John Armstrong

John Armstrong, a Black man, was held at the jail in Fernandina, Florida. The Cape Girardeau Democrat reported in August 1895 that he and three other Black men left the jail and were driven by bloodhounds into the ocean, where all four drowned. The account describes the dogs as the means of driving the men into the water.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. A report says bloodhounds drove the men into the ocean, where they drowned after escaping the Fernandina, Florida jail.

Reported by: the report cited in the record (unnamed).

Source

• The Cape Girardeau Democrat, August 3, 1895, page 2 The Cape Girardeau Democrat, August 3, 1895