A Mistress, A Murder, A Hanging
James Rada, Jr. with his books exploring local forgotten history.
Local author’s new book tells the story of a Washington County sheriff who was Allegany County’s first hanged murderer
By Lisa Gregory
George Swearingen’s official confession.
It is a story as old as time itself—the spouse, the lover, a murder. And it is one James Rada, Jr., an Amazon.com bestselling author, tells in his most recent book Blood on the Badge. The book explores the real-life story of George Swearingen, a Washington County sheriff who became Allegany County’s first hanged murderer.
“I call it historical true crime,” says Rada of the story, which takes place in the early 1800s. Blood on the Badge is just the latest book by Rada, an author of historical fiction and non-fiction stories. Other works include Strike the Fuse, the story of a violent coal strike and those impacted by it, Canawlers, a family saga about life on the C&O Canal, and Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity Work as Civil War Nurses.
Swearingen was unhappy in his marriage, according to Rada. “A big bone of contention was his wife Mary wanting to go back and spend time with her parents in Cumberland in Allegany County,” says Rada. But traveling by buggy was not an easy journey. “It could take a couple of days.” Rada says. “He was spending a lot of time taking her there and back.”
The frequent trips to visit her parents took a toll. “She wasn’t available for him in Washington County because she was always gone,” says Rada.
Swearingen found comfort elsewhere and began a romance with a prostitute named Rachel Cunningham. “A poorly kept secret in Washington County,” says Rada.
His wife’s suspicion that he had a lover resulted in an argument which turned violent and then fatal. “He said it was an accident,” says Rada. Swearingen with his lover went on the run and made it as far as New Orleans. “Then his luck ran out,” says Rada, who lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
James Rada, Jr. writes non-fiction history and historical fiction. His books cover topics of local history in the Western Maryland and Gettysburg areas. Many of his books have been bestsellers in their categories on Amazon.com. He also writes fantasy, horror, and young adult fiction under the pen name J. R. Rada. His website is www.JamesRada.com
Local author James Rada, Jr.
Swearingen was recognized there from his description in newspapers. “The fact that the sheriff from a rural county in Maryland gets recognized in the large metropolis of New Orleans just boggles the mind,” says Rada.
Swearingen was taken back to Allegany County where the murder had taken place to face charges.
“The prosecution used the spaghetti effect,” says Rada. “They had three or four different possibilities for how he committed the murder and threw them all at the jury to see which one would stick.”
At one point, his wife’s body was exhumed so that it could be autopsied again, according to Rada. Newspapers reports spared no details. “They talked about how bad it smelled and looked,” says Rada of her corpse. “This violation only made the public and jury turn against him more.”
Swearingen was found guilty and hanged. “The jury was primed because they were angry that it had happened,” says Rada. “So, in part, the jury was a bit biased.”
Does Rada think Swearingen intentionally murdered his wife? “He did not like his wife at that point,” he says, “but I don’t think he set out to kill her.”
Rada conducted extensive research in writing Blood on the Badge, contacting historical societies and poring over countless newspapers articles from the time. Some of the sensational stories Rada came across said that Swearingen’s lover Rachel Cunningham was hanged alongside him.Not true. “She was never put on trial,” says Rada.
Swearingen’s story is evidence that whether it be 200 years ago or yesterday, people are intrigued by true crime. Especially if it has a solid ending.
“They like it if the killer is brought to justice,” says Rada of readers. “They appreciate that.”