This week in 1896

“Put him in the bad box. [muttering] Put him in the . . .”

— Joseph Windrath, convicted of murder, hanging, Illinois.
Executed June 5, 1896

Windrath muttered this phrase continually for several weeks before his execution. He was examined several times but was found each time to be mentally sound and responsible for the murder committed during the robbery of Carey Birch. The night before his execution, Windrath’s wife made a final visit to his cell. “Don’t you know me . . . ?” she asked. “Hang up Mannow. Put him in the bad box,” Windrath replied. Mannow was the name of Windrath’s accomplice, who testified against him.