Pink Willis

Pink Willis, a Black man, was held in the jail at Poplarville, Mississippi. In January 1909, several hundred men came to the jail and demanded the keys from Sheriff H. K. Rouse. According to The Hattiesburg News, the sheriff first refused before he was overpowered and the doors were battered down. The mob took Willis from a second-floor cell, carried him to the edge of town, hanged him from a tree near the cemetery, and then shot his body. Accounts differ on the date, with some placing it on the night of January 10 and others on January 11 or 12.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched

Reported by: Poplarville jail accounts in historical newspapers (reporters).

Sources (6)

• The Hattiesburg News, January 11, 1909, page 1 The Hattiesburg News, January 11, 1909
• Los Angeles Herald, January 12, 1909, page 2 Los Angeles Herald, January 12, 1909
• Daily Kennebec Journal, January 12, 1909, page 3 Daily Kennebec Journal, January 12, 1909
• Tonopah Daily Bonanza, January 13, 1909, page 3 Tonopah Daily Bonanza, January 13, 1909
• The Columbus Commercial, January 14, 1909, page 1 The Columbus Commercial, January 14, 1909
• Laredo Weekly Times, January 17, 1909, page 5 Laredo Weekly Times, January 17, 1909