The Hangman
You’ve already heard of the series Gun for Hire. My book is the next due out on April 15.
In the Old West, for some reason, people hated hangmen. They threw garbage and rocks at them, ran them out of town, sometimes on a rail, and in rare cases, even tarred and feathered them.
The hangman didn’t choose the job. He took it because he had no choice.
It started back in Old England, where they would select a convict from a prison and make him the hangman.
His goal was to cause instant death by breaking the top two vertebrae of the victim’s neck. This did not always cause the quick death hoped for, but usually caused severe damage to the brain or left the victim paralyzed. In rare instances, this particular break caused no damage. I am an example of this. Several years ago, I fell on my sidewalk and broke those top two vertebrae. I also split my nose open. Bleeding badly, I got up and walked into the house. My doctor told me I was a miracle.
A few hangmen stand out in history:
William Marwood invented the “long drop” technique intended to break the prisoner’s neck instantly and cause death by asphyxia. Marwood also created a table of height and weight to determine the length of the rope used for hanging.
William Calcraft performed the last public executions in England in 1868. Calcraft’s methods sometimes caused the condemned to take several minutes to die. To speed matters up, he would pull on their legs or climb on their shoulders to break their neck.
By the 20th century, the role had become almost celebrity status with thousands of applicants after the death of William Calcraft.
Albert Pierrepoint, b. 1905, followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle and was England’s most prolific hangman. His autobiography was made into a movie, Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman, starring Timothy Spall. In 1941, Pierrepoint undertook his first execution as lead executioner when he hanged the gangland killer Antonio “Babe” Mancini. He arrived the day before the execution, learned the height and weight of the prisoner, and viewed the condemned man through a “Judas hole” in the door to judge his build, then went to the execution room—typically next door—where he tested the equipment using a sack that weighed about the same as the prisoner; he calculated the length of the drop using the Home Office Table of Drops, making allowances for the man’s physique, if necessary. He left the weighted sack hanging on the rope to ensure it was stretched. He would re-adjust it in the morning if required.
On the day of the execution, Pierrepoint studied an X-ray of a cervical spine with a hangman’s fracture. He secured the man’s arms behind his back with a leather strap and walked him to the execution chamber to a marked spot on the trapdoor. There, Pierrepoint placed a hood over the prisoner’s head and a noose around his neck. He placed the metal eye through which the rope was looped under the left jawbone, which, when the prisoner dropped, forced the head back and broke the spine. A large lever released the trapdoor. All of this took a maximum of 12 seconds.
In my book, Kirk, Gun for Hire, Book 3, Kirk’s younger brother is framed and convicted of bank robbery. Unconvinced of the boy’s guilt, the judge gave him a choice of prison or becoming the county hangman. Kirk saw his brother as too young and weak-willed to face prison life, so he asked the judge to let him take the hangman job for his brother. His request was granted.
And so Kirk became the hangman for Owyhee County, Idaho.
In the opening of my story, Kirk hangs a condemned man and is shot by the convict’s partner. The bullet grazes his skull; he falls off the gallows and lands unconscious, nearly at the feet of my heroine, Adina, a typist at the local newspaper. She rushes to help him and, assisted by the town marshal, gets him to the tinker-type wagon he used to get around, change clothes, and sleep in on the road. When Adina witnesses a murder the following day, the marshal takes her to Kirk. Together, they travel around the county conducting hangings and trying to avoid the men who wish them harm. They don’t always succeed; the tale includes plenty of action and romance.
Have you ever seen the movie about Pierrepoint, or have you known someone who broke their neck?
Charlene Raddon fell in love with the wild west as a child, listening to western music with her dad and sitting in his lap while he read Zane Gray books. She never intended to become a writer. Charlene was an artist. She majored in fine art in college.
In 1971, she moved to Utah, excited for the opportunity to paint landscapes. Then her sister introduced her to romance novels. She never picked up a paintbrush again. One morning she awoke to a vivid dream she knew must go into a book, so she took out a typewriter and began writing. She’s been writing ever since.
