1/15/2012:
An ad in UND’s Dakota Student newspaper stirred up quite the controversy on this date in 1969. The ad, inviting the public to the upcoming execution of Thomas White Hawk, was purchased by a UND freshman opposed to the death penalty, who wanted to bring the execution to the attention of UND students. The ad read, “Citizens of North Dakota are cordially invited to attend the February execution of young Tom White Hawk. Formal attire required for christening of state’s unused electric chair.” White Hawk’s sentence was for murdering Vermillion jeweler James Yeado. Tom Ingstad, the Dakota Student’s business manager was forced to change the advertising policy of the paper after being swamped with upset callers. White Hawk’s sentence was ultimately commuted, and he passed away from a heart attack at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in 1997 at the age of 49.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
The Forum. Wednesday, January 15, 1969: p. 29.
Star Tribune. May 16, 1997: Minneapolis.
http://ftp.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/480/480.F2d.428.72-1578.html