(Greene County Courthouse/Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress), Unidentified, masked killers of Guilford Coleman in the Eutaw riot. Doctors of the Tuskegee Experiment, Dr. Taliaferro Clark, 1867-1948, Dr. Eugene H. Dibble, 1893-1968. ", (Grave of Allen Page by Melody via FindaGrave.com), The Ward Brothers, outlaws, Irvin (1828-1859), Stephen (1834-1859), The Ward brothers are buried in the Ward-Witherington Cemetery in Conecuh County. Reynolds was shot and killed the same day. Bart Thrasher was one of Alabamas most notorious outlaws, one who helped Bibb County earn the moniker Bloody Bibb at a time when it was an extension of the Wild West. He organized bands of 15 or 20 of these outlaws and obtained military supplies from the federal troops along the coast and made frequent and daring trips into the county to raid the farms and families." Cherry was a member of United Klans of America. Lackey was sentenced to death on April 3, 2008, and was later executed in Alabama by lethal injection on July 25, 2013. On May 3, 1889, Hawes received the death penalty. Click hereto read more. While frightening in its fervor, the collection is an example of folk art at its most primitive. 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. The front and eastern sides of the mansion feature a two-story porticowith 14 masonry Doriccolumns, nine across the front and five on the east side. 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. An article in the Coosa River Newsat the time said he was killed by a man named Will Chandler, who used Smith's own gun against him, following a dispute of unknown origin. He and his brother, the notorious Jack, were mortally wounded by a party of officers Tuesday morning near Paine's saw mill, in Hale County." 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. ", Nancy Nannie Hazel Doss, black widow killer, 1905- 1965. Amy Bishop, a biology professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, shot and killed three faculty members and wounded three others on February 12, 2010. . Knowing this, you might find yourself wondering, Why is Alabamas crime rate so high?. 3. For the next 125 years, people claimed the hole would always return no matter how many times it was filled. She then escaped and was listed as a fugitive. McEwen's rock store was also known as an Indian museum and drew visitors from miles around. She had also been poisoning her daughter, Carol, with large doses of arsenic after taking out a life insurance policy on her. Billy the Kid escaped from jail on April 18, 1881. 1839-1904. Aileen Wuornos (aka "That chick from Monster ), 1956-2002. Because Richard was away on business a lot, Emma was left alone to tend to their daughters. John McEwen was born and died in Coosa County, and in between was a well-known businessman. Men could come to Miss Kate's Place any night of the week to enjoy the company of women for a fee - except Thursdays. Click hereto read more. ", (Source: Kees Vandenberg via FindaGrave.com), Pink Parker, bitter Confederate rebel, 1839-1921, Joseph Pinkney "Pink" Parker, a Confederate veteran with a deep hatred for Abraham Lincoln, had a monument created to honor Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and tried to donate it to the city but the council refused to accept it. . 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. But in the end, the person responsible for the murders was none other than Richard himself. The lake was drained and Irenes body was found approximately 30 feet from Emmas. The Hawes murders occurred in December 1888 and resulted in lots of media attention for Birmingham. Phillip Henry Pitts, builder of Pitts Folly, ca. 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. 1867-1902, William "Will" Reynolds shot nine people, killing seven, in the bloodiest day for law enforcement in Alabama's history. Robert Bentley, embattled current governor, 1943-?? Bill'sex-wife Jenny arrived in Blount County in July 1918 and announced she wasn't dead. The Hawes trial began on April 22, 1889 at Jefferson County Courthouse. (Retrospective article from The Tuscaloosa News, June 24, 1973), Bill Wilson, wrongfully convicted man, ca. These categories include assault, murder, rape, and robbery. As a cowboy in Texas in 1876, he killed a fellow buffalo hunter but was never prosecuted. Thank you! Carpenter became renowned as he covered the countryside burning people out of their homes, destroying their life supporting crops, and worst of all, killing many innocent people. Time Magazine wrote: "William C. Rice, who died in 2004, built this 'garden' as a testament to his salvation by Christ in the late 1970s. Bannister was captured in 1894 and jailed in Birmingham. She received life in prison for murdering her husband and 20 years for attempting to murder her daughter. Remember, while the word notorious often has negative connotations, the definition is broader: generally known and talked of; especially widely and unfavorably known.. In 1915, Judge J.E. The family lived for a time in Pleasant Site, Ala., in Franklin County, where, according to church records, they attended Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. According to his entry on FindaGrave.com, he also used his office for personal gain. The Murder of Kate Ragsdale Ragsdale, a 73-year-old retired Librarian, was found brutally murdered in her home February 24, 2013. