Dr. W. L. Ryder

Dr. W. L. Ryder was held in the custody of Talbot County officers in Georgia in July 1897, and a mob took him and hanged him on July 19, 1897. Accounts differ on the place: one says he was taken from the jail, another that deputies were moving him by train near Talbotton when the mob seized him. His brother, Dr. C. A. Ryder, wrote to Governor Atkinson in March 1898 naming men he said took part and asking for prosecutions, and he said threats were made against him to stop the inquiry. The newspaper accounts do not agree on whether the officers resisted or gave him up.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. Atlanta dispatches report that a mob seized Dr. W. L. Ryder from deputy sheriffs near Talbotton, Georgia, and hanged him, and his brother's letter to the governor names men he says took part.

Reported by: Atlanta dispatches citing reports from Talbotton (reporters); Times dispatch from Columbus, Ga. (reporters); Semi-Weekly Interior Journal (reporters); telegram brief; Dr. C. A. Ryder, brother, in a letter to Governor Atkinson (family or their lawyers).

Sources (10)

• The Times, July 20, 1897, page 4 The Times, July 20, 1897
• San Antonio Daily Light, July 21, 1897, page 6 San Antonio Daily Light, July 21, 1897
• The Oskaloosa Herald, July 22, 1897, page 3 The Oskaloosa Herald, July 22, 1897
• Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, July 23, 1897, page 2 Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, July 23, 1897
• The Dawson News, July 28, 1897, page 2 The Dawson News, July 28, 1897
• The Age-Herald, March 25, 1898, page 2 The Age-Herald, March 25, 1898
• Daily Press, March 25, 1898, page 2 Daily Press, March 25, 1898
• The News & Observer, March 25, 1898, page 1 The News & Observer, March 25, 1898
• The Semi-Weekly Messenger, March 29, 1898, page 6 The Semi-Weekly Messenger, March 29, 1898
• The Farmer And Mechanic, March 29, 1898, page 3 The Farmer And Mechanic, March 29, 1898