Richardson, The Paducah Sun-Democrat, September 26, 1913

Negro Put to Death By A Mob

Joe Richardson Who Attempted Assault on 11-year-old Girl Is Hung in Public— Story of Child on Stand Inflamed Hearers Who Came to Jail at Midnight— Siezed [sic] Jailer and Took His Keys Away— Citizens Wake To See Body

Leitchfield, Ky., Sept. 26– Joe Richardson, a Nashville Negro, who attempted an assault on 11-year-old Ree Goff, the daughter of Anderson Goff, was taken from his cell in the jail here and lynched at one o’clock this morning. 

His dead body was found swinging from the limb of a poplar tree in the public square when the citizens arose this morning. The identity of the members of the mob is not known, but it is supposed that they came from the neighborhood in which the crime was committed, as buggies and horses were heard passing out of town about the time the lynching took place. 

According to the story of jailer Jackson he was called to the door of his home at one o’clock this morning by someone who claimed to be the night watchman. Immediately as Jackson opened the door he was seized by two men and his hands tied behind him. The keys to the jail were secured and the mob repaired to the Negro’s cell and took him out after a desperate struggle.

It is said there was no thought of lynching Richardson until the little girl at the examining trial told the story of the attempted assault and gave such a story that the people were aroused. 

The attempt at assault was made while the little girl and her six year old brother were on their way to school. The Negro stepped out of a place of concealment and grabbed the girl whereupon the younger child ran from the scene to call help. The Negro was frightened away before accomplishing his purpose.