John E. Nowlin

John E. Nowlin was in the custody of officers in Franklin County, Virginia, in August 1897, when, according to newspaper reports, a mob took him from them and shot him to death. Most accounts date the killing to August 16, 1897, though one places it on August 17 at Runneybog, and the spelling of his name varies across the reports. One newspaper described the mob as supposedly made up of moonshiners, and one called him a revenue informer.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A newspaper dispatch reports that a mob, said to be made up of moonshiners, took Nowlin from officers in Franklin County, Virginia, and shot him to death.

Reported by: Virginia newspaper dispatch datelined Richmond (reporters).

News reports (6)

• The Morning News, August 18, 1897, page 1 The Morning News, August 18, 1897
• The Age-Herald, August 18, 1897, page 2 The Age-Herald, August 18, 1897
• Alexandria Gazette, August 18, 1897, page 2 Alexandria Gazette, August 18, 1897
• The Austin Weekly Statesman, August 19, 1897, page 4 The Austin Weekly Statesman, August 19, 1897
• Daily Public Ledger, August 19, 1897, page 2 Daily Public Ledger, August 19, 1897
• The Roanoke Times, August 19, 1897, page 1 The Roanoke Times, August 19, 1897