THE LAST

PUBLIC EXECUTION

IN AMERICA

Dedication

Table of Contents

Preface

Ch. 1 The Background

Ch. 2 The Thompsons

Ch. 3 Lischia Rarick Edwards

Ch. 4 Rainey Bethea

Ch. 5 The Crime

Ch. 6 The Discovery of the Crime

Ch. 7 The Search for Rainey Bethea

Ch. 8 The Arraignment and Transfer to Louisville

Ch. 9 The Special Proceedings for the Indictment

Ch.10 Herman A. Birkhead, The Chief Prosecutor

Ch.11 The Indictment

Ch.12 The Return to Owensboro

Ch.13 Counsel's Preparation for Trial

Ch.14 The Trial

Ch.15 Florence Thompson's Dilemma

Ch.16 Bethea's New Attorneys

Ch.17 The Motion for a New Trial

Ch.18 How to Get a Hangman

Ch.19 Edwards' Property Returned; Trial Transcribed

Ch. 20 The Federal Habeas Corpus Proceeding

Ch. 21 The Two Death Warrants

Ch. 22 Previous Death Sentences in Daviess County

Ch. 23 The Hangman

Ch. 24 Final Preparations for the Hanging

Ch. 25 The Execution

Ch. 26 The Aftermath

Epilogue

Sources Consulted

Acknowledgments

About the Author