Victim ID: VA1884060601
Victim Name: Unnamed Negro
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 14
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Hanged
Accusation: Murder of a 8 year-old white boy
Date: 1884-06-06
County Name: Russell
Mob Composition: 30-40, masked

Summary: A posse of roughly 30 to 40 men lynched a 14-year-old African American boy on June 6^th, 1884, in Russell County. He was lynched for shooting and killing an 8-year-old white boy.

On June 5^th, 1884, an unidentified black youth and Willie Osborn, the 8-year-old son of a prominent white citizen in Russell County, were hunting in Castlewood Valley. According to the Daily Dispatch, the two boys got into a quarrel over a nest of partridge eggs and shortly after the black youth fired a fatal shot into Willie Osborn. The African American boy attempted to conceal Osborn’s body, however, he would eventually confess his crime. He disclosed where the body could be found, and the manner in which the body fell after shot. The black youth was arrested and held by the magistrate for further examination. On the night of June 6^th, 1884, between 30 and 40 masked men surrounded the home where he was being kept and attempted to overcome the adamant guard. Several shots were exchanged before the guard was overpowered and the prisoner was captured by the mob. He was not taken far before being hanged to the frame of a gate (Daily Dispatch).

News Coverage: Alexandria Gazette, Daily Dispatch

Article Link (from Alexandria Gazette published on 1884-06-12)
Article Link (from Daily Dispatch published on 1884-06-11)