Will Echols

Will Echols was being held in the Quitman jail in Clarke County, Mississippi, in September 1920. Early on the morning of September 12, a party of men overpowered the Clarke County sheriff, took the keys from his pocket, unlocked the jail and took Echols from it, according to Associated Press reports citing Sheriff Evans. The men drove him about two miles out of town and shot him to death on the public road. Newspapers reported the killing as a lynching carried out by a mob that took him from the jail.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob overpowered the sheriff at the Quitman jail, took the keys, removed Echols and shot him on a public road, according to Associated Press and newspaper dispatches.

Reported by: Sheriff Evans of Clarke County (the agency that held him); Associated Press (reporters).

News reports (6)

• The Montgomery Advertiser, September 13, 1920, page 3 The Montgomery Advertiser, September 13, 1920
• The Birmingham Age-Herald, September 13, 1920, page 1 The Birmingham Age-Herald, September 13, 1920
• The Pensacola Journal, September 13, 1920, page 1 The Pensacola Journal, September 13, 1920
• The Semi-Weekly Leader, September 15, 1920, page 1 The Semi-Weekly Leader, September 15, 1920
• Richmond Planet, September 18, 1920, page 2 Richmond Planet, September 18, 1920
• The Savannah Tribune, September 25, 1920, page 1 The Savannah Tribune, September 25, 1920