Jake Campbell

Jake Campbell was a police officer from 1914-1927, before he took over as the Grant County Sheriff. Jake was a large man weighing about two hundred and forty pounds, and having a fat belly. Campbell always wore a white shirt but no tie. During this time only the police force had uniforms and cars, the sheriff and his deputies did not. Sheriff Campbell was also sheriff during the time the famous Marion lynching took place. He played a big role in the trials and in the actuall event.

On August 7, 1930 three men Tom Shipp aged nineteen, Abe Smith, eighteen, and James Cameron sixteen, were dragged from their cells in the Grant Country Jail and hung. These three men were in jail awaiting trial on a supposed rape and murder charge. During this famous lynching Grant County Sheriff Jake Campbell was overseeing the local jail. People began to gather infront of the jail around 6:30 p.m. on a warm Thursday evening. without warning the mob grew out of control and stormed the jail. It was said that Sheriff Campbell did not do his job to the best of his ability, and in some ways almost let them walk into the jail. In some records witnesses say that Sheriff Campbell actually handed the angry mob the keys to the young men's cells. Many people may say that Jake Campbell could have easily prevented the hanging, but instead he stepped aside.

Campbell was said to possibly have ties with the notorious Ku Klux Klan. This was not uncommon at this time for a sheriff or person with higher power to have direct ties to the Klan. Although Jake was never proven to be a Klan member it seems to make sense that he would be, because of his lack of protection for the three young African American men. Although there is a lack of reliable evidence, many would be left to believe that the Klan played a part in the Lynching, and that Campbell in some way knew of the Klan's intentions. There have also been theories that state Campbell's lack of action could have been due to acts of intimidation against him, by the Klan members.

During the time of the lynching fear was only spread among the African Americans, but also the white residents of Marion. It was reported that as many as four hundered African Americans were gathered in Johnstown, ready to march to Marion. POlice reached the group and broke them up before they were able to carry out with their plans. One of their main targets was said to be Sheriff Campbell, who was under heavy protection in his jail residence. Walter White head of the NAACP brought to Marion in attempt to prosecute the lynchers, and law officers. White came to the the conclusion that the officers were guilty of "gross if not criminal negligence." White also concluded that it was "beyond question that Sheriff Campbell was guilty of gross failure to perform his duty as sheriff," and that he should be removed from office. Grant County Prosecuter Harley Hardin told White that he was "reluctant to proceed vigorously with the rrest and prosecution of the lynchers and law officers, basing this reluctance upon the fact that he feared such action would infuriate the mob and stir it to new activity."