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Union County Ky near Morganfield
th 1865
this is to certify that I was acquainted with John P Hall and his wife -- and Dr R.W N Taylor Decd -- that I have been intimately acquainted with Hall from his infancy to the present date that I knew his wife Josephine Hall intimately from the time of their marriage until they finally Separated -- a period of Something over three years -- Dr Taylor had been in the County but a few years hence my acquaintance with him was limited
Hall was a Carpenter by profession -- though poor was a good mechanic and by his industry and attention to business was prosperous and contented in the enjoyment of his humble home and the Society of his young wife they often visited my house a difficulty and estrangement arose between Hall and his wife and at his request I visited his house and learned from them both that the difficulty was caused by She having while attending a Sick friend permitted Dr Taylor
to take improper liberties with her -- She however while frankly admitting the fact Justified herself upon the ground that while temporarily ill -- the Dr" gave her opiates and while under its influence in a condition of Stupor he "had taken advantage of her -- the affair caused the Separation of Hall and his wife which occured Soon after -- I was not present when this affaird finally culminated in the Killing of Taylor by Hall -- but from all facts in my possession Knowing So well and So fully realizing the cruel wrong inflicted gratuitously by Taylor upon him -- I was clearly of the opinion that Hall had the right to Slay him --
I in fact had So much confidence in the Justness of his cause that during the terrible excitement that was aroused against him in the community at the time I went Halls Security to the amount of nine hundred dollars for attorneys fees (all of which he has Since paid) -- and when he was finally admitted to bail in the Sum of five thousand dollars I Cheerfully Joined with him
I am now released from his bail bond
Hall was a poor man comparatively little known -- The friends and relatives of the Deceased had wealth and influence both of which were exerted to procure the most able and influential prosecution ever had in this part of the State
It was a Source of Gratification to me upon hearing the testimony that in addition to the cause above related -- I could Justify Hall in Slaying Taylor upon the Grounds of Self defense
to all of which I certify on honor
Thorton Mobley
Kentucky --
Union County } Sct
I Samuel C Hughes Presiding Judge of Union County, do hereby certify that I have ^known^ Thornton Mobley, from my earliest recollection, and that he is a reliable man, and implicit reliance can be place upon his veracity -- I further certify that the above is his genuine signature
Witness my hand this
Sam C Hughes P J U C
Mobley