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Reuben Golden Drake

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Reuben Golden Drake

Birth
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA
Death
24 May 1888 (aged 63)
Vernon County, Wisconsin, USA
Burial
Soldiers Grove, Crawford County, Wisconsin, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Mother: Catherine Husselton.

27 November 1824
Hopewell,Hunterdon,New Jersey,USA
death: 24 May 1888
Kickapoo,Vernon,Wisconsin,USA

On May 24, 1888, their daughter, Clarinda was pregnant with her third child and her parents were taking care of the older two children, Laura and Denver. On the evening of that day, Andrew Grandstaff attempted to rob Reuben Drake, because he had heard there was money at the home. He asked for money and when he was told there was none, he shot Mr Drake. Mrs Drake was with her grandchildren and when she heard the gunshot she got a rifle to defend herself, Grandstaff then shot her. He ended up killing everyone in the house and stealing a Winchester rifle. He hid in the woods, but was finally arrested on May 30, 1888 and after 24 hours of questioning he confessed. He was taken to Viroqua, but never saw a courtroom. An angry mob took him from the jail and he was hung on the courthouse lawn the night of June 1, 1888 in Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wisconsin. There were no arrests for the hanging.
Contributor: Doug Hooper (47401292) • [email protected]
Mother: Catherine Husselton.

27 November 1824
Hopewell,Hunterdon,New Jersey,USA
death: 24 May 1888
Kickapoo,Vernon,Wisconsin,USA

On May 24, 1888, their daughter, Clarinda was pregnant with her third child and her parents were taking care of the older two children, Laura and Denver. On the evening of that day, Andrew Grandstaff attempted to rob Reuben Drake, because he had heard there was money at the home. He asked for money and when he was told there was none, he shot Mr Drake. Mrs Drake was with her grandchildren and when she heard the gunshot she got a rifle to defend herself, Grandstaff then shot her. He ended up killing everyone in the house and stealing a Winchester rifle. He hid in the woods, but was finally arrested on May 30, 1888 and after 24 hours of questioning he confessed. He was taken to Viroqua, but never saw a courtroom. An angry mob took him from the jail and he was hung on the courthouse lawn the night of June 1, 1888 in Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wisconsin. There were no arrests for the hanging.
Contributor: Doug Hooper (47401292) • [email protected]


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