Mob Lynches Man Accused of Killing City Marshal in 1901

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In March 1901, a mob of 400-500 people in Pocahontas, Arkansas broke into the local jail and dragged out George Shivery, who was accused of killing a city marshal. The mob then marched Shivery to a bridge over the Black River and hanged him, leaving his body there until the morning.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the extrajudicial violence and lack of due process that occurred in the American South during the Jim Crow era, where mob justice often superseded the rule of law. The lynching of George Shivery reflects the deep racial tensions and hostility towards the criminal justice system that existed at the time.

The details

On March 20, 1901, George Shivery allegedly shot and killed John Norris, a city marshal in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Shivery was quickly arrested and charged with first-degree murder. However, the trial was postponed a week, enraging the local community. On the night of March 22nd, a mob of an estimated 400-500 people formed, forced their way into the jail, and dragged Shivery out. The mob then marched him to the Black River bridge and hanged him around 1:30 AM on March 23rd. Shivery's body was left hanging until around 9:30 AM, when it was finally taken down.

• On March 20, 1901, Shivery allegedly shot and killed Norris.
• On March 22, 1901, a mob of 400-500 people formed and broke into the jail.
• Around 1:30 AM on March 23, 1901, the mob hanged Shivery from the Black River bridge.
• Around 9:30 AM on March 23, 1901, Shivery's body was finally taken down.