Instead of painting pictures with a brush, Charlene uses words.
In 2011, Charlene’s artistic nature prompted her to try a different path and she began designing book covers. Today, she has a long list of clients and her own cover site, silversagebookcovers.com where she specializes in historical romance covers, primarily western.
And I think it’s fair to say she’s a cat lover!
Do you prefer history told in a frank manner or would you rather the author gloss it over and leave out details? Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for a chance at one of two free copies of KIRK when it comes out.
A man sacrifices his future for his brother and finds danger lurking in the shadows.
Kirk Reddick, a former preacher, is faced with either letting his brother be forced into the job of a hangman or accepting it himself. He chooses to take on the hated work until he finds the man who framed his brother.
Observing a hanging at Red River Crossing, Adina Kinnaird is touched as she overhears the hangman comfort the condemned man. When Kirk is shot, she helps him escape the gunman and the angry mob.
Traveling from town to town, Kirk and Adina search for the man who framed his brother and find themselves falling for each other, but Kirk doesn’t want her living in the danger he faces every day.
In a showdown with the outlaw, Adina is shot. Kirk’s heart stops. He doesn’t want to go on without her. If she lives, will capturing the gunman be enough to clear his brother’s name and give Kirk and Adina the freedom to live outside the shadow of the hangman’s noose?
Charlene’s Links
http://www.facebook.com/charlene.b.raddon
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1232154.Charlene_Raddon
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charlene-raddon
https://www.pinterest.com/charraddon5080/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-raddon-00854629/
https://www.instagram.com/charrad75/
https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRaddonwesternbooks
If there are things which cause harm or terms which are now offensive or inappropriate or ableist, I prefer them to not be used.
Good to know, Denise. Thanks for answering and giving your opinion.
I don’t mind the details.
I don’t know anyone that broke their neck. I’ve watched shows/movies with hangings but it’s been quite a while now, so I can’t remember who it was about now.
Thanks, Joannie. We appreciate your commenting.
I have always enjoyed a good history lesson, so I prefer details. I find history to be fascinating and there is so much to learn from the past. I had no idea that being a hangman was an actual job.
Danielle, I had not idea about the job of a hangman either until I began my research. It’s been fascinating. Like you, I love learning about history. It’s one reason I write historicals instead of contemporary. I love learning about what life was like in other times and other places. Thanks so much for your comment.
Love your research and the plot sounds intriguing. I know you’ve written a compelling story!
Thanks, Heather. It was interesting research. And thanks for the nice complement. You must have peeked.
This book sounds interesting. Look forward to reading all in this series.
Thanks, Sharon. I hope you enjoy Kirk’s story. I enjoyed writing it. I think I may have to write another book about a hangman someday.
Rather it in a Frank manner.
Thanks, Kim. It’s helpful to know these things when you’re writing a book.
You know I’ve been reading your stories for several now–I can’t wait for Kirk! Congratulations!
And I’ve been reading and loving your stories, Tracy. Thanks. I hope everyone loves Kirk. It was a great book to write.
I would prefer the truth, but not in a gory manner. So I think glossing over the worst details, but not in a book of fiction;; then I would not to know the details. The book sounds interesting.
I agree, Karijean, truth but not gory. Even in fiction, there are some details I’d as soon gloss over. These days there’s way too much gore on TV. Thanks for your comment.
Hey Charlene!
I prefer history told in a frank manner.
BTW my husbands grandfather witnessed a hanging when he lived out west many moons ago and took pictures. Very gruesome if you ask me ;o(
Please enter me in the drawing.. Kirk is hot lol ;o)
You are definitely entered in the contest, Lynn. Yes it would be gruesome but I’d love to see those pictures. It would have helped me when I was writing the book. I did my research, of course, but seeing an event is better than reading about it. Thanks for commenting. And I agree, Kirk is hot.
I prefer the frank method. Interesting post. thanks. I have never seen the movie nor do I know anyone who broke their neck. It sounds unpleasant.
