March 9, 1900: Thomas Clayton

We learn of a lynching in Mississippi from the pages of The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) dated March 11, 1900:

 HERNANDO.

Negro Lynched by a Black Mob.

Hernando, Miss., March 10.—Thomas Clayton, a negro, was shot to death in this county by members of his own race, because a criminal assault on a 10-year-old girl. He was called to his cabin door, and bullets from a dozen Winchesters were fired into his body. The blacks will not even bury the corpse, and it remains on the ground, and in all probability will be devoured by hogs. There is little or no excitement among the plantation hands.

The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) dated March 11, 1900:

Negro Lynched by Negroes.

Memphis, March 10.—Thomas Clayton, a negro of bad repute, was lynched by negroes near Hernando, Miss., for ravishing his 10-year-old stepdaughter. The body was riddled with bullets and left in a cabin where it was devoured by hogs.

The News and Observer of Raleigh, N. C. on March 11, 1883 is where we find the following article of interest:

—Better late than never! Twenty years ago an old man named Kerce and his son were lynched in Worth county, Ga., for cattle stealing. There has never been a trial for the murderers, because as each term of the court rolled around for an investigation of the case the court house of that county with all its records have been burnt. At this term of the Superior Court of that county seventeen men of good standing are to be tried for the lynching.

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