Charles Brooks

The Crime & Scandal (1891): Charles Brooks, aged 62, became the center of a major public scandal in early Spokane when he was charged with the murder of his 27-year-old wife, Christine Dohlman (an immigrant from Sweden). Legal Proceedings & Execution (September 6, 1892): Following his trial and conviction, Brooks was sentenced to death. On September 6, 1892, he was executed, earning the distinction of being the first person legally hanged in Spokane. Interment: Brooks was interred in an unmarked grave at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane. According to cemetery administration from the Fairmount Memorial Association, the grave was kept deliberately unmarked to deter vandalism and avoid public disrespect.