Early Executions from Graham County

Arizona State Library relates that, "Since Territorial days, Arizona law has established both county jails, kept by the sheriffs of the counties where they are located; and territorial (state) institutions for adult and juvenile offenders. In 1875, Arizona’s first Territorial Prison was constructed in Yuma. In 1908 the Arizona Prison at Florence was built by inmates and replaced the Territorial Prison at Yuma. A superintendent and board of control were responsible for operating the prisons."  According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, the first hanging execution occurred on January 5, 1910.  On December 8, 1916, an initiative measure went into effect eliminating the death penalty as punichment of convictions of first degree murder.  The Death penalty was restored December 5, 1918.  Nineteen executions by hanging occurred between April 16, 1920 and June 20, 1931.  The first execution by lethal gas was carried out on July 6, 1934.

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	AGE	RACE	SEX	OCCUPATION	CRIME	METHOD	DATE	ADC#
Chacon	Augustin		Hispanic	Male	Criminal	Murder	Hanging	23 Nov 1902
Blackburn	Charles	35	White	Male	Farmer	Murder	Hanging	20 May 1927	6824

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