The Last Public Execution in America

by Perry T. Ryan

FLORENCE THOMPSON'S DILEMMA

It is difficult to imagine how Florence Thompson felt when word reached her that the jury had sentenced Bethea to die by hanging. While Florence clearly believed that Bethea should be severely punished, words cannot describe the dilemma she felt, knowing that the law would require her to kill Bethea. Of course, this killing was different from an outright murder because the laws of mankind had adjudicated a man guilty of a heinous crime and had sentenced him to die. Some who have military service have experienced a similar fix.

Things had happened so fast for Florence that her friends were surprised she did not suffer a nervous breakdown. She was widowed on April 10. Three days later, on the day of her husband's funeral, Florence became the first woman sheriff of Daviess County. Less than two months after that, on June 7, Bethea committed his crimes. On June 25, he was sentenced to die. If the hanging occurred, as initially ordered by Judge Wilson, on July 31, less than four months would have passed since Florence took office.

Florence's predicament was made no less severe by the press. Journalists quickly seized upon the idea that a woman sheriff hanging a man would be a truly sensational story. Reporters from across the country visited her and telephoned her. Although she granted them interviews and tried to appease them the best she could--perhaps hoping that a little courtesy might dissuade them from spreading her name across the newspapers--they nevertheless published headlines speculating that Florence would be the first woman in American history to kill a man under a court order. International News wire service called her "The Hangwoman," and portrayed her both as a housewife and a cowgirl. Headlines in The Los Angeles Examiner proclaimed, "Woman Sheriff to Hang Killer." Captioned over a photograph of Florence in the Boston Traveler were the words, "Woman Sheriff to Hang Slayer" and captioned under her photograph, "Slated to Spring Trap." The Phoenix Gazette dubbed her the "Executioner." The Boston Evening American headlined, "Woman Sheriff May Act as Hangman."

Florence did not know whether she should perform the execution. To say the least, the dilemma stressed her. Although she did not want her children to see her display of emotions, her daughter sometimes discovered her crying, alone. Wanting independence and avoiding the appearance of weakness, Florence endured the pain with little assistance from anyone else, although she did consult with several ministers of various faiths, particularly Father Thompson.

Unfortunately, those who read about Florence in the newspapers almost automatically believed whatever was printed. Before the hanging, Florence received letters and telegrams from across the nation. Some writers criticized her, calling her evil and citing to the Bible to appeal to her moral judgment. Others expressed support of her decision, should she decide to kill the condemned murderer/rapist.

1. Bertha Sopher, of Beeville, Texas, who described herself as a "Spiritualist Medium," advised her to seek the services of a local spiritualist to ascertain whether her deceased husband might want to deliver her a message as to whether to perform the hanging.

2. Carolyn Bentley, of Dallas, Texas, asked Florence how she would feel about the hanging if her own child was facing the scaffold rather than Bethea. Her advice to Florence was to "let someone else do that dirty job."

3. Rev. Thomas T. Johnson, the pastor of the Methodist Church in Charlton City, Massachusetts, wrote Florence to advise her that to perform the execution would not "be fair to your own children."

4. P. A. Stone, of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, wrote a letter in calligraphy in which he recited numerous Bible verses, including "Thou shalt not kill."

5. Another anonymous writer, signing off as "A friend of children," from Sierra Madre, California, sent Florence a telegram saying, "If you are the real mother of your children, don't do that awful thing--they will be miserable the rest of their lives."

6. An anonymous writer from Louisville who described herself as "one who has a sympathetic heart for everyone," wrote a five-page letter advising Florence not to perform the execution. The writer told her, "In my estimation, if you do a thing like that you are the meanest woman that ever was made."

7. A. Murray Griffin, California's state manager for the Alliance Insurance Company, in San Francisco, wrote that he hoped she would not carry out her plan to hang Bethea. Griffin suggested that Florence take a vacation during the hanging. He told her that he was widowed with two young children and that "we would be happy to know you personally," so he invited her to come to California for a visit while she allowed others to perform the execution in Owensboro.

8. An anonymous writer from Los Angeles, California, wrote, "murder is murder, whether it be on a scaffold or in a dark alley." This writer told Florence that Bethea had never really had an "even chance" at life.

9. Dr. Emza Moore, a female chiropractor in Denver, Colorado, in an attempt to "appeal" to Florence "in the name of womanhood," wrote, "The men of our race have done the killing mostly for ages, and it seems to me the thing to do to let them keep on doing it."

