Versailles in Ripley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Hanging Tree

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

1. The Hanging Tree Marker

Inscription. On September 14, 1897, a vigilante committee stormed the Ripley County Jail, shot and hung five men on the branches of an elm tree just north of here at the edge of the cemetery. These desperadoes were members of a gang that had robbed and terrorized people of the county. The infamous "hanging tree" was soon dismantled by souvenir hunters. This was one of the last vigilante hangings in Indiana.

Erected by Ripley Co. Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1897.

Location. 39° 4.383′ N, 85° 14.967′ W. Marker is in Versailles, Indiana, in Ripley County. It is at the intersection of East 2nd North Street and North Monroe Street, on the left when traveling east on East 2nd North Street. Marker is located at an entrance to the Cliff Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Versailles IN 47042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gordons Leap (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of James H. Tyson (about 600 feet away); General John Morgan (about 700 feet away); Morgan's Raid (about 700 feet away); Eleazer Wheelock Ripley (about 700 feet away); Ripley County Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Stephen S. Harding (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Masonic Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

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Also see . . . Five Robbers are Lynched in Indiana. (Submitted on November 28, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 14, 2016

2. The Hanging Tree Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,902 times since then and 293 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.