Victim ID: VA1898042701
Victim Name: Paris Suits
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: young
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Riddled with bullets
Accusation: Murdering a white man and a black man
Date: 1898-04-27
City: Coeburn
Mob Composition: Unknown


Summary: The lynching of Paris Suits, a white man, took place on April 27th, 1898 in Wise County for the shooting of another white man and a black man without cause.

The lynching took place in the coal mine areas near Coeburn, in Wise County, when Paris Suits, “a desperate young fellow,” shot and killed a white man and a black man without any apparent reason (Alexandria Gazette). When Suits attempted to make an escape, he was shot to death by bystanders, his body riddled with bullets. The killers of Paris Suits were not arrested.


News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, Big Stone Gap Post

Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1898-04-28)