Died in jail or a lockup
John Cornish
John Cornish, a 19-year-old Black man, was held at the Fairfield county jail in Fairfield, Texas, in May 1922, according to a United Press account printed in the Richmond Planet. The report says a crowd of close to 400 stormed the jail soon after he and another man were placed inside and overpowered the guard. It says the crowd lassoed John, dragged him to a fire at Kirvin, and burned him there.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. United Press reports that a crowd of close to 400 stormed the Fairfield county jail, overpowered the guard, lassoed John Cornish and dragged him onto a fire at Kirvin, where he was burned.
Reported by: United Press (reporters).