The Handprint
Horror Stories - The Handprint
Alexander Campbell was a hotel owner and a liquor distributor. He was
said to be an Irishman who made good on his word. Prosecutors suspected
that Campbell was the backbone of the murder plot. He proclaimed his
innocence throughout his entire trial.
Alexander Campbell was falsely accused of killing a local mine boss during a bid by the Irish miners to organize labor unions. In 1877, Campbell was convicted first degree murder in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death.
Alexander Campbell was falsely accused of killing a local mine boss during a bid by the Irish miners to organize labor unions. In 1877, Campbell was convicted first degree murder in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to death.
When it came time to take him to the gallows where he would be hanged,
he struggled to get free long enough to place his hand on the wall and
declare it would remain there forever as a reminder of the injustice
that took his life.
For years, sheriffs in Carbon County have painted the wall numerous times but the hand print always reappears. On one occasion the entire wall was replaced but yet again the hand print reappeared in cell #17. Sheriff Charles Neast tried to cover over it thirty years later with green latex paint but it became clearly visible.
For years, sheriffs in Carbon County have painted the wall numerous times but the hand print always reappears. On one occasion the entire wall was replaced but yet again the hand print reappeared in cell #17. Sheriff Charles Neast tried to cover over it thirty years later with green latex paint but it became clearly visible.