10. An anonymous writer from San Diego, California, asked her "Do you think you are going to like it?" and concluded by saying, "May your soul as well as the the [sic] memory of your children scortch [sic] to the bone in hell."

11. An anonymous writer asked Florence whether she would want her own son to be publicly hanged.

12. Another anonymous writer from Detroit, Michigan, not knowing that Bethea's mother was deceased, asked Florence to put herself in the shoes of his mother. The writer wrote, "God is going to hold you giltless [sic guilty] for this hideous crime and shame."

13. Another anonymous writer wrote that she should not "boast so big on what you are going to do." Calling her decision "evil," the writer asked her to read four passages from the Bible, Job 15, James 14:4-14, Hebrews 12:1-14, and Luke 6:41-45.

14. Dr. G. H. Black, a dental surgeon in Texas wrote, "you are making the greatest mistake of your life." Dr. Black also quoted from the Bible, telling Florence she should "obey God rather than man."

15. Marc Stuart, one of Everett's friends who lived in Logansport, Indiana, wrote her that he believed the press would give the event "ugly publicity," and encouraged her to appoint a deputy to act in her behalf.

16. Another anonymous writer said that she should read Matthew 19:18 before making her decision.

17. One almost illegible letter from Chicago asked her not to perform the execution.

18. On July 24, Mrs. Bessie Etherly, the Secretary of the Louisville Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote to Governor Chandler, imploring him to prohibit a public spectacle in Owensboro. In turn, the young governor mailed Mrs. Etherly's letter to Sheriff Thompson in Owensboro with a letter of his own, stating that he hoped no public spectacle would be made of the hanging.

19. James F. Posey, a writer from Charlotte, West Virginia, warned her that someone might take her life if she decided to execute Bethea and said that God would not have her take another life.

20. Harry R. Elleaau, of Kansas City, Missouri, wrote that she should be concerned about her four children. Quoting from the Bible, he encouraged her to pray alone and seek the answer.

21. Miss A. M. Rees, the secretary of "The Church House" in Toronto, Canada, wrote Florence that hanging was murder, that two wrongs do not make a right.

22. An anonymous, eighty-one-year-old writer said she was "shocked" at Florence's decision to pull the trigger. She said she would step down from the job as sheriff and "take in washing if you have to to make a living."

23. The longest letter Florence received during the entire ordeal came from Elizabeth S. Warner of New York City, a member of the Humane Society. Apparently unaware that her letter would be received after the hanging, on August 14, she wrote Florence that the people who would attend the hanging were no better than the man being hanged. Referring to the Lindbergh murder, she stated that not all people who had received the death penalty were guilty.

Although there were a number of letters criticizing Florence for saying she would carry out her duty, there were a number which praised her for showing courage.

1. An anonymous writer from Los Angeles sent Florence a postcard on July 10 which simply read, "Yes: Hang the wretch yourself, make history for yourself, and women."

2. A Kentucky woman wrote Florence stating, "I am a Kentucky girl and how it makes my blood boil to see negros [sic] going to school with the white children I have seen them going along hand in hand I do not hate the Negro I only want him to stay in his place." She told Florence that she wanted to see more "negroes" punished so white children would be protected.

3. Miss Rose Fleming of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, praised Florence, said that she wished more women were like her in government positions, and asked her for a photograph.

4. Charles Mattingly, a friend of the family who had moved to Phoenix, Arizona, sent Florence congratulations for "having the nerve to perform a necessary and just duty."

5. Wally Akin, the City Manager of Abilene, Texas, congratulated Florence for her courage. He asked for special permission to witness the hanging on his vacation, stating that he was a native of Owensboro.

6. Mrs. Otis Hazelrigg, of the Philpot community of Daviess County, wrote Florence a supportive letter but said that she felt a public hanging in Owensboro would bring unnecessary publicity Owensboro and that the hanging should be conducted with the least publicity possible.

7. George E. Deatherage, the Grand Commander of the Knights of Camellin in Charleston, West Virginia, wrote that "subversive forces" had "interfered with" Bethea's hanging. He told her that the American Civil Liberties Union would probably fund part of Bethea's appeals. He offered assistance if that happened.

