From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Turner, Samuel

(died: 1901) 

Dr. Turner's death in 1901 was the first suicide on record for an African American in Kentucky. It was thought that he hanged himself due to the shame of being indited for vending lottery tickets. His half nude body was found in the early morning, in the highest tree, 50 feet above ground, in Flora Park in Louisville, KY. The park was located at South and Ormsby Streets. Turner's death was also reported as a lynching. For more see "Suicide: of Dr. Samuel Turner this morning," Newark Daily Advocate, 06/29/1901, p. 1; "He hanged himself high," The Atlanta Constitution, 06/30/1901, p.2.

References

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Source: Newark daily advocate (newspaper)
NKAA Source: The Atlanta constitution (newspaper)

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Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Turner, Samuel,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed February 17, 2019, http://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/1516.

Last modified: 2017-07-19 17:51:34