o*
DANIEL ALLEN HEARN
September 20th 1989
Mr. M. Watt Espy
Capital Punishment Research Project
Ps
0. Box. 227
Headland, AL 36345
Dear Watt:
Between Maryland trips I've had the chance to get over to Yale Univ.
and knock off the District of Columbia through old newspaper microfilm.
Let me call your attention to the inventory published by Bowers; it con-
tains some extremely serious errors in the period 1853-1896. Accurate
thereafter.
Note: the source for everything unless otherwise noted is the Washington
Evening Star of the corresponding date.
i
9-2-1853 Daniel T. Woodward for the murder of his wife. No other
details given. However the WES of 8/29/53 3:1 states
that there were only two previous executions in DC since its estab-
lishment: the previous one took place on 6-27-1827 and was that of
Jonathan DeVaughn for the murder of Elias Martin with a gun. He was
tried on a change of venue from DC to Alexandria VA and executed at
the latter place. Hence a flukey case of DC jurisdiction being con-
summated on Virginia soil. Remarked the Daily Nattonal Intelligencer
of 6/28/27 3:4 "A more desperate and irreclaimable criminal perhaps
never expiated his crime upon a scaffold." Prior to this the only
other DC execution according to the above source, (and THE only other
DC execution in the strict sense of the word), was "a very early one
in which the gallows used was a tree near the capitol building". It
is probably referring to the 1802 wife-murderer on whom I sent you
a corrected card recently.
6-26-1858 James Powers for the murder of Edward A. Lutz. No further
details. But note correct date.
12-5-1862 Pvt. John Conrad Kessler for the murder of lst Lieut.
Fernando Linzy of Company K of the 103rd New York Ret.
This was a military execution which took place on the civilian gal-
lows in the DC jail. Kessler was a native of Saxon-Meiningen GERMANY
and was 41 years old. He had lately lived in Newark NJ with his wife
and one child. He had been in a street brawl which was broken up by
the lieutenant and when the latter threatened the former with a court
martial, Kessler, who was drunk, ran him through with his bayonet.
WES 12/5/62 2:6
3-6-1863 Augustus Ford, a negro, for the murder of George Adams,
negro, in Bates' Alley in Nov. '62. Shot him in a quarrel
over a woman. A civilian execution on the civilian gallows and also
apparently hitherto unknown. WES 3/6/63 2:6
vo
14.
|
Les
18.
DANIEL ALLEN HEARN
11-19-1880 Joseph Neverson alias Babe Bedford, age 21 and Edward Queenan
age 20, for the murder of George Philip Hirth, white. Robbery
the motive. Assaulted in the street ten days before he was to have been mar-
ried and died from a blow from a blunt instrument. A third defendant, Sandy
Pinn, age 21, turned evidence in exchange for a life term. Both executed men
were born in Maryland.
1-19-1883 Charles Shaw for the 1/16/81 murder of his sister, Susie Carter.
Possibly juvenile. Gave his age as 16 at the time of his arrest
but his grandfather said that he was 19. Lured his sister from house on pre-
text that dying grandmother was asking for her. Became enraged when she ques-—
tioned his story on the road and beat her to death.
5-15-1885 John Langster for-the murder of- Policeman. Fowler. Ex-slave, born
t- 1864 in Charles Co. Maryland.
4-30-188 Lewis Sommerfield, a Pole aged 54, for the murder of his wife and
son-in-law on 11-20-1885. Her name was Christina Sommerfield and
his name was Gottlieb Isenbraun. Murders took place in Eisenbraun's Saloon on
Maryland Ave. Both shot dead in a domestic quarrel.
4-30-1886 Richard J. Lee alias Dick Sparrow, negro, age 32. DC native for
the murder of his wife on 11/23/85. She had left him because of
(His drinking. He became angry, tracked her down to her sister's house and
19;
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4
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e
chased her out into the street where he shot her dead.
5-28-1886 Antonio Nardello, native of Naples Italy aged 22. Perhaps the
most detestable of DC's executees. Hanged for murder committed
on 7/29/85 when he and two other Napolitani inveigled an elderly Italian man
named Carmine Rotunno into a deserted house, robbed him and cut his throat.
Nardello subsequently confessed to the 12/19/84 robbery-murder of Antonio
Baldo in Cecil Co. Maryland as well as the murder of a blacksmith in Baltimore
for which two innocent men drew prison terms.
4-5-1889 Albert Green. DELETE THIS ONE!!! His sentence: was commuted
at the last minute by the President of the U.S.
