1868: Susan, a 13-year-old
3 comments February 7th, 2008 Headsman
On this date in 1868, an African-American girl of whom little is known beyond the single name “Susan” was hanged in Henry County, Kentucky, for the murder of a child she was babysitting.
According to a local newspaper she “writhed and twisted and jerked many times.” It was reported that many “solid citizens” asked for a piece of her hanging rope for a souvenir after they cut her down. (Source)
Susan remains to this day the last female executed in Kentucky — although there is one woman, Virginia Caudill, currently on the state’s death row.
Entry Filed under: 19th Century, Children, Common Criminals, Hanged, Kentucky, Murder, Public Executions, USA, Women
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