Crime Classics Episode Summary: "Crime of Bathsheba Spooner"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Crime Classics 53-06-15 001 - Crime of Bathsheba Spooner
• Release Date: January 30, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Crime Classics, host Thomas Hyland delves into the gripping true crime story of Bathsheba Spooner, reputed to be the first woman tried and executed for murder in the United States. Set against the backdrop of 1778 Brookfield, Massachusetts during the tumultuous times of the Revolutionary War, the narrative intertwines personal vendettas, military deserters, and deceit to unveil a riveting tale of betrayal and justice.

Setting and Background

Brookfield, Massachusetts, 1778

The story unfolds in a respectable two-story dwelling belonging to Joshua and Bathsheba Spooner. The household resides near stately elms and a deep well, pivotal to the unfolding events. Bathsheba hails from an illustrious family; her father, General Ruggles, was a loyalist who forfeited his estate and left the country at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. This loyalist background breeds suspicion and alarm among the local townspeople, setting the stage for Bathsheba's precarious position within the community.

Thomas Hyland narrates at [05:00]:

"But keep this in mind. Bathsheba Spooner is going to murder her husband. How? Well, let's see how time and motive and circumstance conspire to get a man violently dead."

Characters

• Bathsheba Spooner: The central figure, depicted as a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, seeking freedom through drastic measures.

• Joshua Spooner: Bathsheba's husband, portrayed as a drunkard and a tyrannical figure whose neglect and abusive behavior fuel Bathsheba's resentment.

• Ezra Ross: Bathsheba's lover, a young man with military experience but lacking the courage to act upon Bathsheba's murderous intentions.

• James Buchanan & William Brooks: Deserters from General Burgoyne's army, employed by Bathsheba to carry out the murder plan.

• Thomas Hyland: The host and narrator, guiding listeners through the intricate details of the crime.

Plot Summary

The Brewing Plot

The episode opens with Bathsheba and her lover, Ezra Ross, discussing the dire state of her marriage and plotting the demise of Joshua Spooner. Bathsheba's dissatisfaction stems from her husband's drunkenness and the stifling domestic life they share.

At [03:04], Joshua confronts Bathsheba:

"What manner of woman are you, Bathsheba? There's no content in you and no happiness."

Bathsheba retaliates, revealing her desire for liberation and hinting at her growing animosity:

"And what happiness have you given me? A life that dies quickly, cooking and sewing and from you drunken sleep." ([03:08])

Despite Ezra's initial hesitation and lack of courage to act, Bathsheba coerces him into seeking the assistance of deserters James Buchanan and William Brooks to murder her husband.

The Murder Execution

Bathsheba employs James and William, offering them £500 to eliminate Joshua. The plan involves using a well to dispose of Joshua's body discreetly.

At [13:38], Bathsheba chillingly instructs:

"Kill my husband."

Under Bathsheba's manipulative influence, the deserters carry out the murder, striking Joshua and ultimately disposing of his body in the well.

Discovery and Trial

Joshua's disappearance sparks concern among the community, leading to a search that ultimately reveals his lifeless body in the well. Suspicion quickly falls on Bathsheba, especially given her known grievances against Joshua.

During the trial, the evidence and testimonies, including Bathsheba's own admission under duress, lead to a swift conviction. The four conspirators—James Buchanan, William Brooks, Ezra Ross, and Bathsheba Spooner—are sentenced to death.

In the courtroom at [23:24], Bathsheba appeals:

"I am the wife of the deceased. If what you accuse me of be true what end could the death of my husband serve?" ([23:32])

Despite her defense, the court remains unmoved, resulting in their impending execution.

Execution and Aftermath

On June 4th, amidst a fierce thunderstorm, the four are led to their execution. The dramatic weather mirrors the gravity of the moment, adding a somber tone to the public spectacle.

Thomas Hyland vividly describes at [26:39]:

"The fierce coruscations of the lightning athwart the darkened horizon, quickly followed by loud peals of thunder, conspired together and produced a dreadful scene of horror."

Bathsheba, in her final moments, maintains her composure, expressing a haunting farewell as she accepts her fate.

At [27:16], Bathsheba states:

"My dear sir, I am ready. In a little time I expect to be in bliss, and but a few years must elapse when I hope I shall see you and my other friends again."

Trial and Verdict

The trial is portrayed as swift and influenced by Bathsheba's social standing and the community's existing suspicions. The absence of a robust defense and the overwhelming evidence against the conspirators result in a unanimous guilty verdict.

At [23:24], the court formally sentences them:

"We command you that on Thursday, the 4th day of June next, ... to be hanged by the neck until their bodies be dead." ([24:28])

Conclusion

Thomas Hyland concludes the episode by highlighting the tragic culmination of Bathsheba Spooner's actions—her transformation from a dissatisfied wife to a convicted murderer. The story serves as a historical account of early American justice and the societal dynamics of the time.

Hyland reflects at [28:15]:

"This has been my report of the crime of Bashy Ba. Spooner, the first woman tried and executed for murder in the United States."

Notable Quotes

• Thomas Hyland:

  "Money? Yes. All of it. Ezra." ([18:11])

• Bathsheba Spooner:

  "Kill my husband." ([13:38])

• Ezra Ross:

  "I swear it to you, Bathsheba. He'll die." ([04:27])

• Joshua Spooner:

  "I am your husband. And I'm your lover. And that's the way things are." ([03:33])

Production Notes

• Adaptation: The episode is adapted from original court reports and newspaper accounts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin.
• Music: Composed and conducted by Bernard Herman.
• Production: Directed by Elliot Lewis.
• Cast:
  • Thomas Hyland: Lou Merrill
  • Bathsheba Spooner: Mary Jane Croft
  • Supporting Roles: Herb Butterfield, Sam Edwards, William Johnstone, Georgia Ellis, Tudor, Owen, Van Wright, Bob Lamond.

Closing Remarks

The episode not only recounts a historical crime but also paints a vivid picture of the societal and personal factors contributing to Bathsheba Spooner's downfall. Through meticulous narration and immersive storytelling, Crime Classics offers listeners a compelling glimpse into a bygone era of American history and justice.

Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Hyland explores the peaceful passing of Thomas Edwin Bartlett, greengrocer, in Pimlico, England, 1879.