William Burns

William Burns was an African-American man who was lynched on October 6, 1907, in Cumberland, Maryland, for the alleged murder of white Cumberland police officer August Baker.

Altercation William Burns was from Fauquier County, Virginia, and was about 18 years old. He had lived in Cumberland for about six months, working as a porter that the Alpine Hotel, and as a driver for a saloon. On October 3, 1907, Burns visited several saloons near the Cumberland waterfront with another African-American man named Jesse Page. At Kate Preston's saloon, Burns was thrown out for disorderly conduct. Police officer August Baker arrived to arrest Burns. There was a struggle, Baker hit Burns with a mace, and Burns shot Baker in the abdomen. Even so, Baker succeeded in handcuffing Burns and called for help, inducing two bystanders to take Burns to the police station. Although Burns was said to fear retaliation for Baker's death, Allegany County Sheriff Horace Hamilton did not add guards at the jail., leaving only deputy Noah Hendley. Page, who had also feared that he would be attacked, was cleared and released. Richmond stated that a number of prominent men from Cumberland and vicinity were involved in the lynching. A historical marker commemorating the lynching was dedicated across from the courthouse in 2021.