Engraved Portrait Of Stephen M. Ballew

Publication: Baker Co-Chicago, nd ca 1870s,

Stephen M. Ballew was the first person legally hanged in Collin County, Texas. Ballew had traveled to Texas from Illinois with James Golden to sell mules. Ballew killed Golden a few miles from McKinney, Texas, buried the body in a shallow grave, and returned to Illinois, where he pretended to have no idea where Golden was. The suspicious family investigated and Golden's body was discovered. Sheriff W. N. Bush went to Illinois and brought Ballew back for trial, which resulted in his conviction, and hanging from a tree in Finch Park on May 24, 1872. The origin of this image is unknown to us. A handsome engraved portrait in very nice condition. It shows some occasional light chipping around the blank edges, it does not appear to be disbound from a book.(?) The reverse side is unprinted, but is stamped twice, in fairly large letters: Presented By TEOLIN PILLOT, Bookseller & Stationer, Houston, Texas.

Inventory Number: 50157