Jesse Williams, 48, a planter, was executed in 1933 in Tate County, Mississippi. Williams was accused of killing Deputy Sheriff Jeff Walker Williams in a fight after the officer attempted to arrest him on a robbery charge without a warrant. A mob, organized by Sheriff A. C. Williams to search for Jesse Williams, came to the home of Judge Crawford, a Black farmer. There, a gunfight ensued where Crawford, his wife, his two sons, and a son-in-law were killed. There were also conflicting reports that Crawford’s wife and one son were wounded. Jesse Williams was later apprehended by Memphis police and sentenced to be executed by hanging. The NAACP hired a lawyer to appeal Jesse Williams’ conviction, but prison officials executed him ahead of schedule to stop the appeal.

Jesse Williams