The Last Public Execution in America

by Perry T. Ryan

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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