Gus Williams

Gus Williams was held in the Amite City jail in Louisiana. According to a Scripps-McRae press dispatch, a mob of about 200 men broke into the jail on the night of January 19, 1897, and took him from custody. The Alexandria Gazette and The News & Observer report that the deputies guarding the jail resisted but were overpowered, and that Deputy Sheriff Wainwright was forced to hand over the jail keys. The accounts say the mob hanged Williams, though they differ on whether it happened in front of the jail or from a tree.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A press dispatch from New Orleans says a mob of about 200 men broke into the Amite City jail, took Gus Williams and hanged him in front of the jail, and that deputies were overpowered.

Reported by: Scripps-McRae Press Association dispatch from New Orleans (reporters).

News reports (4)

• Alexandria Gazette, January 20, 1897, page 2 Alexandria Gazette, January 20, 1897
• The Roanoke Daily Times, January 21, 1897, page 1 The Roanoke Daily Times, January 21, 1897
• The News & Observer, January 21, 1897, page 1 The News & Observer, January 21, 1897
• The Meridional, January 23, 1897, page 2 The Meridional, January 23, 1897