Joe Drake

Joe Drake, a Black man, was held in the Lauderdale County jail in Ripley, Tennessee, in December 1903. According to a report in The Sun, a mob of about one hundred men overpowered the jailer, took his keys, entered Drake's cell, and dragged him about 150 yards to a spot where he was hanged. The jailer had reportedly believed the threat of lynching had been abandoned. The account gives no further details about Drake himself, and the death is recorded as a lynching from custody.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about one hundred men overpowered the jailer, took his keys, dragged Joe Drake from his cell and hanged him, according to a newspaper report.

Reported by: The Sun (reporters).

Source

• The Sun, December 20, 1903, page 9 The Sun, December 20, 1903