Tom Allen

Tom Allen, a Black man, was being taken by train from Atlanta back to Monroe, Georgia, for trial while held in the custody of a sheriff and officers. According to newspaper accounts, a mob boarded the train near Social Circle, overpowered the officers at gunpoint and took him. The mob tied him to a telegraph or telephone pole and shot him to death, though some accounts say he was first hanged. The Savannah Tribune reported that state authorities had been warned of the danger, and the Dawson News reported that the sheriff and a superior court judge had not asked the governor for militia protection.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (neglect alleged). Several accounts say officers were overpowered at gunpoint and the sheriff and judge did not request militia protection despite known danger, though the sources differ on exact dates and whether troops were ordered.

Reported by: The Savannah Tribune (reporters); Associated Press (reporters).

News reports (12)

• Alexandria Gazette, June 27, 1911, page 1 Alexandria Gazette, June 27, 1911
• The Birmingham Age-Herald, June 28, 1911, page 11 The Birmingham Age-Herald, June 28, 1911
• The Montgomery Advertiser, June 28, 1911, page 10 The Montgomery Advertiser, June 28, 1911
• The Pensacola Journal, June 28, 1911, page 1 The Pensacola Journal, June 28, 1911
• The Times Dispatch, June 28, 1911, page 1 The Times Dispatch, June 28, 1911
• The Savannah Tribune, July 1, 1911, page 4 The Savannah Tribune, July 1, 1911
• The Dawson News, July 5, 1911, page 9 The Dawson News, July 5, 1911
• Okolona Messenger, July 6, 1911, page 2 Okolona Messenger, July 6, 1911
• Oxford Eagle, July 6, 1911, page 1 Oxford Eagle, July 6, 1911
• The Nevada County Picayune, July 7, 1911, page 2 The Nevada County Picayune, July 7, 1911
• The Green Forest Tribune, July 7, 1911, page 1 The Green Forest Tribune, July 7, 1911
• The Palatka News And Advertiser, July 7, 1911, page 3 The Palatka News And Advertiser, July 7, 1911