Henry Mason
Henry Mason, a Black man, was being held in the jail at Campbell Court-house, Virginia, in late November 1885. Shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 1885, a mob of disguised men broke into the jail, took him out and hanged him from a tree. According to the Staunton Spectator's report of the inquest, his body was then riddled with bullets. At the inquest, the jailer said he recognized two of the men and gave their names to the Commonwealth's Attorney.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Henry Mason from the jail at Campbell Court-house in Virginia, hanged him from a tree and shot his body, according to newspaper accounts; the Staunton Spectator reported that the jailer recognized two of the men at the inquest.
Reported by: Staunton Spectator, reporting the inquest (reporters); Memphis Daily Appeal (reporters); Savannah Morning News (reporters); Richmond Dispatch (reporters).
Sources (9)
- Alexandria Gazette, November 30, 1885, page 2
- Savannah Morning News, December 1, 1885, page 1
- Memphis Daily Appeal, December 1, 1885, page 2
- Richmond Dispatch, December 1, 1885, page 1
- The Indianapolis Journal, December 1, 1885, page 5
- Las Vegas Daily Gazette, December 1, 1885, page 3
- Staunton Spectator, December 2, 1885, page 2
- The Valley Virginian, December 3, 1885, page 2
- Watertown Republican, December 9, 1885, page 2