Jesse James Payne
Jesse James Payne, 30, was held in the county jail in Madison, Florida, in October 1945. Press reports said a mob entered the jail with a key during the night of October 10 to 11, took him out, and killed him without trial. Sheriff Lonnie Davis said he had the only key and did not know how the mob obtained one. A state attorney's investigation cleared the sheriff, and no members of the mob were identified.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (disputed). The Atlanta Daily World and press reports say a mob entered the Madison County jail with a key and killed him without trial, while Sheriff Lonnie Davis said he held the only key and did not know how the mob got one.
Reported by: Sheriff Lonnie Davis (the agency that held him); Atlanta Daily World (reporters); press reports; state attorney's investigation (outside investigators).