On May 20, 1898, a mob of approximately 20 white men brutally whipped and beat a Black teenager named Elbert Harris, 18 years old, on the side of the road between Iva and Anderson, South Carolina. The mob took Mr. Harris from the custody of a law enforcement agent. After his attack, he was not taken to the hospital but instead was taken on to the Anderson County Jail. He died four days later due to the injuries sustained from this racially motivated attack. None of the participants in the mob were ever held accountable for Elbert Harris’s lynching.
Here is an excerpt from The Anderson Intelligencer, May 25, 1898, Page 8
Last Thursday night the ginhouse and machinery of E. H. Simpson at Iva was destroyed by fire, and it was the work of an incendiary. Suspicion rested upon Joe Harris, Asbury Harris, and Elbert Harris, all negroes, the first two being half brothers, and the latter a son of Asbury. They were arrested and committed to jail by Magistrate Jackson. They were in charge of Constable McCullough, and on the way a posse overtook them and gave Elbert Harris a flogging.
When the prisoners reached the Jail Friday night Elbert was very sick and Sheriff Green immediately called in Dr. J. C. Harris, who has been visiting the prisoner twice a day, giving him every attention possible. This morning at 5 o’clock the negro was found dead in his cell. At the hour of going to press Coroner Nance had not finished the inquest. Dr. Harris had testified that he found marks of violence on the prisoner’s back and leg, and believed that his death was caused by exhaustion.
There has been considerable stealing and several attempts to burn property in and around Iva. A few nights preceding Mr. Simpson’s fire an attempt was made to bum A. G. Cook’s store. It is believed these negroes were guilty of all these crimes.”
The Anderson Intelligencer (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, May 25, 1898, Page 8, Image 8
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026965/1898-05-25/ed-1/seq-8/Since the above was written and put in type the jury of inquest has rendered a verdict that death was caused by exhaustion produced from causes unknown to them.
This documentary was a product of Anderson University’s COM 451 Class: Documentary Storytelling. This project was created in the Fall 2024.
Anderson University’s COM 451 Documentary Storytelling Team
Dylan Johnson – Videographer and Editor
Alana Eakle – Voiceover and Researcher
Jada Patton – Producer and Scriptwriter
Bobby Rettew, MA – Assistant Professor, Anderson University – COM 451 Instructor
Special thanks to:
Tim Taylor, Clerk: Town of Iva
Dr. Stuart Sprague, Professor Emeritus, Anderson University
Christina Griswold