Ben Evans
Ben Evans was held in the Huntsville jail in Madison County, Alabama, together with another man, Eph Hale. On April 17, 1878, a mob of several hundred men took them from the jail and hanged them both from the same limb, according to the Memphis Daily Appeal, citing its Huntsville correspondent. The report says the mob failed to get the key, so they broke through the outer jail gate with sledgehammers. Before they died, Evans and Hale asked Rev. Mr. Gordon to pray for them, and he did.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A masked mob broke through the outer jail gate of the Huntsville jail, took Ben Evans and hanged him, according to the Memphis Daily Appeal citing its Huntsville correspondent.
Reported by: Memphis Daily Appeal, citing its Huntsville correspondent (reporters).