Negro Found Hanging to a Tree

Townspeople of a county “which has witnessed seven tragedies in the past year, murders, accidental killings, and suicides” find the body of “an unknown negro,” tied to a tree.

Newport News, Va., June 11.-- The dead body of an unknown negro was found hanging to a tree on the Brierfield road, near the city, yesterday. The county authorities are unable to determine whether the case is one of murder, lynching or suicide, but are inclined to the suicide theory. The scene of the ghastly discovery is in a neighborhood which has witnessed seven tragedies in the past year, murders, accidental killings and suicides.

“Negro Found Hanging to a Tree,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1067.