Died in jail or a lockup
Louis Dempsey
Louis Dempsey, a Black man, was held in the jail at Fulton, Kentucky. Before daylight on Sunday, May 20, 1917, an armed mob took him from the jail and hanged him from a tree a short distance away. According to the account the jailer was forced to hand over the keys to the masked men. The account gives no further detail about his life or family.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. An armed mob took Louis Dempsey from the Fulton, Kentucky jail before daylight and hanged him from a tree, after the jailer was forced to hand over the keys.
Reported by: historical newspaper account (Chronicling America) (reporters).