Killing of Aaron Williams in Mississippi in 1932

Incident

Case summary

Aaron Williams (1879-1932), a railroad fireman, was killed, likely by a gang of white men calling themselves the Mystic Order of United Workers in Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi. The “Mystic Order” was engaged in a violent campaign to drive Black men from their jobs working for the Illinois Central and Yazoo & Mississippi railroads. Williams was one of those shot and killed.

Victim(s):

Aaron Williams


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

B. G. Gurner

Reedy Lee

J. Matt Lewis

Charles J. Miller

Emmett Smith

M. F. Varnado

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1932-03-19
Location: Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi
Location type: victim's workplace
Allegation against victim: holding jobs white men wanted

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

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: yes
Trial: yes
Conviction: yes
Sentence: a term in the state pen


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates
federal agency records
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