John Cumming

John Cumming, a Black man, was held in the county jail at Appling, Georgia. According to a dispatch published May 16, 1904, about 100 masked men broke into the jail around midnight on May 14, took him out, and hanged him from a tree near the public road about half a mile from town. The dispatch also reports that his body was shot after he was hanged.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A special dispatch from Appling, Ga. says about 100 masked men forcibly entered the Columbia County jail, took John Cumming out and hanged him, and that the crowd was quiet and orderly.

Reported by: A special dispatch from Appling, Ga., Columbia county (reporters).

News reports (2)

• The Evening Bulletin, May 16, 1904, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, May 16, 1904
• The Paducah Sun, May 16, 1904, page 1 The Paducah Sun, May 16, 1904