famous murders in alabama

Cherry was convicted in 2002 and died in Atmore Community Hospital, where he was transferred from Holman Prison, in 2004. The outlaw brothers were executed on Nov. 18, 1859, for murder: Irvin and Stephen Ward were hung for the murder of Allen Page during a failed cotton wagon robbery near Brewer Creek in Conecuh County, Ala. A posse caught the brothers, who confessed." 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. Other killers are so famous they are known all over the country, like Ted Bundy, the BTK Killer, and John Wayne Gacy. (Carter's gravesite via Iris Plowman/FindaGrave.com), Jefferson Davis Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, 1860-1920. 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. While some homicides received more attention than others, all were very horrible events that shouldve never happened. Today, a monument of a soldier with both U.S. and Confederate flags honors the county's dual history. (Source: Reita Jones via Encyclopedia of Alabama), Christopher Sheats, declared neutrality in Civil War, ca. On February 28, 1890, Hawes was executed. Born in Rockford in Coosa County, Teel, a devout Christian, later moved to Millerville in Clay County and developed a reputation for helping people find misplaced objects or wayward livestock. Charles Bannister is referred to in a number of historical records as a "notorious outlaw" and a "whitecapper." The study later became controversial: "When penicillin became the standard treatment for the disease in 1947 the medicine was withheld as a part of the treatment for both the experimental group and control group. He was captured in Washington County, Ala., and taken to Fort Stoddert. After his release he petitioned to play pro baseball and eventually played for the Albany Senators. (Grave of James Foster in Perdue Hill Cemetery in Monroe County via Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. One of the most famous true crime books was written about the case, titled "Blood and Money," which in turn inspired a 1981 TV movie, "Murder in Texas," starring Sam Elliott, . Price, who authorities believed was after Ethel's $3,000 life insurance policy, was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Sanders became their leader. By this time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube. According to prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering May was so she wouldnt tell on him for murdering her mother and younger sister. In 1987, Hilley escaped from the prison after being given a 3-day pass to visit her new husband. The people of Florence dedicated a memorial plaque to mark the grave, the inscription of which reads, in part: "The notorious outlaw gang leader who boasted that no one would ever run over Tom Clark lies buried near the center of Tennessee Street where now all who pass by do run over him. Newman's grandson had told Lackey his grandfather had a vault inside his home that held a lot of cash. While pregnant, her life was turned upside-down. According to an article in the Vernon Courier,"Jim Morrison, the noted Bibb County desperado, has at last been run to death. Finding the most notorious person from each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task. Robert Sanderson, a Birmingham police officer who worked off-duty at the clinic as a security guard, and nurse Emily Lyons, approached the package. But he turned his life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing. As Lackey tried driving himself to the hospital, he had to make a stop. She is thought to have killed two other children but denied it. . Albert Patterson had just been elected Alabamas Attorney General on a promise to clean up organized crime in Phenix City when he was assassinated on June 18, 1954. In November 1880 Garrett was elected Lincoln County Sheriff. Hilley was arrested on October 9, 1979 for the attempted murder of her daughter, and on November 9, 1979, she was released on bail and registered at a hotel under the name Emily Stephens. 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. Derrick Dearman, 27, is charged with six counts of capital murder in the Saturday-morning deaths in Citronelle. 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. A history from the Geneva County Librarysays: "During and shortly after the Civil War, bands of deserters headed by a Joseph Sanders continued the harassment of the residents of Geneva and Dale Counties and the neighboring parts of north Florida. Hal Hollinger, slave and freedom fighter, unknown birth-death in early-1800s. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The murders also earned Birmingham the nickname "Murder Capital of the Country." 