Name: Hanging Justice A Historical Retrospective and Author Book Talk
Start: 2025-10-17T18:00:00-07:00
Location: 467 Main St, Placerville, CA 95667-5607, United States

📖 The El Dorado County Historical Society Presents: Hanging Justice A Historical Retrospective and Author Book Talk
Join us on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Placerville’s historic IOOF Morning Star Lodge for a compelling evening with author M.G. Rawls, great-great-granddaughter of Sheriff James Madison Anderson.
Rawls will present a powerful historical retrospective on the last legal hangings in El Dorado County (1888 and 1889), drawing on more than five years of meticulous research. Discover the stories of the victim, the accused “killers,” and the sheriff, spanning from Sacramento to Placerville. The program will also explore the dramatic court trial that unfolded around this case, ultimately leading to the county’s final two hangings.
This special program includes:
✅ A rare look at a unique artifact directly tied to the final hangings, from the private collection of Sheriff Anderson’s descendants
✅ Book signing with M.G. Rawls
✅ Wine and light hors d’oeuvres following the presentation
This program will take place at the IOOF Morning Star Lodge in Placerville, overlooking the site where these historic events occurred.
🎟 Tickets: $15 General | $10 EDCHS Members
Reserve today at www.EDCHS.org or call (530) 626-0773
Do not miss this opportunity to explore a fascinating and little-known chapter of El Dorado County history in the very place it unfolded.
*EDCHS members, please check your email for the special discounted ticket link that was sent to all current EDCHS members. Not yet a member? Join us! https://edchs.org/donate