Western Lawman and Executioner. He immigrated from Bavaria to America in 1859, settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas where he served as a policeman and deputy sheriff. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army as a member of 1st Battery Arkansas Light Artillery. After the war he signed on and worked in the Fort Smith prison as a guard. As times changed in the territory, Judge Parker began sentencing more prisoners to the gallows and opened a position for a U.S. Deputy Marshal Executioner. Maledon volunteered to do the job and received $5 a head. Known as the "Prince of Hangmen", he was a master of his craft with well oiled ropes and in charge of the gallows operation. Between 1871 to 1894 he was given credit for executing 88 men, many were multi-hangings with up to six at once. His record as executioner has not been approached in modern times. He died in the Soldiers' Home in Johnson City, Tennessee shortly before his 88 birthday.
Western Lawman and Executioner. He immigrated from Bavaria to America in 1859, settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas where he served as a policeman and deputy sheriff. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army as a member of 1st Battery Arkansas Light Artillery. After the war he signed on and worked in the Fort Smith prison as a guard. As times changed in the territory, Judge Parker began sentencing more prisoners to the gallows and opened a position for a U.S. Deputy Marshal Executioner. Maledon volunteered to do the job and received $5 a head. Known as the "Prince of Hangmen", he was a master of his craft with well oiled ropes and in charge of the gallows operation. Between 1871 to 1894 he was given credit for executing 88 men, many were multi-hangings with up to six at once. His record as executioner has not been approached in modern times. He died in the Soldiers' Home in Johnson City, Tennessee shortly before his 88 birthday.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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