also, his acquaintances seem to have been mistaken, as evidenced by his subsequent conduct.

STARTS ON HIS FATAL MISSION .- About the 20th day of May, 1871, Hunter borrowed of Mr. J. G. Lacey, of Carson City, Mich., a seven-shooter revolver, having previously informed Mr. Lacey that he was going to Ohio to get married. On Thursday, May 25, Hunter, armed with this revolver, and carrying two small satchels, one of which contained the letters which had been written to him by Miss Gargett, left Elm Hall for Ohio, going by stage to Pewamo, and from thence, by rail, to Detroit, where he took a steamer for Cleveland, arriving at the latter place on Saturday morning, May 27. Here he took passage with Moses McFarlin, then carrying the mail between Cleveland and Copley, leaving Cleveland about eight o'clock A. M.

On the way to Richfield, Hunter talked freely to Mr. McFarlin about his love affairs; exhibited his letters; showed a picture of Chloe; said he was going down to marry her; that there had never been any trouble between him and the girl, but that her friends in Michigan had interfered, etc. On the suggestion from McFarlin that perhaps the old folks wouldn't let him see Chloe, Hunter clapped his hand to his side pocket, took out his revolver, saying that it contained seven loads, and that he would see the girl or "clean out the whole shebang;" that he was "just John Bull enough to do it."

THE BLOODY DOUBLE TRAGEDY .- On his arrival at the West Center of Richfield, Hunter met Rodney Gargett at the postoffice. They shook hands and cordially greeted each other, Hunter telling Rodney that he was going to their house; hadn't much to do and had set some hands to work on a job of painting, telling them he shouldn't be back for a couple of weeks; asked if Chloe was at home; said he supposed that Rodney had learned that he and Chloe had had some difficulty, and that he had come down to talk the matter over, and thought they would all feel better over it.

Hunter went to the hotel and changed his clothes, then accompanied Rodney to a saw mill and helped unload the log he had hauled in; accompanied him to another mill and assisted in

963

THE DOUBLE MURDER.

loading up with lumber; then went to hotel together where they drank two or three glasses of beer each, which Hunter paid for, and, at a little after six o'clock in the evening, started for the Gar- gett homestead, distant about one mile and a quarter.

The conversation on the way was of a quiet, pleasant, and friendly character, with no intimation from Hunter of the deep passion rankling in his breast. The Gargett farm was situated upon the south side of an east and west road, the house fronting to the north. A short distance east of the house was a broad lane, between the dooryard and the barn, into which a small gate opened, about opposite the kitchen door. As Rodney and Hunter drove down the road, Mr. Gargett and a neighbor, Mr. S. M. Waldo, were standing near the east side of the lane, the hired man, Richard Abrams, being in the barnyard, milking, while Mrs. Gargett and Chloe were in the house; the latter up stairs dressing for a party. As Rodney and Hunter drove into the lane, and passed where Mr. Gargett and Mr. Waldo were standing, Mr. Gargett, having a pail in his hand, hastily stepped towards the gate, lead- ing to the house. Rodney Gargett dismounted from the load of lumber upon the left, or east, side, while Hunter dismounted upon the west side. Hastily approaching Mr. Gargett, as he was pass- ing through the gate, Hunter said, "Good evening Mr. Gargett," to which the old gentleman made no reply, but passed on towards the house. Following him up Hunter said "Where's Chloe? I want to see her," to which Mr. Gargett replied, "No matter where she is; she don't want to see you," and ordered him to leave the premises, whereupon Hunter drew his revolver and shot Mr. Gar- gett in the head, about two inches above the eye, Mr. Gargett instantly falling to the ground, insensible. At this time Mrs. Gar- gett was standing in the kitchen door, in full view of what was going on, and upon hearing the report of the pistol, and seeing her husband fall, uttered a loud scream, and rushing to the chamber door called to Chloe to run for her life.

On the fall of Mr. Gargett, Hunter rushed into the house, and encountering Mrs. Gargett, in the hall, near the foot of the chamber stairs, without a word, raised his weapon and fired at her, the ball entering her head near the left temple, killing her instantly. By this time Rodney rushed into the house and grap- pled with the assassin, who in the desperate struggle that ensued fired at him, the shot passing through his ear, causing him to fall out of the door, and for a moment rendering him unconscious. On recovering himself, Rodney mounted one of the horses which had in the meantime been unhitched from the wagon by the hired man, and rode post-haste to the West Center for help.

ESCAPE OF CHLOE -- PLUCKY MRS. POOLE .- Chloe being, as before stated, up-stairs on hearing and recognizing Hunter's voice, and the report of the revolver, looked out of the window and saw her father lying upon the ground. At once comprehending the dread- ful work that was being done below, she ran down the stairs just as her mother opened the door, and called upon her to flee for her life. Thereupon she rushed up-stairs again, and at the very moment her mother was shot to death, at the hands of her infuri- ated lover, she jumped from the front chamber window to the ground, and ran across the street to the house of Mrs. Caroline Poole, who, hearing the firing, was running over to see what the

964

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

matter was. With the exclamation "Oh, don't tell him where I am!" Chloe continued on to Mrs. Poole's, while Mrs. Poole herself continued on to the scene of blood and carnage.

