Newton in Dale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Hanging of Bill Sketoe

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 14, 2018

1. The Hanging of Bill Sketoe Marker

Inscription. Near this site on Dec. 3, 1864 Bill Sketoe, a Methodist minister was hanged by Newton Home Guards who thought that he was a traitor to the Confederacy. In truth, Mr. Sketoe had served 3 years in the Confederate army and had come home on leave to see his sick wife.

The home guard hanged him from an oak tree near the old bridge. To keep his feet from touching the ground a hole was dug under them. This mysterious hole remained clean for many years after that sad day. The site is now part of the flood prevention area.

The original bronze marker was badly damaged and washed down river by the flood of 1990. It may be seen in the Newton museum.

Erected by the Newton Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 3, 1864.

Location. 31° 20.648′ N, 85° 36.742′ W. Marker is in Newton, Alabama, in Dale County. Marker can be reached from Alabama Route 123, 0.3 miles south of Waterford Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in John Hutto Park recreation area near the restroom building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newton AL 36352, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Newton Confederate Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Newton

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); Baptist Collegiate Institute (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Block House/River Port - Fort - Ferry (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Mack M. Matthews School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Daleville, Alabama (approx. 7.2 miles away); Town of Midland City (approx. 7.2 miles away); Claybank Church (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newton.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Bill Sketoe. (Submitted on March 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional commentary.
1. Newton Museum & Library
Thanks go to Terry Rust, Director of the Newton Museum & Library, for allowing me to photograph the original bronze plaque that had washed down the Choctawhatchee River in 1990, and was recovered, and now resides in the museum. (Note: those are her hands in the photo!)

— Submitted March 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

The Hanging of Bill Sketoe Marker near tree line. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 14, 2018

2. The Hanging of Bill Sketoe Marker near tree line.

This is a newer marker and a representative area for the "mysterious hole."

Not the original bridge from 1864, but the rock area is where the original marker was located. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 14, 2018

3. Not the original bridge from 1864, but the rock area is where the original marker was located.

The original bronze plaque mentioned on the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 14, 2018

4. The original bronze plaque mentioned on the marker.

This bronze plaque is located at the Newton Museum & Library.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.