Lynching victims in Central Illinois

BY PAM ADAMS

The Equal Justice Initiative documented 56 racial terror lynchings in Illinois, the third highest number among states outside the South. Listed here are some of the lynchings in Central Illinois.

Andrew Richards, 9/11/1877, Winchester, Scott County
Nelson Howard, 7/6/1883, Mound City, Pulaski County
Alonzo Holly, 2/14/1888, Pinckneyville, Perry County
Sam Bush, 6/3/1893, Decatur, Macon County
George Stewart, also referred to as S.W. Stewart or F.W. Steward, 11/7/1898, near Lacon, Marshall County
Unknown, 3/27/1903, Union County
Unknown, 4/26/1903, New Thebes, Alexander County
Scott Burton, 8/15/1908, Springfield, Sangamon County
William Donegan 8/15/1908, Springfield, Sangamon County
William “Froggie” James, 11/11/1909, Cairo, Alexander County
Unknown, 9/12/1913, Tamms, Alexander County
Unknowns, at least 40, possibly as many as 200, July 1-3, 1917, the East St. Louis race riots, St. Clair County
William Bell, 10/8/1924, Chicago, Cook County
Pvt. Hollie (or Hallery in some accounts) Willis, 11/8/1943, near Lewistown, Fulton County