Died in jail or a lockup
Handy Johnson
Handy Johnson was one of eight Black men held in the Barnwell County jail in South Carolina. In the early morning of December 28, 1889, a masked mob of about one hundred men overpowered the jailer, took the keys and removed the men from the jail. Johnson was taken about a mile out of town, tied to a tree and shot. An acting coroner's inquest jury returned a verdict of death by gunshot wounds inflicted by parties unknown.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched
Reported by: Acting Coroner Hammel's inquest jury (medical examiner or coroner).