Jim Mays

Jim Mays, a Black man, was held in the jail at Springfield, Kentucky, in January 1902. Reports dated his death to January 11 or 12, 1902, and said that a mob came into town in the early hours and demanded the keys from the jailer, who refused. The mob broke into the jail, took Mays from his cell and hanged him from a tree in the High School yard, where his body was found. One report said he begged the other prisoners to protect him, and that the jailer was told to watch the remaining prisoners while the killing took place. A coroner held an inquest.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob broke into the Springfield, Kentucky jail after Jailer Catlett refused to hand over the keys, took Jim Mays from his cell and hanged him from a tree in the high school yard.

Reported by: Associated Press (reporters); De Queen Bee, reprinting a Springfield, Ky. dispatch (reporters); Greene County Herald (reporters); Springfield, Ky. news report (reporters).

News reports (8)

• The Savannah Morning News, January 12, 1902, page 1 The Savannah Morning News, January 12, 1902
• The Times, January 12, 1902, page 3 The Times, January 12, 1902
• Richmond Dispatch, January 12, 1902, page 1 Richmond Dispatch, January 12, 1902
• The Evening Bulletin, January 13, 1902, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, January 13, 1902
• Greene County Herald, January 17, 1902, page 3 Greene County Herald, January 17, 1902
• De Queen Bee, January 17, 1902, page 6 De Queen Bee, January 17, 1902
• The Savannah Tribune, January 18, 1902, page 1 The Savannah Tribune, January 18, 1902
• The Bolivar County Democrat, January 18, 1902, page 2 The Bolivar County Democrat, January 18, 1902