Anthony Blair (criminal)

Anthony Blair (ca. 1849 — September 26, 1879), American [...], was hanged for his crime; it was the first such execution in Hamblen County, Tennessee.

Background

Blair lived in Washington County, near Jonesborough, and had a stepdaughter named Maggie Blair. Maggie had left Blair's house and, from May 1879, had lived in Hamblen County, working for William Donaldson. Maggie Blair was described as very smart and industrious. Blair learned of her whereabouts and on July 29 went to Russellville, Tennessee, immediately making his way to the Donaldson residence. He entered the kitchen, where the girl was preparing dinner with Mrs. Donaldson. He told Maggie that he had something to say to her and asked her to come outside the house. She refused, saying he could say what he had to say in front of Mrs. Donaldson. Around this time William Donaldson rode up and Blair immediately left the house.

[...]

The following night, a Wednesday, Maggie went with others to the prayer meeting at the black church near Russellville. Returning, Anthony Blair passed persons who had been to the church service. He headed on to Russellville after some conversation but after going a short distance, turned back and took another road, which the young people, Maggie included, had taken. He overtook the party and immediately walked up to his stepdaughter, who was walking in the rear with a black boy named Taylor. Pushing Taylor away, he caught her hand and said: "You must go home with me on the train tonight to your grandpa", and pulled her along the road 150 or 200 yards, saying she should go. Maggie struggled to loosen herself from his grasp, saying she would rather die than go, whereupon he drew a pistol and shot her twice. She died the following Saturday, aged 16.

Execution

After being convicted at trial, Blair's execution was set for September 26, and a crowd estimated at eight to ten thousand came to watch. A reporter described the day's events: