Victim ID: VA1883012201
Name: Evan Griffith
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 35
Job: Unknown
Date: 1883-01-22
County Name: Russell
Summary: Previous inventory of lynching indicated that a mob lynched two white men, Evan Griffith and O. F. Ferrall, on January 22nd 1883 in Russell County. Griffith and Ferrall were accused of stealing approximately $18,000 worth of cattle from the area. However, new research shows that Griffith and Ferrall pleaded for mercy and were allowed to pay off their debts to each of the mob members. After paying reparations, both men were set free.
Evan Griffith, a 35-year-old white man, and O. F. Ferrall, a 55-year-old white man, visited Russell County where they obtained approximately $18,000 worth of cattle under false pretenses from graziers in the county. They were subsequently arrested and placed in jail. On the night of January 22, 1883, a body of 15 disguised men broke into the jail where Griffith and Ferrall were held and removed them from their respective jail cells. The mob took Griffith and Ferrall outside to be lynched. However, when seeing their fates, Griffith and Ferrall pleaded for mercy. Upon paying each mob member reparations for the stolen cattle, Griffith and Ferrall were released from the mob’s custody and flee the County, thus escaping the lynching attempt (Valley Virginian).
News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, Daily Dispatch, Shenandoah Herald, Valley Virginian
Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1883-01-25)
Article Link (from The Daily Dispatch published on 1883-01-26)
Article Link (from Shenandoah Herald published on 1883-01-31)