Isaac Jenkins’ Release
June 2, 1894
Summary
Isaac Jenkins, who was nearly lynched to death by two white men, is finally released from police custody.
Transcription
Isaac Jenkins, the colored man who was beaten, hanged and shot, but yet lives was released from jail last week.
It will be remembered that after being found not guilty of the crime of burning John Cartwright's house and poisoning his horses, the jury fined him $300,000 for selling whlskey unlawfully and he has since been held a prisoner.
We called attention to the injustice of this and not until a petition was circulated requesting the Governor to act to the extent of securing his release did the Commonwealth's Attorney and Judge of the County Court proceed to act.
It would seem that the proposed appeal to Gov. O'Ferrall produced consternation in their camp, and to prevent any further notoriety, it was decided to release Jenkins. Great reason this! We feel confident tn saying that with the facts laid before him, the Governor would not have taken longer than it was necessary for him to take up a pen to sign the paper for the release of this much persecuted man.
So it was done to prevent further notoriety. Great heavens! Is it possible that public officials can be swayed from their duty by the clamor of the community and prejudice of would-be-murderers? They wanted no further notoriety. why gentlemen, the case of Isaac Jenkins is being discussed in England.
It has been the subject of bitter criticism from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the Gulf. And why should it not be? Here is a poor defenseless colored man with a wife and three children, hounded by a blood-thirsty band of white men. Have you forgotten the details? He was arrested by Constable Branch, turned over to a mob who beat him with black jacks. There were nine gashes in his head from which the blood oozed. He was hanged by his neck. Two shots were fired into his neck and he was left to die. By the intervention of the Almighty no doubt, he succeeded in getting free and in an apparently dying condition walked thirteen miles to Norfolk.
A physician was summoned, his wounds dressed and for days he lingered between life and death. He was given prison fare, and helpless and alone he prayed to God for relief. He has not up to this time been into a hospital. Before his wounds had healed he was taken back to Nansemond County for trial and was subjected to a most unjust relentless persecution upon charges which could not be sustained in the court cf law.
Had he been convicted for house burning, he could have been hanged.
Had he have been convicted of poisoning horses, the state penitentiary would have opened to him its unfriendly portals.
Be it said in justice to Judge W. J Kirby that he ruled impartially in the case and with the facts before them the prejudiced jury found Isaac Jenkins not guilty. This case furnishes a striking example of the helplessness of our people. This man had no money, and had to depend upon the charity of...
It will be remembered that after being found not guilty of the crime of burning John Cartwright's house and poisoning his horses, the jury fined him $300,000 for selling whlskey unlawfully and he has since been held a prisoner.
We called attention to the injustice of this and not until a petition was circulated requesting the Governor to act to the extent of securing his release did the Commonwealth's Attorney and Judge of the County Court proceed to act.
It would seem that the proposed appeal to Gov. O'Ferrall produced consternation in their camp, and to prevent any further notoriety, it was decided to release Jenkins. Great reason this! We feel confident tn saying that with the facts laid before him, the Governor would not have taken longer than it was necessary for him to take up a pen to sign the paper for the release of this much persecuted man.
So it was done to prevent further notoriety. Great heavens! Is it possible that public officials can be swayed from their duty by the clamor of the community and prejudice of would-be-murderers? They wanted no further notoriety. why gentlemen, the case of Isaac Jenkins is being discussed in England.
It has been the subject of bitter criticism from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the Gulf. And why should it not be? Here is a poor defenseless colored man with a wife and three children, hounded by a blood-thirsty band of white men. Have you forgotten the details? He was arrested by Constable Branch, turned over to a mob who beat him with black jacks. There were nine gashes in his head from which the blood oozed. He was hanged by his neck. Two shots were fired into his neck and he was left to die. By the intervention of the Almighty no doubt, he succeeded in getting free and in an apparently dying condition walked thirteen miles to Norfolk.
A physician was summoned, his wounds dressed and for days he lingered between life and death. He was given prison fare, and helpless and alone he prayed to God for relief. He has not up to this time been into a hospital. Before his wounds had healed he was taken back to Nansemond County for trial and was subjected to a most unjust relentless persecution upon charges which could not be sustained in the court cf law.
Had he been convicted for house burning, he could have been hanged.
Had he have been convicted of poisoning horses, the state penitentiary would have opened to him its unfriendly portals.
Be it said in justice to Judge W. J Kirby that he ruled impartially in the case and with the facts before them the prejudiced jury found Isaac Jenkins not guilty. This case furnishes a striking example of the helplessness of our people. This man had no money, and had to depend upon the charity of...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Isaac Jenkins’ Release,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1527.