5-17-1889 Nelson Colbert, age 23, for the 10/3/88 murder of Philip Wentzell,
white. Native of Anne Arundel County Maryland. Wentzell was aged
over 70 and was the Superintendant of the Columbia Street Car Stable in DC
where Colbert was employed. Took exception with Colbert for being drunk on
the job whereupon the killer hauled off and shot him.
5-29-1890 Benjamin Hawkins for the murder of his wife. No further details.
_ 3-17-1893 Howard Schneider, age 24, for the 1/31/92 murder of his wife and
brother-in-law. Victims aged 22 and 21 respectively. Her name was
Amanda Hamlink Schneider and his name was Frank Hamlink. Shot both in a dom-
estic quarrel arising from the fact that he and Amanda had married in secret
and that he had previously failed to tell her that he was suspected of shooting
a negro man.
mi Jeremiah Hendricks, 4-1-64
Emmanuel Pollard, 7-8-64
Peter Gordon, 7-8-64
These three must all be DELETED!!! They were NOT executed. Pollard and
ve Hendricks were both set to hang on 4-1-64 but were both commuted at the
last minute by the President. Gallows had been erected, death warrants
prepared and all. Gordon, (whose actual name was Peter Gooden), was set
to hang with Tuell on 7-8-64. On that date Tuell was hanged accordingly
and Gooden was already pinioned and waiting his turn when a commutation
from the President arrived.
6. 7-8-1864 Cornelius Tuell for the murder of his wife. In Feb. of 1864
he beat her to death with a hammer, layed her corpse in a bed
/ with their two small children and then later secretly buried it in a cem-
iy. etery while giving out a false report that she had died of smallpox. He
figured that with the general belief that such was the cause of death, no
one would dare to exhume the body. But he guessed wrong and the coroner h
collared him.
7. 3-24-1871 James Grady, a 33 year old DC native for the 10/6/70 rape of
/ a seventy-five year old widow named Fanny Faulkner who died
from the effects. He was a Confederate veteran.
8. 10-31-1872 George W. Jenkins for the 5/14/72 murder of his wife, Cornelia
Boston Jenkins, by hacking her to death with a cleaver. He was
24 years old. Believed wife to be flirting with a neighbor and acted while
under the influence.
9, 12-6-1872 Barney Woods for the 8/12/72 murder of James L. Cheeseman, a
business traveler from New York. He was a native of the village
of Hono in County Tyronne IRELAND and was born on June 11th 1835. He was
aged 37 at the time of his execution and had 21 siblings. At the time of
the murder he was a stablehand and became irked when Cheeseman gave him his
horses to quarter. He shouted "Fuck you, Cheeseman!" and shot him.
10. 12-10-1872 Charles Johnson for the 9/28/72 murder of his wife, Jane Eliza
Johnson, by cutting her throat with a razor. He was 32 years bas
oid and had been born a slave to Mr. William Swank of Lewinsville, Fairfax
County, Virginia.
11. . 6-6-1873 Tom Wright, negro, for the 12/24/72 murder of a white peddlar
named Samuel Rogerski. Robbery the motive. Hacked him beyond
recognition with a sharp instrument. He was born 9/51 as a slave to Mr. W.
Hayes of Franklinton NC and was a blacksmith by trade.
12. 11-28-1873 Henry Young alias Williams, negro, for the 3/29/73 murder of a
b/ white Virginia drover named Frank Hahn. Robbery the motive. Vic-
tim's features obliterated by a blungeon. Young was 27 years old and had been
born a slave to a Mr. Atkinson in Rappahannock County Virginia. He was a bar-
ber by trade.
L3. 4-2-1880 James Madison Wyatt Stone, mulatto, native of Westbrook Maine, aged
35. He was a messenger for the Associated Press. On 10/5/78 he at-
tacked his sister-in-law, Lavinia Pitcher, with a razor because he believed
that she was trying to estrange his wife from him. With the furies upon hin,
he also attacked his wife, Alberta Pitcher Stone, at the same time, who died
of her wounds. He was decapitated by the drop.
