Mason Co Lynching 1894

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Unknown (1) Haines lynched Mason Co Kentucky June 20-21 1894

Unknown (2) Haines lynched Mason Co Kentucky June 20-21 1894

Unknown (3) Haines lynched Mason Co Kentucky June 20-21 1894

Sure would like to know the story behind this

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Maysville, Kentucky, December 8, 1899: Lynching: A Negro identified as "Richard Coleman" was seized by a mob and burned at the stake. Coleman was being transported to a courthouse for trial in an assault and murder case when he was accosted.

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Richard Coleman the negro farm hand who ravished (raped) and murdered Mrs. Mollie Lashbrook on Strodes Run Road near Maysville was taken by a crowd of citizens led by her husband at Maysville and burned to death.

His eyes were first filled with vitriol; his clothes stripped and a big fire built around him.

This occured near the old train station roundtable. at the bottom of the 68 Hill.

When asked if he wanted to confess, he said take this fire away from my face and I will tell you what really happened.

Mr. Lashbrook pointed a shotgun at the crowd and said, If anyone stops the fire I will shoot them.

Richard Coleman's death was slow and wreathing.

In terrible agony, he was hooted and glared at by thousands of the Maysville residents assembled. Schools were let out to witness the justice of the family.

When Mr Lashbrook was asked how he wanted Richard Coleman to die, he choose the burning at the stake option over and above shooting or hanging.

After the burning, Coleman was pulled through the streets and his chared fingers were cut off by members of the crowd.

His fate was a horrible one and yet not more terrible than was his treatment of the poor weak victim of his criminal lust and unbridled passion.


Full accounts of one of Kentucky's most horrific lynchings are available in old issues of the New York Times and Chicago newspapers.

Molly Lashbrook was buried in the family cemetery and later joined by her husband in a shared plot.

To this day, she haunts the residents of Strodes Run Road.

Previous thread - http://www.maysvillekybbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2800

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The Dec 7, 1899 New York Times report of the Richard Coleman lynching in Maysville, KY notes:
" In all the thousands who constituted the mob there was not a single effort made to disguise or conceal identity. No man wore a mask. All the leaders of the mob are well known and there are hundreds of witnesses who can testify to their participation in the tragedy. They are leading citizens in all lines of business and many are members of churches."