Falmouth Lynching

Three days ago, William Jackson, colored, was convicted of the murder of Brode Fryer at Falmouth, and was given a 20 year term.  Early this morning a mob invaded the Falmouth jail and removed Jackson, hanging him to a tree some distance away. 

That was the wildest night in the history of Falmouth.  About 50 men took the negro from the county jail, compelling Jailer J. M. Adams to unlock the cell.  Jackson was taken out the old River Road to the north end of the South Licking Bridge.  A rope was tied about his neck and attached to a small walnut tree on the river bank.  He was then shot from the high wing wall with shot-guns.  Hundred of shot entered his body. 

When Jackson fell from the wall his body touched the ground.  The body was cut down the next morning and brought to the court house and later in the day was buried in the old cemetery in this city. 

Many Indians, pioneer whites and colored people are buried in this old cemetery, which was abandoned as a burying ground seventy-five years ago.

From the Pendleton County Historical and Genealogical Society Newsletter, quoting an article that appeared in the Falmouth Outlook in 1927, which was in turn quoting a “40 years Ago” column in the Louisville Courier-Journal.  The incident took place on March 8, 1887.