True Crime by Chris Bunton
In December of 1909, 3 women were attacked with an axe in down town Savannah, Georgia.
A passing patrolman heard moans from inside the dwelling at 401 West Perry Street.
He went inside and found Eliza Gribble 70, and Carrie Ohlander 36, dead. But, Maggie Hunter 34, was still barely alive. She died 3 days later.
All three had been hit with an axe. Carrie was sexually assaulted and had her throat cut. Eliza was killed with an axe blow to the back of her head.
The newspapers of the day were amazed that no one heard the killings, since the house was located on a main thoroughfare, near a bank and businesses.
Maggie, as she lay dying and delirious told a Baptist minister that it was her husband who had done it. They were living estranged and the husband took revenge.
He was arrested and bloody clothes were found at his house.
His arrest, averted a race riot and potential lynching as the black community was rounded up for interrogation.
4 men were accused of the murders. Willie Walls, Bingham Bryan, J.C. Hunter, and John Coker. But, only Maggie Hunter’s husband, J.C.Hunter went to trial.
He was found guilty and sentenced to hang. But, this was commuted to life in prison. He was later pardoned by the Governor.
The house at 401 West Perry Street was torn down. A warehouse, parking lot and Elbert Square, now fill the area.
I traveled to Savannah and researched this crime along with other crimes. The location was on the same block as the Savannah Visitor Center, and the Savannah College of Art and Design campus. These are pics from the backside of the warehouse that now occupies the site.
Further Reading and Sources:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-progress-savannah-ga-axe-murder-1909/2961891/
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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.
Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/
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