Jim Benson

A mob of about fifty people broke into the Wilkinson County jail in Irwinton, Georgia, early on May 23, 1922, and took a Black man from his cell, according to a newspaper report. A rope was placed around his neck and the group left in automobiles, and no trace of them was found hours later. Jail guards said they refused the demand and fired into the crowd, which left and then came back to storm the jail again.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about fifty stormed the Wilkinson County jail, took a Black man from his cell, placed a rope around his neck and drove off in automobiles, according to a 1922 newspaper account of the jail guards' statements.

Reported by: jail guards; news reports.

News reports (2)

• The Cordele Dispatch And Daily Sentinel, May 23, 1922, page 1 The Cordele Dispatch And Daily Sentinel, May 23, 1922
• The Siftings Herald, May 23, 1922, page 1 The Siftings Herald, May 23, 1922