Skip to Main Content

The Lafayette Parish Community Remembrance Project

The History of Lynching Exhibit

The Unknown Victim

On a spring day in April 1878, a mob of at least five people lynched an unidentified African American man in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. The unidentified black man was found hanging in the neighborhood of Royville, which today is known as Youngsville. Most details about his life and death remain unknown. Following the lynching in Royville, five or six white people reportedly surrendered and were taken into custody by law enforcement. The preliminary investigation into the lynching was delayed and on June 3rd, a mob of approximately 500 armed white people gathered and marched to the court in 'military style' to demand the release of the suspects. According to one newspaper report, the local sheriff opened the prison doors 'with a smile' ready to accommodate the demands of the white mob. Other reports indicate that the suspects were held for several months after the initial arrest. No one was ever held accountable for the murder of this unidentified black man, one of at least six African American victims of racial terror lynching killed in Lafayette.Excerpt from exhibit:

"On a spring day in April 1878, a mob of at least five people lynched an unidentified African American man in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. The unidentified black man was found hanging in the neighborhood of Royville, which today is known as Youngsville. Most details about his life and death remain unknown. Following the lynching in Royville, five or six white people reportedly surrendered and were taken into custody by law enforcement. The preliminary investigation into the lynching was delayed and on June 3rd, a mob of approximately 500 armed white people gathered and marched to the court in 'military style' to demand the release of the suspects. According to one newspaper report, the local sheriff opened the prison doors 'with a smile' ready to accommodate the demands of the white mob. Other reports indicate that the suspects were held for several months after the initial arrest.

No one was ever held accountable for the murder of this unidentified black man, one of at least six African American victims of racial terror lynching killed in Lafayette."