Samuel Hassell, a one-year-old boy, was tragically murdered on December 2, 1926, in Farwell, Parmer County, Texas. His death was part of a horrific crime committed by his uncle and stepfather, George Hassell, who killed Samuel along with his mother and seven siblings.
George Hassell had a history of violent behavior and criminal activity. On the night of December 5, 1926, just days after Samuel's death, Hassell brutally murdered his wife, Susie, following an argument over his involvement with her underage daughter. He struck Susie repeatedly with a ball-peen hammer before moving through the house, killing each child one by one using a straight razor and stockings. The two eldest boys attempted to resist, leading to a violent struggle in which Hassell killed them with a shotgun and an axe. He then buried all the bodies in a newly dug root cellar near the house.
Following the murders, Hassell attempted to cover up his crimes by claiming that he and his family were moving back to Oklahoma. He sold their belongings in a large yard sale, but suspicions arose when a wagon passed over the sinkhole where the bodies were buried. Law enforcement soon investigated, leading to the discovery of the remains. Hassell attempted suicide but survived, and after his confession, a swift trial was held. The town of Farwell, along with its neighboring city Texico, New Mexico, became the center of public attention, with the trial taking on a carnival-like atmosphere.
Hassell was convicted and sentenced to death. On February 2, 1928, he was executed in the electric chair, becoming the 27th person to be executed in Texas. His motive for the murders was reportedly to protect himself after killing his wife, though he had a long history of criminal behavior, including the murder of another family in California, embezzlement, and military desertion. A psychiatric report at the time characterized him as a sociopath.
Samuel Hassell, along with his mother and siblings, was a victim of one of the most gruesome family annihilations in U.S. history. His tragic death remains a chilling reminder of the horrors committed by George Hassell, a man whose violent tendencies led to the destruction of multiple families.
