Died in jail or a lockup
Rafe Morrell
Rafe Morrell was one of several Black men held in the Barnwell County jail in Barnwell, South Carolina. Before dawn on December 28, 1889, a mob of masked men broke into the jail, bound or overpowered the jailer, and took the men to the edge of town. There they were shot dead. A Barnwell citizens' advisory committee condemned the killings, and the governor was asked to send troops to keep the peace.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of masked men broke into the Barnwell County jail before dawn, bound the jailer, took the men out of town and shot them.
Reported by: Barnwell citizens' advisory committee statement.