Sheriff George Washington Law

George Washington Law

Sheriff George Law and Deputy Sheriff W.W. Dundon were shot and killed while escorting a prisoner from the courthouse to jail after the man was convicted of a crime.

An angry crowd on horses attacked the carriage on Court Street in front of the courthouse and fired into it. Sheriff Law and Deputy Dundon were both mortally wounded. The men then took the carriage and drove it to Mexico Road just north of Jameson Cemetery. A passerby stopped the carriage and was able to convince the crowd to allow him to take Sheriff Law back to down.

Sheriff Law died nine days later and Deputy Dundon died 19 days later.

A suspect was charged with both murders but was acquitted at his trial seven months later.

Sheriff Law was a Confederate Army Lieutenant Colonel who served under General Sterling Price. During the Vicksburg Campainge in 1863 he lost his left arm. He returned to duty and served until the end of the war. He was survived by three children. He was preceded in death by his wife and eight children.