Elizabeth "Lizzie" Swigert - Fayette County - 1902

Submitted by Joy Ramsey

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bonnell Swigert

Birth: Sept 2, 1867, Lexington, Fayette County Kentucky

Death: Nov 12, 1947, Lexington, Fayette County Kentucky

Burial: Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Fayette County Kentucky

Parents: Francis Bonnell & Ella Hurst

Husband: Charles E. Swigert, born Apr 1858, died Jan 7, 1935

Lizzie Swigert witnessed the murder of Lucy McCarty by her husband, Will McCarty, on April 19, 1902.  Lizzie "became insane as the result of witnessing the murder" and was institutionalized at Eastern State Hospital.  Her length of stay is not known, however, by the 1910 census she is no longer in the Hospital.  Lizzie reentered the hospital at least one other time.  Per her death certificate in 1947, it states that she had been in the hospital for 13 years, 10 months and 5 days. 

The following are newspaper excerpts, dates unknown, Lexington Kentucky:

Damaging - Testimony For McCarty Contained in Affidavit of Bert Miller_He saw the Murder "Mrs. Lizzie Swigert, an eye witness to the crime, became insane and it was believed that her testimony might possibly be necessary for conviction."

Mrs. Swigert Improving "Mrs. Lizzie Swigert, who became insane as the result of witnessing the murder of Mrs.William McCarty, shows decided improvement. Word from the asylum yesterday was to the effect that she was doing nicely and had passed a quiet day.

Heavy Sentences Imposed by Judge Riley in Police Court Judge Riley handed down some heavy sentence in Police Court yesterday morning, from which several prisoners will experience the effects for the remainder of the summer.    The first case to be taken up was that of C. W. Swigert, charged with failure to support his minor children. He is the husband of Mrs. Lizzie Swigert, who recently became insane as a result of witnessing the McCarty murder. The affidavitt upon which the warrant was based stated that the four minor children of Swigert have been a charge upon their grandmother, Mrs. Bonnell, since the mother was taken to the asylum and that the husband had agreed to pay $2 weekly toward their support, which he had failed to do. In answer he stated that he works for Hendicks Brothers, and receives only $7 per week wages. Judge Riled asked him if he were willing to pay three dollars per week toward the support of the children and he answered no.  A fine of $50 and cost went against him. The infliction of punishment was suspended on condition that he pay $3 per week toward his children's support, which he promised to do, otherwise the fine will go into effect.    Judge Riley then advised both parties to proceed before Judge Bullock for the possession of the children.  

1870 Kentucky > Fayette > Precinct 4, HH# 299/310 Bonnell Francis M. 32 M W Farmer MO Ellas 25 F W keeping house MO Lizzie M. 3 F W KY George W. 1 M W KY Huffman, William 14 M B KY 1880 Kentucky > Fayette > Sandersville > District 61, HH# 236 Francis Bonnel 41 head MO MI Elas F. Bonnel 36 wife KY MO MO Elizabeth H. Bonnel 12 Dau at school KY George W. Bonnel 11 Son at school KY Hester Bonnel 9 dau KY Mary V. Bonnel 6 Dau KY Marthy G. Bonnel 5 Dau KY Margarett Bonnel 2 Dau KY Jenny Bonnel 6M Dec Dau KY 1900 Kentucky > Fayette > Lexington Ward 2 > District 14, HH# 206/143/159 Chas E Swigart 41 Head Apr 1858 md 15 yrs Va Va Va Lizzie Swigart 31 Wife Sept 1868 5/4 chldren KY MO MO Elmore Swigart 16 Son Feb 1884 KY Frank Swigart 12 son Sep 1887 KY Eva Swigart 7 Dau Oct 1892 KY Earnest Swigart 5 Son Dec 1894 KY 1910 Kentucky > Fayette > Lexington Ward 1 > District 13, HH# 948/289/310 Middleton, John, Head M W 45 Driver-Own Team, KY Swigert, Lizzie, Roomer, F W 42 Divorced KY MO MO Middleton, Jewill, Son, M W 18 S KY Austin, Son 11 S KY Earnest, Son, 4, S KY 1920 Kentucky > Fayette > Lexington > District 47, HH# 822/63/66 Elmore Swigert 35 Head KY Mary K Swigert 23 Wife KY Charles E Swigert 5 Son KY Mary L Swigert 2 Dau KY Elizabeth Swigert 52 Mother Married KY MO MO 1930 Kentucky > Fayette > Lexington > District 20, HH# 155/40/63 Sigert, Eva, Head, F W 38 Widow KY WV KY Elizabeth, mother, F W 62 Widow KY Colorado KY Dorothy, niece F W 10 S KY KY KY (daughter of Elmore Swigert)