Jim Morris
Bucknor, Aylet;
Hall, Adeline;
Hildebrand, Sam;
Bucknor, Martha Ann;
Roberts, George
Madison Fredericktown
Statement in case against Bucknor; Hildebrand committed robbery in Wayne County and a later murder; Bucknor and wife aided Hildebrand and other men.
03-12-1865 F1634
Please forgive any transcription error.
Office Ast Pro. Mar
Fredericktown MO March 12, 65
Captain
I have the honor to enclose herewith Statement and affidavit ?. Aylet Bucknor and wife. The affiant in this case is a person of undoubted veracity.
Very Respectfully
Your Obd. Servt.
W. C.Shattrick
Lt. Ast. Pro. Mar.
T.F. Lonergan
Capt. Ast. Pro. Mar.
Sub District of Saint Louis
Statement of
Miss Adeline Hale
Mr. Aylet Bucknor & wife
Office Ast. Pro. Mar
Fredericktown MO March 12, 1865
Statement of Miss Adeline Hale
I live in Madison County MO, on the 20th day of April 1864 I went to live at the houe of Aylet Bucknor who lives about 14 miles from Fredericktown. I remained at Bucknor’s until about the first of February 1865. About one week after I went to Mr. Bucknor’s nine men came to the house at about 8 o’clock in the morning. One of the men was introduced to me by Mrs. Bucknor as Sam Hildebrand. I had seen Hildebrand before and know the man by sight. I was at the house that he robbed in Wayne County. Hildebrand and his 8 men got their breakfast, fed their horses. They were all armed with two revolvers and two holster pistols a piece. Hildebrand said that if any person reported him or any of his friends that he would kill them. Mrs. Martha Ann Bucknor said that that would be nothing but right. I cooked the dinner for them by Mrs. Bucknor’s order. Hildebrand and Mr. and Mrs. Bucknor were in a room by themselves most of the time that the men were there. Hildebrand said that they had killed one flop eared Dutch man last night and got $25.00 from him. One man who was called Lieutenant said yes and they would kill another one tonight if they were not d-d smart. Hildebrand and his men were at Mr. Aylet Bucknor’s house at four different times.
After the time I have spoken of, Hildebrand had 10 men with him once, at another time 6 men, at another 4 men and at another 3 men. Upon each occasion of his stopping himself and party was furnished with meals and horse fed. They were always well armed. Mrs. Bucknor furnished them with Biscuit and meat when they started off. Every time that they were there for about six weeks of the time that I lived at Mr. Bucknor’s. Mrs. Martha Ann Bucknor took Bread and meat to the spring house every evening. It would all be gone in the morning and signs left of persons having been at the Spring House during the night. I spoke to Mrs. Bucknor about it. She did not seem to care about it. Three days before the Rebel Army came into Fredericktown or about the 20th of Sept 1864, three men came to Bucknor’s house. They were in citizen’s dress and were armed with revolvers. They got their suppers and fed their horses. They remained in the house for about 2 ½ hours. They were in a room upstairs with Mr. and Mrs. Bucknor most of the time. While they were there, I heard one of the men say that Gen. Prices Rebel Army was coming. Mrs. Bucknor replied, let them come. Mrs. Bucknor said that he had better get away with his horses. Mrs. Bucknor said no you won’t, we have got nobody to help them fight, we can furnish them horses to ride. Mr. and Mrs. Bucknor were acquainted with these men. They went out and met them between the house and the gate. They invited them in and were very glad to see them. Mrs. Bucknor called me down to get supper for them immediately. Every time that Hildebrand and his men came to Mr. Bucknor’s, Mr. and Mrs. Bucknor always appeared glad to see them and furnished them with the best of everything that they had, and plenty of it. Mrs. Bucknor charged me to say nothing about Hildebrand and his men came to Bucknor’s. Mr. and Mrs. Bucknor and Hildebrand were in a room by themselves, so that I do not know what conversation took place between them. Mr. Bucknor’s family consisted at the time I was there, of himself and Mrs. Bucknor and a boy named George Roberts who is about 16 years of age. I do not believe that Roberts ever saw the men who stopped at the house. Upon one occasion Hildebrand and his party left a horse at Mr. Bucknor’s. I do not remember the exact dates but these occurrences all took place during the time that I lived at Mrs. Bucknor’s.
Adeline Hall
Sworn and subscribed before me at Fredericktown this 13th day of March 1865. WC Shattuck St. Ast. Pro. Mar.