Murphy

Murphy was held at the Winchester jail in Clark County, Kentucky, after being moved there from the Mt. Sterling jail for safekeeping because of fear of mob violence. According to Judge Cooper's charge to the grand jury, a man who said he was an officer took Murphy from the Winchester jail and brought him to Mt. Sterling, where a mob hanged him within the town limits. Judge Cooper said he would ask the grand jury to indict everyone who took part in the lynching.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. Judge Cooper said a man posing as an officer took Murphy from the Winchester jail and a mob hanged him in Mt. Sterling, and he plans to ask a grand jury to indict those involved.

Reported by: Judge Cooper (court); news reports.

News reports (3)

• Daily Public Ledger, January 28, 1895, page 2 Daily Public Ledger, January 28, 1895
• The Hazel Green Herald, January 31, 1895, page 5 The Hazel Green Herald, January 31, 1895
• The Big Stone Gap Post, January 31, 1895, page 1 The Big Stone Gap Post, January 31, 1895