Died in jail or a lockup
George Diggs
George Diggs, a 22-year-old Black man, was held in the Hempstead jail in April 1889. On April 14 of that year, a mob of masked men broke into the jail and took him from custody, according to the Austin Weekly Statesman. The men hanged him from a China tree on the public square. Some citizens condemned the mob, saying he was already in the hands of the law.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of masked men broke into the Hempstead jail, took George Diggs from custody and hanged him from a China tree on the public square.
Reported by: news reports.