James McGirk James McGirk was the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/158">first person to be executed</a> in the District of Columbia on October 28, 1802. He was found guilty of murdering his wife. At this time, the gallows were located on the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/59">Capitol</a> Grounds, between where the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/21">Grant</a> and <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/13">Garfield</a> statues stand today. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=James+McGirk">James McGirk</a> <em>Washington Federalist</em>. April 14, 1802. 10/28/1802 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1800-1829">1800-1829</a>