The Killing of Robert "Bob" Vaughn by Cad Brown at Oakland and Brown's Subsequent Trial and Sentencing

Title

Subject

The Law, Crime and Punishment

Description

A series of Florence newspaper articles reporting the December 1889 killing by white resident of Oakland Robert "Bob" Vaughn by African-American Cad Brown at a Negro supper and dance held at a house in Oakland and Brown's subsequent Florence trial and conviction on the charge of 2nd degree murder and sentencing to 20 years in prison.

Robert Vaughn and his brother Jim became involved in an altercation with African-American Griffin Jones (wanted for unspecified crimes in Mississippi), who hit Jim Vaughn over the head with a stick and then fled. Robert Vaughn ran after him, taking several shots at the fleeing Jones before Cad Brown, a bystander and Jones' cousin, grabbed an axe and began chasing Vaughn. Brown struck Vaughn with the axe as he was turning, with the axe glancing off the man's cheek and cutting a gash into his chest, killing him. Brown and Jones were both arrested.

Friends of the slain Vaughn attempted to take Brown from the jail and hang him but were prevented by Sheriff George W. Porter who postponed Brown's trial, had Brown transferred to Huntsville for safekeeping, and contacted Governor Seay, who authorized the Wheeler Rifles and Sheffield Light Guards to assist Sheriff Porter and his deputies.

At his March, 1890 trial Brown was defended by John B. Weakley, who argued that he had killed Vaughn in self-defense. Consequently Brown was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Source

1-8. Florence Herald
9. Florence Banner

Publisher

Newspapers.com

Date

1. 1889-12-11
2. 1889-12-11
3-4. 1889-12-11
5. 1890-03-12
6. 1890-03-15
7. 1890-03-19
8. 1890-03-19.
9. 1890-03-20

Contributor

Lee Freeman

Rights

Images are available for educational and research purposes. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the copyright holder and receive permission.

Format

Jpeg

Language

English

Type

Still Image

Files

Collection

The Law, Crime and Punishment

Citation

“The Killing of Robert "Bob" Vaughn by Cad Brown at Oakland and Brown's Subsequent Trial and Sentencing,” Shoals Black History, accessed December 7, 2025, https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/1078.

The Killing of Robert "Bob" Vaughn by Cad Brown at Oakland and Brown's Subsequent Trial and Sentencing

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