Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Wratten corn knife (ca. 1890-1893) |
Object Name |
Knife, Corn |
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.0112 |
Catalog date |
2020-02-21 |
People |
Stone, James E. Wratten, Ada Caroline Wratten, Elizabeth Wratten, Ethel D. Wratten, Henry Earl Wratten, Hilard Denson Wratten, Stella J. |
Description |
Corn knife (21 inches long including the handle) reportedly used by James "Bud" Stone to murder the Wratten family in southern Daviess County, Indiana in September 1893. The six members of the Hilard Wratten family brutally murdered in their home were: Hillard Wratten (the father), Ada Wratten (the mother), Elizabeth Wratten (the mother of Hillard Wratten) and Hilard and Ada's children: Ethel (age 11), Stella (age 9) and Henry (age 3). James "Bud" Stone confessed to the murders although he later recanted his confession. He was convicted of murdering Ada Wratten and executed by hanging on February 16, 1894. This knife was stored for many years at the Daviess County Jail and later donated to the Daviess County Museum. Also included is the scanned image of the interpretative poster about the knife used at the Daviess County Museum. The correct year of the crime was 1893 not 1895. |
Provenance |
This knife was stored for many years at the Daviess County Jail before it was donated to the Daviess County Museum. |
Subjects |
Crimes Criminal investigations Criminals Dead persons Death Executions Knives |
Classification |
Death |