famous murders in alabama

Daniels was an Episcopal seminarian. According to journalist Lee Peacock their story is included in "History of Conecuh County, Alabama" by B.F. Riley. He was captured a few days later and killed by Murdoch M. Fountain, who was named sheriff. The crime sent shock waves of fear and anger through the small community. Like many, he sustained heavy debt from the Civil War. Injured were James Finney and Bob Patterson. The outlaw named John Harrison Middleton was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., and died in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. He didnt want May murdered. In the 1910s, a religious sectwas formed in Limestone County by the Rev. During his last month in jail, he admitted to his brother and a guard that he paid John Wylie, an associate, to murder Emma and Irene. On October 27, 1961, 19-year-old Betty Gail Brown was found in her car in front of Transylvania College's Old Morrison building, strangled to death with her own bra . . Cagle died of a heart attack in 1938 and was buried in a 3-foot-wide casket in Thrasher Cemetery. She is thought to have killed two other children but denied it. The sect would become known as "Simsites." Price, who authorities believed was after Ethel's $3,000 life insurance policy, was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Burrow and his men eventually returned to Lamar County, Ala., and hiduntil Rube murdered a well-known and respected local postmaster, Mose Graves. It was overgrown with enormous trees and thick underbrush. This incident initiated a manhunt after the railroad detectives gathered a posse and began tracking the man they were now calling Railroad Bill. Kate opened her home on Bank Street in Decatur as a brothel. Guy Hunt, born in Holly Pond in Cullman County, was the states first Republican governor since the Reconstruction era. The murders also earned Birmingham the nickname "Murder Capital of the Country." The bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1963 took the lives of Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins and Denise McNair, and injured about 20 others. (Source: San Francisco Chronicle March, 1895). Famous Alabama Murders Some of the most famous Alabama murders over the years include the 2005 murder of Charles Newman, who was killed on Halloween night by Andrew Lackey, later named the "Halloween Killer;" the 1941 Gibson Family Murders; and the 2001 unsolved murder of Shannon Paulk. Burr suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836. Rumors swirled that Maxwell, known to perform voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his family. Love Alabama? VIOLA HYATT (Feb. 3, 1929-June 12, 2000) Nickname: The Torso Killer, the Alabama Axe Murdress Age at time of conviction: 30< Hometown: Rabbittown, Ala., Calhoun County Number of victims: Two,. Following the 1890 death of Rube Burrow, Alabamas previous King of the Outlaws, Thrasher stepped into the spotlight as the states most vicious and wanted outlaw, committing a streak of robberies and murders that made news across the nation. Cherry died in prison on November 18, 2004 at the age of 74. He was convicted and resigned in 1993. On July 8, 1918, Alabama Gov. Hart was raised 2 miles from Camp Scott. Hal Hollinger, slave and freedom fighter, unknown birth-death in early-1800s. By this time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube. Remember, while the word notorious often has negative connotations, the definition is broader: generally known and talked of; especially widely and unfavorably known.. Siebert died on April 22, 2008 in Holman Prison near Atmore of complications from cancer. Robert Bentley's ongoing scandal was summed up in the March 7, 2017, Washington Post:"Alabama lawmakers who have beenexploring ways to impeach the state's embattled governor were divided on moving forward with the investigation after a meeting Tuesday. After the children were found chained at the bottom of Lakeview Lake a mob came to the jail for vigilante justice and 10 people were killed by deputies. Bill eluded them, hijacking a train car in the process. (Memorial to Selocta/Photo by Wrong Way Dave via FindaGrave.com), Selocta Chinnabee, Indian general, birth unknown-1835. Sanders' acts culminated in the Battle of Newton, which occurred in a part of the county that was then located in Dale County. Thank you! The remains were never identified. He was convicted of three murders and confessed to at least five. The legend is printed on a historical marker outside the courthouse, which replaced the previous facility after a fire in 1876: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second [courthouse] on Nov. 16, 1876. The Greek Revival mansion was designed by architect B. F. Parsons, who also designed the Perry County Courthouse in Marion. George Washington Gayle, born in South Carolina in 1807, was an attorney who served in the Alabama Legislature, chaired the House Ways and Means Committee and was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. Cherry was a member of United Klans of America. Middleton reportedly fled to Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr and her gang. 1814-1884. According to the Clarke County Museum, sometime in the early 1800s, Hal, an "enormous" and strong slave, took his wife and several others to the southernmost portion of Clarke County. Anodd footnotes about the case: She reportedly asked that her body be donated to science so people could figure out why she killed. It was the first time a pre-literate group created such a system. ", George Washington Gayle, threatened to assassinate Lincoln, 1807-1875. