PAGE 14A U SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 Executions Continued From Page 1A the years prior, all execu- tions in Florida were per- formed in the county seat where the conviction had taken place. The county's sheriff served as the hang- man. Death row records compiled by noted Georgia defense attorney Kenneth Driggs show eight con- firmed hanging executions in Suwannee County be- tween 1878 and 1903. Few details are available about the 1878 hangings, except that the condemned men were Samuel Godwin and Morgan Patrick, who were both hanged on Sep- tember 17, 1878 for the shooting death of Mathew Boseman on May 28, 1877 in Lafayette County. More information is available on the later exe- cutions, however, thanks to the efforts of Suwannee County historian Eric Musgrove. Kelly Stewart was exe- in Suwannee were swift, sometimes gruesome cuted in Live Oak on July in an event that attracted a unsuccessful, according to Another major differ- 31, 1890 for the December crowd of some 2,000 wit- the county historian. ence today is the length of 12, 1888 shooting death of nesses, according to the Great differences exist time between when a capi- John Hawkins. Records Florida Times-Union between today's execu- tal crime occurs and when indicate the two were ar- newspaper. Appeals de- tions and those of Florida's the individual or individu- guing just prior to the inci- played the executions of his pioneering days. Large als convicted of the crime dent. The trial and execu- two codefendants, but crowds of witnesses were are executed. All of to- tion were delayed, not for only temporarily. George the norm back then, while day's death sentences are legal reasons, but because Mitchell was hanged in today there are no more automatically appealed of a yellow fever outbreak August, while Mike than 24 witnesses. They and as a result convicted in the county. Stevens was executed sit in a room with a glass murderers, on average, In 1895, three men were Sept. 18. window that looks into the spend about 14 years in- executed in Suwannee Suwannee County's last death chamber. carcerated prior to their County for the murder of hanging execution took Today's executions -- deaths. Alfred Ryeberg. The three place on April 24, 1903. whether by electrocution In the pre-electrocution were workers on a freight The condemned man was or lethal injection -- are de- days, death penalty ap- train and had agreed to John Burns, who con- scribed by many witnesses peals -- if an appeal was slip Ryeberg aboard, if he fessed to slitting his step- as almost clinical events, filed at all -- were normal- would pay them 30 cents. mother's throat in a dis- In fact, convicted inmates ly handled in less than six They later demanded his pute over ownership of an are even offered tranquiliz- months. And in cases watch as well and when he 80-acre tract of farm land. ers to assist them in con- where confessions had refused, Ryeberg was Evidence suggests a photo fronting their deaths, been obtained, the hanging stabbed and clubbed re- exists of that execution. Hangings, on the other might take place just a few peatedly. His was thrown County Judge William hand, could be quite messy weeks after the jury re- from the train near Slaughter II says he stum- and brutal. In some docu- turned its guilty verdict. McAlpin, but survived bled across a photograph mented cases, rather than Such was the case in Live long enough to identify his of the hanging in the early the condemned person's Oak in 1903. John Bums killers. 1970s, as a young attorney neck snapping, the individ- was convicted on March Henry Brown was the doing legal research in old ual slowly strangled to 14, sentenced on March first to be executed for the county records. Efforts to death. In other instances 16, and hanged near the Ryeberg murder. He was relocate that picture how- individuals were nearly de- Suwannee County Court- hanged on July 17, 1895, ever, have thus far been capitated. house just 40 days later. Death Continued From Page 1A in this case. Florida Statute 775.082 provides for the death penalty un- der these circumstances." A third suspect, Keith Allen Hughes was taken into custody for his al- leged involvement, but took his own life in jail. The three victims were shot to death execution- style, said authorities. Court documents allege Howze and Munn told others in advance of their plan to commit a robbery in McAlpin and "not ... leave any witnesses." Jarvis added, "I do not take the imposition of the death penalty lightly. To ask that the state be au- thorized to take a defen- dant's life is the ultimate punishment that can be imposed. I firmly believe it the appropriate decision in this case." Man holds woman against will in her horn By Jeff Waters jeff.waters@gaflnews.com A Live Oak man was arrested for al- legedly keeping a woman against her will in a utility room of her home for over two hours, a Suwannee County sheriff's report shows. The report states that the victim was found unable to move on her bathroom floor with multiple bruises on her face, arms, back and rib cage. Vickers yard sale accepting donations Candy Vickers' class is accepting do- nations for the upcoming Yard Sale. The plans are to have it on Nov. 6. Please contact Candy Vickers at 386- 344-2993 for more information. ie, say police Chad A. McGal- liard, 22, of 11866 77th Place, allegedly held the victim inside her utility room. It is- - , n't clear how the al- leged victim got from the utility room to the bathroom. , McGalliard also Chad McGalliard beat the victim sever- al times with a closed fist, say reports. "The defendant had a cast on his right hand which he also used to strike the vic- tim in the face," wrote SCSO Deputy Brian Barrs. "The defendant also kicked the victim about the head and back." Barrs wrote that McGalliard allegedly told the victim that if she tried to leave the utility room "he would kill her." McGalliard was arrested and booked into the Suwannee County Jail for aggra- vated battery and false imprisonment. The alleged victim was transported to Shands Live Oak for treatment. - Al NN.<- -M qe AA v Alol plaw. pg^a -Pa oA JfoA J(mnt We will love and care for your pet while you are away. 9 3641 S 153rd Road Live Oak, FL www.pawpawshousekennel.com 386-842-CARE (2273) THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY F 7FOR MAKING TDngles FALL BAZAAR and The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program A HUGE SUCCESS! We are extremely grateful to the following businesses who helped make this premier event so successful! We are already planning for next year, thanks to these organizations and individuals. The Suwannee Democrat Lowe's Dr. Herbert C. Mantooth Studio 1400 Farm Bureau Insurance Suwannee River Federal Credit Union A&B Customs Automotive Repair Color Perfect Painting W. B. Howland Co. Suwannee County Health Department First Federal Savings Bank Live Oak Police Department Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative Suwannee Graphics Mr. Jack Flowers - Florida Wholesale Homes A HOST of Amazing Volunteers who are being thanked individually and without whom this event would never have happened! "Be devoted to one another," Romans 12:10a, because life's tangles unravel better with help from a friend. "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 * SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 PAGE 14A