Okaloosa County’s First Hanging

By Mike Simmons

It looked like a carnival in the middle of Crestview, Florida. People were strolling about, some carrying a picnic basket with them, while business-minded boys sold cups of water to combat the heat in the July 30, 1920, heat. The talk was loud and cheerful. Some came by and shook the hand of a man who was situated near the large courthouse.  

The Florida county of Okaloosa was only five years old, and this was the first time that such an event had taken place here. Whatever it was, it was a cheerful occasion.  

Many of the people made mention of “Uncle Bud” and “Aunt Nancy,” two people who were obviously held in high esteem. Their real names were Marius Martin “Bud” Davis and his wife, Nancy Donaldson Davis.  

Bud and Nancy lived near where Garnier Creek empties in Garnier Bayou in Shalimar, Florida – 20 miles south as the crow flies from Crestview. Bud, a confederate soldier in the Civil War, had taken a position as lookout for the U.S. Forestry Service. It was said that he kept $15,000 – his life’s savings – in a trunk in his house. Nancy kept around $400 in a money belt around her waist. 

On March 21, 1917, Bud and Nancy were entertaining their son, Harrison at their house. Harrison, a Forestry employee, was called to help fight a forest fire. He left around 7:00 PM.  

A few minutes after he left, he heard gunshots from the direction of his parents’ house. He hurried back, only to find the dead bodies of his parents in the house.  

Robert and William Blackwell, along with their friend, Will Boyd, had heard the rumor about the Davis money, and decided to rob them. They felt that, if they pointed their gun at the old couple, they could acquire the money, and no one would be hurt.  

So, from Pensacola, they purchased some black shoe polish and made their way to Holt. Then they walked through the woods to the Davis home. They put the black shoe polish on their faces to make them look like African Americans. 

The brothers went in while their friend waited outside. When Robert pointed the gun at Uncle Bud, the old man reached under the mattress and pulled out a rifle. But, not wanting to kill the boys, he hesitated, allowing Robert to shoot him and Nancy. Five times they shot, four in the house and a last one when they were leaving.  

All three were caught and charged. After a nine-day trial, they were all convicted. The Blackwell brothers were sentenced to hang, and Will Boyd was given a life sentence. Willliam Blackwell died a year later of natural causes.  

When Florida’s governor signed the death warrant, the date was set – July 30, 1920. A huge gallows was built on the grounds of the Okaloosa County Courthouse, and the date was advertised and set.  

On the day, hundreds of people showed up for the event. One man sold sections of rope from the noose. When he found himself running out, he purchased more and kept selling. Some of the children, who were in school, were let out that day to watch Robert Blackwell swing from his neck. People filed by and shook the condemned man’s hand.  

Reverend Andrew Martin climbed the gallows’ stairs to give moral support and pray with Robert before his execution. Finally, around noon, the noose was fitted around Robert’s neck, and he was placed over the trap door. When the county sheriff pulled the lever, Robert dropped beneath the floor, which was hidden, draped in a black curtain. He was pronounced dead a few minutes later, and his body was put on display for all to see. The same people who had just lined up to shake his hand now lined up to view his body.

Strange.