[July 4th]

As I understand it, we had the death penalty in Wisconsin back when the most common form of execution was hanging. All of the executions were public, and thousands of people would make a picnic out of it. That got to be too much for some people, and we got rid of it altogether.

[codercpc]

Actually, I read that only one execution was ever carried out in Wisconsin, and as you said it was a hanging with many "picnic observers". The hanging did not go well, and the horror of the sight convinced the State to outlaw it. This was in the 1800's.

This was written up in my local newspaper last year, but I don't know where I could find a link. (My local paper isn't on line). It was a very interesting story.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

All of the executions were public, and thousands of people would make a picnic out of it. That got to be too much for some people, and we got rid of it altogether.

Right, the last hanging was in the mid 19th century, around the time Wisconsin became a state. It took place in Kenosha's Library Park and had such a festive atmosphere that further executions were banned, much to the disappointment of the public at large. The last man to be executed in Wisconsin had killed his wife by cutting off her head. The head was subsequently found in a rain barrel alongside his house, damnably careless I'd say.

Ah, for the good old days, when people like Vang were left on windswept crags to die.

Regards,
GtG

PS I'm older than I look.