John Griggs
John Griggs, 38, a Black man, worked at a box factory in Newton. He was held at the Newton jail, and after a crowd gathered outside, two deputy sheriffs were driving him to Orange for safekeeping on June 20, 1934. About 200 men overtook their car about 27 miles south of Newton, overpowered the deputies, and took him, and he was killed by hanging. His body was found hanging from a tree the next day. One deputy said they had told Griggs they could not protect him when the mob stormed the jail.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A deputy said the officers could not protect Griggs when the mob stormed the jail and overpowered the deputies on the road to Orange.
Reported by: Newton jail deputy sheriffs (the agency that held him); news reports.