ae ee ee eae
COMMTITED |
OFF IC TAL
AME COTOR | AGP OF SOYTEEN MXECUTED | IN CvARGE VEAPOY
18 Pitmond, George McKinley | C 34 | 1/26/33 Murder 4/28/33 6/1/34 Thos M. Rives | Revolver
19 Gocdman, Joe c 3B | 2/6/33 4/28/33 6/1/3) : . "
20 Preston, Albert Cc 38 2/1/35 a 4/5/35 3/20/36 " " 7
21 Curmings, John Yomer c 27 1/12/35 " €/27/35 1/23/37 Lo ast it
22 Marcus, Willett Cc 21 _ 1/12/35 * n . a n "
23 Robinson, Norman Vesley | C 29 9/26/36 " 12/15/36 3/18/38 s " Furnace Shaire
‘ Kinard, Will Cc 39 | 10/19/36 n 4/1/38 2/3/39 Fonts Revolver
eS Robinson, William Isaac | C 36 | 8/13/41 Rape 0/12/41 10/9/42 E. A. Steen -
2 Mumforde, William Thomas | C 22 | 3/27/h1 Murder 7/28 ful 12/18/42 n " Revolver
27 Catoe, Jarvis theo Roosev| C 3 | 9/2/41 Rape 10/31/41 1/15/43 rn " -
c Neely, Monroe D. C 37 | 5/10/43 vurder 12/3/\3 12/1bs/us C. 0. Botkin | Revolver
z< McFarland, Earl J. Jw 23 | 10/9/Ly " 2/16/45 7/19/ué Curtis Reid Snood
x0 Copeland, William Cc 8 3/31/i " 6/19/45 12/20/ué " " Revolver
31 Fisher, Julius Cc 3h | 3/3/Lk : 7/7/uk 12/20/b " " Hands/stic!:
32 Hedley, Joseph D. Ww L5 3/19/u' : 6/26/45 12/20/46 : i Scarf /Revolve
33 Hawkins, Alfred Lorenzo | C 2h | 5/20/uc " 7/26/16 10/31/47 . " Revolver
3h Patton, Jesse James Cc 23 6/11 /4o ad 12/6/16 12/10/48 " n n
35 Wheeler, Reginald Joseph | C 28 6/1L/46 " " ae " " "
36 | Harris, Shirley c | 2 l3nnvur | = bror | was | '
37 | Hall, John #, c | 35 |6sz0/ur barn knwi bass | 2/ef9 | 8 :
3 Holmes, Theodore M. c | 22 |3A0/8 pape F /28 8 3/15/49 . 8 .
39 | Garner, George A. co | 26 13/318. "urder r/éfus |. t/e9fu9 | * ~*~ | Revolver
_ Garner, Lawrence CP aes Arai Bar sh Pe cd Erstad, fo Re sg = : : "
clarence Yancey
Jocevh Wasnnack
fn tf
z lese Tlorence Geodvin
Tife, Lanra
Tlaine Caywood Henry
Miss Fannie Cohen
Mrs Rose Abramouitz
Police Chas R. Johnson
Norothy M,. Rerrum
Inna heohnson
Catherine C. Reardon
Nancy Boyer ‘
John Hall Knight
Maurice L. Pernstein
Frank C. Kelly
{ yeer old girl
Sally 'linton, 9 vears old
Ho ward Jones
cee
1,3
Lh
VICTT:
veal We Ba : OFF ICTAL
AME : COLOR AGE COMMITTED OFF FICE SENT CED EXEC TED TH CHARGE, LIEAPON
Pritchett, Fred Ss, W hl 7/1/49 Hurder 2/15/50 2/15/52 Curtis Reid Ravelyer
Tyler, William Andrew Jr C 20. «5/5/56 " 6/30/50 7/25/52 woe ee Knife
Allen, Albert C, Cc 25 1/3/51 Murder ¢%
Robbery 6/29/51. 3/20/53 . " Push Froom
Carter, Robert E. Cc 28 = 7/13/53 Murder 3/26/5) 4/26/57 a © Pistol
sy ee
Clyda TL, Kine
Oliver ©. Iess 4%
John 6-0 Carnentcr
Georre Schorber
~
:
Ceorg et), Caseelis
polic e officer
wy
>
Sted
ia NAME »COLOR AGE COMMITTED | OFFE CE SUNT SNCED EYECITEN TH Me re i UPAPON VICT MT: ee
St. Clair, John Thoras C 26 /17/02 Morder 11/26/02: 1/30/03 James He Harvis |Revolver [Carrie Theoda Hill
Hill, Benjamin G. W 52 11/13/02 " 3/20/03 7/2/03 " " Revolver |Vife
Burley, John Wesley C 43 7/22/03 Rape 5/27/04 8/26/ol " " | Alice “urner
i] Shaffer, Augustus L. W 39 8/24/03 Murder 7/ifol 2/10/05 " " Razor Catherine Shaffer
Hamilton, William walter c 27 6/22/04 " 1/19/06 2/2/06 n n Strancled |fAizzie Lyran
1,3 Grant, Edward C 21 12/18/05 . 11/08 /06 11/16/06 " i" Knife Eva B arnes
