October 27, 1909: Joe Clifford and Alex Hill

Join me in a trip to the past through the pages of The Atlanta Constitution on October 27, 1909:

CROWD GATHERING TO LYNCH NEGROES

Negroes Killed Man Who Found Them Stealing Hogs.

New Orleans, October 26.—Special dispatches from Floyd, La., say that at a late hour tonight the town was crowded with armed men and that there was every indication that Alex Hill and Joe Clifford, negroes charged with the murder of H. G. Brock would be lynched before morning.

Brock, one of the most prominent farmers of West Carroll parish was shot and instantly killed Saturday by one of the two negroes, who he surprised in the act of stealing his hogs. The negroes—Hill and Clifford—were arrested and it is claimed made a complete confession of the crime. With threats of lynching current today, the judge of the district in which Floyd is situated was wired to return at once from Kentucky, where he is visiting.

Our trip continues to the Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, California) dated October 27, 1909:

TWO NEGROES ARE LYNCHED

VICKSBURG, Miss., Oct. 27.—A mob of 200 stormed the jail today at Floyd, La., and lynched Joe Clifford and Alexander Hill, negroes accused of the murder of M. G. Brock, a farmer who caught them stealing hogs, according to advices received here today.

Thank you for joining me today and as always I hope I leave you with something to ponder.