A vigil will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16 at noon at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse in remembrance of the lynching of John Lee Eberhart, who was murdered by a mob on February 16, 1921.

Participants will gather on the steps of the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse where, 100 years ago on Feb. 16, a mob broke into the building and, proceeding to the jail on the fourth floor, seized Eberhart and drove him to a spot on the Clarke-Oconee line off U.S. Highway 441.  There, a mob of an estimated 3,000 people participated in or watched Eberhart’s burning at the stake.  

No one was ever charged, prosecuted or jailed for the murder.  A coroner’s jury ruled the killing was carried out by the “hands of persons unknown.”

Masks must be worn and safe distancing is encouraged.

For more information, contact John Cole Vodicka, johnvodicka@comcast.net or 612-718-9307.