Ed Johnson
Ed Johnson, a Black man, was held in the Hamilton County jail in Chattanooga in 1905 while his case was before the U.S. Supreme Court, which had stayed his execution. On the night of March 19, 1905, a mob of masked men entered the jail, overpowered the night jailor, took the keys, broke through the cell doors and took him to a bridge, where he was hanged and shot. The Columbia Herald reported that the Supreme Court later found Sheriff John F. Shipp and others in contempt over the lynching. The article says neither Shipp nor his deputy Gibson made any effort to prevent it.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (neglect alleged). The U.S. Supreme Court held Sheriff John F. Shipp and others in contempt, and The Columbia Herald reports that neither Shipp nor his deputy Gibson made any effort to prevent the mob from taking Johnson.
Reported by: Supreme Court of the United States (court); The Columbia Herald (reporters).