What state held the last public execution in the United States?
In 1936, reporters blasted what they called the "carnival in Owensboro Ky." Many scholars say Rainey Bethea's execution and the coverage it received led to a banning of public executions in America. Hundreds of reporters and photographers -- some from as far away as New York and Chicago - were sent to Owensboro to cover what was then the country's first hanging conducted by a woman.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
42 Comments
Shirley Dutt
I can't even imagine watching a spectacle like that!
dmarkc
Jas Newman, doh!
Jas Newman
RainingStars, That would be "in the USA." I've seen public executions, and I wasn't roaming around in 1936.
Jas Newman
Pat Wells, Kentucky was a Union state in the War between the North and the South. BTW, Union means north.
Pat Wells
Of course it was in the South.
earlepg
Bill Coe, What I read about the Hurt Hardy Jr execution indicated that a 16-foot tall wall was erected around the scaffold and the people who pushed their way into the area were not authorized to be there. Nothing about any "tickets to attend".
earlepg
jcurdie, The hanging of Hardy wasn't a properly authorized execution. The people who got inside the walls that were erected got there without being authorized to do so.
earlepg
scottsman, Actually, the hanging of Hardy wasn't an authorized public execution. The people who managed to get within the walls, as well as those who listened beyond those walls, didn't have proper authority to do so.
Richard D. Boyle
Patricia Wilson, The answer is correct. Try getting a friend or any child to read you the definition of “public” from any dictionary. There were no public executions anywhere in the US at any time after 1936.
Richard D. Boyle
Glenyce Hallberg, There we’re no public executions in 1940 or any date after 1936 in any US state.
Richard D. Boyle
DavidCampbell Beckham, The next time an execution is scheduled in Texas or any other death penalty state, try going and attempting to be allowed to attend. When you are turned away, try finding an attorney who will sue the state for having violated your right to attend as a “member of the public”. Let us know. I won’t hold my breath.
illonabird
Glenyce Hallberg, Texas in 1940 was an option, but no public execution took place at that date, therefore, the public execution of Rainey Bethea in Kentucky is the correct answer.
tbear
Thank God, we finally woke up! 😢😢
sharalp
jjshirey, Hanging conducted by a woman. Seems clear to me.
Dave Mac
Interesting question