Lynching rampage in South Lynching rampage in South Georgia Georgia

Made byMade byBj SmallwoodBj SmallwoodOlivia ConeOlivia ConeEmi PallottiEmi Pallotti

Sarah Thompson Sarah Thompson

Lynching's Lynching's

There were so many lynching's in 1880 and 1930 that There were so many lynching's in 1880 and 1930 that sociologists have called this period the lynching era. sociologists have called this period the lynching era.

Literally thousands of men, women, and children were Literally thousands of men, women, and children were murdered at the hands of mobs.murdered at the hands of mobs.

The NAACP reported 3,224 lynching's between 1889 The NAACP reported 3,224 lynching's between 1889 and 1918, while the Tuskegee institute counted 4,587 for and 1918, while the Tuskegee institute counted 4,587 for the years 1882-1930.the years 1882-1930.

Lynching'sLynching's

The first of the mobs victims was Will The first of the mobs victims was Will Head, one of the employees who had Head, one of the employees who had helped plan the killing. helped plan the killing.

Head was captured early Friday morning, Head was captured early Friday morning, May 17, near Barney.May 17, near Barney.

Reports suggested that the mob wanted to Reports suggested that the mob wanted to capture all those involved in the plot, take capture all those involved in the plot, take them to the scene of the crime, and lynch them to the scene of the crime, and lynch them all together. them all together.

Lynching's Lynching's

Hangings were often preceded by beatings, Hangings were often preceded by beatings, shootings, burnings, and sadistic torture that shootings, burnings, and sadistic torture that included dismemberment and mutilation.included dismemberment and mutilation.

The causes of lynching in the South are just as The causes of lynching in the South are just as difficult to pin-point as the exact number of difficult to pin-point as the exact number of victims.victims.

The mobs eighth and ninth victims, lynched on The mobs eighth and ninth victims, lynched on Sunday of May 19, Two were killed in the most Sunday of May 19, Two were killed in the most sensational, brutal, and barbaric manner in this sensational, brutal, and barbaric manner in this south Georgia tragedy.south Georgia tragedy.

GeorgiaGeorgia

The lynching of women was common in The lynching of women was common in Georgia.Georgia.

Ten women were lynched in Georgia Ten women were lynched in Georgia between 1880 and 1930-but this episode between 1880 and 1930-but this episode stands out as being particularly gruesome.stands out as being particularly gruesome.

It is also an indication that the mob would It is also an indication that the mob would spare no person in exacting its revenge, spare no person in exacting its revenge, even if it meant killing an unborn child. even if it meant killing an unborn child.

Women Weren't SafeWomen Weren't Safe

The mob tied Mary Turner’s ankles The mob tied Mary Turner’s ankles together hung her to a tree head down, together hung her to a tree head down, and automobile gas was poured on her. and automobile gas was poured on her. Mary’s clothes were burnt off her body Mary’s clothes were burnt off her body then a mob member cut open her stomach then a mob member cut open her stomach where her unborn child fell. where her unborn child fell.

Final KillFinal Kill

The final confirmed victim of the mob The final confirmed victim of the mob violence, the thirteenth to die, was the violence, the thirteenth to die, was the man who actually shot Hampton Smith, man who actually shot Hampton Smith, Sidney Johnson.Sidney Johnson.

On the evening of May 22, Valdosta police On the evening of May 22, Valdosta police officers, led by Chief Dampier, went to the officers, led by Chief Dampier, went to the house, located at south troupe and south house, located at south troupe and south streets to arrest the suspect.streets to arrest the suspect.

Brooks CountyBrooks County

There were more lynching's in Brooks There were more lynching's in Brooks County than in other county in Georgia.County than in other county in Georgia.

Fitzhugh Brundadge has suggested that Fitzhugh Brundadge has suggested that the county was the most mob prone the county was the most mob prone county in the entire south.county in the entire south.

Brooks County Lynching Brooks County Lynching

Street BattleStreet Battle

In the evening of May 22, Valdosta police In the evening of May 22, Valdosta police officers, led by Chief Dampier, went to the officers, led by Chief Dampier, went to the house, located at South Troupe and South house, located at South Troupe and South Streets, to arrest the suspect.Streets, to arrest the suspect.

Johnson opened fire when the officers Johnson opened fire when the officers entered the house and a gun battle entered the house and a gun battle ensued.ensued.

Chief Dampier was wounded, as was Chief Dampier was wounded, as was Patrolman Dampier and Dixon Smith.Patrolman Dampier and Dixon Smith.

The Mobs StopThe Mobs Stop

Sidney Johnson was the last confirmed Sidney Johnson was the last confirmed victim of the mobs rampage through victim of the mobs rampage through Brooks and Lowndes counties.Brooks and Lowndes counties.

This lynching spree confirms Brooks This lynching spree confirms Brooks County’s place as the most mob-prone County’s place as the most mob-prone county in Georgia.county in Georgia.

No Repercussions No Repercussions

There were no legal repercussions for the There were no legal repercussions for the mob, and no one was ever held mob, and no one was ever held accountable for their actions. accountable for their actions.

The foreman of the Brooks County grand The foreman of the Brooks County grand jury in May 1918 was William A. Whipple, jury in May 1918 was William A. Whipple, one of the leaders of the mob. one of the leaders of the mob.

This ensured that no charges would be This ensured that no charges would be brought against anyone involved.brought against anyone involved.

The Ruthless MobThe Ruthless Mob

The Brooks County mob carried out swift The Brooks County mob carried out swift summary justice waiting to hear from the summary justice waiting to hear from the man who shot and killed Hampton smith.man who shot and killed Hampton smith.

Brooks County was the most mob prone Brooks County was the most mob prone and lynched prone county.and lynched prone county.