Alonzo Smith

Alonzo Smith was one of three Black men held in the Oxford jail in Granville County, North Carolina. Early on Sunday, September 2, 1888, a masked mob of about fifty to one hundred men broke into the sheriff's office, took the jail keys, overpowered the guard on duty, and took the three men from their cells. The men were found hanged the next morning. A coroner's jury opened an inquest and adjourned without reaching a finding.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. Newspaper accounts say a masked mob broke into the Oxford jail, took him from his cell and hanged him, and the coroner's jury reached no finding.

Reported by: newspaper accounts of the Oxford, North Carolina lynching (reporters).

News reports (4)

• The Morning News, September 4, 1888, page 1 The Morning News, September 4, 1888
• Alexandria Gazette, September 4, 1888, page 2 Alexandria Gazette, September 4, 1888
• Richmond Dispatch, September 4, 1888, page 4 Richmond Dispatch, September 4, 1888
• The Evening Bulletin, September 5, 1888, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, September 5, 1888