Ok, good to know, Debra. And I’m so glad you found my post interesting. I found the research I did fascinating and eye-opening. I had no idea about hangmen before I started reading about them. I did read a great book about the daughters of a hangman. I can’t remember now who the author was. Might have been Linda Broday. I love her books.
I would prefer it to be frank. Leaving out details could cause some issues.
Yes, leaving out details can cause confusion and misunderstandings. Thanks for your opinion. It’s valuable to us authors.
either
Ok, Bn100, good to know. Thanks for reading my post and commenting.
I prefer the history to be factual and not be glossed over by the author.
This seems to be the most common opinion, Joye, and I appreciate you adding yours. It’s helpful to us authors to learn these things. Thanks. for answering the question.
I like some historical facts,but others are a bit too much sometimes.
Ok, appreciate knowing that, Bridgette. I hope you read and enjoy Kirk. If you find anything distasteful in it, I hope you email or message me to let me know.
I like the facts of history.
I think this is why we read historicals, right, Barbara, because we like learning the facts? I love learning how things were done in the past. I read a book once about a woman who was a lace maker and it was so fascinating. It wasn’t a western, but I read many genres, most of them historicals. Thanks for commenting.
I like some details but you can go overboard with details.
Hi, Quilt Lady, how’s it going. Yes, I think that’s true of many things, it’s easy to get so absorbed by the history of something that you tell too much. I try hard not to fall into that trap. Thanks for your opinion.
I want all the facts. Otherwise I could make up my own stories…authors wouldn’t need to do it for me.
That’s true, Jackie. It’s like I was telling another commenter, about reading a book about a woman who made lace by hand way back in time. I would never have the appreciation I have now for old lace if I hadn’t read that book. Sometimes, authors can get carried away with their research and go on and on. It’s like walking a tightrope, trying to figure how much of the history to tell. Thanks for giving your thoughts on the matter.
I like to hear all the details. A famous hangman I could add is George Maledon, who was the hangman for Judge Isaac Parker’s court in Fort Smith, Arkansas, which is very close to where I live. From what I’ve heard, he was a very quiet, very good man, but the local children would taunt him when he walked down the street, and he was never invited to social functions because of his job. It must have been a sad and lonely life for him, but he did his job well.
From my research, I gather that hangmen in general lived lonely lives, Kim. Yes. I should have included George Maledon. I’ve read about him. And from what I’ve gathered, hangmen suffered more prejudice than kids taunting them. And the famlies suffered as well. Imagine being the child of a hangman trying to attend school. It must have been awful for them. Writing about a hangman was very informative and interesting.
Good morning, yes , I like reading the facts. Your book sounds like a great read and I Love your book cover! Thank you for the chance. Have a great day and a great weekend.
Morning, Alicia, although it’s almost lunchtime here now. I slept in thanks to a cold I came down with yesterday. But I’m loving seeing all these comments on my post. And thanks for your kind words on my book cover. I make all my own covers and did all the covers for this series. I don’t know which I love most, writing or designing covers sometimes. But it’s writing that keeps me most occupied and I have to stay occupied or I’d go nuts.
I majored in history in col?ege, so I want the true facts of history.
Ah, a history major. I had history in college but didn’t get a good grade because I do really lousy on tests. The class was very dry and all about dates and names, which I have a horrible time remembering. When I do tests, those details just go right out of my head. I majored in fine arts because that was my thing most of my life. But I’ve always loved history too. So I have the best of two worlds, being an author and designing book covers. Glad to meet a fellow history buff.
Can’t wait to ready Kirk. Sounds fascinating. I’m a history buff and interested in the details.
Ah, another history buff. Yes, I found the details I learned about hangmen fascinating, though I had to limit how deeply I went into the subject in my book because of the length requirement. People want short books these days. It’s a shame because it limits an author from really getting into a character, and I think that’s one of the things that make books so interesting, learning about other people and their lives. Thanks.
