November 30, 1956Eddyville, KentuckyJames Franklin Bowman (44) is executed for the rape and murder of a 72-year-old woman Roberta Busby was attacked on August 29, 1954 and found by her neighbor about 6 to 10 hours after her death at approximately 2:30 a.m. on August 30. Busby’s throat had been slashed deeply enough to sever…
A double hanging, one for murder the other for rape
April 2, 1880 Louisville, Kentucky Two men are hanged: one for murder, the other rape Robert Anderson was convicted of killing his wife in April 1878. Margaret Anderson made an earning by washing laundry and, when she returned home after her day’s work, Robert demanded a portion of her wages. She refused. Robert became enraged…
Brothers executed for killing man after a perceived insult
March 21, 1884 Columbia, Kentucky Brothers Champ and Rudolph “Rude” Fitzpatrick are hanged for murder The Fitzpatricks worked for a farmer with another man, Miller Brewster, whom their employer favored, which festered jealousy and hatred among the brothers. The animosity grew until August 6, 1883, when Champ approached Brewster on the street, accusing him of…
Man executed for killing in-laws, neighbor after custody dispute
March 15, 1946 Eddyville, Kentucky Anderson Adkins (33) is executed for the murders of three and the attempted murder of a fourth At the time of the shootings, Anderson and his wife — identified as Mrs. Elmo Adkins — had recently divorced. Additionally, Anderson has been denied custody of their son Jimmy, which angered him.…
Man executed for beating man, impaling throat with lumber
February 17, 1905 Owensboro, Kentucky Roy Green (17, pictured) is hanged for beating a man with a piece of wood then impaling his throat with a splinter from the broken lumber James E. Coomes was killed on July 31, 1904. According to Green’s confession, he and Coomes were strangers but became friendly, and Coomes invited…