8. Riley Dunn of Cliquot, Missouri, congratulated Florence for showing "true Kentucky courage."

9. On July 31, Bob Franey, the Sheriff of Deming, New Mexico, sent Florence a telegram which simply stated, "My heart is with you today in your execution of a necessary duty." Of course, Sheriff Franey was not aware of the fact that the July 31, date was stayed by the federal judge.

10. A man named Lambert from New York sent clippings to Florence's sister Lillian and her husband Hubert.

11. John A. Cayes of Nashville, Tennessee, congratulated Florence for being willing to perform her duty.

12. W. D. Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana, wrote that he admired her for her strict adherence to duty.

Several letter writers asked for permission to witness the hanging, apparently unaware that the execution was to be conducted publicly.

1. Samuel E. Jones, of Dayton, Ohio, asked permission to witness the hanging and to take snapshots.

2. G. Baine Moor, Sheriff of Franklin County, Kentucky, telegraphed Florence from Frankfort to say that he had two deputies and two friends who wanted to witness the hanging.

3. Lambert A. Vowells of Wide World Photos telegraphed Florence to obtain permission for Louis Phillips of St. Louis to photograph the hanging. He wished her "the best of luck."

4. Mayor L. Dwyer and Chief of Police J. Parrish, from Carbondale, Illinois, asked to witness the execution.

5. J. W. Henderson, the Sheriff of Springfield, Illinois, wrote Florence asking permission to attend.

6. Waller D. Bell, the Managing Editor of The Clay News in Clay, Kentucky, asked for a permit to witness the hanging.

7. A. C. Stogm, of Evansville, requested permission to watch.

The national publicity which Florence received caused people to write her letters which had nothing to do with the hanging. One wanted parole, another wanted to find her last husband.

1. Charles H. Williams, a twenty-five-year-old prisoner in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, saw an article in a newspaper about Sheriff Thompson. He wrote her on July 27, telling her that he was an orphan, that he had wandered to Washington State, and that he had been in prison since he was nineteen. He said he was related to a B. F. Thompson in Wayne County, Kentucky, and that he might receive parole in November if Florence only would give him a reference.

2. Mrs. John Aurthur Kelly, of Vallejo, California, said that she had just suffered a nervous breakdown and that she would like to know whether Florence would help her find her lost husband. She said she married John Aurthur Kelly in Reno on May 10, 1931, and that on May 25, 1936, he "kissed her good bye" before going to work and that she had not seen him since. She gave Florence an address of his parents in Louisville and asked Florence to investigate and find out what happened to him.

On July 7, 1936, Arthur L. Hash, a handsome man who had previously served as a policeman in the Louisville Police Department, mailed the following letter to Sheriff Thompson:

P.O. Box 502

Louisville, Ky.

July 7th, 36.

 

Mrs. Florence Thompson,

Sheriff Daviess Co. Ky.

Owensboro, Kentucky.

 

Dear Mrs. Thompson:-

I am writing you this letter, offering you my service free in the execution of Rainey Bethea who is to die July 31st, 1936, for several reasons I am making you this offer. First, you are a woman, and have four Children none of which I am sure want you to spring the trap, that sends Rainey Bethea in-to [sic] eternity. Second, I wouldent [sic] want my mother to be placed in such an un-pleasant [sic] position. Third, I am an ex-service man, and served with the American Army in France in 1918, and 1919, and I know just how you would feel after the execution if you went through with it, you may think it wouldent [sic] bother you after it is all over, but I know different. Fourth, your statement to the paper, which reads in part as follows: "I could hire some one else to spring the trap or turn the execution over to a volunteer. But I wouldent [sic] want to ask anybody to do it."

You dont [sic] have to ask anyone, or hire anyone to spring the trap I will do it for you, and I will pay my way there and back, and it wont [sic] cost anyone a cent, and after it is over I will slip away, and you will never see me again, and you wont [sic] have anything to bother you.

There is enclosed herewith a self stamped, and addressed envelope for your convenience, and I will appreciate an early reply from you, stating if you have accepted my services, and etc.

Please do not give this letter to anyone for publication if you accept or regect [sic reject] my services, as I am not hunting Publicity. I only want to help you.

Please let me hear from you at once, and if you accept my offer I will go to see Bethea, and if he wants anything I will get it for him, and I will also get a Preacher to visit him, and etc. but, he will never know that I am the one to send him to meet his maker.

