Description
(This Sheriff's Memoranda entry was contained on the last page of Volume E's index and before page 001)
"The first execution for murder in this County , was on the 24th day of June 1853. Lycurgus Shepard, Sheriff, hung Abe, a slave of Nathan Newby. The circumstances are these: On April 2, 1853, Abe and Dan were slaves of Nathan Newby. Dan was overseer of the hands. Newby commanded Dan to whip Abe for some cause. Abe told Dan that if he struck him, Abe, with the whip, he, Abe, would kill him with a knife. Dan struck Abe with the whip and Abe stabbed Dan with a pocketknife, whereof Dan died. This is the only execution by an officer up to the date of Oct. 13th 1886."
Missouri Archives Judicial Records Historical Database indicates the Jury found Abe guilty of first degree murder. Lycurgus Shepard, Sheriff, recorded "Executed the within warrant by taking the body of Abe, the within named slave, to a gallows near the jail of Platte County, Missouri, on the 24th day of June 1853. At about the hour of 2:00 of the afternoon of that day and then and there hanged said Abe by the neck until he was dead."
Missouri Archives Judicial Records Historical Database has a record and images of the case file.Date(s) of Creation
6/24/1853
