Lee Walker
Lee Walker, whose name appears as Leo Walker in one account, was held in the Memphis, Tennessee, jail in July 1893. According to the newspaper accounts, a mob of thousands gathered at the jail, broke through the gates, and took him from custody, and about 100 men took an active part in seizing him. One report says the sheriff, who had deputies guarding the jail, was knocked senseless, and the mob hanged him from a telegraph pole and then burned his body. A grand jury later indicted the sheriff, a deputy sheriff, the jailer and two police captains for failing to protect him, and several members of the mob were also indicted.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (neglect alleged). A Memphis grand jury indicted the sheriff, a deputy, the jailer and two police captains for failing to do their duty in allowing a mob to take Walker from the jail, and the Evening Bulletin reported that the mob hanged him and burned his body.
Reported by: Grand jury of Memphis, Tenn. (court); The Evening Bulletin (reporters).