Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First and Only Hanging in Hughes County
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016
1. First and Only Hanging in Hughes County Marker
Erected 1950 by The Hyde Holding Corp. (Marker Number 630.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1885.
Location. 44° 22.154′ N, 100° 21.06′ W. Marker is in Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. Marker can be reached from East Capitol Avenue west of North Euclid Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the Hughes County Courthouse grounds, directly in front of the main Capitol Avenue entrance, just to the left of the doorway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Hughes County Court House (here, next to this marker); Hughes County Courthouse / Site of First Library in Pierre (within shouting
this page online
More about this marker. The marker may not be easily visible from the street, due to a spruce tree directly in front of the marker.
Also see . . .
1. Restored historical marker returned to courthouse. It was an old fashioned lynching. Early on April 18, 1885, a mob broke into the Hughes County Jail and dragged out James H. Bell, who had killed Forest G. Small with a hatchet four months earlier. The mob leaned a ladder against the courthouse flagpole and hanged Bell. It was the first and only hanging recorded in Hughes County. (Submitted on October 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Story of a Strange Crime.
from the Saint Paul Daily Globe, Monday April 29, 1889
and Long Evaded Conviction
But
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016
2. First and Only Hanging in Hughes County Marker (tall view)
One of the most shocking murders ever committed in the territory, that of the murder of Forest G. Small by James H. Bell, in broad daylight, on Dec. 4, 1884. Small and Bell were young attorneys at Harrold, and, on the day of the murder, were on their way to Blunt to attend a case in which Small had sued Bell for a settlement. Bell drove back and forth until Small came along, and then proposed a settlement, which was agreed upon. Small was riding a pony, and Bell and Bennett were in a buggy. Small dismounted for the purpose of writing a receipt. Bell and Bennett got out of the buggy, and Bell turned the horse so that Small could step between the wheels to write. It was while Small was in the act of writing that Bell took a hatchet from beneath his coat and dealt the fatal blow while behind Small. He repeated his blows until Small's head was little better than a mass of jelly… (Submitted on October 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Additional keywords. lynching
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016
3. First and Only Hanging in Hughes County Marker (view from street; marker obscured by tree)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
