Wm. Blake, Sr.
William Blake Sr., a Black man, was held in the custody of the Hampton County jail in South Carolina. On October 17, 1895, while officers were leading him back to the jail after a court verdict, a mob took him from them and killed him. The Southern Christian Advocate called the killing an inexcusable crime and urged county officials to punish those responsible and to examine the conduct of their officers. Another report said the mob took him from the sheriff as he left court. In December 1895, three men hanged at Hampton said on the gallows that Blake had nothing to do with the matter for which they were put to death.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. The Southern Christian Advocate reported that a mob took Blake from officers while he was being led back to the Hampton County jail and lynched him.
Reported by: Southern Christian Advocate (reporters).