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THB1889 Invitation to Double Hanging, Minneapolis
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Printed invitation, 5.25 x 6.25 in., Minneapolis, March, 9 1889, announcing simply that "The execution of Timothy and Peter Barrett will take place in the Hennepin County jail, in Minneapolis, on Friday, March 22, 1889, at 11am./ This will admit you." Printed on plain paper, and embellished with a square border featuring a chain motif. Signed by James H. Edge, Hennepin County Sheriff.
Invitations to executions were not uncommon in the late 19th century and even into the early 20th century as executions moved from being a public spectacle to a more private affair. In some jurisdictions it was actually required for invitations to be issued by the local lawman and for certain members of law enforcement and other community members to be present for an execution. A sheriff or other lawman would be responsible for determining who would be invited, and particularly in cases of high-profile executions, these types of invitations were much sought after. This was certainly the case for the 1889 execution of Timothy and Peter Barrett in Minneapolis.
The Barrett brothers were executed by hanging for the shooting death of Thomas Tollefson, a horse drawn streetcar driver who was operating in Minneapolis, MN. On the evening of July 27, 1887, the brothers shot Tollefson and stole his cashbox, which contained $20. Though initially they were not implicated in the murder, a confession from their own brother Henry "Reddy" Barrett sealed their fate and allowed for their conviction. The entire incident was closely followed by the community and the press. Invitations to the hanging were so sought after that Sheriff Edge is said to have told the local press that there was no need of people applying to him for admission, because he could not accommodate another person. While an estimated 5,000 people gathered outside the jail, the execution site held only 150 people, all of which would have received an invitation such as this.
Condition
The front of the invitation remains in good condition with only slight toning in places. The back side of the invitation has remnants of newspaper or book pages affixed to it, however, it does not affect the text of the invitation's front side.
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