The Texas County Genealogical and Historical Society met March 9 at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Houston. Sixteen members and guests attended this meeting to hear Rick Mansfield present the program on “Murder in Texas County.” He was in costume as the Sheriff Aaron Wood who was in office in 1906 when the murder of the Parson family occurred near Boiling Springs. Jody Hamilton had been working for the Parson family. Jody lost his mother at 5 years and was kicked in the head by a horse at age 7 but no one knew of a problem. He was faithful to attend all church meetings and often sang at them as he had a beautiful voice.
The Parson family decided to move back to their previous location so had packed up their belongings. Mr. Parson paid Jody $25 for a horse and shotgun. As he thought about it, he decided the amount was not enough money so he tried to collect more and ended up in a fight that ended up killing Mr. Parson. Mrs. Parson was killed trying to help her husband and then Hamilton murdered the children. After the bodies were found a neighbor went to get Sheriff Wood. After a short trial, Jody was found guilty and sentenced to hang until he was “dead, dead, dead.”
He was taken to Carthage as preparations were made for the hanging. A rope was provided by another county. There were 13 steps to the gallows. Jody told the crowd to take their children to church and then sang several hymns. The sheriff put the black mask and rope around his neck and the hanging did not take place as planned as the rope knot slipped and a new rope was used, and the deed was successful. This was the first and last hanging in Texas County. Several told of family members that attended the hanging for this terrible crime. Books that were written by Rick Mansfield were available for sale.
The next meeting is April 13.