LYNCHING IN CROCKETT COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
[Oakdale, Tenn. 1929]. Two leaves, printed on rectos only, on mimeographed folio pages 8-1/2" x 14." Old folds, about Fine.
Burton was Secretary of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation, Oakdale, Tennessee. Burton's facsimile signature, with a date of July 1929, appears at the end. His essay recounts that "Joe Boxley, eighteen year old colored boy, was lynched, near Alamo, Crockett County, Tenn., about 4:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 29th, 1929. Alamo and Crockett County are associated with the name of David Crockett who made his immortal stand at the Alamo in Texas." The mob "lynched the prisoner near the scene of the crime. He was swung up to a limb of a tree. . ."
The news quickly spread. The New York Times headline on May 30 [page 15]: "NEGRO, 19, LYNCHED BY TENNESSEE MOB; Youth Accused of Attacking Woman Is Taken From Jail at Alamo and Hanged. SHERIFF'S HOME STORMED Officer Says He Tried to Placate Men Before They Entered His House and Found Key to Lock-Up."
Burton's Commission sought answers from the Governor, who did not respond. Burton prints the outrage expressed by the Woman's Section of the Interracial Commission: "TENNESSEE WHITE WOMEN ON LYNCHING AND MOB VIOLENCE." He closes, "For a long period Tennessee has been free from a single lynching. But that record has now been marred, and a shadow is cast across the State." He promises to continue "to crusade against lynching."
Joe Boxley was one of the last people lynched in Tennessee. His murder was commemorated and denounced in 2017 with several memorial services in Crockett County. Item #40977
Price: $1,000.00