The Trial and Execution of Dr. John W. Hughes for the Murder of Miss Tamzen Parsons, With a Sketch of His Life as Related by Himself

Cleveland: Printed by the Cleveland Leader Company for John K. Stetler and Co., 1866.

First Edition. 58 pp, in original printed wrappers, illustrated with a portrait of the murderer. Library stamp on front wrapper, but otherwise unmarked and a much nicer copy than usually found. Very good. Although this may not be, as the subtitle claims "a record of love, bigamny and murder unparalleled in the annals of crime," the trial of Dr. John W. Hughes was certainly one of the most sensational Cleveland had ever seen. It attracted public interest because the defendant was, when not intoxicated, a respectable citizen and recently returned Civil War veteran. However, he clearly had a weakness for wine and women. He had previously been jailed for bigamy, having married the teenaged Tamzen Parsons when he already had another wife and child. But five months in prison did not dampen his passion for the unfortunate young lady, whom he shot to death in a fit of drunken rage. According to McDade (493), he spoke at his execution for 15 minutes "until the sheriff reminded him 'Time is going.' Then he dropped." McDade identified eight holdings; OCLC lists only two physical copies (NYHS and University of Michigan).

Item #19440

Sold