Victim ID: VA1891101701
Victim Name: Robert Burton
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Job: Unknown
Method of Death: Hanged and riddled with bullets
Accusation: Killing one white man and injuring another
Date: 1891-10-17
City: Clifton Forge
Mob Composition: 300-500 men
Summary: A large body of men lynched Robert Burton, a black man, around 10PM on October 17th, 1891, a mile from a place called ‘Slaughter Hollow’ in Clifton Forge. Burton was accused of killing one white man and injuring another one.
The Staunton Spectator reported that, on Saturday, October 17th, 1891 six armed black men from Low Moor came to Clifton Forge “avowing it was their purpose to take place.” Their behavior was described as “boisterous in their boastings and misbehaving” (Staunton Spectator). As officers tried to arrest them, the six men pulled out their weapons causing the officers to withdraw. After this brief clash between the two parties, the six black men fled while the officers called for some assistance and back up. It was reported that the party of six blacks was headed towards Iron Gate where they found two white men, Philip Bowling and Fredrick Wilkinson. Immediately, they all started firing. Mr. Bowling was shot and killed, while Mr. Wilkinson was shot and left seriously wounded. Of the six black men, one was shot and killed while another one was wounded. Soon after this shootout, the remaining four were captured and taken to jail. Around 10 o’clock at night, two of the four black men were taken out of jail by a large body of men and hung. The third man, who was injured, was left guarded by men who were with the body of men who broke into the prison. They hung him and riddled his body with bullets. The Staunton Spectator reported that “The names of those who were hanged are Chas. Miller, [John Scott], and Robert Burton, and the one who was shot and killed on the railroad at Iron Gate is Robert Scott. The bodies of Miller and [Scott] were claimed by their friends and taken to Low Moor for burial. Burton’s body was buried at Clifton Forge by the citizens.” The Coroner’s Inquisition called to investigate the triple lynching concluded that the parties responsible for their lynching were unknown.
For the following weeks, the Richmond Planet covered extensively the lynching in Clifton Forge, criticizing the authorities for not preventing the lynching and for failing to investigate and apprehend the lynchers. The Planet also published a picture of the three men hanging from the tree where they were lynched. For a detailed account of these lynchings and how they spurred the Richmond Planet‘s anti-lynching campaign, you can read the essay ““Virginia’s Shame”: The 1891 Lynching of Three Black Miners in Clifton Forge” by Dolores Flamiano.
News Coverage: Richmond Dispatch, Richmond Planet, Roanoke Times, Staunton Spectator, Valley Virginian
Article Link (from Richmond Dispatch published on 1891-10-18)
Article Link (from Roanoke Times published on 1891-10-20)
Article Link (from Staunton Spectator published on 1891-10-21)