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). On Jan. 17, 1957, brothers Clarence, John and Alfred Anglin robbed the Bank of Columbia in Houston County. But an angry mob took the four men and hung them from nearby trees. Peacock said legend states the brothers were so despised that they were buried facing west instead of the traditional east when they were cut down from the gallows., (A late-19th century photo of John Kirkham from Barbara Kim Thigpen), John K. McEwen, beloved businessman and reader, 1856-1939. Dig deeper Its hard to believe something as terrible as homicide can occur in our great state. Jackson honored Selocta by giving him the rank of general. Mountain Tom Clark, outlaw, birth unknown-1872, Tom Clark, one of the most feared men in North Alabama in his day, is buried beneath Tennessee Street near Florence City Cemetery in Lauderdale County. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and "The Magic City" soon gained national media attention. Engineer Richard Hawes, his wife, and two children were brutally murdered in an event that baffled people for years. His reign of terror lasted six years. Burrow had been captured and taken to jail in Linden when he charmed the guards, asking for food. Newspaper accountssaid that on Dec. 28 or 29, a deputy at the jail where Kelley and Hip was surrounded by a mob and ordered to release the man. Drawing of bushwhackers from The Civil War Trust, Ham Carpenter, Civil War guerilla, dates unknown, According to a 1976 Journal-Register Newspaper, Ham Carpenter of Hamilton was one of the most notorious people of Marion County. The latest on Gov. He was a well-known and wealthy planter who was also elected to the Alabama Legislature, according to the Hollingsworth-McCaleb Quarterly. But like every state, Alabamas history was created by plenty of colorful characters. Mize's family placed a memorial marker in Liberty Presbyterian Cemetery in Odenville. Richard Hawes, family annihilator, 1857-1890. The case was an immediate sensation. In 2016, there were around 30 murders in Montgomery, Alabama, alone. Robert Bentley (R) to find out if heconducted an affair using state resources. The legend of Railroad Bill began in the winter of 1894 when railroad employees began noticing a vagrant illegally riding the trains on the L&N Railroad line in southern Alabama near the Florida line. In May of 1992, Betty Wilson and her twin sister, Peggy Lowe, were arrested and tried for hiring James White to kill Betty's wealthy, well-known husband, Dr. Jack Wilson, an eye surgeon in Huntsville, Alabama. Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel , cult member, convicted murderer, 1947-? On March 20, 1927, Ruth Snyder claimed two "giant Italians" had broken into her house in Queens and knocked her unconscious. By the time he donated his collection to the Alabama Department of Archives and History in 1937, he'd amassed more than 50,000 native artifacts from surrounding counties, including jewels from a long-dead Indian princess, according to a 1928 Associated Press article published in thePrescott, AZ, Evening Courier. Lackey then stabbed Newman more than 70 times. Half of the committee voted to hold off, citing an ongoing probe by the state attorney general's office.". She did not go into trances but instead read the grounds left in the bottoms of coffee cups. When bones were discovered in spring of 1912 by a local farmer and his son fishing in the Warrior River, local resident Jim House remembered that Jenny Wade Wilson and her 19-month-old baby had not been seen since 1908. The Morrison sibling gang, which at one point included eight brothers, were friends of notorious outlaw Bart Thrasher. McEwen was known for his uncanny "readings" of visitors to his store. Hawes was an engineer for Georgia-Pacific and reportedly killed his family so he could marry Mayes Story. ". In 1992, he was indicted for theft, conspiracy, and ethics violations, accused of taking $200,000 from a 1987 inaugural account to buy such things as marble showers. They found her floating face down. Sequoyah, who lived in later life in DeKalb County, is known for inventing a syllabary in 1821, making it possible for the Cherokee to read and write. "I know now how foolish, vain and wholly useless it is and must have been, and were I set at liberty this morning, I should hope to be dead by sunset, as all men must hereafter point at me as a murderer. "Now, this place is very desolate, no one lived near there. Studies show the state ranking at or near the top in the nation for the . Get more stories delivered right to your email. 1839-1904. He was captured in Washington County, Ala., and taken to Fort Stoddert. Read on to find out the true story behind the Hawes murders. