Jesse Washington
Jesse Washington, an 18-year-old Black man who lived with his parents in a cabin and worked as a farm hand on the Fryar farm, was held by McLennan County authorities and brought to the courthouse in Waco for trial in May 1916. According to historical accounts cited by E. R. Bills, a mob seized him in the courtroom while the sheriff ordered his deputies not to interfere, then dragged him to a yard beside Waco City Hall and burned him to death before a large crowd. The same account says his remains were later mutilated and displayed in the city. The sheriff's and deputies' conduct during the seizure is described in these sources, and the account gives no official statement from the sheriff's office to weigh against it.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob seized Jesse Washington from the McLennan County courtroom while the sheriff ordered his deputies not to interfere, then burned him to death in front of a crowd, according to historical accounts cited by E. R. Bills.
Reported by: E. R. Bills, KETR article citing historical accounts (reporters).