King Johnson was lynched December 26, 1911 in

Brooklyn, Maryland Brooklyn is one of the southernmost neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. It is located near Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Anne Arundel County along Albert C. Ritchie, Governor Ritchie Highway which is also Maryland Route 2. Its main roads are ...

. The lynching occurred after King Johnson shot and killed Frederick Schwab, a 29-year-old

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

blacksmith who lived in the Fairfield area of Baltimore. The incident took place after a verbal confrontation over a game of pool between Johnson and Frederick Schwab's brother, Frank. The argument turned sour. Upon leaving the saloon Johnson was approached by Frederick Schwab. Frederick was upset that Johnson called his brother several vile names during the argument. Johnson reported that he already feared Frederick because of previous encounters. Therefore, when Frederick struck him he pulled his pistol and fired several shots. The first shot hit Frederick in the chest, killing him, the next two shots were fired over Frederick's fallen body. However, witnesses claim they did not see Frederick strike Johnson. Frank Schwab returned to the saloon where the argument occurred. He called Chief Irwin of the

Anne Arundel County Police The Anne Arundel County Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, serving a population of more than 564,195 per 2015 census estimates across of jurisdiction. The Department was creat ...

. King Johnson was later arrested along with witness, Hubert (Reedbird) Chase, at his home. There was no reported resistance and Johnson pleaded self-defense as his only motive. Johnson and Chase were both taken to the Brooklyn jail. They were to be transported to

Annapolis Annapolis ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland and the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Anne Arundel County. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east o ...

for their safety that same day but were delayed. Around two o'clock in the morning on December 26, 1911, Johnson was taken from his cell at the Brooklyn jail and lynched.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, King Lynching deaths in Maryland Racially motivated violence against African Americans 1911 deaths 1911 in Maryland African-American history in Baltimore People from Anne Arundel County, Maryland December 1911 events 1911 murders in the United States South Baltimore