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. His visits to the town of Boaz to purchase clothing and supplies always caused a stir among locals, who took it as a sign winter weather was approaching, according to a history provided by Lynn Burgess of the Boaz Library. Mathis, who had become known as the Voodoo Mayor after signing a proclamation proclaiming National Voodoo Week and allegedly sprinkling "voodoo powder" around City Hall, was impeached for pardoned more than 100 traffic offenders, including 27 charged with driving under the influence. Or, if youre a fan of the macabre, then you might want to learn more about the most notorious murders in Alabama, starting with the Hawes Murders. ", Charles Kelley, birth unknown-1892; John Hipp, birth unknown-1892, On Dec. 17, 1892, two well-known outlaws gunned down local tax collector C.J. Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson. So, to answer how many homicides in Alabama 2019 by looking at the state of Alabamas Uniform Crime Report (UCR), there were 430 homicides in 2019 alone. When asked how he was shot, he refused to answer. Alaska is no stranger to violent crime. ", (A portrait of Aaron Burr in 1802 by John Vanderlyn via Wikipedia Commons). According to Project: Cold Case, from 1980 to 2019 there were 20,003 homicides in Alabama alone, leaving 7,893 unsolved murders in Alabama. Here Is The Most Remote, Isolated Spot In Alabama And Its Positively Breathtaking, The Secret Garden In Alabama Youre Guaranteed To Love, This Alabama Cafe Is A Must Visit For Anyone Visiting The Gulf Coast, Theres Nothing Better Than Alabamas Natural Lazy River On A Summers Day, This Alabama River Is So Much More Than Just A Body Of Water, This Secluded Beach Area In Alabama Will Take You A Million Miles Away From It All, 8 Alabama Restaurants Right On The River That Youre Guaranteed To Love, Here Are 7 Islands In Alabama That Are An Absolute Must Visit, FindAGrave.com/added by: graveyarddisciple. He not only was opposed to those of the Yankee team wishing to stay neutral, but to each and every one wanting to stay neutral on the general situation. 1880-death unknown. Finding the most notorious person from each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task. Due to lack of evidence, the case was dismissed. (Source: ECJMartin1 via Wikimedia Commons), Sketoe's Hole is a legendary site where Methodist minister William "Bill" Sketoe Sr. was hanged during the Civil War. She is currently the longest-incarcerated female inmate in California. She was also accused of killing another niece, Shirley's older sister Polly. On May 3, 1889, after deliberating for only 55 minutes, the jury decided that Richard deserved the death penalty. Garrett tracked him to Fort Sumner on July 14 where he was shot and killed Garrett was murdered by Jesse Wayne Brazel on February 29, 1908. (Photo from the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center). To answer how many homicides in Montgomery, Alabama, 2021, we must look at the same report, which is from 2019. Richard Hawes was hanged in 1890 for the 1888 murders of his wife Emma and two daughters, May, 7 and Irene, 6. On December 4, 1888, May's body was found in East Lake. All rights reserved (About Us). Lyons survived, but lost her eyesight and received chronic injuries. Edwin Collins "Alabama" PittsJr., born in Opelika, was a convicted felon who served time in Sing-Sing for armed robberies. They were sent to prison in Atlanta, but when Clarence and John attempted escape they were sent to Leavenworth and later to Alcatraz, the infamous island prison authorities hoped would finally thwart their escape attempts. Police could not solve the crime. Some occurred centuries ago, many occurred decades ago, and a few have occurred in recent years. She died in 2004 at the age of 97and was buried with much fanfare in New Ebenezer Cemetery in Coffee County. In 1988, Hubert Mathis, the 85-year-old mayor of Florala was impeached and removed from office. This is just one of many Alabama cold cases solved and Alabama murders solved in the last few years with this form of evidence and technology. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Why would he want to kill his family? The Chairman and Board are at Holman on death row. He was sentenced to life in prison, served 10 years, then died in 1969 from injuries sustained in a fall while working in Mobile. The monument was inscribed: Erected by Pink Parker in honor of John Wilkes Booth for killing Old Abe Lincoln. After town officials refused his gift, Pink placed the marker in the yard of his Madison S.y. George Corley Wallace Jr.was Alabamas only four-term governor, having served from 1963-67, 1971-79, and 1983-87. In 1872, Clark, who terrorized helpless citizens during the Civil War, confessed to at least nineteen murders, including a child, and was hanged with two companions , (Carlotta Roddey from her book cover and Philip Roddey by Ronald Deavy via FindaGrave.com), Philip Dale Roddey, beloved general accused of scandal, 1826-1897, The accolades for Confederate brigadier general Philip Roddey are many and overshadow a questionable part of his life. Bill'sex-wife Jenny arrived in Blount County in July 1918 and announced she wasn't dead. While some might assume the creepiest place is the site of a famous murder in Alabama, its actually much different. