Hester Foster: The first woman to be executed in Ohio

Hester Foster's story is fascinating. It was like something out of a Hollywood thriller. Even though much of Hester's history has been lost, some parts of her life have survived. If you are familiar with Ohio history, you may know her name.

It's worth noting that there isn't much information about Hester Foster. But a 21-page murder pamphlet was preserved, containing details on Hester's life. Of course, it's unclear how much of it is accurate. But that's all we have. But it is known that Hester was the first woman to be executed in Ohio. Moreover, she was a black woman.

Hester Foster was born in Philadelphia on December 25, 1821, to an American mother and an Irish father. Her mother owned slaves and enough land to be considered wealthy. Hester was three years old when her parents separated and she was sent away to live with a relative in Cincinnati.

A downward spiral occurred in Hester's life. Her caregiver had moved away after getting married. Hester was left on her own and slept wherever she could find a place to stay. During this time, she was abused physically and violently.

Eventually, she reunited with her mother in Louisville, Kentucky. Hester then met a man, became pregnant and gave birth to twins.

As a slave owner, Hester's mother gave her two slaves. However, she was not interested in owning slaves. She released the slaves after giving them money and clothing. Her relationship with the father of her twins didn't work out, and she separated from him. Hester left Louisville and returned to Cincinnati. As for the twins, they would remain in Kentucky with their grandmother.

A horrific setback led Hester to self-destruct after she returned to Cincinnati.

In a letter to Hester, her mother gave her some grim news. Hester's twins and their father were killed by a slave that Hester released.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Hester felt remorse and blamed herself. She began drinking and getting into trouble with the law.

During a drinking session with a friend in Cincinnati, Hester witnessed two men rape and beat a woman from Dayton, Ohio. Hester walked away without mentioning what she saw.

During the summer, Hester was jailed for fighting with a police officer. While incarcerated, she learned she was accused of assisting in the rape and beating of the Dayton woman. Despite her claim that she was only a witness, the law viewed her as a participant in the crime. She received a 20-year sentence to be served in the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio.

In prison, Hester became sworn enemies with a white woman named Louisa White. It is unknown why the two women clashed, but racial tension may have been involved.

Prisoners took sides. It was team Hester for some and team Louisa for others.

In response to the simmering tension inside the prison walls, the authorities separated the women into different camps.

However, prison walls can’t separate hatred and two women intent on killing each other. It seemed that one of the guards had gotten to know Hester and felt some compassion for her. The guard offered to look the other way while Hester assaulted Louisa. Hester took advantage of an opportunity to assault Louisa. With a shovel in hand, Louisa foolishly entered Hester's camp on March 13, 1843.

Louisa attacked another inmate named Eveline Jones with her shovel. During the fight, Hester yelled to Louisa. “Why are you in our quarters?”

“For murder,” replied Louisa

“If that’s what you have come for, it’s what you shall have,” replied Hester.

Hester then grabbed an iron shovel and struck Louisa in the head with it and knocked her down some stairs. After her fight with Louisa, Eveline grabbed the shovel Louisa had assaulted her with and pursued the stunned Louisa. She beat Louisa with the shovel until she was beyond recognition.

Who really killed Louisa? Hester Foster or Eveline Jones? Why wasn't this considered self-defense?

It was neither Jones nor Hester who started the fight. They were simply defending themselves against Louisa's attack. Apparently, it didn’t matter, because on December 21, 1843, Hester was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death just a few days before her 22nd birthday. The fate of Jones is unknown since no records exist.

On Friday afternoon, February 9, 1844, Hester Foster and William Young Graham, a convicted killer, were both executed in front of a crowd of thousands. There are estimates that between 12,000 and 20,000 people watched the two killers swing from the end of a rope in Columbus. Public executions were halted after the two were executed. In the future, executions would only take place within prison walls.

It wouldn't be the end of Hester's story. The Columbus Underground website reports that Hester was executed near where the Columbus Cultural Arts Center building now stands. According to the article, visitors have reported seeing a ghostly woman wandering the gallery without making any noise. It’s believed that the ghostly woman is Hester Foster.

Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook: www.Facebook.com/themarcabe or his Twitter account @themarcabe. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.