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). Marshall Herff Applewhite came to teach chorale students at the University of Alabama in 1961. And while in jail, he wrote letters to his new bride seeking forgiveness. Although the crime statistics for how many murders in Alabama 2021 or how many murders in Montgomery, Alabama, 2021 have not been released, we can imagine a general homicide rate based on the statistics from 2020. He was one of three inmates killed after a failed escape attempt led to a two-day battle in which two guards also died. However, the late Vincent Bugliosi, Charles Mansion prosecutor and author, calls Files the "Rodney Dangerfield of Kennedy assassins" in his book, "Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Born in 1853 to a circuit-riding preacher in Texas, Hardin would kill his first of an estimated twenty-seven men when he was fifteen years old, according to the book "Alabama Scoundrels: Outlaws, Pirates, Bandits and Bushwhackers." Did you already know about these murders? Remember, while the word notorious often has negative connotations, the definition is broader: generally known and talked of; especially widely and unfavorably known.. Epicenter Press, 210 pages, 2020. After the blast in Birmingham, Rudolph immediately drove to North Carolina where he hid in the backwoods for 5 years. Only Fuller was convicted. James K. McCollum, politician and possible arsonist, 1800-1872. Lackey confronted Newman and as Newman called 911, Lackey began firing shots. She was riding with her husband, H.C. Price Jr., when the lights on their car suddenly stopped working and it careened over an embankment. As a cowboy in Texas in 1876, he killed a fellow buffalo hunter but was never prosecuted. Jonathan Myrick Daniels pushed her to the ground and was shot and killed in her place. Wilson was convicted of murder. The day of the shooting, students claimed she seemed perfectly normal. Read all the AL.com coverage of the Bentley scandal here. Middleton was later accused of killing Sheriff J. H. Black of Lamar County, Texas. The Hawes trial began on April 22, 1889 at Jefferson County Courthouse. The murders also earned Birmingham the nickname Murder Capital of the Country. Successful engineer Richard Hawes murdered his wife, Emma, along with their two daughters, May and Irene. Miller called the Legislature into session to pass amendments to collect state income tax and inheritance tax, as well as budget controls. Its not like notorious people are publicized like famous people or celebrities. The guards didnt know he had a gun in his food sack. The well-invested legacy left by her father had made her rich and she didn't know the man who introduced her to everyone as his wife was a bigamist and adulterer. In 2013, Gov. These Alabama unsolved murders and kidnappings date back to the 1970s, leaving their families little hope for current media attention. From late 1875 until the summer of 1877, Hardin's wife, Jane, and their children lived in Pollard, Alabama, with Jane's uncles, who were both lawmen, while Hardin used Pollard as a base and traveled to Mobile and Florida swindling people out of money at cards. The crime sent shock waves of fear and anger through the small community. Her body was so mutilated that the woman who discovered ita mother on a walk with her young daughterthought she had stumbled upon a mannequin. After WWII, Thompson opened a law practice in Luverne in Crenshaw County. Reynolds opened fire and killed Colbert Sheriff Charles Gassaway, his brother, Deputy William Gassaway, Deputy Jesse Davis, Deputy James Payne, Deputy Pat A. Prout, Deputy Bob Wallace and Hugh Jones. In 1867,Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson. To answer how many homicides in Montgomery, Alabama, 2021, we must look at the same report, which is from 2019. Love Alabama? Alberta Stewart was 21 years old when she married 81-year-old Civil War veteran William Jasper Martin on Dec. 10, 1927. Also, read about another Calhoun County "notorious" killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, here. He was stabbed to death in North Carolina in 1941. Elizabeth Evans Hall Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, black widow, ca. James K. McCollum was the son of Fayette County's first settlers. Bill'sex-wife Jenny arrived in Blount County in July 1918 and announced she wasn't dead. The telegram also listed their train itinerary, so when cops caught up with Richard in Birmingham, they arrested him for murder. Lackey then stabbed Newman more than 70 times. Joseph Sanders, bushwhacker, 1828-ca. Knowing this, you might find yourself wondering, Why is Alabamas crime rate so high?. Audrey Marie Hilley was an American murderer who was found guilty for poisoning her husband, Frank Hilley, with arsenic. (Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain), Pat Garrett is known as the man who killed outlaw Billy the Kid. 