Burge, William C 23 2/3/05 " 4/15/07 1,/23/07 " " Revolver |Daisy Purve
Pacleucchi, Joseph W jl 9/22/06 " 3/20/08 3/23/08 " " Revolver | Lizzi e Vcdve
L€ Erown, Albert C 21 11/8/07 . * 6/29/08 © | Thoras “. 'cke Revolver | Yarvey Pron
Gregory, Richard Cc 37 9/9/07 " - 6/29/08 " " Club yal an A. Garner
Rauen, Samuel }illian W 25 i /ifle " - 2/fih/i3 L. F. Zinkhan | Revolver | Ozelah % J on Paven
Green, Nathaniel C 23 12/27/12 Rane - 6/9/13 " n Mrs Adelaid “rant
me) Allen, James F. C % 11/12/15 Murder 7/6/16 9/12/17 " . Knife Flora Allen
ol Jackson, James Henry C 27 2/3/19 " 5/9/19 3/2/20 Chas C. Foster Revolver | Lilli an J!ocd
c Bowman, Frank C 39 2/3/19 " 6/25/19 10/22/20 " " Revolver | C. J. Keefer
53 Campbell, William Henry Cc 22 8/7/20 " 2/18/21 3/11/21 eo " Revolver | Mrse re
oly McHenry, Thomas W 19 i2néhng ee 10/8/20 3/17/22 " n Revolver | Officer Armstrony
5 Shands, Ernest A. Cc 29 8 hy /22 " 12/22/22 3/9/23 We'd. Moyer Hatchet Vife
ce Eanton, George Spencer | © 20 9/21/22 " 12/16/22 ), /20/23 " i Revolver | Samuel Yryc
57 Price, Charles Cc 32 S/n /B " 1,/9/20 6/3/23 n " Revolver | Robert Smith
- Epps, George Samuel Cc 31 12/29/21 " . 11/17/22 5/2/23 - " Revolver | Wife
‘oq
2) NEE a
Sal
oy
J
12
13
NAME COLOR | AGE | COMMITTED OFPISE [geo reuceD EYEC TFN a nee _{vrapor VICTT
Gordon, Rufus b 37 ,/28/21 Murder 5/26/22 6/23/23 W. He. Mover -evolver Nimon viller
Thomas, Ralph Cc ho 8/1/23. 4 2/8/e), 1/15/25 Mer. Parnard xe Wife
Copeland, Herbert L. C 50 7/18/23 " 11/23/23. 1/22/25 : . Vovolver Office er Duniean
— « |ELE OC KROCOFION
Jackson, Philip c 30 2/26 /27 Rane 5/6/27 5/9/28 W. L. Peak Yes able ‘tellin’
Eagles, Nicholas L. W 3 9/29/26 Murder 1/5/27 6/22 /28 " n Revolver Leo K.
Mareno, Samuel W 21 9/29/26 . ,/5/27 6/22 /28 . " " " "
Proctor, John W 20 13/11/26 " 4/5/27 6/22/28 noon " n "
Hawkins, Andrew Jackson C 31 12/28/28 : 5/21/30 6/5/30 n tt " uth I. Vsticins
Bell, Cardoza Cc 2h; 8/17/29 . 11/1/30 3/€/31 ” . 7 Alice etz
Aldridge, Alfred Scott Cc 21 7/11/29 ® 11/13/30 5/6/32 " n " Officer Hcelonald
Logan, John C 2h; 1/18/30 n 1/15/31 6/29/32 n " " Nev Off York
Borum, John C 26 | 4/15/30 " 1/15/31 6/29/32 e232 ‘ " i
Morris, Charles C 33 7/28/30 ® 12/9/30 12/3/32 " . " Wife
Robinson, William Clinton | C 20 | 3/10/31 : 3/4/32 10/27/33 Thomas M. Rives " Manni e Solowon
ashing ton, Charles Edward} C 23 3/10/31 " 3/44/32 11/2h/33 . " Revolver Yannie Scloron
Montague, Benjamin Cc 29 5/1/32 " 2/10/33 2h/3s~ aon " Revolver Clara Williszs
Murry, Irvin Cc 26 4/9/32 " 11/18 /32 1/12/3) n " "rick, night
stick, run | Polic e Kennedy
Jackson, Joseph Jares C 20 | 8/9/32 t 11/18/32 1/12/3h n rn " " " "
Holmes, Ralph Edward C 25 8/9/32 " 11/18/32 1/12/31 " " " " " -
| Bolden, Ernest H. Cc 25 7/18/32 " 3/6/33 ),/27/3h * " Revolver Wife
ee eee eee
’
pnt
=
;
LIST OF EXECTIONS IN THE DISTRICT JATL
HANGING OFFICTAL
NAME COLOR AGE COMMITTED OFFFISE SEYTECED EXEC TED TN CYARGE VTAPON VICT™
Hendricks, Jermiah - = 12/27/1863 | Murder 2/23/186h | 14/1/186) USM - js
Gordon, Peter - - 11/7/1863 " 5/9/186l 7/8/86), " a -
Pollard, Emanuel - - 10/10/1863 " $/9/186h 7/8/18E | Robt Peal - - .
