ELIZABETH REED 4/16/25 In
September 1844 in Crawford County, Elizabeth Reed was arrested and confined to
jail for murdering her husband. Soon after, a change of venue was filed
because Betsey did not think she could get a fair trial in Crawford County;
therefore, the trial was moved to Lawrence County. The
documentary record about the first woman hanged in Illinois will be presented
by Clay County States Attorney Phil Givens on April 24th, at 6:00
pm, at the Flora High School Auditorium. Court records from Crawford and
Lawrence County, biographies and accounts of judges, attorneys, and jurors,
along with newspaper articles, will be used as sources for Givens'
interpretation of Illinois legal history. Author,
Rick Kelsheimer, will also tell the story about the main character in his book,
The Hanging of Betsey Reed. General Admission, $5.00; CCGS Members and
Veterans free. Kim
Smith, States Attorney Phillip Givens and Author Rick Kelsheimer will be the
guests today on the ReVue at 2 pm on WNOI.