While in her teens, Lena and her mother moved to town.  They hoped to find better paying jobs and a more financially productive way of life. Lena met and became friends with Lizzie Thomas. Together they decided to earn money through prostitution. Most of the customers were white men and it wasn’t long before Lena and Lizzie were arrested and charged with Keeping a Lewd House. 

On May 10, 1920, both females were found guilty and sentenced to ten months in jail at a woman’s prison farm with the term of the sentence served at a local convict camp. This was a common practice in Randolph County.  Inmates were leased to work on farms and roads and the local government received money for their labor.  Often women worked side by side with the men and were frequently sexually abused by guards and inmates. Surprisingly, the arresting Sheriff, Walter Taylor, volunteered to be Lena's Probation Officer.

After completing her sentence, Lena returned home to live with her mother and began making positive changes in her life.  She attended church and found employment doing different jobs such as cleaning white folks' homes, washing clothes and picking cotton. Her pay was well below a living wage. When she washed, dried and ironed a full basket of clothes, she was only paid five or ten cents. 

It was not long before Lena gave birth to four children, three of which lived. The 1920 US Federal Census for Randolph County, Georgia listed Lena’s marital status as divorced. The 1930 Census indicated that she was single. It is not clear if she married, had children by one man, differnt men or if the fathers were black or white.

Even though she worked hard to improve her life, neighbors and church members disliked and ignored Lena. It was not long before she turned to alcohol and began hanging out nights at a local café that sold fried chicken and alcohol to black folks. Her mother disapproved of her behavior and pleaded with her to stop drinking.

Ernest Knight, a 67 year old white man and owner of a grist mill (a place for grinding corn), was known around Cuthbert as a mean, heavy drinking and pistol carrying man. Few people other than family members would associate with him. Ernest broke his leg and it never properly healed. In 1941, his eldest son, Albert Knight, hired Lena to cook and clean for his father. Lena and Ernest developed a physically abusive, three year relationship in which Ernest beat and threatened to kill Lena. She was twenty three years his junior. When his son Albert learned about their relationship he also beat Lena and told her to stay away from his father.

Lena and Ernest often spent time at the grist mill eating, drinking and having sex. She eventually grew tired of the abuse and wanted out of the relationship.  Late Saturday night on April 29, 1944, after Lena and her family were asleep, Ernest stopped by her home. He knocked on the door and told Lena to go with him to the mill.  She did not want to go but asked him if he had anything to drink.  He told her that he had some home brew. She did not want any of that and asked him for money to get some whiskey. Lena said,

“I was doing that to get away from him because he was pretty full when he come to my home and I knowed how it would be, for I have seen him that way more than one time.”

He gave her fifty cents and she walked over to the café on Dawes Street but the lights were off. She waited for a while but no one came in or out, so she left. When she returned home, Ernest knocked on the door again. Lena told him to go home and go to bed.  He said,

“I be damned if I am going home until you go where I want you to.”

She told him that she did not want to go. He told her that if she does not go with him that he will not let her rest. She put on her shoes and the two of them left the house. As they walked by the water tower, near the cemetery, Lena increased her pace and got away from him. She walked around for a while and then headed back toward the mill. Ernest was sitting on a bench in front of the mill. He saw Lena and said,

“I been trying all night to get you to do as I asked you to and you have not done it.”

She replied,

“No sir. I have promised not to go to your mill anymore.”

She walked away and tried to find a drink but fell asleep in a pasture for most of the night. When she woke, it was about 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning and she walked by the mill again. Ernest was sitting out front.  He told Lena to get inside and pulled out his gun. She went inside and they talked for a while. Lena told Ernest that she needed to go home. He insisted that she would be safe there with him. She stayed with him for the night and asked him not let her sleep too long. When she woke, Ernest demanded that Lena stay in the mill until he returned from seeing his son. Before leaving he locked her in the mill. He returned later that day with food and whiskey.  She ate and they talked. Lena continued to tell him that she needed to leave. He did not want her to go and threatened to kill her if she left. He pulled out his gun, they got into a tussle and she wrestled the gun away from him. Ernest grabbed an iron bar located by the door.  Lena reported in her statement to the Court that she thought he was going to hit her with the iron bar and that she shot him.

“That was not the first time he had throwed that pistol in my face and on me, but I took it and went on. That was one time I thought I had to do something, I believe he would have killed me if I had not done what I did. I was hired to wait on Mr. Knight when he broke his leg, I cooked for Mr. Knight, and I nursed him like I would a baby. His son Mr. A.C. Knight, hired me to do it, yes sir. There was times I wanted to be at home where my mother and children was, but she could not rest and I could not rest at my house, if I had not been threatened that if I didn’t g [sic] to where he wanted me and do what he wanted me to do, what he was going to do to me, and I was afraid not to do it.”

PICTURES: Top: Lena Baker Georgia State Prison.  Second Row L: Cuthbert Georgia Water Tower.  Second Row R: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Lena's family church.  Bottom Row: Church Signs.

