Name/Title
Thurston U. Vaughn and the Orphanage Scandals: "The Crime of the Century"Entry/Object ID
RG134-12-05Description
Thurston U. Vaughn, a small but charismatic man, was appointed superintendent of the Odd Fellows Orphanage in Greenville, South Carolina in 1905. Although initially respected, he was later accused of raping multiple orphaned girls, leading to his arrest, a dramatic escape, and recapture. Vaughn manipulated legal proceedings through charm and feigned insanity, ultimately escaping again with the help of a nurse. He lived under an alias in Florida until being recognized and re-arrested. Before his execution, he mysteriously died in jail under suspicious circumstances. The orphanage later became shrouded in rumors of corruption, illicit activity, and unmarked graves.Collection
Proceedings and PapersCopyright
Copyright Holder
Greenville Country Historical SocietyCopyright Details
Exclusive License
