Hanging Scaffold at the Winnebago County Courthouse

Hanging Scaffold at the Winnebago County Courthouse

This photograph, taken on Elm Street looking west, shows preparation for a hanging adjacent to the courthouse. St. Mary's Oratory at 517 Elm Street appears in the background just left of center. The crowd may be gathering prior to the hanging of Clinton St. Clair on April 15, 1910, on the grounds of the County Jail and Courthouse. St. Clair's hanging was the fourth and last hanging in Winnebago County. The other three hangings took place in 1857, 1894, and 1897. Note the high fencing surrounding the gallows. Similar depictions can be found in photos 90.5.56 and 90.5.46. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 107.)

circa 1910

Midway Village Museum

jpeg

Still Image

90.5.61

Glass Plate Negative

4" x 5"