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Trial report, but more interesting is what happened later at their hangings...
Trial report, but more interesting is what happened later at their hangings...
Item # 683225
February 21, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 21, 1880 Page 2 has: "The Criminal Record" "Execution of a Brace of Negro Murderers at Murfreesboro, Tenn." being John Hall and Burrell Smith, former slaves.
This was for the murder of Henry Pugh, and as website reports note, it took on a carnival atmosphere.
The article report includes: "The execution of Burrel Smith and John Hall, the colored murderers of Maj. Henry Pugh...was a spectacular affair. Between 10,000 and 15,000 spectators were present...Some of the people came a hundred miles to see the spectacle...Reserved seats were erected about the gallows and sold for $1 each, while at a little distance a barbecue was in progress at which the hungry multitude were regaled...No sooner were they pronounced dead than the bodies were taken...an unsuccessful attempt at resuscitation was made by physicians...the whole affair reminded the observer of a big holiday or circus day...".
Eight pages, good condition.
Category: The Old West
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