Killing of Joseph H. Rodgers in Mississippi in 1939

Incident

Case summary

Joseph H. Rodgers (1904 – 1939), a lumber worker, was killed in Madison County, Mississippi. According to an anonymous letter to the NAACP, Rodgers had a dispute with his employer over wages that he believed were unjustly deducted from his salary. Rodgers’ supervisor struck him with a shovel, whereupon Rodgers allegedly struck him back. Rodgers was captured, tied, shot and tortured. His body was thrown into a river. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Joseph H. Rodgers


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals: [ ]
Perpetrator group type: mob

Date of incident: 1939-05-08
Location: Canton, Madison County, Mississippi
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: fighting with a white man; refusing to live in (and pay for) company housing

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
correspondence
court records
death certificates
news articles - closed
scholarly works
state agency records
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