Name not reported
Senator Chandler told the Senate in August 1888 that a Democratic mob took a Black Republican from the Washington County jail, where he was held with two other Black Republicans, and killed him. A Senate committee had been investigating the killings for about a year and a half. Senator Coke defended the hanging of the men, while Senator Spooner said witness testimony did not support the justification given for it.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (disputed). Senator Chandler says a Democratic mob took the man from the Washington County jail and murdered him, while Senator Coke said the men were hanged for murdering a white man and Senator Spooner said testimony showed no such connection.
Reported by: Senator Chandler; Senator Coke; Senator Spooner.