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Thomas Talton Hall, aka "Bad Talt"
Facts and Events
References
- Family Notes.
http://www.yeahpot.com/hall/thomashal/pafn05.htm#15979
Talton Thomas Hall was born in 1846 on Little Carr Fork or Trace Fork of Rockhouse Creek, a branch of Beaver Creek in Letcher County, Kentucky, the son of David and Anna (Johnson) Hall. He was the grandson of Anthony (1752-1846) and Rutha Butler (1770-1855) Hall. Talton married Marinda "Rinda" Triplett October 12, 1868, in Letcher County, Kentucky. Marinda was born in 1846, a twin to Merilda Triplett and a daughter of Wilson and Eleanor (Isaac) Triplett.
As a very young man Talton became accustomed to the murders which happened almost daily. Gunfights and bloodshed were the general way of life in the feud ridden area of Beaver Creek. His father, Dave Hall, was a strong willed man in his own right who had killed several men in individual disputes. Talton, himself, was well known for his ability with his guns. When the man with the gun was Bad Talton Hall, proceeding with an argument was not only dangerous, but could be suicide. It was a well known fact that Talton did not shoot to bluff and did not miss when he shot. A close associate, Anderson Belcher, stated, "Talt's guns are anything but good to look at, but when it comes to shooting they are dead center."
Supported by his relatives Talton Hall became a deputy sheriff. It was his boldness with a gun which enforced his desire for an official capacity and carried him forward to the position of United States Marshall for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The more powerful station of Marshall also elevated prospects for others of the Hall family. Already well organized, they then traveled together, armed to the teeth and under the shield of the law. They were in all appearance deputies, if not officially, then unofficially. Talton was credited with the killing of near 100 men, though the number was probably much less. Not counting those he killed during the Civil War, he confessed to the killing of only five men. He confirmed he killed Henry Maggard, Henry Houk, Mark Hall, and a man named Triplett. He was acquitted of murder in all these cases. It was generally thought that Talton Hall killed Frank Salyer, March 6, 1885 , yet this was not one of the killings he admitted doing when taken into custody for the murder of Police Chief Enoch B. Hylton. Talton had become romantically involved with Salyers wife, and shortly afterward, Salyer was murdered by ambushers. The circumstances of this murder, as well as the actual killing, were what brought about the end of Talton Hall's life. The last murder he confessed to was that of Enoch B. Hylton, for which he paid the ultimate price. After a long man-hunt Talton Hall was arrested for Hylton's murder. His trial got under way January 26, 1892. The trial was short, lasting only five days. On January 30, 1892 the jury reached a verdict of guilty. Talton Hall gained his place in history when he became the first man to hang for murder in Wise County, Virginia, September 2, 1892. Talt asked "Devil John" Wright to have his body brought back to Kentucky for burial and, of course, his friend agreed. He was buried in the Wright Cemetery at Dunham, Kentucky, just across the border from Virginia, along with John & Mattie's two sons, James & Johnny Phillip and other members of the Wright family.
- Family Notes, in Hepple Family Register [1].
167. Thomas Talton HALL (Bad Talt). Son of David HALL & Anna JOHNSON.
Born 1850 in Little Carr Fork Of Rockhouse Creek, Letcher Co. Ky. Died 2 Sep 1892 in Wise County VA. (Hung). Buried in Wright Cemetery, Dunham, Kentucky, USA. Comments See Notes.
As a very young man Talton became accustomed to the murders which happened almost daily. Gunfights and bloodshed were the general way of life in the fued ridden area of BEAVER CREEK. His father had killed several men.
He began his career of crime at a very early age. When he was thirteen years of age his brothers, John S. and Marshall were killed by George Hank. They were Confederate soldiers, and Hank commanded a bushwhacking company known as the 10th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. Talt's brothers were returning to the army from a furlough, when Hank took them prisoners for purposes of robbery and revenge and then killed them. Talt swore revenge, and started off by killing his brother's assassins.
He became a deputy sheriff and a US Marshall for the eastern District of Kentucky.
Created with the killing of 100 men, though the number was probably much less, he confessed to the killing of five men.
1885: Killed his cousin Mark Hall and laughed at the sheriff that tried to arrest him.
1866: Killed Henry Maggard in cold-blood.
1875: Killed Don Pridemore and was aquitted.
1881: Killed Matt Baker, Aquitted.
1883: Killed his brother-in-law Henry Houk and went free.
1891: Killed Police Chief Enoch B. Hylton, brother-in-law of Doc Taylor.
1885: Killed Frank Salyer, did not admit to the killing. He was involved with Salyer's wife Missus.
Arrested for the murder of Chief Hylton, Trial lasted for five days, on January 30, 1892 the jury found him guilty.
He was the first man to hang for murder in Wise County, Virginia on September 2, 1892.
Talt asked his friend Devil John Wright to have his body brought to Kentucky for burial. He was buried in the Wright Cemetery at Dunham, Kentucky just across the border from Virginia.
He married Marinda TRIPLETT, daughter of Wilson TRIPLETT & Eleanor ISAACS, 19 Oct 1868 in Letcher Co KY. Born 1848 in Floyd Co, Kentucky, USA. Comments Given Name Sometimes Marinda.
They had the following children:
526 i. Evaline HALL
527 ii. Floyd HALL
528 iii. Marion HALL
529 iv. Maryland HALL
530 v. Hamilton HALL
531 vi. William HALL
532 vii. Jefferson HALL
533 viii. Riley HALL
534 ix. Elizabeth HALL
535 x. Kenneth HALL
536 xi. Sophia HALL
537 xii. Patoma HALL
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