Jo. Harris, Convicted Murderer
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On the night of November 22, 1880, this man, Jo. Harris, entered a room in Marble Hall where Charles Brown and Andrew Heck were sleeping. With an axe he mashed their skulls and then rifled their pockets to rob them. He then set fire to their bedding, hoping to burn the house down and destroy all evidence of his crime. On the following day he was arrested by sheriff R. L. Blevins. Brown’s valuables were found on him. He was tried and sentenced by Judge N.T. Hacker to be hanged April 1, 1881. An appeal to the Supreme Court resulted in the confirmation of the decision of the lower Court and the day set for his execution was November 25, 1881. He was hung by a rope in Rogersville, TN. Mr. Harris was born in Hancock County, Tennessee February 26, 1856. He went to his death at the age of 25.

Original submitter not noted. Photo courtesy of George Webb, Tennessee Books and Autographs, Rowan Archives.