In closing Mrs. Thompson, let me say Please accept my service, it is free, and you are not asking for same, I am,

Your friend,

/S/ A. L. Hash

Apparently, Hash's letter was the first offer Florence received to perform the execution. She was no doubt anxious to accept the offer--perhaps any offer--but the letter was probably appealing to Florence for several other reasons. First, the man said that he was a former police officer. Second, she had not asked him to do it, and she was probably impressed by his willingness to help her. Third, the idea that he did not want her to say anything about his offer proved that he was not seeking publicity. Fourth, the man said that he would disappear into the crowd, return to Louisville, and that no one else would know anything further about the arrangement. Fifth, the man did not want money, and Florence probably thought this suggested sincerity.

She made the decision sometime in July of 1936 that she would not do it herself, as is reflected by another letter which she received from Arthur L. Hash. The date of the next letter is only twenty-three days later than the first.

Apparently, Sheriff Thompson was not aware of Hash's own brushes with the law. After the hanging, the Courier-Journal reported that Hash resigned from the Louisville Police Department on October 8, 1929, following complaints of drunkenness and for firing a revolver near his wife's apartment. According to records of the police court, Hash had been arrested a total of fourteen times: six times on charges of drunk and disorderly conduct, four times on drunkenness, twice for of grand larceny, once for disorderly conduct and once for mayhem.

Sheriff Thompson did not reveal her plans to anyone as to whether she would pull the trap to send Bethea to his death. She had made a solemn promise which she could not break. In a letter to some members of the family, she once wrote, "I have never told anyone, not even my own deputies, whether I would spring the trap. None of my deputies wanted to do so since I ask[ed] each one of them. I have told no one what the step I would make."

The significance that Hash asked Sheriff Thompson to keep the plans to herself cannot be overstated. Hash wrote that he wanted to avoid publicity, but as history unfolded, it was the fact that Hash wanted no one to know his name that actually caused much of the publicity surrounding the hanging. Journalists were quick to conclude that Florence would probably do it herself. Had Hash not made this request, it is unlikely that the Bethea hanging would have made more than a few sentences in the newspapers.

Because Florence honored Hash's request not to reveal to anyone that someone else would pull the trigger, the press began to harass her with questions about whether she would spring the trap door. For weeks, the press pestered her. The idea that a woman sheriff was considering implementing the death penalty was a great story. Newspapers from across the country reported that she might do it.

While various newspapers across the country exploited the idea that a widow sheriff might hang a man, Florence received several letters in the mail offering to do the job for her.

Although Hash's letter to become a stand-in was apparently the first offer Florence received, it was certainly not the last.

1. On July 7, Thomas Lowe of Pittsburg, Kentucky, offered to pull the trigger for $100.00. Lowe said he would not allow Bethea to kick much if the rope did not break his neck. Instead, Lowe said he would "get him by the legs and give him a few jerks."

2. On July 9, Henry C. Riley, an attorney from New Madrid, Missouri, wrote Florence and offered to hang Bethea for $100.00 cash. He said he would accept $75.00 cash if she paid for his expenses to Kentucky.

3. In a letter dated July 12, Willie Wallen of Stallings, West Virginia, wrote her offering to pull the trigger for her. He asked to be deputized and stated he would only ask that she pay his round trip train fare.

4. On July 14, Willie Baldwin, of Cromwell, Kentucky, said he had heard that $210.00 was being offered to hang Bethea, and he recommended Marvin Black of Owensboro for the job.

5. Jesse Huddle, of Washington, D.C., wrote Florence on July 13, and volunteered to spring the trap for her at no charge. He asked for round trip railroad fare from Washington.

6. William Tooly of Rockport, Kentucky, wrote Florence asking what the pay would be to hang Bethea.

7. In a letter dated July 30, 1936, Sam Duff of Aga, Harlan County, Kentucky, asked what she would pay him to do the job.

On July 23, Florence's sister Lillian wrote her about the hanging. She asked, "You aren't getting shakey [sic] are you?" Lillian also wrote:

Herbert said for me to say if you feel you can't go through the ordeal of hanging that negro, he will do it for you. But if you feel you can he hopes you do cause the public will be disappointed, there is quite a bit of talk both ways. . . . I wouldn't risk my health on it but if I felt I could, I'd do it.

On July 27, Florence's fourteen-year-old son Eugene wrote her and said, "If Uncle Milton goes to the hanging I will come with him." Florence, however, later forbade any of her children from attending.