Tuell, Cornelius Ww ~ 2/19/1886) n 5/9/18 7/8/86), an, 2 =
Grady, James W - 10/8/1870 . 2/2),/1871 3/2/1871 | John S, Crocker = Fanny Faulcner
Jenkins, Geo’. Cc - 5/15/1872 : - 10/31/1872} " " Cleaver Tavina Jer:ins
Wood, Barney W - a RLART a ~ 12/6/1872 " " Revolver | Sam'l S. Cheeseran
Johnson, Charles Cc ~- 9/29/1872 " - 12/10/1872 " " - “liza Jane Johnson
Wright, Thomas c ~ 12/27/1872 " - 6/6/1873 n n a Sarucl Rovere'i
Young, Henry (alias) |
Jilliams, Charles Cc - 3/31/1873 " - 11/28/1873 n " Tistrument| Frank Hahn
Stone, James M. W. Cc - 10/6/1878 " - 1/2/1880 " " Razor Albert jie Sicre
Wyatt, James Madison - - 10/7/1878 " - ),/2/1880 7 . - -
Queenan, Edward Cc - 1/12/1880 u - 11/19/1880 : . “tone George Phillip {lirch
Bedford, Joseph (Alias)
Babe Bedford Cc - 1/12/1880 : - 11/19/1880 . " Stone " * "
Guiteau, charles g. W - 7/2/1881 " 2/4/1882 6/30/1882 : " tevolver President “arfield
Shaw, Charles fo} - 1/29/1881 " 5/5/1882 1/19/1883 " " Testrument| Susan Carter
langster, John(Alias)
George T. Hudson C - 9/10/188), n ~ 5/15/1885 " n tovolver John ' . Fowler
Sommerfield, Louis wW ~ 11/21/1885 " 1/9/1886 4/30/1886 " " Revolver taken pulps erfield §
Go eb Eiscnbram
30
— NE eee
NAM EB COLOR AGE COMMITTED OFT BE ISE SENTENCED EXECUTED sil aaa as sAPOM Vcr!
lee, Richard(Alias)
Dick Sparrow C - 11/24/1885 Murder 1 fre /1° 86 1/39/1286 | John S. Crocker Rayolver Mary Lee
Nardello, Antonio(Alias} 3
Richard & Frank Ross W - 8/1/1885 " 1/16/1886 | 5/28/1886 " " azor Carrine Rotarr
Green, Albert c . 9/20/1887 " 1/19/1889 | h/sfeso | " : :
Colbert, ‘elson Cc = 10/5/1888 " ~ s/i7/is889 | " " Rovelver P hillin Yanaecl
Havkins, Benjamin Cc ~ 3/15/1B89 " 6/1/1889 6/29/1890 | Jercre Pe Purke <inife Cora Uackins
Schneider, Howard J. W - 2/2/1892 . - 3/17/1893 . " tevolver Franic link
Crumpton, Thomas Cc - 6137/1893 . 11/29/1893 | 4/27/189) | John &. Leonard Rovoelver D-avid Shanklin
Travers, James L, C - 11/30/189L, " - 7/19/1895 " . xaife Tena “ross
Beam, Joseph A. W - 12/2/1894 7 - 7/26/1895 " " Revo lver L ola Leahy
Yarris, John(Alias) ¥ | .