Continued next section.

The murder trial was held on August 14, 1944 in Randolph County Superior Court.  Presiding judge, Charles Williams “Two Gun” Worrill had a reputation as a no nonsense overseer of justice. When entering the courtroom, he was known for placing his two pistols on the bench before beginning a hearing.

Twelve jurors were selected, all white males and several of them prominent Cuthbert citizens. Some of the men were rumored to have visited Lena and Lizzie's former house of prostitution. In Cuthbert, jurors were selected from the voter registration rolls. Blacks were not allowed to register to vote and consequently could not be chosen as jurors.

The trial lasted four hours and Lena was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by electrocution. Directly after the hearing, her defense attorney W. L. Ferguson, filed a motion for a new trial on the grounds that,

“1. Because the verdict is contrary to evidence and without evidence to support it.

 2. Because the verdict is decidedly and strongly against the weight of the evidence.

 3. Because the verdict is contrary to the law and principals of justice and equity." 

Judge Worrill scheduled a hearing date for September 16, 1944, for the States’ Attorneys Joe Ray and John Terry to show cause as to why a new hearing should not be granted. He also issued an order suspending the execution of the previous sentence.

The States’ Attorneys responded immediately,

“Due and legal action of the within motion and ordered acknowledgement, time, copy, and all other further service waived.”

Even though the defense attorney was court appointed, he was not paid for his services and after the trial gave notice to the Court of his intent to withdraw from the case.

“I, W.L. Ferguson, being the attorney of record of Lena Baker having been appointed by the Court to represent said Lena Baker, do herby certify that I filed the within motion for a new trial for the purpose of giving the defendant Lena Baker the right to secure other counsel to prosecute her case and the said Lena Baker was so notified; and I, W.L. Ferguson, do certify that I do not attend to prosecute the with [sic] motion for a new trial because I have withdrawn from the case, and Judge C.W. Worrill, the presiding judge is authorized so far as I am concerned to give the within motion for a new trial any direction as the court deems proper and just.”

By September 16, Lena had not requested a new attorney nor had she requested a new trial. On August 18, Lena wrote to Governor Ellis Arnall requesting that her case be reviewed. On October 9, the governor responded to Lena’s request and granted her a ninety day stay. A hearing was scheduled for November 28, 1944. The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her request for clemency.

Governor Arnall did not, at that time, have the authority to pardon Lena. All requests for pardons were handled by the Georgia State Pardon and Parole Board. Chairman of the Board, Edward Everett sent a letter to Lena advising her of her right to appeal the case. The letter however, was mailed to Reidsville prison instead of to Cuthbert where Lena was being held at the time. In addition, a copy required to be sent to the Sheriff in Cuthbert was sent to the prison in Reidsville. No clear explanation has been given for this mistake.

On January 6, 1945, Judge Worrill wrote in his decision that he dismissed the motion for a new trial, that he reinstated the sentence and that Lena was scheduled for electrocution on March 5, 1945.

“The above named Lena Baker having been convicted for murder in the May Term, 1944 adjourned Randolph Superior Court and having filed her motion for a new trial in said cause and a hearing on said motion having been set for September 16, 1944 in vacation at Cuthbert, Georgia at 10 o'clock a. m.; and it further appearing that said defendant either in person or by cousel [sic] failed to appear on said date to prosecute said motion, and it further appearing that W. L. Ferguson, attorney for said defendant has withdrawn from said case and does not intend prosecuting said motion; and it further appearing that at the time of filing said motion, said W. L. Ferguson notified, said Lena Baker that he was withdrawing from said case and had filed the motion in order that she might secure counsel to prosecute the same which she has failed to do and makes no effort or attempt to prosecute said motion,

NOW, THEREFORE, be it order and adjudged, and it is so ordered and adjudged that said motion for a new trial be, and the same is, hereby dismissed for lack of prosecution and the Clerk of said court is ordered to file this dismissal as a part of t he [sic] records in said case.

Upon inquiry into the facts and circumstances of this case, and it appearing to t he [sic] Court that the defendant, Lena Baker, was on the 14th day of August, 1944, convicted of Murder, and on the 14th day of August, 1944, was sentenced by order of this court to the punsihment [sic] of death; and it further appearing to the Court that the said sentence has not been executed, having been superseded and stayed by a motion for a new trial, but which said motion was abandoned and dismissed and in lieu thereof, a respite for 90 days obtained from and granted by the Governor of Georgia pending an appeal to the State Pardon and Parole Board of Georgia, and which said appeal and plea was heard and-denied by the Said State Pardon and Parole Board, and an appropriate order having been duly and regularly passed; and it further appearing that the sentence heretofore imposed upon the said Lena Baker still stands in full force and effect and that no legal reason now exists against the execution of said sentence.

