Joe Stewart
Joe Stewart, a Black man, was taken from the jail at Laurens, South Carolina, and lynched by a mob some months before a 1922 Louisville Herald editorial, reprinted in The Citizen, discussed the case. His widow sued the county, and a judge awarded her $2,000 in damages under a new South Carolina law that penalizes counties where a person in custody is lynched. The editorial used the case to call for an end to lynch law.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Joe Stewart from the jail at Laurens, South Carolina, and killed him, according to an editorial that his widow's lawsuit and a judge's damages award also support.
Reported by: The Louisville Herald editorial, reprinted in The Citizen (reporters); his widow's lawsuit against the county (family or their lawyers); a South Carolina judge (court).
Lawsuit: His widow sued Laurens County under a new South Carolina law penalizing counties where a prisoner is lynched, and a judge awarded $2,000 in damages.