Customer Reviews

The Untold Story of Frankie Silver: Was She Unjustly Hanged?

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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As a direct descendant of Frankie Silver (She was my G-G-Grandmother) I have heard the story all my life, but learned many new facts about the case. I found a few dates to be incorrect, and many names omitted, but this does not detract from the essence of the story. A thoruoghly researched book that debunks many of the myths surrounding the hanging of Frankie Silver. Good reading for history buffs and a MUST for family members.

This book of true crime takes on the feat of straightening all the twists in the Frankie Silver story. The tale of poor Frankie and the eventful trial stands out from many because of the manner in which the body of Charles Silver was disposed and the age of the young girl condemned. Sorting truth from rumor or the numerous errors in print couldn't have been an easy task. I commend Mr. Young for his dedication and hard work to set things straight and perhaps bring some peace to the spirit of the ill fated Mrs. Silver. I believe that Henry Spainhour really did say it best when he wrote, "I consider it wrong to brand the dead with greater crimes than we believe they were guilty of." This is a very organized and well written book.

Chrissy K. McVay

Author of 'Souls of the North Wind'

The author covers the topic completely from all directions. His research is well documented and accurate. It quotes liberally from official documents and draws no undocumented conclusions. It is an excellent treatment of the evidence. It is, however, an extremely dry, tedious read.

My GR GR Grandfather John Stewart was the brother of Frankie Stewart Silver.

I first read "The Ballad of Frankie Silver by Sharyn McCrumb and was disappointed that all of Frankie's brothers were not mentioned in her account of the family tree, but her book is more on the bent of a fictional novel.

My Father was born and mainly raised in Mitchell County, North Carolina

and he nor his Mother, who helped with some of my genealogy, mentioned Frankie's story to me. I found out about it on the internet.

I have been told by a family member that still lives in that area and is a Genealogist, that our family was ashamed of the fact and that it is still rumored to this day, that the Stewart Family was cursed because of this sad tradegy, as is mentioned in this book.

I do know Frankie, her parents, and most of her brothers, did die a somewhat unusual death. John was the oldest and was born March 09, 1800 and died Feb 22,1893. Ninety two years is a good life span even for today so I don't see the curse fitting there.

I was delighted that Mr Young had better research and has provided a lot of documentation in the book.

If you like a murder mystery (fact or fiction), history, genealogy, and more, you will enjoy this book.