Died in jail or a lockup
Matthew Blount
Matthew Blount, a Black man, was a local preacher in Plymouth, North Carolina, and had lost an arm. He was held in the Plymouth county jail when, on January 26, 1888, a mob took him from the jail to woods on the edge of town. Along with two other men, he was tied to a tree and shot to death. Witnesses reported that the men begged for mercy before the shooting.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Matthew Blount from the Plymouth jail, tied him to a tree in woods at the edge of town and shot him, according to witness accounts.
Reported by: witnesses.