Walter Davis

Walter Davis was held in the jail at Marshall, Texas. On the night of October 1, 1903, a mob of several hundred men broke into the jail, took him from custody, and hanged him from a tree on the west side of town. The Marshall Musketeers, a local militia unit, had been ordered out but arrived only after the mob had already taken him, and while some of the mob talked with the militia officers, others got him out of the jail. Accounts also say shots were fired at his body after he was hanged.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of several hundred broke into the Marshall, Texas jail, took Walter Davis out and hanged him from a tree, while part of the mob kept the militia officers talking.

Reported by: news reports.

News reports (5)

• The Savannah Morning News, October 2, 1903, page 1 The Savannah Morning News, October 2, 1903
• The Paducah Sun, October 2, 1903, page 4 The Paducah Sun, October 2, 1903
• The Semi-Weekly Messenger, October 6, 1903, page 3 The Semi-Weekly Messenger, October 6, 1903
• The Tupelo Journal, October 9, 1903, page 2 The Tupelo Journal, October 9, 1903
• The Ocala Banner, October 9, 1903, page 9 The Ocala Banner, October 9, 1903