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
Category: Kentucky
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
Man executed by hanging before he can bleed to death by self-inflicted stab wound
July 7, 1826 Frankfort, Kentucky Jereboam Beauchamp is executed for murdering a man who denied the parentage of his illegitimate child In 1821, Beauchamp had become smitten with a woman named Anna Cooke who 16 years his senior. At the age of 18, Beauchamp made his intentions known that he wished to marry Cooke. She… Continue reading Man executed by hanging before he can bleed to death by self-inflicted stab wound
Man goes to his execution without speaking or conveying emotion
June 28, 1935 Eddyville, Kentucky Bill Young goes to his execution silently and stoically Young was executed for the murder of liquor store owner Joe Cawood (sometimes spelled incorrectly as Caywood) when the latter refused to extend Young’s credit line. According to newspapers, Young remained abnormally silent from the time he entered prison to the… Continue reading Man goes to his execution without speaking or conveying emotion
Man executed for beating/robbing man praying at wife’s grave
June 13, 1930 Eddyville, Kentucky Ballard Ratcliffe is executed for the robbery and murder of a man praying at his wife’s grave Ratcliffe attacked William Muse (64) on Sunday, May 18, 1928, hitting the older man from behind with a hammer as the victim was bent in prayer at his wife’s grave. Ratcliffe stole $1,020… Continue reading Man executed for beating/robbing man praying at wife’s grave
