Photos: Maurice Mays and the 1919 race riots

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

A portrait of Maurice Mays, the man who was arrested and ultimately executed for killing Bertie Lindsey, a white woman from Knoxville. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

An article published in the East Tennessee News about efforts to clear Mays of his charges. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

Maurice Mays' arrest sparked the Knoxville race riots in the summer of 1919. A mob tried to break into the Knoxville jail to kill Mays. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

The NAACP joined the effort to clear Mays of his charges. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

Mays was disguised and transported to Chattanooga. He was ultimately sentenced to death by electrocution, claiming innocence until the end. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

The East Tennessee News from March 23, 1922 with coverage of Maurice Mays. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

The letter Maurice Mays wrote to Mrs. Ora Parsons from death row at the Tennessee State Prison, pleading for her to recant her statement, was publish in a local newspaper. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

Maurice Mays' signature on a letter he wrote on death row at the Tennessee State Prison. From the Beck Cultural Center.

Elizabeth Sims, WBIR

The letter Maurice Mays wrote to Mrs. Ora Parsons from death row at the Tennessee State Prison, pleading for her to recant her statement, was publish in a local newspaper. From the Beck Cultural Center.

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Photos: Maurice Mays and the 1919 race riots

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