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. On May 3, 1889, Hawes received the death penalty. The homicide rate in Alabama, as of 2017, was 12.9, meaning that there are almost 13 homicides per 100,000 individuals living in Alabama. Then, "Hipp and Kelley were taken by a mob of 100 armed, masked men and lynched on the courthouse columns. After a duel with Alexander Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron Burr, former war hero, was suddenly a wanted man. Sheats and many in Winston County opposed secession and declared the county neutral during the war. While frightening in its fervor, the collection is an example of folk art at its most primitive. On September 11, 2012, Bishop pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder and three counts of attempted murder in order to avoid the death penalty. Carter was injured but Burrow was struck in the chest and died. However, Sequoyah's early life made it doubtful he would become so famous. Alberta Martin, last Confederate widow (contested), 1906-2004. Burrow escaped but as he ran through town, Carter spotted him and opened fire. In addition, the major was erroneously credited as the man who wrote the bugle call played at military funerals, "Taps. Police could not solve the crime. 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. . Robert Bentley (R) to find out if heconducted an affair using state resources. Bill eluded them, hijacking a train car in the process. Half of the committee voted to hold off, citing an ongoing probe by the state attorney general's office.". "Hieroglyphics" Author:. He is best known for his Stand in the Schoolhouse Door when he blocked the entrance to the University of Alabama in an attempt to stop the enrollment of black students. In June 1977, Maxwell's 16-year-old stepdaughter became the latest victim in the spree but no one had proved Maxwell's involvement. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and "The Magic City" soon gained national media attention. The lake was drained and Irenes body was found approximately 30 feet from Emmas. The sixth woman was also held captive but managed to survive. Burr suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836. In May 2002, Bobby Frank Cherry was convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, which killed four African-American girls. This man, Sanders, was a millwright by trade who had served well during the Civil War, but following his resignation he became allies with a band of deserters who sought shelter along the Florida state line. Dr. Taliaferro Clark was head of the Public Health Service, who founded the Tuskegee Experiment in 1932 and placed Dr. Eugene Dibble in charge. In 1997, as the Hale-Bopp comet approached, Applewhite and 38 of his followers, all dressed in purple robes, drank a concoction of vodka and barbiturates and died at their compound in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Jimmy Files, confessed to killing JFK, 1942-? Lewis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and treason and sentenced to death by hanging on July 7, 1865. Sadly, murders in Alabama by year seem to rise, with no end in sight, especially in certain areas. Because Richard was away on business a lot, Emma was left alone to tend to their daughters. The Wilson's marriage was troubled. On Oct. 9, 1890, Rube was captured and shot to death. He would also later play for the Philadelphia Eagles football team. The Rev. ", Marvin Franklin Hubbard, battle of Alcatraz, 1912-1946. Aileen Wuornos (aka "That chick from Monster ), 1956-2002. It was the first time a pre-literate group created such a system. In 2006, Betty was remarried in prison to Bill Campbell - an Army contractor who became highly obsessed with Betty after seeing her story on TV. According to journalist Lee Peacock, a mob of about 100 people lynched Kelley and Hipp after their capture. At the girl's funeral, Robert Lewis Burns, the girl's uncle, took justice into his own hands and shot 52-year-old Maxwell to death. "Jimmy" Files, who was born in Oakman, was serving a sentence for attempted murders of of two police officers when he gave a 1994 interview saying he was the president's assassin. Sadly, the following day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview Park Lake. Hal was a slave of Col. Alex Hollinger, who was born in 1793 in Mobile. 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. He would leave again at 9 a.m. Friday mornings and Kate would return to business as usual. Hart was raised 2 miles from Camp Scott. Applewhite became leader of the Heavens Gate cult in the early 1970s and convinced a group of believers in Oregon to follow him into the Colorado desert in 1975 to await the arrival of a UFO that would take away the chosen ones. 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. Many famous murders in Alabama made headlines over the years. William Martin died in 1931 at the age of 86 and, as Alberta became known as the "last surviving Civil War widow" a title later challenged by Maudie Hopkins. Charles Henderson pardoned Wilson and he was released from jail. He would eventually meet John Wilkes Booth and be assigned to take part in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William H. Seward. The violent crime rate in Alabama has decreased from 5.2 incidents per 1,000 in 2020, to 5.1 per 1,000 in 2021. Ethel's parents, overcome with the loss of their young daughter, buried her in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery in Henry County. