Killing of John Rulse in Alabama in 1940

Incident

Case summary

John Rulse was killed in 1940 by a white mob in Barton, Colbert County, Alabama. A large group of white men, some apparently in the illegal alcohol business, came to Rulse’s house, pulled him out, beat him to death, and threw his body in Bair Creek. The motive was their belief that Rulse had stolen some of their bootlegged alcohol.

Victim(s):

John Rulse


Date of incident: 1940-08-03
Location: Barton, Colbert County, Alabama
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: stealing whiskey from bootleggers

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

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


Document(s):
federal agency records
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