Hi Charlene! Kirk sounds wonderful–I love frank details about history, and that’s how I write, too. Better to be accurate and give some details than to gloss over everything because there are many readers who still love the realism of those times. I’m looking forward to reading Kirk–this whole series sounds wonderful, and I’m so glad to be a part of it, too! And wow–you are TOUGH–to break those vertebrae and still be able to get up and walk??? That’s amazing!
Thanks, Cheryl. I can’t wait to read yours too. Yes, I was extremely lucky that day when I broke my neck. And angel was watching over me. No one can explain why I didn’t die or wasn’t incapacitated in some way. I’m just lucky. Same with my broken back and my bowel rupture. I’m blessed. That’s it. Maybe it’s Heaven’s way of making up for not being able to have babies. Who knows? I’m just thankful.
I like to hear the history in detail or as Paul Harvery use to say “the rest of the story!” Congratulations on your new book!
Hi, Ruth, thanks for the congratulations. Yes, I like the details too.
I don’t mind details of history, just not too much. If it’s something that would most likely upset me then no, I don’t want to read it.
I think, as an author, I would skip details that might upset people, like too much gore or sex. Otherwise, I love learning history. Thanks for the comment, Melanie.
Give me all the facts. It’s our history and we should know the details.
I agree, Shirley. An author walks a fine line here though. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught in the trap of trying to tell all your research and that can be a disaster. I try to stick to information about the subject so I don’t veer off onto related topics. Thanks for commenting.
Leaving out important details might cause problems later.
That’s true. A good point for an author to keep in mind. Thanks, Diana.
I’m looking forward to reading Kirk. I see this is book 3, as you are a new author for me… Is this series stand alone or are they all connected?
Do you have a FB Author page? Or is it Silver Sage Book Covers?
I love historical fiction, so I like both all the facts or just some.
This is a stand alone series. You don’t need to read them in order. I hope you get Kirk and enjoy the story. Yes, I have an FB page. I have two. I have a more personal one where I post news but also jokes, cartoons, interesting historical stories and other memes. That page is: https://www.facebook.com/charleneb.b.raddon. I also have one that is geared more toward promoting my books: https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRaddonwesternbooks. If you sign up for my newsletter on my webpage, http://www.charleneraddon.com, you can get a free short story. Silversagebookcovers.com is just for my book covers that I sell.
I haven’t nor anyone I know has broken their neck.
I’ve never seen the movie.
As far as how I’d like my history “dished up”, it would depend on what it was about. A bio or autobio, the facts straight up. The movie Roots did an amazing job on slavery. When talking about the wild west and gunslingers and such, a bit of embellishment adds to the flare of the story as long as the actual history parts are accurate. Just some of my thought…..
You’re right on the button, Carrie. By the way, the hero in my first published book was named Branch McCauley. Funny, huh? I tend to look for unusual names. I like strong names for my heroes and McCauley did the job. Thanks for commenting.
Not sure maybe a little of both
Hope I Win
Depends on the subject, right, Crystal? I agree. Good luck in the drawing.
Hi Charlene,
Great post and so interesting. Please don’t put me in the prize draw. Having a book in the series I think should exclude me. I have read Kirk as you know, and I loved it.
Did you read the published version, though? It’s different. I think Linda does the drawing for the prizes and she’ll know not to include you. Glad to see you here and appreciate the comments.
I prefer my history reading to be as true to the times and situations. I like the little details that pull me into a story. Making it seem like I am there seeing things as they were and experiencing what is happening. I read historical books because I want to learn about the times and the people as well as reading a good story.
My cousin was in an accident. I think he was riding a motorcycle (it was over 50 years ago so it is a bit vague). He crashed, but rather than lie still and wait for help, he stood up and walked. That was the last time he walked. He had broken his neck and getting up made the injury worse. He was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Recently my husband was in an auto accident. He fractured his lower spine. I’ve seen the CAT scan and the surgeon said if the vertebrae had tilted apart much more he would have been paralyzed. Hopefully, a back brace for several months will help it heal. You and he were so lucky. I hope you don’t have any lingering effects from your injury.