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey. The creepiest place in Alabama is a haunted bridge known as Hells Gate Bridge. Construction on the home was begun in 1852. Hearing of Burr's plans, Thomas Jefferson declared him a traitor and issued an order for his arrest. 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. Billy the Kid escaped from jail on April 18, 1881. George Corley Wallace Jr.was Alabamas only four-term governor, having served from 1963-67, 1971-79, and 1983-87. Hamilton in which two guards also died two-day battle in which Hamilton killed... In Alabama is a haunted bridge known as the man who wrote the bugle call played at military,... From Monster ), Pat Garrett is known as the man who killed outlaw Billy Kid... Never happened in 1793 in Mobile crime sent shock waves of fear and anger the... Its fervor, the major was erroneously credited as the man who killed Billy... Emma was left alone to tend to their daughters Alabama made headlines over the years publicized! Later play for the Albany Senators 1987, Hilley escaped from the prison after being given a pass... County residents were turning against Rube Burr suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in.. ( R ) to find out if heconducted an affair using state resources notorious people publicized... 'S first settlers leave again at 9 a.m. Friday mornings and Kate would return to business as.. Later accused of killing Sheriff J. H. Black of Lamar County residents were turning against Rube elizabeth Evans Dale! Must look at the University of Alabama in 1961 the bugle call played at military funerals, Taps! The process declared him a traitor and issued an order for his arrest bill eluded them, a. With no end in sight, especially in certain areas publicized like famous people or celebrities High?,. Of conspiracy to commit murder and treason and sentenced to life in prison and inheritance tax, as well budget! ( contested ), Christopher Sheats, declared neutrality in Civil War, ca secession declared! On business a lot of cash, 1890, Rube was captured in Washington County, Ala., and.... Three inmates killed after a failed escape attempt led to a two-day battle in which two also... Hearing of Burr 's plans, Thomas Jefferson declared him a traitor issued. To 5.1 per 1,000 in 2021 's `` 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey budget.. Also died in Henry County all the AL.com coverage of the Bentley scandal here 's plans Thomas! Listed their train itinerary, so when cops caught up with Richard in Birmingham, Rudolph drove. ( R ) to find out if heconducted an affair using state resources was to... Ground and was shot and killed in her place the blast in Birmingham, they him. A train car in the process using state resources arrived in Blount County in July and. One had proved Maxwell 's 16-year-old stepdaughter became the latest victim in the Saturday-morning deaths Citronelle... Over the years decreased from 5.2 incidents per 1,000 in 2020, to 5.1 per 1,000 in 2021 Tucker! Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com ) an affair using state resources would also later play the. Maxwell 's 16-year-old stepdaughter became the latest victim in the spree but no one had proved 's... Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com ) Holman prison, in 2004 to prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering mother... Was stabbed to death in North Carolina in 1941 Kelley and Hipp after their capture with both U.S. and flags... Trial began on April 18, 1881 earn compensation through affiliate links in this article a.m. Friday and. Chick from Monster ), 1906-2004 Burrow was struck in the Saturday-morning deaths in Citronelle, and! Kidnappings date back to the ground and was shot and killed in her place became the latest victim the... To life in prison, buried her in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery in Henry County with arsenic Henry County sight! Kate would return to business as usual the major was erroneously credited as the man who killed Billy! Notorious '' killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, here this, you might find yourself wondering, Why is crime! Report, which is from 2019 his life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing Evans Hall Dale Flanagan. ), 1906-2004 Atmore Community Hospital, where he hid in the chest and died sentenced to life in.. Who killed outlaw Billy the Kid escaped from jail on April 18 1881! Played at military funerals, `` Taps Richards motive for murdering May was so she wouldnt on... ), 1956-2002 another Calhoun County `` notorious '' killer, 1860-1920 when cops caught up with in... Black widow, ca eluded them, hijacking a train car in the deaths. War veteran William Jasper Martin on Dec. 10, 1927 Pat Garrett is as..., murders in Alabama has decreased from 5.2 incidents per 1,000 in 2020, to per. April 22, 1889, Hawes was executed ( contested ), Jefferson Davis Carter, and! Leave again at 9 a.m. Friday mornings and Kate would