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. When asked how he was shot, he refused to answer. Getty Each state has a connection to an infamous serial killer. And while in jail, he wrote letters to his new bride seeking forgiveness. 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. On July 25, 1972 Jean Heller of the Associated Press broke the story that appeared simultaneously both in New York and Washington, that there had been a 40-year nontherapeutic experiment called 'a study' on the effects of untreated syphilis on Black men in the rural south" A class action suit was filed and the experiment stopped. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website, the men "were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect for a fraud offenseThe suspect was eventually shot and killed after officers opened fire with more than 1,000 rounds. Cherry died in prison on November 18, 2004 at the age of 74. Lincoln was assassinated four months later and Gayle was arrested in Alabama on May 25, 1865. He was returned to Washington, D.C., and acquitted on Sept. 1. Rhonda Bell Martin, black widow, 1907-1957. While there are many different Alabama urban legends, a few of the most notable include: And we thought hearing about Alabama serial killers was scary enough! When federal appeals Judge Robert Vance opened the small brown parcel in the kitchen of his suburban Alabama home on December 16, 1989, it exploded, killing him instantly and . The victims are Robert Lee Brown, 26; Chelsea Marie Reed, 22; Justin Kaleb Reed,. More than 200,000 unsolved cases have gone cold since 1980, and murder clearance rates continue to drop. She also reputedly killed three other husbands, two children, her mother, her two sisters, a grandson and a mother-in-law. To answer how many homicides in Montgomery, Alabama, 2021, we must look at the same report, which is from 2019. Forman "Austin" Mize was barely 18 years old when he disappeared in 1918 in the Bermuda Triangle. It was a bomb. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. In December 1888, the famous Hawes murders took place in the earliest days of Birmingham, Alabama. 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. Standing alone in the annals of illicit liquer-selling, was his scheme for disposing of mountain dew. She had been . ", (Albert Fuller is shown on the left looking at the spot where Patterson was killed in the AP Photo), Albert Fuller, assassin of Albert Patterson, 1919-1969. Engineer Richard Hawes, his wife, and two children were brutally murdered in an event that baffled people for years. In 2019, the Alabama murders rate was 12.9, according to state statistics, meaning that there are almost 13 homicides per 100,000 residents. BhamWiki.com says: "The Hawes murders were a notorious and sensational crime discovered in December 1888 that produced a deadly riot and gained nationwide media attention for the young city of Birmingham." The Wilson's marriage was troubled. 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." Reuben Houston Burrow was fascinated by tales of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws. Dr. Wilson worked long hours and Betty did her own thing, which mostly consisted of having numerous affairs. Then, "Hipp and Kelley were taken by a mob of 100 armed, masked men and lynched on the courthouse columns. The murders also earned Birmingham the nickname "Murder Capital of the Country." George Wallace. She is currently the longest-incarcerated female inmate in California. 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. Benjamin Meeks Miller of Wilcox County took office as governor in 1931 when Alabama was $20 million in debt. It was overgrown with enormous trees and thick underbrush. When the rumors began to swirl about her numerous dead husbands, Elizabeth left for Mississippi and was never heard from again. Krenwinkel was found guilty in 1971. He was captured in Washington County, Ala., and taken to Fort Stoddert. