The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-08-31
SKELETON ON DISPLAY.
Mrs. Lavinia Fisher Was Only No-
man Hanged i'm South Carolina.

visit the Charleston museum and VINO
bring friends to the museum to see
the skeleton of Mrs. Lavinia Fisher,
the only woman to have been hanged
in South Carolina, and whose skele-
ton was exhibited at the museum
some time ago was removed because
it was out of order, the museum has
decided to again install the skeleton
and it is now being put in order, re-
lates the Charleston News and Cour-
ier. 1t is expected that there will be
wide interest in the fact that Mrs.
Fisher will come out of her hiding
place and will again be seen and pup
licity will be given to the date on
which she will be placed once more
on exhibit.
Mrs. Fisher and her husband, John
Fisher, kept the Six-Mile House, er-
roneously confused with the Four
Mile House, about 1920; and con-
siderable curiosity was aroused over
the continued disappearances of
those who stopped over night at tho
hostelry. Investigations were made
and it was found that the guests had
been murdered and their bones bur-
led in the cellar. The guilty pair
were arrested and tried and sentenc-
ed, the woman being the first and
only woman hanged in this state.
Desperadoes Very Active.
The following account of the case
is taken from Kings Newspaper
Press, of Charleston, South Caro-
lima"
"Too frequently the torch of the
incendiary, together with the machi-
nations of the desperate, give scope
for individual condemnation. Not
less frequently were the warnings
given by the city journals to the au-
thorities to suppress the then exist
ing evils. This condition of society,
bad as it was in the city, was much
worse in the environs. Gangs OF
white deperadoes occupied certain
houses, and infested the roads lead
ing to the city. To such an extent
did these outlaws carry their excess
es, that wagoners and others coming
into the city were under the necessl-
ty of carrying rifles in their hands
for defense. Travellers passed these
houses with fear and trembling. More
dreaded than others of these haunts
were that known as the Six-Mlle
House, occupied by John Fisher and
Layinia. his wife. State sheriff, n.
G. Cleary, was forced to move against
these highwaymen. With number
of mounted citizens and detachments
from the Charleston Rifemen, Wash
ington Light Infantry and the North
ern Volunteers, he started on the
errand of determination.
Great Fear of the Gallows.
"The City Papers of January and
February, 1920, give accounts OF the
capture of Mr.. and Mrs. Fisher. The
Constitutional Court of the 18th OF
January, 1920, had refused to grant
new trials to John and Lavinia Fish
or, convicted at the previous court OF
highway robbery, and they were SEN
fenced to be hung on Friday, the 4th
day of February, following. They
were, however, respited until the 18th
on their petition imploring the oppor-
tunity for preparation, and asking
but for time to meet their Cod On
Friday, 18th, at o'clock, just with
in the lines of hill east of the Meet
in street road, about 500 yards
north of the street now known as
inc street continued, John Fisher and
his wife met their fate, the former
with calmness and composure, and
the latter with fear and trepidation.
Mrs. Fisher appeared, from the
time vi her 'rrest, to be under the in
fusnce of wrong passions and feel
ings. 1t r7s evident that she f1atter-
ed herself with the expectation OF
pardon from the executive. Mr.. Fish
er, on arriving within sight of the
e>N,,,. 4 Wv his wife convulslvely to
h som, and speedily nerved him
self to the issue. The unhappy wife
ak rot believe it possible that she
was 50 soon to die. She called upon
the immense throng assembled to
~oscu< .cr and implored pity with
iutstretched and trembling hands.
No scsne could be more appalling as
the ill-fated pair stood between time
and eternity. The platform gave
way at given signal from the sher-
if, then all was hushed and still
that which was mortal had put on
immortality"
The skeleton of Mrs. Fisher was at
8 r+ oo,no6 hv the Medical college, bV