William Butcher

Will Butcher, also recorded as William Butcher, was a Black man held in the city lockup at Hickman, Kentucky. Early on the morning of September 2, 1895, a crowd of masked men broke into the lockup, took him out and shot him. His body was later found on the riverbank; one account says he was shot many times, while another says he was shot in the head. The lock was broken and the door was open when the lockup was found empty. Eight or ten white masks were found nearby.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A white-cap mob took Will Butcher from the Hickman city lockup and shot him, and the lockup door was found open with no officer resistance reported.

Reported by: news reports.

News reports (4)

• The Evening Bulletin, September 3, 1895, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, September 3, 1895
• Richmond Dispatch, September 3, 1895, page 1 Richmond Dispatch, September 3, 1895
• Daily Public Ledger, September 4, 1895, page 1 Daily Public Ledger, September 4, 1895
• Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, September 6, 1895, page 2 Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, September 6, 1895