July 15, 1867

JEFFERSON, Mississippi

African-Americans, Crime/Violence, Government, Race-Relations

On the night of July 15, 1867, three African American men arrived in Jefferson County, Mississippi, and asked a local policeman where they could remain for the night. The policeman said he would take them to the local jail where they could sleep, and then release them the next morning. Instead, the three men were detained for six days and made to dig post holes around the jail. After they were finally...