Died in jail or a lockup
Bill Fincher
Bill Fincher, a Black man, was held in the Union jail in Union, South Carolina, in February 1871. The Charleston Daily News, citing Sheriff Dunn's telegram, reported that a mounted party of about five hundred men took him from the jail and that he was among six men shot at a hanging ground about a mile and a half from town. The Unionville Times reported that his body was found tied to a small tree near the others, shot with rifle balls. The newspapers give different dates for his death, February 12, 19 or 26, and they disagree on whether the jailer and a deputy gave up the keys, refused them, or were forced to hand them over. No one has been identified as a perpetrator.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody
Sources (17)
- Alexandria Gazette, January 9, 1871, page 2
- Worcester Daily Spy, January 10, 1871, page 1
- The Republican Journal, January 12, 1871, page 2
- Pawtucket Gazette And Chronicle, January 13, 1871, page 2
- New Orleans Republican, February 15, 1871, page 1
- The Charleston Daily News, February 15, 1871, page 1
- Yorkville Enquirer, February 16, 1871, page 3
- The Anderson Intelligencer, February 16, 1871, page 2
- Yorkville Enquirer, February 16, 1871, page 2
- The Daily State Journal, February 16, 1871, page 1
- The Charleston Daily News, February 20, 1871, page 1
- The Working Christian, February 21, 1871, page 2
- The Sumter Watchman, February 22, 1871, page 2
- Yorkville Enquirer, February 23, 1871, page 2
- The Sumter Watchman, March 1, 1871, page 2
- Worcester Daily Spy, November 7, 1871, page 1
- The Charleston Daily News, April 23, 1872, page 1