55. MURDER: Carter Jackson Monument

Weird Island

In South Kingstown, there’s an odd monument hidden away in the bushes off Tower Hill Road. It’s a four-sided granite pillar covered, from top to bottom on all sides, in a written inscription. And this inscription tells a story. But not one of a famous battle or prominent leader or politician or historical landmark. It tells the story of a gruesome murder that took place here.

To Visit:

Map to Koch Eye Associates in Wakefield, at 20 Hampton Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Park in the Koch parking lot near the business’s dumpster. The monument is directly behind the dumpster. It’s in thick brush. You won’t see it at first, but if you walk to the edge of the busy road (be safe) right in line with the dumpster, you’ll see a break in the bushes where the monument is hidden.

Episode Source Material

• Jackson Was Murdered And Carter Was Hanged For It-But That Is All We're Sure About - Online Review of Rhode Island History
• Memoirs of the Rhode Island Bar | Wilkins Updike
• The Narragansett Historical Register | Volume 1 1882-3
• The Narragansett Historical Register | Volume II 1883-84
• The Narragansett Historical Register | Volume VII 1889
• State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the End of the Century: A History | 1902
• Literary Gossip, Criticisms of Books and Local Historical Matters Connected with Rhode Island | 1902
• South Kingstown Public Library Digital Collections | Hazard Diary 009
• Joseph Peace Hazard Papers
• Mysterious Carter Jackson Monument, South Kingstown, Rhode Island
• Joseph Peace Hazard: Rhode Island Spiritualist · Introduction · Special Collections Exhibits
• Murder memorials: A grisly history written in stone - BBC News
• Murder stone - Wikipedia
• The Gibbet: A Disturbing Execution Practice Meant To Deter Criminals
• The Gibbet — History's Most Inhumane Punishment | by Hdogar
• Who was Joseph Peace Hazard? | SKPL History
• National Register of Historic Places Registration Form G
• Hanging in Chains - Harnessing the Power of the Criminal Corpse - NCBI Bookshelf
• The Incredibly Disturbing Historical Practice of Gibbeting
• Memorials and Monuments
• Why Just 'Adding Context' to Controversial Monuments May Not Change Minds | History| Smithsonian Magazine
• Who do American monuments honor the most? A landmark study finally has answers.