Seeing Mr. Gargett in the yard, apparently dead, Mrs. Poole passed into the house to look after Mrs. Gargett. On entering she encountered Hunter, near the kitchen door, reloading his revolver, and said to him: "Oh, dear sir, what have you been doing? hand me that pistol." Hunter replied, " Don't come near me!" and lev- eled his pistol at her, and continuing said: "I want the girl; I want Chloe, and the girl I'll have. I won't hurt her, but I will have her." Mrs. Poole then crowded past Hunter and went in to find Mrs. Gargett, whom she found lying dead upon the floor of the sitting room. Presently Hunter came storming in, saying: "I will have the girl, she's in this house and I am determined to have her!" He then opened the stair door and rushed up into the chamber.

Mrs. Poole thereupon ran rapidly to her own house, and telling Chloe to secrete herself in the cellar, started back, meeting Hunter, who, not finding Chloe in the upper rooms of the Gargett house, had followed her across the street. Here Hunter again said: "I want Chloe, and must have her; I must kiss her before I die." Mrs. Poole then went up to him and laid her hand upon his arm, saying: "My dear sir, consider what you are doing." He pointed his pistol at her, saying: "Don't touch me!" She said: "I won't touch you, but consider what you are doing." He replied: " I have considered; I am rational and conscious of all that I am doing;" and continuing, said: "Read those letters; (handing her the satchel) I've been cruelly deceived; read and judge for yourself whether I am justified in what I have done; I mean to die and die by my own hand," repeating the latter declaration a number. of times.

Mrs. Poole's little children here called to their mother to come into the house, for he would shoot her. She said, "No, sir; you won't shoot me, will you?" to which he replied, "No, madam; you are innocent; shake hands," and immediately put his pistol in his pocket, adding: " I have been engaged to Chloe twice; once before I saw her and once afterwards, and this is what she has done for me." Still expressing his wish and determination to see Chloe, Mrs. Poole, to divert his attention from her premises, suggested that she might be in some of the outbuildings, and started with him out of the gate towards the Gargett place, Hunter in the meantime saying "He (Mr. Gargett) ordered me from the place and struck me with the pail, and I shot him, and I'm glad of it. I know that I must die for this, and I mean to shoot myself." He then had the pistol in his right hand, and taking off his cap, said: "Yes, I am going to shoot myself." Mrs. Poole said, "Pray, don't shoot yourself while I am here," and turned her face away, when he replied, "Oh, no, I can't shoot myself; I must have one more kiss before I die."

THE ASSASSIN ARRESTED .- While this parley was being held between Mrs. Poole and the assassin, the alarmed neighbors began to arrive, and he was very soon afterwards secured, Mr. J. E. Buck, watching his opportunity, seizing him around the waist and arms from behind, while Mr. Elbridge Bigelow grappled him by the- throat and took the revolver from him. He was then bound with

965

INDICTMENT, TRIAL, ETC.

a rope. There was, of course, very great excitement, as the news of the double murder spread from house to house, and in an incredibly short space of time the premises swarmed with a large and terribly excited multitude of people.

There was considerable talk about inflicting summary ven- geance upon the double-almost triple-murderer, divining which Hunter said they might hang him or shoot him, but he begged of them not to hurt or abuse him. The better counsels of the order- loving people of the neighborhood, however, prevailed, and he was soon afterwards taken to the West Center of Richfield, by Mr. Martin C. Bentley, who immediately filed an affidavit before Justice J. A. Chandler, charging him with the murder of Mrs. Gargett. After a brief examination of witnesses, Justice Chandler held him to answer to the Court of Common Pleas then in session, and delivered him into the hands of Constable William F. Huddle- ston, who, accompanied by Mr. Emmon S. Oviatt, now of Akron,. as special constable, and by Mr. Martin A. Marquitt, of Hinckley, as teamster, took him to Akron the same night and committed him to jail.

CORONER'S INQUEST, INDICTMENT, ETC .- On Sunday, May 28, 1871, Justice J. A. Chandler, in the absence of Coroner O. E. Gross, summoned a jury to inquire into the cause of Mrs. Gargett's death, composed of the following named gentlemen: R. C. Ells- worth, Norris Humphrey, J. B. Lambert, S. E. Shepard, H. E. Newton, and C. N. Jagger; the verdict of the jury, after hearing the testimony, being, that the deceased came to her death by a shot from a revolver fired by the hand of John H. Hunter.

The regular grand jury for May term of the Court of Common Pleas being still in session when the prisoner was committed to jail, on the second day of June, returned two true bills against Hunter, for murder in the first degree, in the shooting of Mrs. Elizabeth Gargett, and for assault with intent to kill in shooting. at and wounding Rodney Gargett. On Monday, June 5, the pris- oner, on being arraigned, pleaded "Not Guilty" to both indictments.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228