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Thursday, July 9, 2020

Authorities Promise Investigation Into Lynching of Ed Roach, July 9, 1920

From the Hickory Daily Record, Friday evening, July 9, 1920

Thorough Probe Into Person County Lynching

Durham, July 8--Thorough investigation into the Person county lynching has been promised by Solicitor S.M. Gattis for Wednesday of next week it was learned.

The solicitor made a short investigation Wednesday, but was called away to Roxboro to fill a previous engagement. The inquiry made by the solicitor failed to reveal the identity of any of the 150 or more citizens who were engaged in the act of swinging Ed Roach, the negro, to a tree in front of a negro church three miles north of Roxboro. Mr. Gattis stated, however, that he believed Sheriff N.F. Thomas is blameless for the affair, having been alone in his efforts to block the mob movement.

Roxboro, it is said, remains quiet following the lynghing Wednesday morning. The gang of negroes, of which Roach was a member, engaged in road work in Person county, has quit work. Other negroes of the county, however have shown no disposition to make a fuss over the work of the mob.

The body of Roach, which was interred in Potter's field at the Person county home, was disinterred yesterday upon request of relatives and was shipped to his home at Reidsville.

Prior to the removal of Roach from the limb to which he was hanged, photographers took pictures of his bullet-ridden body.

The lynching, according to oldest citizens of Roxboro, is the first that has even occurred in Person county. It was carried out, however, with great efficiency. Stories told today are to the effect that the mob placed armed guards at every street intersection to prevent possible interference from citizens.

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