May 17, 1968 Near Georgetown, Kentucky The decomposing body of a woman, later dubbed the “Tent Girl,” is found The badly decomposed, nude body of a young woman, initially suspected to be in her late teens, was found by Wilbur Riddle near the side of US Highway 25. She was wrapped in a fabric similar… Continue reading The body of “Tent Girl” found
Category: Kentucky
Man executed for killing lover’s husband and child
November 16, 1922 Eddyville, Kentucky Dave Brown is executed for the murder of his lover’s husband and his daughter Brown had boarded with James Brumfield and his family in West Virginia. Eventually, Brown and Mrs. Brumfield ran away together to Kentucky. Mrs. Brumfield took her two children with her, and the couple presented themselves as… Continue reading Man executed for killing lover’s husband and child
Man fatally shoots teacher for disciplining brother (1853)
November 2, 1853 Louisville, Kentucky Matthew Flournoy Ward fatally shoots a teacher for punishing his younger brother The day prior to the shooting, Matt Ward’s youngest brother, William, had been reprimanded by his teacher. Professor William H. G. Butler had caught William Ward and another high school student named Al Fisher eating chestnuts and causing… Continue reading Man fatally shoots teacher for disciplining brother (1853)
The last public execution in the United States
August 14, 1936 Owensboro, Kentucky Rainey Bethea becomes the last person publicly executed in the United States Bethea was convicted of the rape and murder of 70-year-old Lischia Edwards, who was choked during the violent sexual assault. He left behind damning evidence including a distinctive ring as well as fingerprints, linking him solidly to the… Continue reading The last public execution in the United States
Premature infant abandoned on porch
July 8, 1954 Henderson, Kentucky A premature infant is abandoned on a porch The newborn weighted only 2.5 lbs when she was found crying "like a kitten's whining" on a woman's porch. Doctors placed her in an incubator and police promised not to hold the mother accountable should she come forward within 24 hours to… Continue reading Premature infant abandoned on porch
