Small Town Tragedy, Big Time Price. September 1947
- jrgrigsby
- Nov 21, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The last execution case carried out for Pulaski County
Image: ©MR Grigsby | LCTI Publishing • Post Image Design: jrgrigsby
In the waning days of summer 1947, Pulaski County bustled with the hum of progress. Somerset’s leaders debated a new water system, the VFW planned its infamous donkey ball game, and the local law office of John G. Prather opened its doors. But beneath this picture of small-town life, something dark was waiting.
On a quiet September night in the town of Ferguson—where neighbors still left doors unlocked and checked in on one another—a brutal crime shattered the community’s sense of peace. A beloved widow, known for her kindness and care, was found beaten, raped, and left for dead in her own backyard. The suspect? A restless young man recently released from federal prison.
What unfolded next was a whirlwind of investigation, public outrage, and a trial that would end in the last death penalty case in Pulaski County history. This isn’t just a tale of crime—it’s a story of a town in transition, justice on trial, and the human toll behind the headlines.
🎧 In Small Town, Big Tragedy, part of the Hometown Murders and Mysteries audiobook series, we uncover a chilling chapter from Ferguson’s past with care, depth, and a commitment to historical truth. Drawing from archived newspapers, census records, and firsthand accounts, this gripping retelling takes you back to a moment that marked Pulaski County forever.
🔍 Listen now to hear the full story—and the legacy it left behind.
🔗 Available from Amazon or Audible.
As always, we remain sensitive to the remaining family of both parties in this case and retell these events with the utmost respect for those left behind. We welcome community feedback and insight. If you have a connection, a correction, or more to add, please leave us a comment or email us at lctillc@windstream.net. Unfortunately, in most cases, we have to rely on what the newspapers and other written historical resources tell us, but we all know that is only part of the story.
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