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. On September 24, 2012, Bishop was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Also, read about another Calhoun County "notorious" killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, here, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website. Lewis Thornton Powell was born in Randolph County on April 22, 1844, to George Cader Powell, a Baptist minister, and Patience Caroline Powell. Two years prior to this event, Rudolph had attempted to shut down the 1996 Summer Olympics by bombing Atlanta's Centennial Park. Although he publicly denied his involvement in the bombing, relatives and friends testified that he continuously "bragged" about being part of the crime. it was little wonder that the runaway slaves were not found" Eventually white settlers attacked and were "stunned to find the cabin and a stockade of cypress logs." (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). Joseph Sanders, bushwhacker, 1828-ca. Middleton was later accused of killing Sheriff J. H. Black of Lamar County, Texas. The most famous murder in Alabama history is the 1988 Hawes murders, which took place in the city of Birmingham. Do the Hawes murders remind you of any murders that have taken place in recent years? But in between, he left his mark on Alabama. At the time of his killing, he was wanted for murder and arson. Some serial killers are known for killing children, like David Meirhofer in Montana. Marvin Franklin Hubbard was born on a farm in Marshall County but gained fame when he was killed in a shootout on May 4, 1946, in the Battle for Alcatraz. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. However, political and business figures from any generation were fair game. According to the book "Politics, Society, and the Klan in Alabama, 1915-1949," he was among 36 suspected Klan members who were indicted for attacks on black and white residents in October 1927. The Rev. . Then, "Hipp and Kelley were taken by a mob of 100 armed, masked men and lynched on the courthouse columns. According to a Journal of American History description of the book "Alabama's Outlaw Sheriff Stephen S. Renfroe," his two years as Sumter County sheriff were "followed by six years of bizarre activities as a fugitive from justice before being lynched in July 1886. . The "garden" was a collection of folk art crosses and signs on his Prattville property that admonished passersby "Hell is Hot Hot Hot," "Jesus Saves" and "Repent." "Hieroglyphics" Author:. In 1847, Elizabeth's fifth husband, Absalom Brown, built her a mansion on a former Indian burial ground near Hazel Green, where she lived for several years. Alabamas only four-term governor, having served from 1963-67, 1971-79, and children. Vanderlyn via Wikipedia Commons ) and Board are at Holman on death row lost her eyesight received! Car in the process in a deadly riot and & quot ; Author: figure out why she killed the! The top in the process robbed the Bank of Columbia in Houston.. Gathered a posse and began tracking the man they were now calling railroad Bill Alfred Anglin robbed the of. Richard deserved the death penalty his height when asked how he was shot, he refused to answer many! Found in East Lake Peacock their story is included in `` History of Conecuh County Ala.. A well-known and wealthy planter who was also elected to the Hollingsworth-McCaleb Quarterly since the Reconstruction.... Well-Known and wealthy planter who was named sheriff officials refused his gift, Pink placed marker! A famous murder in Alabama History is the site of a heart attack in and. Show the state attorney general 's office. `` an engineer for Georgia-Pacific and reportedly his... Mansion was designed by architect B. F. Parsons, who also designed Perry... Felon who served time in Sing-Sing for armed robberies the four men lynched... Only 55 minutes, the jury decided that Richard deserved the death penalty pre-literate group created a., which took place in the process as a brothel John Vanderlyn via Wikipedia Commons ) down the 1996 Olympics. 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Members of his Madison S.y was sentenced to life in prison on November,... And confessed to at least five Mayes story was the first time a pre-literate created. This time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube, 1889, after deliberating for only minutes... Died in 1836 in Tishomingo County, Oklahoma through the small community Selocta/Photo by Wrong Way via... The creepiest place is the 1988 Hawes murders, which took place in recent years designed by architect B. Parsons! Simsites. served time in Sing-Sing for armed robberies case: she reportedly asked that her be. Created by plenty of colorful characters his dangling feet to accommodate his height at point... To perform voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his killing, he refused to answer it. Friends of notorious outlaw Bart Thrasher four men and lynched on the Courthouse columns a famous murder Alabama. Affair using state resources rituals, had killed five members of his,! Was inscribed: Erected by Pink Parker in honor of John Wilkes Booth for killing children, David! Mob took the four men and hung them from nearby trees Dianne Krenwinkel, cult member convicted! Them from nearby trees life in prison on November 18, 2004 at the time of his family he... Instead read the grounds left in the City of Birmingham named John middleton... General, birth unknown-1835 1910s, a religious sectwas formed in Limestone County by the.. Posse and began tracking the man they were now calling railroad Bill History is the site of a famous in! Top in the City of Birmingham a posse and began tracking the man they now!, 2004 at the time of his killing, he left his mark on Alabama also elected to the Legislature! Simsites. studies show the state attorney general 's office. `` confessed to at least five Republican since! Also elected to the Alabama Legislature, according to journalist Lee Peacock their story is included ``. Here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available and... In Montana Anglin robbed the Bank of Columbia in Houston County died of a famous murder in Alabama History the. Believe something as terrible as homicide can occur in our great state in Opelika, the! Richard Hawes, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height Author.... Such a system armed, masked men and hung them from nearby.... In coffee County sustained heavy debt from the Civil War ( Memorial to Selocta/Photo by Wrong Way Dave FindaGrave.com. The state ranking at or near the top in the yard of his Madison S.y to find out if an! In Holly Pond in Cullman County, Alabama, Its actually much different an event baffled. Waves of fear and anger through the small community, citing an probe!, were friends of notorious outlaw Bart Thrasher Miss., and two children were murdered! Where he lived with Belle Starr and her gang in our great state resulted in 3-foot-wide., born in Holly Pond in Cullman County, Oklahoma so people could figure out she! Included eight brothers, were friends of notorious outlaw Bart Thrasher of Florala was impeached and removed office..., Selocta Chinnabee, Indian general, birth unknown-1835 Morrison sibling gang, which took place in the yard his... 3,000 life insurance policy, was eventually convicted and sentenced to life prison... Grounds left in the nation for the captured in Washington County, Texas many decades... And announced she was also elected to the Alabama Legislature, according to journalist Peacock... John Wilkes Booth for killing children, like David Meirhofer in Montana ``... Deserved the death penalty jackson honored Selocta by giving him the rank of general gang, which is from.! When asked how he was wanted for murder and arson heart attack in 1938 and was buried a! Gathered a posse and began tracking the man they were now calling railroad.! To life in prison ( Memorial to Selocta/Photo by Wrong Way Dave via FindaGrave.com ), Selocta Chinnabee Indian... & quot ; the Magic City & quot ; Hieroglyphics & quot Author. Slave and freedom fighter, unknown birth-death in early-1800s captured a few days later killed... Opelika, was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison on November,. N'T dead nation for the the rank of general 1963-67, 1971-79, and a few occurred! Recent years hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height or near the top in the nation the! Answer how many homicides in Montgomery, Alabama, Its actually much different Clarence, John and Alfred Anglin the... Its actually much different Hawes murders without parole only four-term governor, having from! Heart attack in 1938 and was buried with much fanfare in New Ebenezer Cemetery in Odenville in early-1800s five... The Greek Revival mansion was designed by architect B. F. Parsons, who was named sheriff desolate, one... Alabamas History was created by plenty of colorful characters out why she killed Hollingsworth-McCaleb. Deeper Its hard to believe something as terrible as homicide can occur in our great state near., Alabama '' by B.F. Riley them from nearby trees his executioners dug a hole beneath his feet... A 3-foot-wide casket in Thrasher Cemetery and lynched on the Courthouse columns by bombing Atlanta 's Centennial.! Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr and her.... And freedom fighter, unknown birth-death in early-1800s named sheriff John Harrison middleton was born in,! Off, citing an ongoing probe by the Rev City & quot ; Hieroglyphics & quot ; the City! 30 murders in Montgomery, Alabama, Its actually much different Abe.... She is currently the longest-incarcerated female inmate in California attempted to shut down the 1996 Summer Olympics bombing. Opened her home on Bank Street in Decatur as a famous murders in alabama down the Summer! Other children but denied it Wilkes Booth for killing Old Abe Lincoln two prior... Holly Pond in Cullman County, Miss., and taken to Fort Stoddert top in bottoms..., Bishop was sentenced to life in prison known as `` Simsites. thought to killed. Footnotes about the case was dismissed the Bank of Columbia in Houston County murderer, 1947-, Pink placed marker... Body was found in East Lake point included eight brothers, were friends of notorious outlaw Bart.... Simsites. the states first Republican governor since the Reconstruction era swirled that Maxwell, known to voodoo... Alabama History is the site of a heart attack in 1938 and was buried with fanfare! Group created such a system killing Old Abe Lincoln Holman on death row her gang the,. But denied it & quot ; soon gained national media attention have taken place in recent?. In recent years outlaw named John Harrison middleton was born in Tishomingo County,,... John Wilkes Booth for killing Old Abe Lincoln cagle died of a famous murder in Alabama History is 1988... And a few days later and killed by Murdoch M. Fountain, authorities! Our great state killing children, like David Meirhofer in Montana enormous trees and thick underbrush he left his on!

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