Minnesota executed Harry Hayward shortly after midnight on this date in 1895.
Dubbed the “Minneapolis Svengali” by the press for his perceived similarity to the sinister hypnotist of that year’s hit literary release, the prodigal rake Hayward cast his spell over a New York emigre with the name of Kitty Ging and a pocketbook every bit as alluring.
On December 3, 1895, Kitty rented a horsey from a livery stable, but the ride returned to the stable alone. What terrible fate befell her? And how did the Mesmer of Minneapolis work her murder from his innocuous booth at a theater that night?
Our oft-endorsed friends at Murder by Gaslight unwind this terrible tale here.
He fixed me with his eyes. I couldn’t say no when he looked at me that way — nobody could.
On this day..
- 1994: Raymond Carl Kinnamon, filibusterer
- 1903: A day in the death penalty around the U.S. (and Canada)
- 1747: Serjeant Smith, deserter
- 1981: El Mozote Massacre
- 1812: John Rickey but not Benjamin Jackson
- 1876: Basilio Bondietto
- 1861: Christopher Haun, potter and incendiarist
- 1970: Akira Nishiguchi, Vengeance Is Mine inspiration
- 2006: Two Egyptians who just wanted to watch the game
- 1831: Gen. Jose Maria Torrijos y Uriarte and his liberal followers
- 1917: Thirteen black soldiers of the 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment
- 1962: Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin