Deaths in CustodyWork in progressIn progress
Died in jail or a lockup

Charles Elliott

20 years old · died September 20, 1900 · Pontchatoula Jail, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Charles Elliott, 20, was one of four Black men held in the village jail at Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Newspaper accounts say a committee of white citizens demanded the jail keys from Sheriff Nix, who refused, and that a mob then broke the jail open with axes, took the men from their cells and hanged them from a tree about two blocks away. The accounts differ on the date, placing it on the night of September 20 or 21, 1900. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by unknown hands, and local residents of both races are reported to have condemned the killings and formed a law and order committee the following day.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob broke open the Pontchatoula jail, took Charles Elliott from his cell and hanged him from a tree nearby, while the sheriff refused to surrender the keys before the jail was broken open with axes.

Reported by: Coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner); Scranton Tribune, Associated Press dispatch from New Orleans (reporters); Sheriff Nix (the agency that held him).

Sources (39)

Read the Louisiana reportSee on the Louisiana mapSee on the national mapAll records

Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.