The Art of Hanging

Dr. History's Tales of the Old West - A podcast by Dr. Ken Turner - Tuesdays

They tried to be humane in legal hangings. The rope had to be 1 and 1/2 inches thick, soaked, dried, and softened. There was a formula with the weight of the victim to show how far he was to be dropped. The “hangman's knot" would only slip one way and could not be loosened. Mistakes were made. Blackjack Ketchum’s head came off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices