Those of us who are descendants of the men who were hanged in the 'Great Hanging' would like to send a big thanks to Gainesville City for hosting a commemoration on Saturday, October 11, 2008, during their Depot Day Festival. Also, a big thanks to Leon Russell for all of his work. For those of you who could not attend the 'Commemoration of the Great Hanging', here are some pictures of the event sent by one of the descendants.
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| Leon Russell speaking to attendees |
Leon Russel said he wanted to memorialize the victims of the Hanging with 42 wooden crosses painted white. The crosses would each feature a "red white and blue ribbon" and the name of the person executed in the Great Hanging. Below is a close-up of one of the crosses.
During the ceremony in the Georgia Davis Bass Park in Gainesville, a name of a 'Great Hanging' victim would be recited and the bell ringer standing next to the cross for that victim would ring the bell and then move to the next cross. This was done for each of the 42 men who died in the Great Hanging.
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| Ringing bell when name is recited |
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Leon Russel - front and center
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Post about last years memorial:
2 comments:
I am glad to hear about the commemoration. At that time I was sick and would not have been able to have attended. Thank you Gainsville. And thank you for this wonderful website.
- GGG granddaughter of William Boyles & Elizabth West Boyles
Sammy Hynds Harrison
Fort Worth, TX
Sammy.HyH@gmail.com
Glad to hear of this also. I am the great great great grandson of James Ward. I just found out about this hanging and of James Ward relation yesterday. Danny Lynch
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