September 4, 1883: George Gaddis and James King

This Halloween we learn about a lynching that occurred in Mississippi through the pages of The Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois) dated September 6, 1883:

Colored Ghouls Lynched.

EDWARDS, Miss., Sept. 5.

James King and George Gaddis, negroes, were arrested Tuesday, charged with robbing the grave of Mrs. Hattie Howell. They confessed the crime, informing the officers that they stole the body for the purpose of securing the bones of the arm, which they used in their profession of conjurers. When the news of the robbery and arrest became known a crowd of 150 men assembled and demanded of the Sheriff to turn over the prisoners. He refused. In the confusion, Gaddis attempted to escape and was riddled with bullets by the crowd. The Sheriff was then overpowered and the other prisoner was taken from the jail and hanged.

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