Died in jail or a lockup
Onzeime Thomas
In August 1909, newspapers reported that Onzeime Thomas, a Black man, was being brought to the jail in Opelousas, Louisiana, by two deputy sheriffs when a mob met the officers near Grand Prairie. According to the accounts, the mob took him from the deputies and shot him to death. One report says another person was taken and killed in the same incident.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Onzeime Thomas from two deputy sheriffs who were bringing him to the Opelousas jail, and shot him to death near Grand Prairie.
Reported by: news reports.