Died in custody
Nathan Willis
Nathan Willis was being carried back to South Carolina by a sheriff and a posse after they tracked him down in North Carolina. The Semi-Weekly Messenger reported that on Thursday night, November 25, 1897, a mob of farmers took him from the sheriff, chained him between two pine trees, and burned him to death. The account says the location was so remote that further details could not be learned.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of farmers reportedly took Nathan Willis from the sheriff's custody on the night of Thursday, November 25, 1897, chained him between two pine trees and burned him to death.
Reported by: news reports.