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| Copy of the pamphlet given out prior to execution for 10 cents. |
Maggie was working for Esquire William Donaldson and his family. On July 29, 1879, Anthony showed up to the home of the Donaldson's. He had found out that Maggie was there and had ridden the train to get her. He walked into the kitchen and demanded she leaves with him to talk.
At the time Maggie was in the kitchen with Mrs. Donaldson preparing a meal. Maggie seemed afraid and told him she wasn't going outside with him and if he had anything to say he could say in front of Mrs. Donaldson.
Mr. Donaldson was arriving home at the same time. He had forced Anthony to leave the residence. Anthony didn't show up again till the night of July 30th a few nights later.
On the night of July 30th Maggie went up to a colored church near Russellville for a prayer meeting. She had gone with friends. After the prayer meeting, Anthony showed up again. He had found people who were at the prayer meeting.
Anthony went by the group, but went a short distance and took another road in which Maggie and other young folks were walking. He walked through the crowd up to Maggie who was walking in the back with Henry Taylor.
Maggie filled with fear as Anthony pressed Taylor away and grabbed Maggie's hand. “You must go home with me on the train to-night to your grandpapa,” He stated as he dragged her 150 to 200 yards down the road all while she struggled to get out of his grasp. She screamed that she would rather die than go back with him.
This enraged Anthony and he pulled out his gun and shot her twice. She didn't immediately pass and it had taken her 2 days to die from her wounds on August 1st. On August 8th Anthony Blair to be convicted and sentenced with the death penalty.
It was said when they delivered the death penalty that Anthony may have been the calmest person in the room. He just stared at the judge. He was due to die on September 26, 1879. He had made a deal with local doctors that he would will over his body after death for $15. This allowed to let him keep a supply of tobacco and candy.
On September 26, 1879, 26 guards went to Anthony's cell at noon. Anthony seemed unaffected and walked with a firm step to the wagon that would bring him to the gallows. After religious services were done by Rev. Geo. Branner Anthony sang a song and then talked for 30 minutes.
He stated his guilt but presented his facts for the reason it leads to him killing Maggie. The newspaper wouldn't state these facts as it was unsuited for the public to read/hear. At 1:30 a rope was placed around his neck and the black cap arranged. Buy 1:35 the wagon pulled away from beneath him. He had no pulse at 9 minutes, in 10 minutes his heart stopped beating, in 15 he was pronounced dead, and in 22 he was lowered into the casket.
His body was taken by the Doctors who paid him for it. medical students and doctors embalmed the body. His heart and brain were kept in jars. They boiled his bones in 1880. They were assembled and hung in the backroom of a Drug Store. They were used as a way to attract visitors to the store. A fire eventually broke out and burned down the store.
SOURCES:
Reasonable Doubt
Executed Today
The Olden Times
Wikipedia
The Morristown Gazette
The Knoxville Daily Chronicle
The Knoxville Daily Chronicle
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