John Smith

John Smith, a Black man, was held in the Arcadia, Florida jail. Sheriff Freeman and his deputies were said to be moving him out of town for safety when an automobile party stopped them. On April 11, 1909, a mob took him from the officers and hanged him from a tree. Accounts differ on whether the officers were overpowered or were forced to hand him over.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took John Smith from the sheriff and his deputies in Arcadia, Florida, and hanged him from a tree.

Reported by: news reports.

News reports (8)

• The Montgomery Advertiser, April 12, 1909, page 1 The Montgomery Advertiser, April 12, 1909
• The Birmingham Age-Herald, April 12, 1909, page 1 The Birmingham Age-Herald, April 12, 1909
• The Ocala Evening Star, April 12, 1909, page 2 The Ocala Evening Star, April 12, 1909
• The Winchester News, April 12, 1909, page 3 The Winchester News, April 12, 1909
• Times-Promoter, April 15, 1909, page 6 Times-Promoter, April 15, 1909
• The Neshoba Democrat, April 15, 1909, page 2 The Neshoba Democrat, April 15, 1909
• The Iuka Vidette, April 15, 1909, page 2 The Iuka Vidette, April 15, 1909
• The Hickman Courier, April 22, 1909, page 2 The Hickman Courier, April 22, 1909