E. D. Atchison

E. D. Atchison, a 35-year-old man, was held in the Highland County jail at Monterey, Virginia, in January 1884. Newspaper accounts describe him as well educated, familiar with the classics, and a skilled penman. Around midnight a mob broke into the jail, took him from his cell, shot him, and hanged him from a white oak near town. A coroner's jury found he died from a gunshot, from hanging, or from both, and named ten men as the mob. The jailer and a guard said they tried to dissuade the mob but were helpless, while other accounts say the jailer was away seeking the keys and that the man in charge said he did not have them. A man later indicted for the killing ended in a hung jury and then an acquittal.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob broke into the Highland County jail, took E. D. Atchison from his cell and hanged and shot him; the jailer and guard said they tried to dissuade the mob but were helpless.

Reported by: Justice Osborne Wilson, acting coroner, and the coroner's jury of inquest (medical examiner or coroner); the jailer and guard at the Highland County jail (the agency that held him); The Daily Dispatch, reporting a Staunton telegram (reporters).

News reports (11)

• News report sites.lib.jmu.edu
• The Valley Virginian, January 10, 1884, page 3 The Valley Virginian, January 10, 1884
• The Daily Dispatch, January 10, 1884, page 3 The Daily Dispatch, January 10, 1884
• Staunton Vindicator, January 11, 1884, page 3 Staunton Vindicator, January 11, 1884
• The Daily Dispatch, January 11, 1884, page 3 The Daily Dispatch, January 11, 1884
• Staunton Spectator, January 15, 1884, page 3 Staunton Spectator, January 15, 1884
• Shenandoah Herald, January 16, 1884, page 2 Shenandoah Herald, January 16, 1884
• The Valley Virginian, January 17, 1884, page 3 The Valley Virginian, January 17, 1884
• Staunton Spectator, January 29, 1884, page 3 Staunton Spectator, January 29, 1884
• Highland Recorder, November 16, 1906, page 2 Highland Recorder, November 16, 1906