John Lee Eberhardt
John Lee Eberhardt, a young Black man, was held in the jail at the Clark County courthouse in Athens, Georgia, on February 16, 1921. According to Associated Press and other wire reports, a crowd estimated at 3,000 people broke into the courthouse, forced their way up to the jail and cut through a cell with a blowtorch. The sheriff and deputies tried to resist, but they were overpowered, and the mob took Mr. Eberhardt to Oconee County and burned him to death. One report says he maintained his innocence to the end, and state and county authorities began an investigation the next day. On February 21, the county board of commissioners offered $1,500 in rewards for the arrest and conviction of those involved.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about 3,000 broke into the Clark County courthouse jail in Athens, Georgia, took John Lee Eberhardt from his cell and burned him at a stake, according to Associated Press and International News Service reports, with state and county authorities investigating.
Reported by: Associated Press report (reporters); International News Service (reporters); state and county authorities.