The Hole That Wouldn't Stay Filled
In November of 1864, Methodist minister William H. "Bill" Sketoe, who had served for the Confederate Army since 1861, was at home tending to his sick wife. However, shortly after he left, it was discovered that his leave of absence was unapproved, thus he was caught and arrested by the Newton Home Guard for desertion.
On December 3rd, 1864, he was executed by hanging. However, shortly before his death, the branch that he was supposed to hang from broke off, due to his large frame. To accommodate his height and prevent his feet from touching the ground, a hole was dug underneath him so he could slowly asphyxiate. Once declared deceased, he was taken away and buried in nearby Echo.
By local legend, the hole that he dangled over to his passing mysteriously refused to stay filled for 126 years; when anyone attempted to fill it back up, it would oddly empty itself, keeping its near-exact dimensions. However, in 1990, it was finally filled when a flood covered it up.
(Bio: Elton Gibb)
In November of 1864, Methodist minister William H. "Bill" Sketoe, who had served for the Confederate Army since 1861, was at home tending to his sick wife. However, shortly after he left, it was discovered that his leave of absence was unapproved, thus he was caught and arrested by the Newton Home Guard for desertion.
On December 3rd, 1864, he was executed by hanging. However, shortly before his death, the branch that he was supposed to hang from broke off, due to his large frame. To accommodate his height and prevent his feet from touching the ground, a hole was dug underneath him so he could slowly asphyxiate. Once declared deceased, he was taken away and buried in nearby Echo.
By local legend, the hole that he dangled over to his passing mysteriously refused to stay filled for 126 years; when anyone attempted to fill it back up, it would oddly empty itself, keeping its near-exact dimensions. However, in 1990, it was finally filled when a flood covered it up.
(Bio: Elton Gibb)
The Hole That Wouldn't Stay Filled
In November of 1864, Methodist minister William H. "Bill" Sketoe, who had served for the Confederate Army since 1861, was at home tending to his sick wife. However, shortly after he left, it was discovered that his leave of absence was unapproved, thus he was caught and arrested by the Newton Home Guard for desertion.
On December 3rd, 1864, he was executed by hanging. However, shortly before his death, the branch that he was supposed to hang from broke off, due to his large frame. To accommodate his height and prevent his feet from touching the ground, a hole was dug underneath him so he could slowly asphyxiate. Once declared deceased, he was taken away and buried in nearby Echo.
By local legend, the hole that he dangled over to his passing mysteriously refused to stay filled for 126 years; when anyone attempted to fill it back up, it would oddly empty itself, keeping its near-exact dimensions. However, in 1990, it was finally filled when a flood covered it up.
(Bio: Elton Gibb)
In November of 1864, Methodist minister William H. "Bill" Sketoe, who had served for the Confederate Army since 1861, was at home tending to his sick wife. However, shortly after he left, it was discovered that his leave of absence was unapproved, thus he was caught and arrested by the Newton Home Guard for desertion.
On December 3rd, 1864, he was executed by hanging. However, shortly before his death, the branch that he was supposed to hang from broke off, due to his large frame. To accommodate his height and prevent his feet from touching the ground, a hole was dug underneath him so he could slowly asphyxiate. Once declared deceased, he was taken away and buried in nearby Echo.
By local legend, the hole that he dangled over to his passing mysteriously refused to stay filled for 126 years; when anyone attempted to fill it back up, it would oddly empty itself, keeping its near-exact dimensions. However, in 1990, it was finally filled when a flood covered it up.
(Bio: Elton Gibb)
Inscription
Son of John and Anna Sketoe.
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
