State Sanctioned
A clearinghouse for information, analysis, and resources related to state sanctioned violence in the United States
Laura and L.D. Nelson
Killed May 25th, 1911, in Okemah, Oklahoma. Laura Nelson and her son, L.D., were taken from jail in the middle of the night. The jail was left unlocked, supposedly to allow a private detective to enter if/when he arrived in town late at night. The bodies were photographed along with spectators the next day. No arrests were made in the case, nor was the jailer disciplined for failing to lock the jail doors.
The incident is discussed in a number of sources:
The Okemah Ledger, May 25th, 1911
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