Charles Williams
Charles Williams was held at the Coal Hill convict lease camp in Johnson County, Arkansas, in 1888. According to Johnson County coroner E. E. Blythe, who was allowed into the camp that year to investigate suspicious deaths, Williams was beaten to death by the camp warden. Blythe's findings were passed to the state penitentiary board, which called for an official state investigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). The Johnson County coroner E. E. Blythe found that the camp warden beat Williams to death, and the findings were passed to the state penitentiary board, which called for a state investigation; the official account is contested by the state investigation call.
Reported by: Johnson County coroner E. E. Blythe (medical examiner or coroner); state penitentiary board.