Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lynching of William Keemer
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 20, 2025
1. Lynching of William Keemer Marker
William Keemer (born ca. 1852) of Carthage was a Black carpenter with ties to the nearby free Black community of Beech Settlement (begun ca.1828). In 1875, white Hancock County farmer William Vaughn accused Keemer of raping his wife. Keemer was arrested and jailed at Greenfield. He maintained his innocence, a claim supported by Beech and Greenfield residents.
A mob of 160 white men broke into the jail, beat Keemer, and lynched him at the Hancock County fairgrounds. While many spectators witnessed the murder, no perpetrators were identifued or prosecuted. This lynching and denial of due process, along with others in Indiana from the mid~1800s to 1930, intentionally terrorized Black communities and enforced white supremacy.
Erected 2024 by Indiana Historical Bureau.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 39° 47.188′ N, 85° 44.347′ W. Marker is in Greenfield, Indiana, in Hancock
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana and specifically in Greater Indianapolis. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harker Rock Garden Rocks (approx. 0.9 miles away); Birthplace of Democratic Party Rooster (approx. 0.9 miles away); Hancock County Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hancock County, Indiana (approx. 1.6 miles away); James Whitcomb Riley (approx. 1.6 miles away); Information on the Move (approx. 1.6 miles away); Historic National Road / Make History, Drive It (approx. 1.6 miles
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 20, 2025
2. Lynching of William Keemer Marker
Additional keywords. racial terror lynching
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 20, 2025
3. Lynching of William Keemer Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
