William Claud Floyd
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Full Name
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William Claud Floyd
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Name Variations
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Willie Floyd
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Biography
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On August 5, 1898, Wilile Floyd, eighteen, was nearly lynched from the accusation of sexual assault of a white woman with accomplice Melvin (Melbie) Smith. This outraged the community and led to the creation of a small mob. Coincidentally, there were two other Black men being held under the accusation of homicide of an unknown white man, and with the confusion, the two were able to survive the night. Both Willie Floyd and Melvin Smith were moved to another jail under the premise of “safe-keeping”. Willie Floyd was born in November of 1880 to Jake and Jasie Floyd. They lived in the Wetumpka area with his eight other siblings: Macon Floyd, Minnie Floyd, Virgin Floyd, Lovie Floyd, John Floyd, Artie Floyd, and Pearle Floyd. Willie was the oldest of his siblings and worked as a farm hand. He married Effie Floyd and was eventually drafted into the Army for WWI. He was a medium built man, who was tall and had “black” eyes. When he was drafted, he resided in Wetumpka, Alabama. After his arrest, Willie Floyd had kept a low profile. Willie Floyd eventually moved to Eclectic, Alabama with his wife Effie Floyd. In between the years of 1910 to 1920, he learns how to read a write. The Floyds eventually have eight kids, the oldest also being another Willie Floyd. After the birth of his oldest son, Willie Floyd starts going by his middle name, Claude. Willie died during the 1940s.
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Documented or Attempted
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Attempted
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Birth Date
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Circa 1898
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County of Birth; County of Death
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Elmore County; Elmore County
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Death Date
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N/A
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Date of Attempted Lynching
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August 5, 1898
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Age at Death
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N/A
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Race
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Black
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Sex
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Male
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Researchers
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Mary Favela
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Case Number
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AMP541-18980805-000
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Identified by:
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Alabama Memory Project
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Mother
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Jasie Floyd
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Father
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Jake Floyd
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Spouse or Partner
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Effie Floyd
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Child
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Willie Floyd (one of eight)
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All other relatives
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Macon Floyd (sibling), Minnie Floyd (sibling), Virgin Floyd (sibling), Lovie Floyd (sibling), John Floyd (sibling), Artie Floyd (sibling), Pearle Floyd (sibling)
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Occupation
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Solider
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Education Level
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N/A
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Head of Household and Literacy Status
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N/A