1615: Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney 1587: Mary, Queen of Scots
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 .
Also On This Date Possibly Related Executions
Entry Filed under: 19th Century , Children , Common Criminals , Hanged , Kentucky , Murder , Public Executions , USA , Women
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You read it here first:
3 Comments Add your own
1. Tim Abbott | February 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
The New York Times archive has the story:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C02E7D71630EE34BC4C52DFB4668383679FDE
2. Headsman | February 7th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Nice find, Tim — thanks. The Times archives are such a trove for these forgotten old hangings in America’s every nook and cranny …
3. Headsman | February 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
There’s even talk they may have non-execution-related content.
I wouldn’t know anything about that.
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