Race and Murder
There was a surprising number of stories that did not mention the race of the offender or of the victim. The highest number of murders were committed by white offenders- 5 reports of murder committed by white offenders. There were 3 murders that were committed by black offenders. Now we must keep in mind that these are only the stories that are reporting the race of the said offenders and victims. In the 1900s and 1920s there seems to be an even number of stories reporting the race of offenders and victims, it seems that neither years focus on the race of the accused/victims.
I will examine two cases in which the offenders were lynched for their crimes. The first being “Riddled with Bullets” and the other “Two Negroes.” It is also important to note that both stories are from out of state.
“Riddled with Bullets”- This story has an average number of words at 153 words. The style of reporting is sensational and informational as it explains in detail to readers why Frank Gilmore was lynched and what the mob did to his body after he fell from the tree. This story is more graphic than the other one being examined, and it might be because of the severity of the crime.
“Two Negroes”- This story is very short with only 17 words. The style of reporting is informational as it is just explaining to readers that two black offenders were lynched by a mob for the murder of a woman in Mississippi.