The lynching of William Johnson occurred at Thebes, Illinois on April 26, 1903. Johnson had been accused of assaulting a 10-year-old girl. He was apprehended by a mob of farmers and hanged.
Historyedit
William Johnson was an African American man who lived in a work camp for erecting the Thebes Bridge in Thebes, Illinois, over the Mississippi River. In late April 1903, Johnson was accused of assaulting the 10-year-old daughter of Branson Davis at his residence a half-mile east of Santa Fe, Illinois (modern day Fayville). A mob of farmers gathered to apprehend Johnson on April 26, but he had already been taken into police custody. The farmers overwhelmed the officers and Johnson was captured. They brought him back to Thebes near the bridge that was being constructed and hanged him from an oak tree. After Johnston expired, the mob shot up the body. The mob then attacked the work camp, exchanging fire and injuring several workers. The farmers then burned the camp and then dispersed. On May 1, the mob raided another work camp on May 1 and dispersed the black workers there.[1]
Illinois governor Richard Yates offered a $200 bounty for the arrest of those who committed the lynching.[2] Six men were arrested, however, they were released due to insufficient evidence.[3]
lynching, william, johnson, lynching, william, johnson, occurred, thebes, illinois, april, 1903, johnson, been, accused, assaulting, year, girl, apprehended, farmers, hanged, history, editwilliam, johnson, african, american, lived, work, camp, erecting, thebes. The lynching of William Johnson occurred at Thebes Illinois on April 26 1903 Johnson had been accused of assaulting a 10 year old girl He was apprehended by a mob of farmers and hanged History editWilliam Johnson was an African American man who lived in a work camp for erecting the Thebes Bridge in Thebes Illinois over the Mississippi River In late April 1903 Johnson was accused of assaulting the 10 year old daughter of Branson Davis at his residence a half mile east of Santa Fe Illinois modern day Fayville A mob of farmers gathered to apprehend Johnson on April 26 but he had already been taken into police custody The farmers overwhelmed the officers and Johnson was captured They brought him back to Thebes near the bridge that was being constructed and hanged him from an oak tree After Johnston expired the mob shot up the body The mob then attacked the work camp exchanging fire and injuring several workers The farmers then burned the camp and then dispersed On May 1 the mob raided another work camp on May 1 and dispersed the black workers there 1 Illinois governor Richard Yates offered a 200 bounty for the arrest of those who committed the lynching 2 Six men were arrested however they were released due to insufficient evidence 3 See also editList of lynchings and other homicides in Illinois Danville race riot Lynching of David WyattReferences edit Illinois Mob Lynches Negro Bureau County Tribune May 1 1903 Retrieved February 5 2022 via Newspapers com Reward for Lynchers Belleville Daily Advocate October 31 1903 Retrieved February 5 2022 via Newspapers com He Frees Alleged Lynchers Champaign County Gazette December 30 1903 Retrieved February 5 2022 via Newspapers com nbsp This Illinois related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lynching of William Johnson amp oldid 1177101026, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
