Victim ID: VA1882123001
Victim Name: Bluford Smith
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Shot
Accusation: Killed a young white man
Date: 1882-12-30
City: Tazewell
Mob Composition: Unknown
Summary: Bluford Smith, an African American man living in Tazewell County, was taken from jail and lynched in December 1892. He was accused of murdering a young white man.
On December 24th, 1892, Bluford Smith and a young white man named Charles Kenzer or Kinser engaged in a dispute in Tazewell, during which Charles Kenzer was killed. Smith was arrested and put in jail at the Tazewell Court House. Newspapers provide different dates on when a mob of about 30-40 men broke into the jail where Smith was detained and lynched him, some reporting the night of the 24th, while others the 28th or 30th. The Evansville Journal provides the most detailed account of the lynching: “Notwithstanding the presence of a strong guard, a body of men after 1 Thursday night last succeeded in getting into the jail and forced open the cell. The jailor was aroused by the noise but found the door of the room fastened outside and guarded. He got out of another door and ran up Main street for help. Meantime the prisoner was hurried down stairs and out doors followed by the jailers’ wife. When the crowd having Smith in charge had proceeded about a hundred yards, the wife fired a pistol to alarm the town, and the lynchers thought the jailer was returning with assistance and commenced firing upon the prisoner. About twenty-five shot were fired but only three took effect. Two balls struck him in the head and one in the shoulder.” After being shot, Smith was taken back to the jail where he soon died of his injuries (Alexandria Gazette).
News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, Evansville Journal, Evening Gazette, Evening Star, Norfolk Virginian
Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1883-01-02)
Article Link (from Evening Star published on 1883-01-02)