Wright Smith

Wright Smith, a Black man, was being held in the jail at Annapolis, Maryland, in early October 1898. Shortly after 2 a.m. on October 5, a mob came to the jail, pointed guns at the night watchman, and took him to a lot near the city cemetery. According to newspaper accounts, he was shot many times there. Several reports say he begged for mercy as he was removed from the jail.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A lynching party took Wright Smith from the Annapolis jail, held the night watchman at gunpoint, and shot him many times near the city cemetery.

Reported by: news reports.

News reports (8)

• The Morning News, October 6, 1898, page 2 The Morning News, October 6, 1898
• Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, October 6, 1898, page 4 Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, October 6, 1898
• The Bee, October 6, 1898, page 1 The Bee, October 6, 1898
• The Forrest City Times, October 7, 1898, page 8 The Forrest City Times, October 7, 1898
• Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, October 7, 1898, page 2 Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, October 7, 1898
• The Bourbon News, October 7, 1898, page 2 The Bourbon News, October 7, 1898
• Times-Promoter, October 15, 1898, page 2 Times-Promoter, October 15, 1898
• The Grenada Sentinel, October 15, 1898, page 2 The Grenada Sentinel, October 15, 1898