The Last Public Execution in America
by Perry T. Ryan
CHAPTER 18
HOW TO GET A HANGMAN
On July 11, 1936, Julius J. Wichser, the Chief Deputy U. S.
Marshal for the District of Indiana, wrote Sheriff Thompson a letter
to tell her about G. Phil Hanna, a farmer from Epworth, Illinois, who
had made himself available to assist in hangings across the country.
Deputy Wichser realized that Sheriff Thompson would not be
experienced in the task of hanging a man and that, at a minimum,
Florence needed more information. Wichser mentioned in his letter
that he had attended the hanging of a black man in Hardinsburg on
June 17, 1932, which was the hanging of Sam Jennings.
Wichser was obviously sympathetic with Sheriff Thompson because he
himself had orchestrated the hanging of George Barnett on March 24,
1936, in Indianapolis. Sheriff Thompson promptly contacted Hanna
after receiving Wichser's letter, which stated as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
UNITED STATES MARSHAL
DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
July 11, 1936
Sheriff
Daviess County
Owensboro, Kentucky
Dear Madam:
Having read in the Indianapolis paper where you have a hanging to
perform in your county, I am writing you to remind you of the
possible availability of George Phil Hanna of Epworth, Illinois.
Having formerly lived in Tell City, Indiana, I was present at
Hardinsburg, Kentucky in 1932 where Mr. Hanna supervised the hanging
of a negro.
As Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal in Indiana, it fell my duty to
arrange for the hanging of George Barrett for the killing of a
special investigator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I
remembered the professional manner in which Mr. Hanna performed the
execution at Hardinsburg and sought his services. He came to
Indianapolis and performed our hanging in a very humane manner.
Mr. Hanna performs these executions from a standpoint of humanity,
and experience has not only qualified him personally, but he also has
the correct equipment. Contrary to what many might think, Mr. Hanna
does not perform these executions for profit. Necessary expense
involved is all he asks.
My only motive in writing you is that I formerly spent much time
in Owensboro and know quite a few prominent people there and thought
you would be interested in performing this execution in an efficient
and humane manner.
Respectfully
yours,
/S/ Julius J. Wichser
Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal