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Has anyone else been looking into the role of the community in the aftermath of Constable Pate’s tragic death and the subsequent lynching of Flanigan Thornton? I’ve been thinking a lot about how justice was perceived back in the 1890s, especially in rural areas like Menifee. It seems like there was such a strong sense of communal justice, for better or worse. Not only did this lead to that horrendous act of vigilante law, but also to the whole town’s apparent silence about the identity of those involved in the mob. What’s really troubling to me is how Thornton never had his day in court for the shooting of Constable Pate—who, by all accounts, was just trying to do his job. It’s haunting to think about the pain and frustration felt by both families. Perhaps people thought they were doing the right thing, but ultimately, justice wasn't served for anyone involved. I’d love to hear others’ thoughts or any additional resources about how communities dealt with justice back then, and if any lessons were learned as a result.
