Ripley Johnston

Ripley Johnston was one of eight Black people held at the Barnwell Court House jail in West Virginia. At about 2 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 1889, a mob of several hundred men overpowered the jailer, took the eight people out of the jail and out of town, and shot them to death. The jailer was tied up and forced to go along, the Cambria Freeman reported on January 3, 1890. The account gives no further detail about Ripley Johnston.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of several hundred men overpowered the jailer, took eight Black prisoners out of the Barnwell Court House jail and shot them to death.

Reported by: news reports.

Source

• The Cambria Freeman, January 3, 1890, page 2 The Cambria Freeman, January 3, 1890