Victim ID: VA1901031901
Victim Name: Hubert Walker
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Job: Farmer
Method of Death: Shot
Accusation: Barn-burning and killing of mules and a horse
Date: 1901-03-19
County Name: Halifax, South Boston
Mob Composition: 40 to 50 undisguised men
Summary: Hubert Walker, an African American farmer living in Halifax County, was lynched on March 19th, 1901, by a mob of 40 to 50 undisguised men. He was accused of burning a stable and killing two mules and a horse owned by a white farmer.
On the night of March 18th, 1901, the stable of a Mr. H. S. Dejarnette, in the northern area of Halifax County, was burned, causing the death of two mules and one horse (Richmond Dispatch). The following morning, Mr. Dejarnette found tracks that led to the house of Hubert Walker (also known as Hubert Waller). Walker was arrested and tried before a judge; according to the Richmond Dispatch, “The evidence appeared conclusive that [Walker] was the incendiary.” and he was sent to stand trial before a grand jury. A special constable was put in charge of keeping Walker at his home for the night before he was to be taken to jail the following morning. However, at 8 PM on March 19th, as the constable neared his home with Walker, a mob of forty to fifty undisguised men overtook the constable’s vehicle, capturing Walker and shortly after riddling him with bullets. The Richmond Dispatch also reported that “An inquest was held Wednesday morning, and the verdict of the jury was that he was killed by unknown persons. Constable Shelton could not identify any of the men who did the shooting, although they were not masked.”
In April 1901, a special grand jury was empaneled to investigate the lynching. After interrogating more than 15 witnesses, the jury could not identify any of the lynchers of Hubert Walker (The Times).
News Coverage: Richmond Dispatch, Richmond Planet, The Times
Article Link (from Richmond Dispatch published on 1901-03-23)
Article Link (from Richmond Planet published on 1901-03-30)