A photo of Reuben Houston Burrow, a well-known train robber in the U.S. South and Southwest. Like Butch Cassidy and his gang, he was hunted by the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
He was captured in 1890 and shot while trying to escape. His body was viewed by thousands while on his way to be buried.
130 years ago, law and order was a bit different - as were sensibilities. This notorious train robber was shot "while trying to escape" - and displayed to thousands while being transported for burial. Souvenirs - such as buttons off his jacket, his boots, and locks of his hair were taken.
I've not noticed any more morbid stories than usual.
I like history. All sides of it is, I think, important to know in order to help keep the present day in perspective. Sometimes people go on about how much better, nicer, prettier, and so on things were in the "old days." I'm 71, and my parents were born in 1902 and 1908. Things were NOT better in their day or in my younger days.
Fun note about old photography- death photos were more common than living photos, because they were extremely expensive and people usually only got a death photo in their lifetime. Photography only became a celebration of living when the price dropped dramatically in the 50s/60s, but still wasnt particularly common until the digital age made it everyday
They were tough old days, and folks had to be tough, I am 83yrs , and back then people struggled to just survive.My forebears did that on N.Z. s West Coast, mining and producing children.I feel myself , the good days here in N.Z. were mid 50s to 80s we could capitlise on our child benefit 10shillings a week ,get a lump sum , and have our first home.It was a blessing to many families.That was a Labour Govt, started that,mid 80s the rot set in, as I see it.The Greedy,s took over just about every aspect of our lives. and as I see it, most things have gone down hill since then.Just my view, Mo.
Vickie Duke Allen but f****** cool. I support the death penalty today, expedited, and on Pay Per View. I would totally pay to see some of the US 3400 death row inmates put down. No rehabilitation for these losers and no use for them. Death Row should be a "row" of electric bleachers. Bzzzzz...zzzzz...zzz-zzzzzzz... mutha f-er!
ππ He was somebody's baby, cuddly - little boy, at one time and someone loved him...I don't think our species has ever had much "humanity" - just look at the way we treat animals - but in some centuries - we have had a little more class and sensibilities. Not this century - but, in the past - in certain places. Don't get me wrong - I support the death penalty in all violent cases no matter the AGE of the Perp. I do believe there are in fact, "Rabid Dogs" in human beings - but gloating, holier than thou, money grubbers do offend me - mostly because I get sick and tired of appologizing for the IDIOTS !!
Karen Riner was thinking that too. Somewhere along with, the mundane- ness of that RxR crosswalk underneath him.
It was a day like today. No different.
Same sky, same moon.
In the whole scheme of things this moment was but a millisecond ago.
If we all could only just get along.
There had to be βwitnessesβ of his death, in order for people to know that he was no longer a threat....I could imagine. Kind of like a news event, but with no tv, so they would show the deceased outlaw to as many people.
Photos of the dead had two basic purposes back in those days. One was to verify that a criminal was actually dead. The second one is a reminder of what their loved ones looked like. Especially children. Not uncommon to photograph a dead child for memoryβs sake.
Well, if you don't want to die and your body be displayed, don't do crime... Even thousands of years ago and in other countries, it was common for criminals' bodies to be displayed publicly as a warning to other potential criminals. Some hangings even stayed up until the buzzards had eaten all their flesh. Not exactly sanitary, but I'm sure it did cut down on crime rates. They lost their right to respect when they decided to be a criminal. But these days, there is such sympathy given to criminals, especially in the media. The brains required to be a good criminal, imagine what else they could do if they lived their lives for good. Be a decent human, live a respectable life and be a responsible citizen... That's not hard.
May God bless him. Man you are getting your due, obituary comments coming n discussing about you. Wonder, how same way, people have been reacting,seeing you than.
I love this. How he is squeezed into his coffin and the shape of it. No internet back then so displaying the body would have let everyone know that the crook was caught and delt with. Different times
Sounds like he was an awful man and it was better him being there in that box than to be killing innocent people because he wouldnt sign for a package.
Reuben Houston Burrow was born on December 11, 1854 at Alabama, and died at age 35 years old on October 9, 1890 at Alabama. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Reuben Houston Burrow.
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I'm a Founder of AncientFaces and support the community answering questions & helping members make connections to the past (thus my official title of Founder & Content and Community Support ). For me, it's been a labor of love for over 20 years. I truly believe with all of my heart that everyone should be remembered for generations to come.
I am 2nd generation San Jose and have seen a lot of changes in the area while growing up. We used to be known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight" (because the Valley was covered with orchards and there were many canneries to process the food grown here, which shipped all over the US) - now we have adopted the nickname "Capital of Silicon Valley" and Apple, Ebay, Adobe, Netflix, Facebook, and many more tech companies are within a few miles of my current home in San Jose (including AncientFaces). From a small town of 25,000, we have grown to 1 million plus. And when you add in all of the communities surrounding us (for instance, Saratoga, where I attended high school, living a block from our previous Mayor), we are truly one of the big cities in the US. I am so very proud of my hometown. For more information see Kathy - Founder & Content and Community Director My family began AncientFaces because we believe that unique photos and stories that show who people are/were should be shared with the world.