Died in jail or a lockup
Prendly Thompson
Prendly Thompson was one of five Black men held in the Yorkville jail in York County, South Carolina. Before 4 a.m. on April 5, 1887, a mob of 60 to 75 armed men forced its way into the jail, broke open the cells and took the men out. The sheriff refused to give up the keys, according to the Palatka Daily News, which reported the account. The mob hanged the five men about a mile from the village, and the lynchers had not been identified.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of 60 to 75 armed men broke into the Yorkville jail, took Prendly Thompson from his cell and hanged him a mile from the village; the sheriff had refused to give up the keys.
Reported by: news reports.