W. L. Ryder
Dr. W. L. Ryder was held in the jail at Columbus, Georgia, and was being taken back toward Columbus from a court session at Talbotton in July 1897. According to a special report to the Atlanta Constitution, a mob seized him from the sheriff and deputies on the evening of July 19, 1897, and hanged him. Accounts differ on where the mob took him, and one report said the sheriff and deputies were overpowered by the group. In a March 1898 letter to Governor Atkinson, his brother, Dr. C. A. Ryder, named men he said took part, said the mob was planned and encouraged by prominent citizens, and said he had been threatened for pursuing the matter.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (disputed). A mob took Dr. W. L. Ryder from the sheriff and deputies and killed him, per the Atlanta Constitution, while his brother Dr. C. A. Ryder wrote to the governor naming men he says took part and calling the mob planned and encouraged by prominent citizens.
Reported by: Atlanta Constitution special report (reporters); Dr. C. A. Ryder, in a letter to Governor Atkinson (family or their lawyers).
News reports (11)
- Birmingham State Herald, July 20, 1897, page 2
- San Antonio Daily Light, July 21, 1897, page 6
- The Roanoke Times, July 21, 1897, page 8
- Staunton Spectator And Vindicator, July 22, 1897, page 2
- Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, July 23, 1897, page 2
- The Grenada Sentinel, July 24, 1897, page 2
- The Weekly Corinthian, July 24, 1897, page 2
- Richmond Planet, July 24, 1897, page 3
- The Dawson News, July 28, 1897, page 2
- The Age-Herald, March 25, 1898, page 2
- Daily Press, March 25, 1898, page 2