Dempsey, The Paducah Evening Sun, May 21, 1917
Dublin Core
Title
Dempsey, The Paducah Evening Sun, May 21, 1917
Subject
Dempsey, Lawrence
Charge, Cutting White Man
Mob, Hanging
Description
FULTON MOB HANGS NEGRO WHO SLASHED I.C. SPECIAL AGENT
Jail Doors Forced Open and Man is Swung Up to Nearby Pole
MAN CUT IS HERE IN PRECARIOUS CONDITION
Apparently No Resistance to Mob's Efforts
Special to The Sun.
Fulton, Ky., May 21. - A mob early Sunday morning forced the city jail here, took Lawrence Dempsey, a Negro, about 45 years old and hanged him from a telephone cable about 200 yards back of the jail on Mears street. No shots were fired and the mob worked so quietly that the hanging did not become known until 3:15 o’clock when Patrolman Shupe discovered the jail broken open and later found the lifeless body suspended 15 feet above the ground.
Dempsey was identified as the Negro who seriously cut Clarence Dublin, a special officer for the Illinois Central railroad in the yards here on the night of May 9. He was arrested at Greenfield, Tenn., and taken to Paducah where Dublin is confined at the railroad hospital. After being positively identified he was brought here Saturday night by Special Agent Royan and placed in jail.
Usual Verdict In.
Coroner H.C. Barrett took charge of the body and an inquest was held. A verdict that Dempsey came to his death by being hanged by the neck until he was dead by unknown persons, was found. The body was taken to an undertaking establishment to await burial arrangements.
Officer Dublin has been laying in the Fulton yards on the night of May 9 when he discovered the Negro trespassing. He questioned him, searching him, found a razor. The Negro said he was a corn doctor. Dublin ordered him away and resumed his work. The Negro slipped up behind him and began cutting him, and then escaped, leaving Dublin unconscious. Dublin was given temporary attention and was taken to Paducah the day following.
Dempsey was Sought.
Dempsey was identified by Dublin at the Illinois Central Hospital here Saturday morning. Dublin who has been unconscious or delirious most of the time, rallied at sight of the negro, and was positive in his indentification. He had continually referred to a “razor with a string,” in his delirium, and a search of Dempsey brought the instrument with the telltale cord attached, to light. A grip carried by Dempsey contained blood soaked shoes and stained clothing. The identification was regarded as certain and Dempsey was removed to Fulton Saturday night on the 6:10 train.
Mobs at Fulton have been on the lookout for Dempsey since news of his arrest. The New Orleans to Louisville train was boarded by armed men Friday night at Fulton, and every car searched. Dempsey was not aboard. A few miles further up the road the train stopped and Dempsey and his captors got on. It is not believe that there was much doubt concerning the fate awaiting the negro at Fulton.
Fulton, Ky., May 21. - A mob early Sunday morning forced the city jail here, took Lawrence Dempsey, a Negro, about 45 years old and hanged him from a telephone cable about 200 yards back of the jail on Mears street. No shots were fired and the mob worked so quietly that the hanging did not become known until 3:15 o’clock when Patrolman Shupe discovered the jail broken open and later found the lifeless body suspended 15 feet above the ground.
Dempsey was identified as the Negro who seriously cut Clarence Dublin, a special officer for the Illinois Central railroad in the yards here on the night of May 9. He was arrested at Greenfield, Tenn., and taken to Paducah where Dublin is confined at the railroad hospital. After being positively identified he was brought here Saturday night by Special Agent Royan and placed in jail.
Usual Verdict In.
Coroner H.C. Barrett took charge of the body and an inquest was held. A verdict that Dempsey came to his death by being hanged by the neck until he was dead by unknown persons, was found. The body was taken to an undertaking establishment to await burial arrangements.
Officer Dublin has been laying in the Fulton yards on the night of May 9 when he discovered the Negro trespassing. He questioned him, searching him, found a razor. The Negro said he was a corn doctor. Dublin ordered him away and resumed his work. The Negro slipped up behind him and began cutting him, and then escaped, leaving Dublin unconscious. Dublin was given temporary attention and was taken to Paducah the day following.
Dempsey was Sought.
Dempsey was identified by Dublin at the Illinois Central Hospital here Saturday morning. Dublin who has been unconscious or delirious most of the time, rallied at sight of the negro, and was positive in his indentification. He had continually referred to a “razor with a string,” in his delirium, and a search of Dempsey brought the instrument with the telltale cord attached, to light. A grip carried by Dempsey contained blood soaked shoes and stained clothing. The identification was regarded as certain and Dempsey was removed to Fulton Saturday night on the 6:10 train.
Mobs at Fulton have been on the lookout for Dempsey since news of his arrest. The New Orleans to Louisville train was boarded by armed men Friday night at Fulton, and every car searched. Dempsey was not aboard. A few miles further up the road the train stopped and Dempsey and his captors got on. It is not believe that there was much doubt concerning the fate awaiting the negro at Fulton.
Source
Newspapers.com
Publisher
The Paducah Evening Sun
Date
1917-05-21
Contributor
Katie Craig
Format
Image.
Coverage
Fulton; Paducah, McCracken County
Files
Collection
Related Articles
Citation
“Dempsey, The Paducah Evening Sun, May 21, 1917,” DRVK News Articles , accessed July 26, 2026, https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/items/show/67.