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Died in jail or a lockup

John Morrison

died October 1, 1904 · Kershaw Guard House, Lancaster County, South Carolina

John Morrison was held in the jail at Kershaw, South Carolina, and on the night of October 1, 1904, a mob took him from custody and lynched him. Officers said a crowd seized the chief of police, took the keys from his pocket and unlocked the guard house, and Sheriff Hunter and the militia arrived too late to stop it. Governor Heyward publicly condemned the lynching, and state solicitor J. K. Henry later reported that town officials were unwilling to help the state's inquiry. One man who knew Morrison longest and best spoke kindly of him, and his wife and son were among those interviewed during the investigation.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (neglect alleged). Governor Heyward said the lynching would not have happened had the sheriff and the Kershaw Guards arrived in time, and Solicitor J. K. Henry reported that town officers were indifferent or sympathetic to the mob.

Reported by: Sheriff Hunter and the Kershaw town officers (the agency that held him); Kershaw coroner's inquest (medical examiner or coroner); Solicitor J. K. Henry, in his report to Gov. Heyward (outside investigators); Judge Watts, in his charge to the grand jury (court); Gov. D. C. Heyward; The State newspaper correspondent (reporters); Associated Press (reporters); The Semi-Weekly Messenger (reporters); The Ocala Evening Star (reporters); The Bamberg Herald (reporters).

Sources (21)

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