Died in jail or a lockup
Johnnie Cornish
Johnnie Cornish, a Black man, worked as a farm hand on the King farm near Kirvin. He was held in the Freestone County jail in Texas, where a mob took the sheriff's keys, unlocked the doors and took him out. According to an Associated Press dispatch from Mexia, the mob took him to Kirvin and burned him at an iron stake on the morning of May 6, 1922. The report says the sheriff was uncertain of his guilt and that his innocence was discussed before he was killed.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took the sheriff's keys, unlocked the Freestone County jail and took Johnnie Cornish from custody, then burned him at an iron stake near Kirvin.
Reported by: Associated Press dispatch from Mexia (reporters).