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Full Name
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Rufus Jackson Swindall
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Name Variations
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Rufus Swindle, Rufus Swindal, Rufus Swindler, Rufus Smith
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Biography
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In March 1895, Rufus Jackson Swindall, age 20, was lynched near Central Institute in Elmore, Alabama by a white mob who were afraid he would tell authorities of them making whiskey, which was illegal at the time. The mob would break into his home in the middle of the night, where he resided with his wife, Lizzie, and drag him from bed, planning to march him outside. Rufus would attempt to escape their hold and was delivered a bullet by one of the mob members, which killed him instantly. Rufus Jackson Swindall was born in July 1874 to Richard and Elizabeth Swindall. He was a member of a large family with at least eight siblings, including Mary, Georgiana, Janie, Bud, Duncan, Lucius, Amadory, and James Swindall. His father was a farmer and he and his family grew up in the Five Points community in Elmore County, Alabama. On September 14, 1894, Rufus married Lizzie Ross. His twin brother Lucius and Lizzie’s older brother, Henry Ross, were witnesses. Lizzie would witness and survive Rufus’ lynching a half year later. She would remain in Alabama and remarry twice before passing in 1926. Lucius Swindall would go on to marry Jessie May Giles in September 1899 and have at least five children with her, remaining in Elmore County and surviving his brother by at least 15 years.
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Documented or Attempted
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Documented
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Birth Date
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July 1874
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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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March 1895
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Age at Death
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20
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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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Olivia Womack
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Case Number
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AMP 051-18950300-001
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Identified by:
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Alabama Memory Project
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Mother
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Elizabeth Swindall
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Father
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Richard Swindall
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Spouse or Partner
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Lizzie Ross Swindall
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All other relatives
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Mary Swindall (sibling), Georgiana Swindall (sibling), Janie Swindall (sibling), Bud Swindall (sibling), Duncan Swindall (sibling), Lucius Swindall (sibling), Amadory Swindall (sibling), James Swindall (sibling)
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Head of Household and Literacy Status
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No; No