Victim ID: VA1891101702
Victim Name: Robert Lewis
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 38
Job: Brick moulder
Method of Death: Shot
Accusation: Killing a white man and injuring another
Date: 1891-10-17
City: Clifton Forge
Mob Composition: Unknown
Summary: Robert Lewis, a 38-year-old black man, was found dead in Clifton Forge on the railroad tracks around 10PM on October 17th, 1891. While his death was declared as the result of walking negligently in front of an engine, it is likely that he was lynched by the same mob that on that day lynched Robert Burton, Charles Miller, and John Scott.
In February 1891, Robert Lewis, sometimes referred to as Robert Scott, a black brick moulder from Charlottesville working at Iron Gate, was fined $10 for “carrying concealed weapons” (The Roanoke Times). According to the Staunton Spectator, Robert Lewis “had been on a spree on Saturday [October 17th] and Sunday [October 18th]” in Clifton Forge, together with other five armed black workers. Three of them, Robert Burton, Charles Miller, and John Scott were captured, jailed and then lynched. At 10PM on Sunday, October 18th 1891, the body of Robert Lewis was found along the Richmond and Alleghany railroad tracks, about a mile from Clifton Forge. The Staunton Spectator reported that “his leg was cut off and his neck was broken.” There was a bottle of liquor found on the scene, leading the coroner’s jury to conclude that his death was brought on by his own negligence. However, The Roanoke Times observed that “The absence of blood led many to believe that he had been killed and thrown upon the track, but investigation revealed the fact that he was drunk when he started down the track after dark for Iron Gate.” There is no additional evidence to confirm that Robert Lewis was lynched by the same mob who lynched the other three other black men in Clifton Forge on that day.
News Coverage: Roanoke Times, Staunton Spectator
Article Link (from Roanoke Times published on 1891-02-26)
Article Link (from Roanoke Times published on 1891-10-20)
Article Link (from Staunton Spectator published on 1891-10-21)