Miami Union

July 18, 1912 

HACKETT, JOHN - Statler's stone quarry at Piqua was the scene of another murder early Saturday morning when Robert Garrison, colored, fractured the skull of John Hackett, also colored, with a blow from a heavy oak plank, the victim dying at Memorial hospital within an hour afterwards.  It seems that the two negroes were engaged in taking up and relaying some tracks at the quarry.  Garrison was operating a jack in raising the track when a timber which Hackett was holding either fell or was thrown against Garrison.  The latter became enraged and, grabbing the timber struck Hackett a terrific blow on the head.  Hackett was rendered unconscious by the blow, but little attention was paid to the affair by the other laborers engaged on the work and his assailant, walked away unmolested.  After laying for some time in the hot sun Hackett roused and called for a drink of water which was brought to him.  He was then helped to the shade of a nearby tree and word was sent to the Piqua police.  An ambulance was called and the victim taken to Memorial hospital where he died within a few minutes after being received.  A post mortem examination disclosed the fact that his skull had been fractured.  Chief Gehle and his men learned that Garrison had started south along the canal and word was at once telephoned to Chief Headley, Sheriff Paul and Deputy Sheriff Herr of this city who secured an auto and started in pursuit of the murderer.  Less than a half hour after receiving the word the local officers located Garrison hiding in the weeds along the canal bank near Midway and placed him under arrest.  He did not know that his victim was dead until apprized of the fact by the Troy officers.  The negro was at once arraigned before Mayor Kiser of Piqua and was bound over to the grand jury without bond.  He is now confined in the county jail. 

Return to Main Page