Patsy Harris Cc - 7/6/1895 " - 2/Un flee | ee" " Revolver Matthey Ssrvell
Ford, Irvin Cc ~ 5/9/1896 " - 6/26/18 %6 n n Penknife Elsie “rev7le
Winston, Charles C 2h 12/21/1897 n 3/18/1898 5/5/99 James H. Harris| evolver EB mma Winston
Strathers, William M. c = 10/16/1897 " 3/4/98 5/5/99 " i ‘atchet Rese Talbert
Smith, Edward Cc 4,7 11/22/97 " 3/4/98 5/12/99 . " Tatchet Edmonia Jac’:son
Horton, George W. Ww 50 6/25/8 n 6/6/99 12/8/99 " " Peneknife Jane ‘licholsen
Snell, Benjamin Hill W 2 8/7/99 " 2/23/1900 | 6/29/1900 7 n Razor Lizzie Veisenber; er
Vale, Velson Cc 59 1/15/1900 " 1,/30/1900 7/6/1900 * " Revolver Alexander Jackson
Funk, Frank V. W 25 8/22/1899 " 3/3/1900 32/9/1900 . " Axe William 4. Frocks
Chapman, Elijah Cc 33 1/2/1902 : 1/25/1902 5/23/1002 " n Knife Ida Sirrs
. i aa CDC |
1. i
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERYTIG EXECUTIONS: | | -
‘ Be |
PikStT EXECUTLO! ON RECORD APRIL 1s 1864, JERMTAY WE MRIS oKS MURDER
LAST A GIG JANUARY 22, 1925 = IeRBURT Te COPELA'D IRD, POLIO? OFFICE?
}
a
FIRST SLECTROC'T I0i MAY 29, 1928 OHTLIP JACKSO" RAPE
LAST ELSCTROCHTION ; APRIL 26, 1957 ROBERT Be CARTER MURDER, POLIC® OFFICER
TRIPLE EXECUTIONS: |
JILY &, 18E& Peter Gordon Murder
Eranuel Pollard 7 i
Cernelius Tuell "
June 22, 1928 ficholas L. Eagles a
Samel Moreno eae
Jchn Proctor Murder, same charze
January 12, 193), Irvin Murray mw a
Jcseph James Jackson
Ralph Edward Holmes Murder, same charge, nolice officer
December 20, 1916 William Copeland
Julius Fisher |
Joseph DP. Nedley Murder, different charges
TOTAL HANGI GS é2
TOTAL ELECTROCUTIO'S ly
THESE FIGURES DONOT REFLECT PR"SIDENT LINCOLN'S ASSASST'S (TCLUDT: iG MRS SURRAS)WIO WERE ALDEPGEDLY HWr'a AT
OR
THE FIVE SABOTEURS TRIED A‘ EXSCITED UNDER NIRECTIOY CF TIE AR'Y IN 192
FORMULA FOR SLECTROC'?. 107s
2000 for 6 seconds TOTAL TIVE LAPSE: 2 minutes DC Arms 2.5 to 15 denending on density of body
500 for 50 seconds
1000 for 8&8 seconds
500 for 50 scconds
2000 for 64 seron's
mm CiD JAIL
ee = ~ EM " be se . = soetenaiiemaaaaal sionals OT SORE IGE IR LIE OT lied
Tot SR ee ae aR
24. 4-27-1894 Thomas Crumpton for 6/9/93 murder of David Shanklin. Native of
jo Rockville MD aged 43. Shot 24 year old Shanklin to death after
nursing a grudge against him for more than a year.
P nF 7-19-1895 James Travers, negro, for 11/19/94 murder of his mistress, Lena
Gross, negro. Argued over money. Knocked her out with a punch to
/ the face and then finished her off by cutting her throat with a razor. Native
of Charles County MD age 24.
26. 7-26-189 Joseph A. Beam, aged 56, for the 12/22/94 murder of his step-
daughter, Annie L. Leahy. Shot her to death. Motive unknown.
27. 2-14-1896 John alias Patty Harris, negro, for the 7/4/95 murder of Matthew
Spruell, negro. Both lived together in the same house in the Geo-
? — rgetown section where Spruell had a barber shop. Harris, age 23, shot Spruell
(7 after accusing him of annoying his wife. Acted under the influence.
28. 6-26-1896 Irvin Ford, negro, for the murder of Elsie Kreglo. Ford aged 30
and she was a white teenager. On 5/4/96 he tried to molest her
but she resisting, he pulled a knife and stabbed her several times in the
neck. Eventually confessed.
