*BLACK HISTORY FACT* Jesse Washington a teenage African American farmhand was lynched on this date in 1916 in what became known as The Waco Horror. Washington was accused of raping and murdering his employers wife after she was found dead. Law enforcement interrogated Jesse Washington, eventually obtaining a confession. Washington was tried for murder in Waco, Texas, in a courtroom filled with furious locals. He entered a guilty plea and was quickly sentenced to receive capital punishment. After his sentence was pronounced, he was dragged out of the court by observers and lynched in front of city hall. Over 10,000 spectators, including city officials and police, gathered to watch the attack. Members of the mob castrated Washington, cut off his fingers, and hung him over a bonfire. He was repeatedly lowered and raised over the fire to delay his death. After the fire was extinguished, Jesse Washingtons charred torso was dragged through the town and parts of his body were sold as souvenirs. A professional photographer took pictures as the event unfolded, providing rare photographs of a lynching in progress. The pictures were printed and sold as postcards in Waco, Texas. Although the lynching was supported by many Waco residents, it was condemned by newspapers around the United States.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 17:58:20 +0000
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