Keemer

William Keemer, a Black man, was being held in the Hancock County jail in Greenfield, Indiana, after he was moved there from Rushville for safekeeping because of fear of violence. In late June 1875, reports say an armed mob of about 100 men broke into the jail, took him from his cell and hanged him from a stall at the fairgrounds. The Indiana State Sentinel reported that jail guards joined the group at the fairgrounds. Reports said no arrests had been made as of publication, and an inquest was reportedly held the next morning.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A news dispatch datelined Indianapolis says an armed mob broke open the Greenfield jail, took William Keemer out and hanged him at the fairgrounds; another account says jail guards joined the group there.

Reported by: news dispatch datelined Indianapolis (reporters); Hancock County jail (the agency that held him).

Sources (4)

• New Orleans Republican, June 27, 1875, page 1 New Orleans Republican, June 27, 1875
• Weekly Arkansas Gazette, June 28, 1875, page 1 Weekly Arkansas Gazette, June 28, 1875
• The Indiana State Sentinel, July 1, 1875, page 7 The Indiana State Sentinel, July 1, 1875
• The Valley Virginian, July 8, 1875, page 1 The Valley Virginian, July 8, 1875