Throughout the United States and Europe, there were certain trees designated as Hanging Trees. These were the select trees that were used to hang criminals when there was no time to build a traditional gallows stand.
It just so happens that in 1947, The Wilmington Morning Star, a North Carolina newspaper, told of a local legend about a hanging tree. The tree, shown in the picture, was called “The Old Hanging Tree” by the locals.
According to the local elders, the old oak tree had a special limb for the hangings. Prisoners were forced to stand on a wagon. A rope was wrapped around the hanging limb and the noose was placed over the prisoner’s head. When it was time, a whip was cracked over the back of the horses. The horses and the wagon took off down the road while the prisoner swung in the air.
After the prisoner stopped his wild death throes, the county officials would check him for any signs of life. Upon certainty of death, the body was removed, placed in a casket and buried.
This went on until 1883 when a formal gallows was built.
As for the limb used for the hangings, locals said it was sawed off.
