Joseph R. Hinds

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Husband Joseph R. Hinds ¹

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           Born: Abt 1832 - Kentucky
     Christened: 
           Died: 11 Nov 1860 - Linn Co., Kansas
         Buried:  - Eureka Cemetery, Linn Co., Kansas

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         Father: Benjamin Hinds (Abt 1786-1850/1860)
         Mother: Nancy Fox (Abt 1804-1874) 2

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Wife

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Joseph R. Hinds

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CENSUS:

<pre>1860 Linn Co., Kansas, Patosi Township, p.o. Potosi; July 18; pg 69
508/508
J. R. Hinds 27 MW Ky $500/$300 Farmer
Nancy " 45 FW Ky $250/$150
Sarah " 24 FW Ky
Laura " 23 FW Ky
Washington " 22 MW Ky $--/$200 Farmer
Martha " 20 FW Ky
Ben J. " 15 MW Ky
Charity " 14 FW Ky
Tennessee " 12 FW Mo
Gipson Hendrix 25 MW In $500/$-- Farmer </pre>

HANGING:

Various websites describe the activities of Charles R. Jennison, including the hanging of Russell Hinds. The following is at http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/linn/linn-co-p4.html#THE_MARAIS_DES_CYGNES_MASSACRE

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF KANSAS by William G. Cutler:

The Hanging of Russell Hinds. - This act was performed on or about November 12, 1860. The hanging was done by a party of nine men, under command of C. R. Jennison, and was probably done for the purpose of terrorizing the Pro-slavery citizens of the county, as Samuel Scott, a leading Pro-slavery man, and wealthy citizen of Scott Township, was hanged by the same party, either the day before or the day after the hanging of Hinds, and an attempt was made to capture and hang John W. Garrett, of Potosi Township, about the same time. But the pretext for hanging Hinds was that he had apprehended and returned to his master a fugitive slave, for the sake of the reward ($25). The law under which he was hanged, is found in Exodus, xxi 16, "and he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death."

The hanging took place on Mine Creek, in the timber near the State line. Montgomery was not present, but appears to have approved of it, as he wrote the following note of the occurrence, and handed it to Judge Hanway for the Judge's information:

"Russ Hinds, hung the 12th day of November, 1860, for man stealing. He was a drunken border ruffian, worth a great deal to hand, but good for nothing else. He had caught a fugitive slave, and carried him back to Missouri for the sake of a reward. He was condemned by a jury of twelve men, the law being found in the 16th verse of Exodus, xxi."

A number of others were tried for the same crime of "man stealing," but as it could not be proved that they had succeeded, and as they each took an oath never again to engage in the unchristian business, they were released.

The hanging of Hinds and these subsequent proceedings created a profound sensation throughout the country. To render the fugitive slave law a nullity was denounced as the worst kind of treason; but, notwithstanding, the law became henceforth a dead letter in the border tier of counties. And in order to give the proceedings of the Jayhawkers some degree of respectability and dignity, a convention was held at Mound City, December 8, which passed resolutions justifying the hanging of Russell Hinds and Samuel Scott, and the shooting of L. D. Moore. In returning the slave to his master, the truth seems to be that John O. Turner, at the present time a respected farmer of Linn County, was more culpable than Hinds. The slave had left his master, who lived near Pleasant Gap, Mo., and stopped at Mr. Turner's house for shelter. Here he remained two or three days, Mr. Turner trying to persuade him to return to his master, who was a personal friend of Mr. Turner. At length either with or without the assistance of Mr. Hinds, he prevailed upon the fugitive to return, and he and Hinds accompanied him to his master's house. The reward was tendered, but neither Turner nor Hinds would accept it. Hinds however, did accept $5 as a reimbursement for expenses.

Jennison's party arrested Hinds about two miles east of where Pleasanton now stands, and on the way to the place of execution met Mr. Turner, with his team and wagon about three-fourths of a mile north of his house. Jennison did not know Turner, but a few of his men did; and, being Masons, advised him by signs not to reveal his indentity (sic). Hinds, although knowing his own fate, and knowing that Turner was more guilty than himself of the crime for which he was about to be hanged, kept perfectly quiet, and so the interview between Jennison and Turner ended without the former learning who the latter was; otherwise, Turner would have accompanied Hinds to that bourne whence no traveler returns.

1 Linn County Historical Society, 100 Cemeteries and Burial Sites in Linn County, Kansas, 1987, pg 451. Repository: Clayton Library, Houston, Texas.

2 Linn County Historical Society, 100 Cemeteries and Burial Sites in Linn County, Kansas, 1987, pg 518. Repository: Clayton Library, Houston, Texas.