Lyncher Not Convicted
September 1, 1906
Summary
A mob of lynchers, including Daniel Galbraith, hanged multiple black men and were not convicted of lynching.
Transcription
Lyncher Not Convicted
The Lynching IN Missouri
Startling testimony against galbraith--jury disagrees-- Innocent colored men lynched-- white woman not assaulted-- The Wrecking of the Springfield Jail-- Many Witnesses Testify
Springfield, MO., Aug. 20---
After considerable delay, the first of the lynching cases, that of Daniel D. Galbraith, on a charge of second degree murder, instead of first degree murder, as charged in the indictment returned by the special criminal court today. Attorney General Hadley and Assistant Attorney General Kennish are here to aid prosecuting Attorney Patterson and his two assistants. The state has forty six witnesses and the defense eighty four.
The forenoon session of the court was occupied by the statements of counsel, the defense indicating an intention to attempt to establish an alibi. Prosecuting Attorney Patterson stated briefly what the state expected to prove. He said the testimony would show that Horace Duncan, one of the colored men hanged by the mob, was arrested on a charge of having attacked Mrs. Mina Edwards, the preceding night. When the woman failed to identify him he was released by the police and later taken into custody on a charge of highway robbery, and was awaiting a hearing at the time he was hanged.
Claim Against Galbraith
“The evidence will show,” continued Mr. Patterson, “that Galbraith was the second man to enter the jail after the mob had succeeded in battering down the doors. He was in the residence part of the jail when Sheriff Horner’s wife was driven out. When he entered the jail he had a hammer in his hands. The colored men resisted the mob, and the testimony will show that Galbraith struck Coker in the back with the hammer.
“On the public square, where the colored men were hanged and burned, Galbraith was seem with a rope on his arm. He said to several persons in the crowd, ‘We have run out of niggers, but we have plenty of rope.’ After two of the blacks had been hanged, the testimony will show Galbraith said: ‘I can put my fist in your face.’ After the mob had hanged the colored men they returned to the county jail and liberated fourteen convicts eight of whom had been sentenced to state’s prison.”
The Lynching IN Missouri
Startling testimony against galbraith--jury disagrees-- Innocent colored men lynched-- white woman not assaulted-- The Wrecking of the Springfield Jail-- Many Witnesses Testify
Springfield, MO., Aug. 20---
After considerable delay, the first of the lynching cases, that of Daniel D. Galbraith, on a charge of second degree murder, instead of first degree murder, as charged in the indictment returned by the special criminal court today. Attorney General Hadley and Assistant Attorney General Kennish are here to aid prosecuting Attorney Patterson and his two assistants. The state has forty six witnesses and the defense eighty four.
The forenoon session of the court was occupied by the statements of counsel, the defense indicating an intention to attempt to establish an alibi. Prosecuting Attorney Patterson stated briefly what the state expected to prove. He said the testimony would show that Horace Duncan, one of the colored men hanged by the mob, was arrested on a charge of having attacked Mrs. Mina Edwards, the preceding night. When the woman failed to identify him he was released by the police and later taken into custody on a charge of highway robbery, and was awaiting a hearing at the time he was hanged.
Claim Against Galbraith
“The evidence will show,” continued Mr. Patterson, “that Galbraith was the second man to enter the jail after the mob had succeeded in battering down the doors. He was in the residence part of the jail when Sheriff Horner’s wife was driven out. When he entered the jail he had a hammer in his hands. The colored men resisted the mob, and the testimony will show that Galbraith struck Coker in the back with the hammer.
“On the public square, where the colored men were hanged and burned, Galbraith was seem with a rope on his arm. He said to several persons in the crowd, ‘We have run out of niggers, but we have plenty of rope.’ After two of the blacks had been hanged, the testimony will show Galbraith said: ‘I can put my fist in your face.’ After the mob had hanged the colored men they returned to the county jail and liberated fourteen convicts eight of whom had been sentenced to state’s prison.”
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“Lyncher Not Convicted,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/734.