Victim ID: VA1889081101
Victim Name: William Blankenship
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Hanged
Accusation: Attempted outrage on an orphaned white girl
Date: 1889-08-11
County Name: Charlotte
Mob Composition: Unknown
Summary: William Blankenship, a twenty-year-old African American male living in Charlotte County, was lynched on August 11th, 1889 for his attempt to assault a young white girl.
On Saturday August 10th, 1889, Blankenship allegedly broke into a home and then attempted an outrage on a young white orphan girl living in the upper part of Charlotte County (Alexandria Gazette). The girl and a woman she was living with were able to lock Blankenship in the room, until he was arrested and brought to jail. During the night of August 11th, 1889, Blankenship was taken from jail and then hung to a tree.
News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, Norfolk Landmark, Staunton Spectator, Staunton Vindicator
Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1889-08-13)
Article Link (from Staunton Spectator published on 1889-08-14)