Willis, Louisville Courier Journal, June 1, 1892

Willis, Louisville Courier Journal, June 1, 1892

Willis, Wick (or Wyck)

Mob, hanging

Charge, rape

                Lynched At Day

Lebanon, Ky., May 31.--(Special)--Wick Willis, a negro brute, was taken from the jail here last night shortly after midnight and lynched just outside of Campbellsville by an Adair county mob. Last week Willis met Miss Ella Dice, who belongs to one of the best families of Adair county, on the highway, seven miles from Columbia, and tried to outrage her, and was only prevented by two or three men, who were attracted by the young woman’s screams. She became unconscious, and has only recovered consciousness at intervals since. Willis was tried at Columbia last week, and placed in jail here last Friday to prevent a threatened lynching. At 12:15 o’clock last night six men knocked on the jail door and aroused Jailer Clark. They told him that Policeman Brown had a prisoner whom he wanted to place in jail until morning. As Mr. Clark opened the door three men instantly grabbed him by both arms and the back of his neck. Five men then presented their pistols and told him to surrender the key, or they would kill him. The bjailer [sic] asked them to release their hold and not ask him to unlock the door. His request was promptly refused, and he was forced to unlock the doors leading to the cells. Before going into the cells they placed two men to guard Mr. Clark, while three of the men entered and struck matches, which enabled them to recognize Wick Willis among the other prisoners. They then pinioned his arms behind him. He was in his night clothing and they took him from jail without giving him time to dress. The mob quietly left the town with their prisoner, going in the direction of Campbellsville. This morning Willis’ dead body was found hanging to a tree just outside of Campbellsville. The intention of the mob was to hang him at Columbia, but daylight coming on them, they were forced to hang him just where they did. The negro’s forehead bears a deep wound, caused by a blunt instrument. It is thought the wound was received while trying to make his escape.

Louisville Courier Journal

1892-6-1

Grace Yi

Image

Adair County