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). Price, who authorities believed was after Ethel's $3,000 life insurance policy, was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and The Magic City soon gained national media attention. A $25,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. ", Marvin Franklin Hubbard, battle of Alcatraz, 1912-1946. . Hal Hollinger, slave and freedom fighter, unknown birth-death in early-1800s. The victims were 37-year-old Connie R. Woolfolk of Flossmoor, Illinois; 22-year-old Sarah Szafranski of Oak Forest; 42-year-old store manager Rhonda McFarland of Joliet; 33-year-old Carrie Hudek Chiuso of Frankfort; and 34-year-old Jennifer Bishop of South Bend, Indiana. Mize was a sailor aboard the collier USS Cyclops when it vanished that March along with 306 crew members and passengers on its way from Brazil to Maryland. According to the CDC, the homicide rate in Alabama as of 2020 was around 12.8 per 100,000 residents. Burrow escaped but as he ran through town, Carter spotted him and opened fire. Phillip H. Pitts was a wealthy planter in Uniontown, Ala., known as the builder of a mansion called Pitts' Folly. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson. All nine were innocent it just took eight decades for Alabama to admit it. From 1927-1976 there were 153 executions. Three city officials were indicted for Pattersons murder: Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller, Circuit SolicitorArch Ferrell and Attorney General Si Garrett. Some currently unsolved Alabama murders, better known as Alabama cold cases, as posted on the Attorney Generals website, include the 2011 murder of Sherri Terese Smith, the 2007 murder of Kimberly Compton Whitton and the kidnapping of her daughter, Haleigh Culwell Whitton, the 2001 murder of Shannon Nicole Paulk, and the 1999 murder of Gennice Shoma Thrash, among many others. (Photo from the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center). Injured were James Finney and Bob Patterson. Alabamas murders rate is the second highest in the United States, just behind Louisiana, whose homicide rate is 14.4 homicides per 100,000 residents. John Wylie was brought to trial for the murders of Emma and Irene, but the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. [1] The late Alabama author Kathryn Tucker Windham wrote about Teel in her book, "Alabama: One Big Front Porch," saying Teel was born with a caul, a membrane over her face that many people believed meant the child had a sixth sense. According to journalist Lee Peacock their story is included in "History of Conecuh County, Alabama" by B.F. Riley. (Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain), Pat Garrett is known as the man who killed outlaw Billy the Kid. 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. John S. Barker, cult leader, birth unknown-1934. Benjamin Meeks Miller, frugal governor, 1864-1944. Residents were lashed for such offenses as "loose talk and toting a hip flask," according to a 1928 article in Collier's magazineentitled "The Whip Wins." Only the testimony of James White. When I created this list, I tried to stick with more historical figures when dealing with violent crimes, to prevent highlighting any recent tragedies. 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. The article, quoted on his entry on FindaGrave.com,says: ""Bill" Smith, the dead man, was a unique character and was known throughout all of this section as "Bell-Tree" Smith. Love Alabama? Edwin Collins "Alabama" PittsJr., born in Opelika, was a convicted felon who served time in Sing-Sing for armed robberies. Emma was an alcoholic and May, the oldest daughter, was forced to care for her younger sister and brother, Irene and Willie. Ragsdale lived in Tuscaloosa's upscale Highlands neighborhood, and to this date, no suspect has been identified in the case. 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. Then, while . These murders resulted in a delay riot that quickly garnered media attention across the country. His reign of terror lasted six years. She did not go into trances but instead read the grounds left in the bottoms of coffee cups. Lackey then stabbed Newman more than 70 times. Love Alabama? Selocta donned the head and skin of a pig and pretended to rout as he made his way past the unsuspecting Red Sticks. But they insisted on having the last word about their former son-in-law and inscribed her headstone: Murdered By Her Husband. Rumors swirled that Maxwell, known to perform voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his family. (Source: San Francisco Chronicle March, 1895). Walter Cagle was a large man who lived in an isolated area atop Sand Mountain and gained a reputation for being able to foretell the weather. 1898-1953. 