Cookeville in Putnam County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Putnam County's Only Public Execution

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2020

1. Putnam County's Only Public Execution Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On March 27, 1878, in gallows erected near here at the foot of Billygoat Hill, Joseph and George (Teek) Brassell were hanged in Putnam County's only publicly held execution. The justice system tried, convicted, and sentenced the brothers to death for the slaying of brothers Russell and John Allison during a robbery attempt on November 29, 1875. News of the event made national headlines. Two days after the hangings, The New York Times reported that 10,000 people came to the execution.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2D 58.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1878.

Location. 36° 9.553′ N, 85° 30.424′ W. Marker is in Cookeville, Tennessee, in Putnam County. Marker is on South Walnut Avenue just south of Proffitt Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 241 South Walnut Avenue, Cookeville TN 38501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2020

2. Putnam County's Only Public Execution Marker

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within walking distance of this marker. Cookeville Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richard Fielding Cooke (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tennessee Central Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civil War In Putnam County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Putnam County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of WHUB Radio's First Studios (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Statue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town Spring (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cookeville.

Also see . . . The Allison Murders - 1875 - Part I. Background on the crime that led to the public execution. From TNGenes. (Submitted on October 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Putnam County's Only Public Execution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Fletch Woodward, March 27, 1878

3. Putnam County's Only Public Execution

The hangings of brothers Joseph Lewis Brassell and George Andrew Brassell for the murders of brothers Russell M. Allison and John J. Allison drew thousands of spectators.

Joseph Lewis Brassell image. Click for full size.

Courtesy TNGenes

4. Joseph Lewis Brassell

George Andrew "Teek" Brassell image. Click for full size.

Courtesy TNGenes

5. George Andrew "Teek" Brassell

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.