This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MehdiFakhar Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.iron/253.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: More on the Hildrebrand/Charles Hart episode can be found online at: Confessions of Sam HILDEBRAND Reprinted from the County Advertiser by Farmington News Printing Company September 26, 1979 http://www.rootsweb.com/~mostfran/hildebrand/chapter26.htm CHAPTER 26 [Started to St. Francois County, Missouri. - Hung VOGUS and ZIMMER. - Hung George HART. - Concealed in Pike Run Hills. - Started back. - Hung Mr. METTS' negro, and another one. - Took two deserters back and hung them.] Seeks Out Horse Thief From there we went to the residence of Charles HART, where we found his son George, whom we were after. We stationed men at the back door and demanded admittance at the front; the old man in a short time opened the door, and in obedience to our orders struck a light. On demanding George HART he made his appearance, looking very much condemned. On asking him about the horse he had taken when he murdered young BOWMAN, he stated that he had traded him off, and that he was out of the country. We then told him that he must go with us, to which he made no objection, but was very anxious to know what we wished to do with him; we told him to wait and see. Before we had taken him far, he became satisfied that he would be killed, and made us some offers for his life, which Captain BOWMAN silenced in a few words by asking him if he thought he was able to pay for the life of young BOWMAN whom he had murdered in cold blood. We traveled about eight miles with our prisoner, during whic! h time he made a complete confession. Daylight began to appear; we were now about a mile from Big River Mills, and not wishing to be encumbered by a prisoner, we took some hickory bark and hung him to a dogwood sapling. One of his feet touched the ground, so we placed it in the fork of a bush, which completed the process of hanging. ------------------------- A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF OF ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, MISSOURI 1822-1823 Michael Hart 1825-1826 Charles Hart - Was also elected Presiding Judge of County Court 1855 and served until 1857. Charles was later appointed as County Assessor in 1865 and served until 1866. ------ Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.