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Lynching rope from the Santa Claus Killer.

Rope Used To Lynch the Santa Claus Killer

Field review by the editors.

Eastland, Texas

Neatly coiled in a wood-framed, glass-fronted display case, the lynching rope is a prize exhibit in the Eastland County Law Enforcement Museum, formerly a local jail. The lynching victim was Marshall Ratliff, who had robbed a bank in Cisco dressed as Santa Claus and who was popularly believed to have wrongly escaped the death penalty.

The people of Eastland, unhappy with the judge's decision, dragged Ratliff from jail and hanged him from a telephone pole. The spot is marked as a historic site a few blocks away.

Rope Used To Lynch the Santa Claus Killer

Eastland County Law Enforcement Museum

Address:
210 W. White St., Eastland, TX
Directions:
In the Eastland County Law Enforcement Museum, which is in the old Eastland Jail. I-20 exit 343, then west on US 80 into town. Turn right onto Lamar St. At the corner of White and Lamar Sts.
Hours:
By appt. thru Sheriff's office. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
254-629-1774
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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In the region:
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