Alonzo Smith

Alonzo Smith was one of three Black men held in the Oxford jail in Oxford, North Carolina. Early on Sunday, September 2, 1888, a crowd of about 75 to 100 masked men broke into the sheriff's office, took the jail keys and removed him from his cell. The lone guard was overpowered, and the men were hanged in woods near the town. A coroner's jury reached no finding and adjourned.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A masked mob of about 75 to 100 men took Alonzo Smith from the Oxford jail and hanged him, after overpowering the lone jailer and taking the keys from the sheriff's office; a coroner's jury reached no finding and adjourned.

Reported by: Oxford jail staff and sheriff's office (the agency that held him); coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner); news reports of the lynching.

Sources (11)

• 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
• Los Angeles Daily Herald, September 4, 1888, page 5 Los Angeles Daily Herald, September 4, 1888
• The Indianapolis Journal, September 4, 1888, page 1 The Indianapolis Journal, September 4, 1888
• Daily Kennebec Journal, September 4, 1888, page 1 Daily Kennebec Journal, September 4, 1888
• The Evening Bulletin, September 5, 1888, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, September 5, 1888
• Press And Daily Dakotaian, September 5, 1888, page 2 Press And Daily Dakotaian, September 5, 1888
• The State Chronicle, September 7, 1888, page 3 The State Chronicle, September 7, 1888
• The Charlotte Democrat, September 7, 1888, page 2 The Charlotte Democrat, September 7, 1888
• The Hope Pioneer, September 7, 1888, page 2 The Hope Pioneer, September 7, 1888