Robert J. Doxey
Robert J. Doxey was held in the jail at Holly Springs, Mississippi, when, according to the Commercial Herald, about 400 armed men rode into town before dawn on October 21, 1885. They went to the jail, demanded him from the keeper, overpowered the guards and broke the cell lock, then took him out and hanged him about a mile northwest of town. The paper reports that his mother, who lived in Holly Springs, was among the first to reach him after he was hanged and was overcome with distress when she learned what had happened.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A Commercial Herald special dispatch from Holly Springs reports that a mob of about 400 armed men overpowered the jail guards, broke the cell lock and hanged Robert J. Doxey.
Reported by: Commercial Herald special dispatch from Holly Springs (reporters).