On December 16, 1897 the last public hanging in West Virginia was held at Ripley. John Morgan had been convicted of the brutal slaying of widow Chloe Pfost-Green and her two children, Matilda Pfost and Jimmy Green on November 3. Morgan was sentenced to hang by Judge Reese Blizzard. While awaiting the imposed sentence Morgan managed to escape, but was apprehended. Sheriff J. O. Shinn was sworn to carry out the sentence. Publicity for the event swiftly spread across the country and many reporters came to cover the event. It was described in the newspapers as having a carnival like atmosphere with an estimated crowd of 5,000 in attendance. During the following session of the West Virginia Legislature Senator John Darst of Cottageville sponsored a bill, which passed, ending public hanging in the state of West Virginia.

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