Now, therefore, it is ordered, and adjudged by the Court that the Sheriff of Randolph County, or his lawful Deputy, together with such deputies as he may deem necessary (the number of guards to be approved by the presiding Judge or the Ordinary of said County) shall convey the said Lena Baker to the Tatnall [sic] County Prison in Tatnall [sic] County, Georgia, not more than twenty days not less than two days prior to the 5th day of March, 1945, and there deliver her to the State Board of Penal Administration, to be electrocuted, as provided by law, at such penal institution as may be designated by t he [the] said Board.

And it is ordered and adjudged by the Court that the Warden of the Penitentiary of the State of Georgia shall execute the said Lena Baker by electrostriction, as provided herein and by law, in private, witnessed only by her Counsel, relatives and such clergymen and friends as she may so desire, within the walls of said institution on the 5^th day of March, 1945, between the hours of 10:00 o'clock a.m., and 2:00 o'clock p.m., as heretofore provided in a sentence and order of this court passed on the 14th day of August, 1944, and in conformity with this provisions of said order and sentence.

And May God Have Mercy On Her Soul.”

On February 23, Sherriff Taylor drove Lena to the Tattnall County Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. On the day her life was to end, Lena was strapped in the electric chair, nicknamed “Old Sparky”. No family members were present on March 5, only prison officials and Mr. H.O. Pritchett from Cuthbert. Lena and her family picked cotton for him and worked in his fields. He represented the family.

When asked if she had any last words, she stated,

“What I done, I did in self-defense, or I would have been killed myself. Where I was I could not overcome it. God has forgiven me, I have nothing against anyone. I picked cotton for Mr. Pritchett, and he has been good to me. I am ready to go, I am one in the number. I am ready to meet my God. I have a very strong conscience.”

Lena was shocked not once but several times, for six minutes until she was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m. After her death, she was transported back to Cuthbert and buried at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.

On May 3, 2005, through the work of her nephew, Roosevelt Curry, Lena Baker was posthumously pardoned by the Georgia State Pardon and Parole Board.

Wilcox, Ralph. Dir. The Lena Baker Story. Lionsgate, 2008. DVD.

Millard, Cindy Nelson. “Lena Baker: Only woman sentenced to death in Georgia receives new headstone in

Randolph County.” The Cuthbert Southern Tribune. 6 Jan. 2011: 1. Print.

Site Visit

Church, Cemetery and Gravesite, Cuthbert, GA. 22 Dec. 2011.

Cuthbert Water Tower, Cuthbert, GA. 23 Dec. 2011.

Former Randolph County Georgia Superior Court, Cuthbert, GA. 23 Dec. 2011.

Randolph County Georgia Superior Court, Cuthbert, GA. 21 Dec. 2011.

INTERRED: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, Highway 82 West, Cuthbert, GA 39840.

SUBMITTED: January 7, 2012. Pictures taken December 21-23, 2011.

Born a slave in Richmond, Virginia in 1840, John Van Lew, a wealthy hardware merchant owned Mary Elizabeth Bowser. His daughter, Elizabeth Van Lew freed Mary sometime between 1843 and 1851 after John Van Lew's death.

Mary stayed with the family and continued to work as a servant until the 1850s. Elizabeth, a Quaker and abolitionist noticed Mary’s intelligence and sent her away to the Quaker School for Negroes in Philadelphia. After graduating she returned to Richmond. On April 16, 1861, she married William or Wilson Bowser, a free black man. They were married days after Confederates fired on Fort Sumter, a Union stronghold in Charleston Harbor.

Taken by a friend of Elizabeth’s to help out at functions held by Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Mary proved herself and was eventually hired full-time.

Mary worked in the Confederate White House cleaning and waiting on family members and visitors almost up to the end of the war. She obtained a great deal of information by simply doing her work. Servants were taught to act invisible, to draw no attention to themselves. Davis and his wife did not know Mary was a freed woman. They assumed she was an unintelligent and illiterate slave. She proved however, to be a valuable Union spy and possessed an almost photographic memory. Mary read war dispatches and accurately remembered conversations held in the home.

Jefferson Davis later came to know of the espionage but not until late in the war did he suspect Mary. She fled from the south in January of 1865. Her last known act as a spy was an attempt to burn down the Confederate White House, but she was not successful. There is no record of Mary Bowser’s life after the war. Her date of death is unknown.

PICTURES: L: Mary Elizabeth Bowser. R: Gravestone. Color picture taken November 8, 2008.

SOURCES:

Books

Internet

"Women in History", Ikwdpl.org, Web. 1 Oct. 2008.

"Mary Elizabeth Bowser", dubois.fas.harvard.edu/bowser-mary-elizabeth-1839-union-spy-during-civil-war, Web. 1 Oct. 2008.

INTERRED: Woodlawn (Woodland) Cemetery, 2300 Magnolia Road, Richmond, VA 23223. Phone: 804-643-4702. Contact person Mr. Entzminger.

SUBMITTED: November 8, 2008. Picture taken October 18, 2008, except black/white picture.

Irene Morgan Kirkaldy

April 9, 1917 to August 10, 2007

Viola Fauver Gregg Liuzzo

April 11, 1925 to March 25, 1965