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John ''Speed'' Hamilton Tombstone Dedication
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Composed by Joel Meyers
This article has appeared in The Booneville Sentinel and most recently in The Kentucky Explorer November, 2009 edition.
Photo by Tommy Barrett
John Speed Hamilton
Tombstone Dedication
September 4, 2007
Hamilton/Venable Cemetery
Marcum Ridge Rd.
Vincent, Owsley Co., Kentucky
Thank you to all who gave of their time and money to make this stone dedication a reality and all those who attended this stone dedication for John Speed Hamilton, United States Marshall killed in the line of duty one hundred and fifteen years ago, almost to the day.
Patrick Hamilton, Sr., great grandfather to John Speed Hamilton, came into Kentucky from Augusta Co., Va. through the Cumberland Gap on the Wilderness Trail shortly after Daniel Boone and his 30 axmen carved the trail out in 1775. Patrick settled in Estill County, Kentucky and began grubbing out his homestead. Hard work and many trials faced these early pioneers. In 1785, Patrick Hamilton, Jr., Speed Hamilton’s Grandfather, was born. As his father before him, he proceeded to raise his own family the best way he could. To him and his wife, Sarah “Sally Stivers, John Speed Hamilton’s father was born. Owen Hamilton stayed in the Estill County area until he was 17 years old and migrated to Owsley Co., Ky. with his parents. Here he met and married Anna Roberts in 1845. During the bloody War Between the States, John Speed Hamilton was brought into this world. He was born on July 25, 1863.
As a small child, John witnessed the savage raids and revenge killings by the Rebels who could not accept that the war was over. Lawlessness prevailed all over the area where John lived. The main instigator was moonshine whiskey. It was known as the Devil’s Brew. Honest hardworking men, after consuming the brew, would fight and kill their neighbors. John must have realized his mission in life at an early age. He had to help bring down these brewers of death and destruction. He became a United States Marshal and waged his own war against these Moonshiners. John, along with other Marshals, had arrested dozens of these men and put them out of business.
On August 25, 1892 John and his Deputy, a Mr. Riley, received tips that a big moonshine operation was being conducted by John Sandlin and Estill Deaton in Breathitt Co., Ky. They set out on horse-back for Breathitt County and nearing Crockettsville, they were ambushed by gunfire. Deputy Riley was shot in the arm and John was hit six times. The shooters fled and Riley managed to get John on his horse and took him back to his home in Owsley County. John Speed Hamilton died from his wounds a few days later on August 28th.
We dedicate this stone in memory of John Speed Hamilton, United States Marshall. Born July 25, 1863 and died in the line of duty from gunshot wounds on August 28, 1892. The letters carved in this stone will serve as a lasting memorial for all who stand before it.
Remember forever the bravery, valor and courage interred beneath the stone.
Thanks go to the members of The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society for donating their time and money, for looking for details to his life and death, and to Sheriff Kelly Shouse, Searcy and Strong, and all the attendees for taking the time to come and share in this memorial, Kelly Shouse, Owsley County Sheriff, Johnnie Moore, Owsley County Deputy Sheriff, Officer John Logsdon, Chief of Police, Booneville and Trooper James Gross of the Kentucky State Police, Post 7. Thank you to ordinary citizens, Tom TT Barrett, Joel Meyers, and his sister Jill Frese from Manhattan, Kansas and Lavonne Smith. The dedication eulogy was given by Joel Meyers and flowers by John and Jill Frese, the Flag from Tom. Thanks to Tom and Wendell for setting the stone.
Photo by Jill Frese
To see a photo of John Speed Hamilton go to the Photo Gallery.
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