Anthony Blair American murderer, was hanged

Hanging

Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...

 for his crime; it was the first such execution in Hamblen County, Tennessee.

Background

Blair lived in Washington County, near Jonesborough

Jonesborough, Tennessee

Jonesborough is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The population was 4,168 at the 2000 census...

, and had a stepdaughter named Maggie Blair. Maggie had left Blair's house and, from May 1879, had lived in Hamblen County, working for William Donaldson. Maggie Blair was described as very smart and industrious. Blair learned of her whereabouts and on July 29 went to Russellville, Tennessee

Russellville, Tennessee

Russellville is an unincorporated community in Hamblen County, Tennessee, United States. Located along U.S. Route 11E, it lies approximately midway between Whitesburg and Morristown.-History:...

, immediately making his way to the Donaldson residence. He entered the kitchen, where the girl was preparing dinner with Mrs. Donaldson. He told Maggie that he had something to say to her and asked her to come outside the house. She refused, saying he could say what he had to say in front of Mrs. Donaldson. Around this time William Donaldson rode up and Blair immediately left the house.

Murder

The following night, a Wednesday, Maggie went with others to the prayer meeting at the black church near Russellville. Returning, Anthony Blair passed persons who had been to the church service. He headed on to Russellville after some conversation but after going a short distance, turned back and took another road, which the young people, Maggie included, had taken. He overtook the party and immediately walked up to his stepdaughter, who was walking in the rear with a black boy named Taylor. Pushing Taylor away, he caught her hand and said: "You must go home with me on the train tonight to your grandpa", and pulled her along the road 150 or 200 yards, saying she should go. Maggie struggled to loosen herself from his grasp, saying she would rather die than go, whereupon he drew a pistol and shot her twice. She died the following Saturday, aged 16.

Execution

After being convicted at trial, Blair's execution was set for September 26, and a crowd estimated at eight to ten thousand came to watch. A reporter described the day's events: