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A Song Of Tears
by Ruby Wilson Harmon
(Letter to Times-Leader)

Dear Mr. Daniel:

Your recent account of the execution of Mr. Fred Behme, in McLeansboro, brings to me vivid memories.

I was a pupil in the local school, and Professor Frohock was in charge.

While school was in session Prof. Frohock came to the door, pointed at me and said: “Ruby come to the hall. This he did Hallie Hyatt (Tevis), Dollie Barnett and two other girls, whom I do not remember.

Prof. Frohock was such a severe disciplinarian, and so severe in looks, that, having never been called out, we were terribly frightened.

Upon reaching the hall, he ordered that we, immediately go down town and sing to Mr. Behme.

This was about 10:00 a. m., and Mr. Behme was to be hanged at 1:00 p. m. that day.

Never daring to differ with Prof. Frohock, we did as told.

The town was filled, and I shall never forget that sea of staring faces as they led us through the roped-off inclosure, against the old jail, prepared for, the execution. This staring crowd frightened us more than ever.

I do not remember who led us, but upon being admitted to the inclosure, Mr. Behme was led out upon the scaffold, and we were ordered to sing.

I do not recall what songs we attempted to sing, but I do remember, that into the singing, we mixed tears and sobs, so that I neither Mr. Behme, nor we, recognized them.

Five of us would start singing (if it could be called that) the first line of the first stanza, and four would fall by the wayside like ten-pins. As number one would go down, three of the remaining four would pick up the so-called strain and sing at least five words before giving up the struggle. After a brief silence, broken only by our sobs, all of us, at once, would recuperate and start again with the same result.

Mr. Behme was asked if he wished to say anything to us. In German (translated to us), he said he wished to meet us in Heaven and thanked us. At this, our stiff-legged fright became knock-kneed fright, and our legs would scarely support our bodies, so completely were we overcome.

Blind with tears, and shaking like aspen leaves, we were led from the inclosure(having done neither Mr Behme, nor ourselves, any good), scarcely knowing where we were going.

We were assigned to this task, without the knowledge of our parents, who, too late, expressed their great disapproval.

I, for one, was unable to attend school for two days.

Ruby Wilson Harmon


(Reprinted January 12, 1999 - Clipping supplied by Mary Lou Jacobson)


Other sites of interest:

The story of hanging of Fred Behme - 1896 by Ashley Lynn
Mrs. Joe F. Reeder Letter to Editor [an error occurred while processing this directive]