Bumpus (Bumpass), The Union City (TN) Commercial Courier, September 2, 1904

Lynched!

Negro, Joe Bumpus, Taken From Jail and Put to Death--Supposed to Have Been Drowned. 

Joe Bumpus, the black fiend, who was charged with the crime of attempted rape on the person of a respectable white girl near Jordan in this county, was taken from the jail and put out of the way during Monday night. We learn that during the night Jailor Noonan was called up by a mob of meh [sic] and told that they had a negro prisoner to place in his keeping, and to come out and open the jail door. When Mr. Noonon [sic] opened the door upstairs he was caught hold of and covered with a pistol and told to give up the key to Joe Bumpus cell [sic] which he of course did. We learn that the prisoner was carried up the railroad and made way with. 

The idea prevails generally that he was drowned above town, as his body had not been found up to last night. 

It was thought by nearly everybody that the negro would, as he had gone this long without lynching, be given a trial at the next circuit court. We learn that Bumpus was also resting easy on that score, but it seems that there are some who believe he should be killed and put their belief into action.--Hickman Dixie Star.