FIRST WOMAN BAILIE WILL NOT SHIRK DUTY, PLANS TO ATTEND HANGING AS REQUIRED
Glasgow, Scotland (JFK+50) On September 23, 1925, Associated Press reports that tomorrow morning John Keen is to be executed for "the murder of a peddler."
According to the AP report, "a little white-haired, kindly-faced Scotch lady" will witness the hanging. Not necessarily by choice, but because she holds the office of bailie* which requires her to "attend all hangings."
Mrs. Mary Bell is the first woman to hold the office, and as such has been advised by officials that she should not attend. Mrs. Bell, however, does not wish to follow their advice.
She says...
"I don't see I should shirk my duty in the least just because I am a woman."
*office of bailie is a civic office involving judicial & administrative duties in the local governments of Scotland. The office was abolished in 1975.
SOURCE
"Scotch Lady Bailie Refuses to Shirk Duty at Hanging," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 23, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
