When we last left Will Banks, he had been convicted of murder in what many then and now believe was an act of self-defense.
Let’s travel back in time to August 22nd, 1907, Banks is standing atop of quickly constructed wooden scaffold 50 yards down the street from the Ashe County courthouse.
It was a carnival-like atmosphere. There were vendors selling popcorn and drinks, and women were dressed in their Sunday finest and holding up umbrellas against the late summer sun.
The officials on the gallows platform asked Banks if he had any last words. He indicated that he did. Newspaper accounts stated that Banks spoke for the next 45 minutes revealing himself to be both introspective and well-spoken. Some of what he said is as follows:
“Lord be with me in this moment of death…Lord be with me in my talk…that every word may be true…I notice a great number of people here today…I am glad to see people here who do not believe I killed Frank McMillan without great cause…
“I have never made threats against anyone, so help me God. I have not the heart to threaten any man…Tam Bowie said I threatened to burn him up…I never had no desire. The whole world has been informed that I am a terrible desperado and have killed two or three men. I killed no man but Frank McMillan and it was no desire of mine to have that trouble…I was scared…I intend to meet my God in peace. I hope to meet you around the throne of God. I do not fear death or its sting. There are many people here today who have been unjust to me—I can not forget but I can forgive…. You are taking my life, and it is very unjust, but my God, HE will be my judge, witness and jury…Mr. Austin, I am ready to hang.”
Even as his heartfelt words were still resonating among the crowd, the executioner pulled a dark hood over his head, tightened the noose around his neck and Banks plunged through the trap door, the rope snapping tight and ending Banks’ life.
To add a touch of the macabre to a grisly affair, a man who helped build the gallows retrieved the rope Will Banks was hung with and sold it for $1.00 a foot.
There was an old open well near the jail…most everyone present that day drank from it and half of the crowd later came down with the measles, it was called the curse of Will Banks.
Was Banks guilty of the crime that he was convicted of? The jury of public opinion is still out. Adding to the mystery, the prosecution’s records mysteriously disappeared sometime in the mid-20th century.
If you’d like to read more about the Will Banks case, we recommend the book “Banks Crossing” by Jerry Brown and “Will Banks: Murder in the Mountains” by Gene Hafer.
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