Joseph Cocking
Joseph Cocking, born in England in 1860, had run a country store at Hill Top near La Plata, Maryland, and was being held in the jail there while awaiting trial. Early on June 27, 1896, about thirty masked men took him from the jail and hanged him from a bridge about 200 yards away, according to a report that cites a telegraphic dispatch from La Plata. The report says an aged jailer offered some resistance before handing over the keys, while the sheriff, who lived about 60 yards from the jail, did not learn of the killing until daylight. Cocking reportedly said he was innocent and maintained that position to the end.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about thirty masked men took Joseph Cocking from the Port Tobacco jail, where he was awaiting trial, and hanged him from a bridge; the aged jailer handed over the keys after some resistance, and the sheriff was not awakened.
Reported by: Alexandria Gazette, citing a telegraphic report from La Plata, Md. (reporters); Port Tobacco jail jailer Washington Burch (the agency that held him).