Tom McCabe's Genealogy 2025

Washington Gann Sentenced

Sentence

At our request a friend has kindly furnished us with a copy of the sentence pronounced by Judge Gaut, upon Washington Gann, convicted of murder in the first degree at the late term of the Circuit Court of Hamilton County.

It will be found below:

Washington Gann: -- You have been arraigned, charged and tried, for the murder of William Wilcoxen, on the night of the 4th of November, 1856, in the county of Hamilton.

You have been tried by a jury of Hamilton County, chosen by yourself. That jury, after a careful and patient hearing of the evidence and the argument of counsel, upon their oaths, have found, that on the night of the 4th of November, 1856,in the county of Hamilton, you did unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, premeditatedly, and of your malice aforethought, kill and murder William Wilcoxen, and in so doing you are guilty of murder in the first degree; and the jury further found that there were no mitigating circumstances in your case.

I believe you had the full benefit of the law in the Court’s charge to the jury. I believe the proof before the jury fully warranted and sustains their verdict.

It now only remains for the Court to pronounce the judgment of the law upon the verdict of the jury. It is not my judgment, but the sentence of the law. It is a solemn responsibility.

The judgment of the Court, therefore, is, that you be taken by the Sheriff of Hamilton County, Tennessee, from the jail of said county, on Friday, the 10th day of July, 1857, between the hours of 10 o’clock and 3 o’clock of that day, to some suitable place in the vicinity of the town of Harrison, in said County, to be selected and prepared by the Sheriff for that purpose, and that you be then and there hung my the neck by said Sheriff until you are dead. And that the said Sheriff have a sufficient force to carry into execution this judgment of the Court.

Permit me, in the discharge of me fearful responsibility, to add, that you have three months for reflection and preparation to meet death and judgment before Almighty God. – “Whilst the lamp holds out to burn the vilest sinner may return.” Seek forgiveness and pardon in the atonement of Christ, and prepare to meet death and judgment – and may God, in this infinite wisdom, have mercy upon your soul and save it in that awful day.

The Athens Post April 17, 1857

Washington Gann Sentenced

Sentence

At our request a friend has kindly furnished us with a copy of the sentence pronounced by Judge Gaut, upon Washington Gann, convicted of murder in the first degree at the late term of the Circuit Court of Hamilton County.

It will be found below:

Washington Gann: -- You have been arraigned, charged and tried, for the murder of William Wilcoxen, on the night of the 4th of November, 1856, in the county of Hamilton.

You have been tried by a jury of Hamilton County, chosen by yourself. That jury, after a careful and patient hearing of the evidence and the argument of counsel, upon their oaths, have found, that on the night of the 4th of November, 1856,in the county of Hamilton, you did unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, premeditatedly, and of your malice aforethought, kill and murder William Wilcoxen, and in so doing you are guilty of murder in the first degree; and the jury further found that there were no mitigating circumstances in your case.

I believe you had the full benefit of the law in the Court’s charge to the jury. I believe the proof before the jury fully warranted and sustains their verdict.

It now only remains for the Court to pronounce the judgment of the law upon the verdict of the jury. It is not my judgment, but the sentence of the law. It is a solemn responsibility.

The judgment of the Court, therefore, is, that you be taken by the Sheriff of Hamilton County, Tennessee, from the jail of said county, on Friday, the 10th day of July, 1857, between the hours of 10 o’clock and 3 o’clock of that day, to some suitable place in the vicinity of the town of Harrison, in said County, to be selected and prepared by the Sheriff for that purpose, and that you be then and there hung my the neck by said Sheriff until you are dead. And that the said Sheriff have a sufficient force to carry into execution this judgment of the Court.

Permit me, in the discharge of me fearful responsibility, to add, that you have three months for reflection and preparation to meet death and judgment before Almighty God. – “Whilst the lamp holds out to burn the vilest sinner may return.” Seek forgiveness and pardon in the atonement of Christ, and prepare to meet death and judgment – and may God, in this infinite wisdom, have mercy upon your soul and save it in that awful day.

The Athens Post April 17, 1857

Washington Gann Captured

Justice slow but Sure. – Some five years ago, a man named Washington Gann, killed a man named Wilcox, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He was arrested, tried and condemned to be hung; but previous to the time for execution, he broke jail and fled, no one knew whither, and for two years has lost sight of.

Some week ago his brother carried his family to where he was, and was followed by officers from Knoxville, who had been on the track, and they arrested him in Missouri, near Independence.

He will e taken to Knoxville, Tennessee, where the full extent of the law will no doubt be enforced to the fulfillment of the sentence years ago.

The Star and Enterprise August 9, 1860