Last Legal Hanging in Limestone Co., 1895
Thanks to Edward L. Williams
I was just looking at your great website and found the picture of the last
legal hanging in Limestone Co, TX
submitted by Edward L. Williams
and realized I could contribute a little information.
The man being hung is a
freed slave, Richard Burleson, for murdering my great grandfather, James Garrett
McKinnon.
The murder was
committed May 3, 1894 by Burleson robbing my great grandfather for a $20 gold
piece he'd seen him with
earlier. James offered Burleson a ride in his wagon, Burleson accepted, then clubbed
James over the head with a rock.
The date of the hanging is April 12, 1895.
My father, Carl Lee McKinnon, was born in Mexia, Limestone Co., TX on April
13, 1894 just 3 weeks before his
grandfather was murdered.
Tom W. McKinnon
Cornville, AZ