Victim ID: VA1886020501
Victim Name: John C. Wilson
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Hanged
Accusation: Stealing a mule from a white farmer
Date: 1886-02-05
Mob Composition: Unknown
Summary: The lynching of a white man, John C. Wilson, occurred late Friday night, February 5th, 1886, in Patrick County. He was accused of stealing mules from James Griggs.
A couple of weeks before the lynching, Wilson had apparently stolen two mules, swapped one for a horse with James Griggs, and then stole back the same mule. Upon fleeing to North Carolina, he was caught by Griggs and confessed to his crimes. Shortly after Wilson was handed over to officials at the state line, an armed mob demanded the prisoner. After taking control of Wilson, the armed men retreated back the way they had come. A rope was thrown over the limb of a tree by which John Wilson was hanged (Richmond Dispatch). His body was found the next day. The Richmond Dispatch reported that “The people of Patrick regret this unfortunate affair. They are a law-abiding people, and there must be some very aggravating circumstances to have thus made them forget themselves.” A coroner’s inquest was held to investigate Wilson’s death.
News Coverage: Free Lance-Star, Richmond Dispatch
Article Link (from Richmond Dispatch published on 1886-02-09)
The information provided in this write up this lynching event does not even come close to the article in the Richmond dispatch. I. The event took place in Patrick County, not Henry County. The Martinsville newspaper carried the story but it did happen there. If it was close to NC line it would have been near Stokes County, NC, and Patrick County, Va. The news article says that the victim had a note in his pocket to contact a person in Germanton, NC which is in Stokes County. This would mean that Two white men were lynched in Patrick County, Va and it would remove one from Henry County. The other victim who was hung was Lee Puckett.
I have read most of the victims stories from this project website. It is a significant look at the history of Virginia and its culture that seldom gets told. Thank you so much for all your work and research. I just kept wondering what was the real truth in so many of the cases. In particular the lynching in Rockbridge County and the miners.
If you need any assistance with anything, I would like to assist. Thank you again.