Published • loading... • Updated
At the gallows, murderer swears to come back as a ghost
Thorpe, a Great Northern car repairman, was convicted after killing his wife during a jealousy-fueled drinking binge and later taunted reporters at the gallows.
- On July 14, 1900, Hans Thorpe was executed by hanging in North Dakota for the November 1899 murder of his wife, Ida Johnson, a crime he had actively sought the death penalty to punish.
- Enraged by a drinking binge and jealousy over Johnson dancing with other men, Thorpe threatened her, then shot her three times with a revolver held six inches from her face, killing her instantly.
- Prior to execution, Thorpe refused food for 13 days and attempted suicide to avoid the gallows; during one escape attempt, he struck Deputy Sheriff Ernest Thompson with an ink bottle before guards intervened.
- At the gallows erected about half a mile from the county jail, Thorpe recognized his guilt but blamed others, promising to haunt those he believed responsible for wooing his wife before Sheriff William Carroll distracted him and the trap was sprung.
- Thorpe was North Dakota's fourth person convicted of murder to face the gallows, hanged the same day as Ira O. Jenkins; the Forum News Service reported no evidence of hauntings following his death.
Insights by Ground AI
18 Articles
18 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left0Leaning Right9Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Right
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right
C 40%
R 60%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
