Johnson
Johnson was held in the jail at Wadesboro, North Carolina, when a mob broke into the building, took them out and killed them, according to a 1907 editorial in The Semi-Weekly Messenger. The editorial describes the killing as horrible and brutal and says the sheriff's evasive answers weakened the state's case against those responsible. Several men were indicted and tried in Union County, and one defendant was acquitted. The editorial argues that the men who took part should still be identified and punished, and whether any of the accused were present at the killing is disputed.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (disputed). The Wilmington Messenger editorial says a mob broke open the Wadesboro jail and killed Johnson, and it says the sheriff's evasive answers weakened the state's case; whether any of the accused were present is disputed.
Reported by: The Wilmington Messenger editorial (reporters).