Duck Hill in Montgomery County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Lynching of Bootjack and Red
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
1. Lynching of Bootjack and Red Marker
On April 13. 1937, Robert "Bootjack" McDaniels and Roosevelt "Red" Townes were lynched by a White mob after being accused of killing a White storekeeper in Duck Hill. Kidnapped from the courthouse and chained to trees, the two men were tortured with a blow torch, after which McDaniels was shot to death and Townes was burned alive. Photographs taken were later printed in Time and Life magazines and were the first lynching images published nationwide. The Nazis later used them as propaganda against the U.S.
Erected 2022 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1937.
Location. 33° 37.994′ N, 89° 42.653′ W. Marker is in Duck Hill, Mississippi, in Montgomery County. It is on North State Street (U.S. 51) north of South Binford Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duck Hill MS 38925, United States
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Mississippi. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Mississippi Delta. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lucie E. Campbell (a few steps from this marker); 87th Infantry Division (approx. 4½ miles away); 94th Infantry Division (approx. 4.8 miles away); Camp McCain (approx. 4.8 miles away); Magic Sam (approx. 9.7 miles away); Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway (approx. 10.2 miles away); Winona Jail Site (approx. 10.3 miles away); Ensign William Devotie Billingsley (approx. 10.3 miles away).
Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Lynching of Roosevelt Townes and Robert McDaniels. 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆!! This Wikipedia
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
2. Lynching of Bootjack and Red Marker
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
3. Lynching of Bootjack and Red Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
