The Retribution of Wash Smith

In January 1928, 18-year-old Wash Smith walked into a small country store in Banks County, Georgia. By the time he walked out, the store’s owner was dead, and Wash was being hunted down by a posse. It is a story of an interrupted love affair and the vicious retribution by both sides that followed, while bootlegging, hidden witnesses, and recanted testimony point to something almost sinister. 

Sound Engineering by Dave Harris

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The Atlanta Constitution – January 4, 1928 – Posse Is Seeking Farmer’s Slayer

The Atlanta Constitution – March 22, 1928 – State Demands Death for Smith

The Macon Telegraph – March 23, 1928 – Smith To Die

The Atlanta Constitution – December 16, 1928 – Supreme Court Grants Retrial to Wash Smith

The Atlanta Journal – February 26, 1930 - State High Court Denies New Trial for Wash Smith 

The Atlanta Journal – March 28, 1930 – Prof. Wells Urges Death Penalty for Slayer of Brother

The Macon Telegraph – March 29, 1930 – Youthful Slayer Seeks Clemency

The Atlanta Constitution – March 29, 1930 – Youth Under Death Sentence Says Girl Witness Kidnaped

The Valdosta Daily Times – April 1, 1930 – Wash Smith Gets His Life Saved

The Macon Telegraph – April 1, 1930 – Fate of Youthful Slayer Undecided

The Atlanta Constitution – November 8, 1930 – Doomed Prisoner Makes Escape Try

The Atlanta Journal – November 9, 1930 – Wash Smith Pleads for Commutation

The Atlanta Journal – November 12, 1930 – Conscience-Stricken Man’s Confession Despite Threat of Return to Pen Revealed

The Atlanta Constitution – November 14, 1930 – Prison Board Refuses Plea for Mercy for Wash Smith

The Atlanta Journal – November 14, 1930 – Governor Plans Mind Test for Wash Smith

The Atlanta Journal – November 22, 1930 – Wash Smith Dies in Electric Chair for Wells Slaying

The Macon News – November 22, 1930 – Youth Directs Own Death in Chair

The Atlanta Constitution – October 12, 1939 – Two Die, One Hurt in Baldwin Crash