Willis Sees

Willis Sees, a Black man about 30 years old, was held in the jail at Osceola, Arkansas. Early on Sunday, April 30, 1899, a mob took him from the jail and hanged him in the jail yard, according to several newspapers that reported his death. The accounts differ on the size of the mob, estimating about 40 men in some reports and about 300 in others. One paper says the mob demanded the keys from the jailer, and another says the sheriff had earlier returned him to the jail after learning a mob was forming.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Willis Seer from the Osceola jail in Arkansas and lynched him, according to a report of the killing.

Reported by: news report on the Osceola lynching (reporters).

News reports (7)

• Daily Public Ledger, May 1, 1899, page 3 Daily Public Ledger, May 1, 1899
• Alexandria Gazette, May 1, 1899, page 2 Alexandria Gazette, May 1, 1899
• The Bourbon News, May 2, 1899, page 2 The Bourbon News, May 2, 1899
• The Weekly Corinthian, May 3, 1899, page 7 The Weekly Corinthian, May 3, 1899
• Owingsville Outlook, May 4, 1899, page 3 Owingsville Outlook, May 4, 1899
• The Hartford Republican, May 5, 1899, page 2 The Hartford Republican, May 5, 1899
• The Hickman Courier, May 5, 1899, page 2 The Hickman Courier, May 5, 1899