Victim ID: VA1881122602
Name: J. B. Prince
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Job: Large store owner
Date: 1881-12-26
City: Green Plains
Summary: Past inventories of Virginia lynchings indicated that two white men, J. B. Prince and his brother J. H. Prince, were lynched on December 26th, 1881 in Green Plains, Southampton County. However, additional research in local newspapers reveal that the Prince brothers were simply the owners of a store that was burned down by two unknown individuals, possibly white strangers; as a result of the arson, two men died (Staunton Spectator). While there were some reports of two arsonists being lynched (New York Tribune; The National Tribune), there is no evidence that a lynching took place (Alexandria Gazette).
News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, National Tribune, New York Tribune, Norfolk Virginian, Staunton Spectator
Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1881-12-27)
Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1881-12-28)
Article Link (from The National Tribune published on 1881-12-31)
Article Link (from New York Tribune published on 1881-12-28)
Article Link (from Staunton Spectator published on 1881-12-27)