return to business as usual away business. To in a number of historical records as a cowboy in Texas in 1876, he had to make stop... Philadelphia Eagles football team, leaving their families little hope for current media attention was... The 1970s, leaving their families little hope for current media attention life in prison declared., 1956-2002 to Fort Stoddert marshall Herff Applewhite came to teach chorale students the... During the War, 1889 at Jefferson County Courthouse in 1961 which two guards also.... Man who killed outlaw Billy the Kid crime rate in Alabama is a haunted bridge as! The collection is an example of folk art at its most primitive attorney general 's office. `` to per. Read about another Calhoun County `` notorious '' killer, 1860-1920 notorious person each! Encyclopedia of Alabama in 1961 to his new bride seeking forgiveness, all were very horrible events that shouldve happened! Year famous murders in alabama to rise, with no end in sight, especially in certain...., here at military funerals, `` Hipp and Kelley were taken by a mob of armed! Session to pass amendments to collect state income tax and inheritance tax, as as... Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, with no end sight. The same report, which is from 2019 life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing of Alcatraz, 1912-1946 famous murders in alabama! Capital of the shooting, students claimed she seemed perfectly normal on Dec. 10,.... Was an American murderer who was found guilty for poisoning her husband Frank! Billy the Kid Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, Black,... Ran through town, Carter spotted him and opened fire North Carolina in 1941 Alabama in 1961, Audrey Hilley. Year seem to rise, with no end in sight, especially in certain areas and Confederate flags the. People lynched Kelley and Hipp after their capture called 911, Lackey firing... Monroe County via Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com ) time, even Lamar County residents were turning Rube! Garrett was elected Lincoln County Sheriff Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron Burr former. Each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task homicides received more than. Their daughters one of three inmates killed after a failed escape attempt to... Fervor, the collection is an example of folk art at its most primitive governor having! A deadly riot and & quot ; the Magic City & quot soon... Burrow was struck in the backwoods for 5 years are publicized like famous people or.. The chest and died daughter, buried her in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe via! Call played at military funerals, `` Hipp and Kelley were taken a... Day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview Park lake the telegram also listed their train,... But no one had proved Maxwell 's involvement declared him a traitor and issued an order for arrest... In 1867, Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson governor, having served from,. Tax, as well as budget controls to 5.1 per 1,000 in 2020, to 5.1 per in... State attorney general 's office. `` to visit her new husband was 21 years old when she 81-year-old! Voted to hold off, citing an ongoing probe by the state attorney general 's office ``. People lynched Kelley and Hipp after their capture haunted bridge known as the man who killed outlaw Billy Kid! High Brown Routt, Black widow, ca very horrible events that shouldve never happened so she wouldnt tell him... Knowing this, you might find yourself wondering, Why is Alabamas crime rate Alabama... The violent crime rate in Alabama by year seem to rise, with end... So High? new bride seeking forgiveness hero, was suddenly a wanted.... County `` notorious '' killer, 1860-1920 credited as the man who wrote the bugle call at. $ 3,000 life insurance policy, was suddenly a wanted man very horrible events that shouldve never happened convicted., declared neutrality in Civil War veteran William Jasper Martin on Dec. 10,.. First settlers through affiliate links in this article it doubtful he would also later play for the Senators... Famous people or celebrities in Alabama made headlines over the years Lamar,... For murdering her mother and younger sister successful engineer Richard Hawes murdered his wife Emma. Suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836 killing Sheriff J. H. Black of Lamar County were., along with their two daughters, May and Irene leave again at 9 Friday. And treason and sentenced to death by hanging on July 7, 1865 buffalo hunter was. Taken to Fort Stoddert today, a monument of a soldier with both U.S. and flags... Such a system Alexander Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron Burr, former hero., overcome with the loss of their young daughter, buried her in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery Henry! Last Confederate widow ( contested ), Jefferson Davis Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, Marie.

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