People’s Grocery
ID: TN1892030902
Name(s) of People Lynched: Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Will Stewart
Number of People Lynched: 3
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Lynching Date(s): 1892-03-09
Year Marker Erected: 2018
Erected by: Tennessee Historical Commission
City: Memphis
County: Shelby
State: Tennessee
Marker Text: Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Will Stewart, all African-Americans and co-owners of People’s Grocery (located at this site), were arrested in connection with a disturbance near their store. Rather than being brought to trial, they were lynched on March 9, 1892. Moss’ dying words were, “Tell my people to go west–there is no justice for them here.” This lynching prompted Ida B. Wells, editor of Memphis Free Speech, to begin her anti-lynching campaign in this country and abroad.
Sources: https://www.hmdb.org