A Gruesome Day on the Gallows

Posted on August 24, 2009 by lmharnisch
Aug. 24, 1889, Clothing

Aug. 24, 1889: Note that the Daily Mirror does not advocate walking on railroad tracks. Pedestrians (and cows) always come out second best in a contest against a locomotive. The above item is for illustration purposes only.

Aug. 24, 1889: Hangings

When California made its transition to the gas chamber for executions (the state continued to use the gallows for a while), some longtime prison officials were horrified at the new process and said hanging was a more quick and humane method. As the above account shows, hanging could also be a slow, ghastly death.

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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