The first hanging in Arizona’s Navajo County was going to be stylish. Sheriff F.J. Waltron (who doubled as a teacher and editor) sent out bordered invitations to possible attendees, indicating that the execution of murderer George Smiley would be quite the affair.
Hundreds of citizens complained about the invites, believing they made light of a serious situation. Governor Oakes Murphy (photo) responded by putting the hanging on hold. But ultimately, it didn’t make a difference. Smiley met his maker—on the gallows—on January 8, 1900.
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