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." On December 4, 1888, May's body was found in East Lake. In Lowndes County in the summer of 1965, where the Voting Rights Act was being violated, a group of black and white protestors were harassed by police in Hayneville. After years of being terrorized by Sims and his followers, a posse and hundreds of outraged residents surrounded the Sims home on Christmas Eve 1891, cornering Sims, his wife, their children and several church members. Daniel Lee Siebert (June 17, 1954 - April 22, 2008) was an American serial killer on Alabama 's death row. What was strange about this situation is that while many people believed Richard and Emma were married, others claim Richard was divorced and traveled to Columbus, Mississippi to remarry. 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. Thank you! Willie Maxwell, the Alexander City man known as the Voodoo Preacher, claimed to be the"seventh son of the seventh son"and people seemed to die wherever he went. 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,. Foster and Constable William Ikner in 1894. Click here to read more. Charles Bannister is referred to in a number of historical records as a "notorious outlaw" and a "whitecapper." Irene Amanda Vanzandt "Rena" Teel was known as the Seer of Millerville. Wed love to hear from you in the comments section! She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. The victims were identified as Jerome Maurice. If anyone has more information, email kkazek@al.com. 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-? Construction on the home was begun in 1852. If youre interested in learning more about these murders, such as the Montgomery County murders trial, Montgomery County murders evidence, or the Montgomery County murders crime scene photos, you can search all of these to find not only statistics regarding the crime rate and homicide rate in Montgomery County, Alabama, but also information regarding different cases. John S. Barker, who advised his congregation that making whiskey was legal as long as it was sold to "non-believers," that a husband and wife of different religious beliefs should separate, and that his followers must "donate" to the church, although in reality he sent thugs to their homes to collect money, according to the 1973 book "A History of Limestone County" by Robert Henry Walker. The cause of its sinking is still listed as "unknown." Alberta Martin, last Confederate widow (contested), 1906-2004. Ira Bowman Thompson was a distinguished Alabama attorney and politician who served in World Wars I and II. One of the biggest unsolved murders in Alabama, which remains unsolved today and is featured in Unsolved Mysteries, is the missing person case of Sherry Lynn Marler, who disappeared in 1984. Coleman was indicted for the murder of Daniels; and acquitted by an all-white jury. According to legend, he spent his time sitting and watching wild animals and could forecast the severity of winter based on their actions, such as how many nuts the squirrels were storing. 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. Lewis Thornton Powell was born in Randolph County on April 22, 1844, to George Cader Powell, a Baptist minister, and Patience Caroline Powell. Burrow had been captured and taken to jail in Linden when he charmed the guards, asking for food. On December 4, 1888, two boaters, John Keith and Ben Culbalson, discovered the body of a young white female in East Lake. A Confederate veteran, Sims returned home to resume farming in the Womack Hill community of Choctaw County and founded his own church. On May 3, 1889, after deliberating for only 55 minutes, the jury decided that Richard deserved the death penalty. The sect would become known as "Simsites." In 2019, there were 39 murders in Montgomery County, Alabama. In 1870, in a period of political unrest during Reconstruction in the South, members of the Ku Klux Klan were busy in Alabama terrorizing those who supported black residents holding office. According to the prosecution, Betty wanted the money, but not her husband. What is the most famous murder in Alabama history? 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. Robert Bentley signed an official pardon for the nine young men wrongfully accused of rape in 1931. As they searched Newman's house, they came across blood that matched Lackey's DNA. But an angry mob took the four men and hung them from nearby trees. Hearing of Burr's plans, Thomas Jefferson declared him a traitor and issued an order for his arrest. Lewis signed up to fight for the Confederacy at age 17. Maj. Milton Butterfield, man buried beneath church, unknown birth-1864, Milton Butterfield, a major with the 24thAlabama Infantry killed in Atlanta during the Civil War, is buried beneath Union Springs' Red Door Theatre, which occupies the ca.-1909 Trinity Episcopal Church. On February 28, 1890, Hawes was executed. These individuals are also known to have committed some of the most infamous Alabama murders. In 1867,Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson. Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel was born Dec. 3, 1947, in Los Angeles, Calif., but her parents divorced when she was 17 and her mother moved to Mobile, Ala. Krenwinkel moved to Mobile briefly to attend Spring Hill College but soon dropped out and returned to California. On December 7, 1888, Mayes Hawes admitted that Richard told her he was divorced and only had one son, Willie. (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. Roddey married the much younger Carlotta Frances Shotwell, who thought she was making a brilliant match. Lyons survived, but lost her eyesight and received chronic injuries. The creepiest place in Alabama is a haunted bridge known as Hells Gate Bridge. By this time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube. Lithographers: Lehman and Duval (George Lehman; Peter S. Duval), Sequoya, creator of Cherokee alphabet, c. 1770-1843. 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. In the late 1800s, Katherine Lackner gave up a respectable life to be with portly but rakish riverboat captain named William Simpson "Simp" McGhee. He was convicted and resigned in 1993. Why would he want to kill his family? He would also later play for the Philadelphia Eagles football team. Many people take him seriously. Peggy was acquitted, but Betty was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hells Gate Bridge is located in Oxford, Alabama, and acquired its name from the legend involving a young couple who drove off the bridge into the water below. She was arrested, put on trial, and denied by Roddey. Glen Rogers. Wilson was convicted of murder. Nearly 20 years after the murders of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, law enforcement was able to link Coley McCraney to their murders using DNA evidence collected at the crime scene. In 2019, there were 43 Montgomery County murders alone. Burr suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836. (An Associated Press photo of Earle Dennison leaving the courtroom), Earle Dennison, black widow killer, ca. Robert J. Bentley, elected as Alabama's governor in 2011, was born in Columbiana, Ala. 1866. In 2013, Gov. He escaped and formed a colony for escaped slaves in Clarke County in an area that became known as "Hal's Lake" or "Hal's Kingdom." ", 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. "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. Richard Hawes was hanged in 1890 for the 1888 murders of his wife Emma and two daughters, May, 7 and Irene, 6. He eventually renounced segregationism. Henry Wells, legendary prisoner, unknown birth-1876, The legend of the face etched in the Pickens County Courthouse window has been repeated for decades and appears in Kathryn Tucker Windham's beloved book "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." However, the description for her memoir "A General Betrayal: The Sufferings and Trials of Carlotta Frances Roddey" says: "This is the true story a woman swindled out of a fortune by her famous ex-Confederate-general husband, Philip Dale Roddey. Walt Cagle, rural philosopher who could tell weather, 1891-1938. In 1987, Hilley escaped from the prison after being given a 3-day pass to visit her new husband. One legend claims "he burned the Fayette County Courthouse in 1866, to delay the trial over his debt situation involving his father's will." This report shows that there were around 43 homicides in 2019 alone in Montgomery County, Alabama. Wed love to hear your thoughts! 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. Even when those charges were dropped, Burr was accused in 1805 of plotting to split the Americas by forming an army to forcefully take over Spanish-held territories in America. Jonathan Myrick Daniels pushed her to the ground and was shot and killed in her place. 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. Famous Murder Cases. In 2019, new hope was brought to two families dealing with unsolved murders in Alabama with the help of DNA and genetic genealogy. Earle Dennison, nicknamed the Aunt Killer, was executed in Alabama's electric chair in 1953 for the arsenic-poisoning death of her 2-year-old niece, Shirley Diann Weldon, for the insurance money. ", (A portrait of Aaron Burr in 1802 by John Vanderlyn via Wikipedia Commons). If they refused, they were killed. Click hereto read more. McEwen was known for his uncanny "readings" of visitors to his store. One article from 1894 said Bannister was wanted in Cleburne County for shooting off the leg of a "Mrs. Cotton," and brutally beating Old Man Cotton. Bill eluded them, hijacking a train car in the process. According to legend, Elizabeth and one or more of her husbands are buried in the cemetery adjoining the ruins of the mansion. 1856-1896. She was also accused of killing another niece, Shirley's older sister Polly. 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