Marking an infamous Oconee episode

101.7/WGOG NEWS has learned that a spot at Walhalla’s Short Street and S. Tugaloo is designated for a marker for an infamous incident that took the life of an Oconee prisoner more than 90 years ago.  The killing of Allen Greene has often been remembered as a lynching, but Leslie Hagerty of the Oconee History Museum tells us, “I just wanted to point out that Allen Greene was not hanged.  He was shot to death, according to his death certificate and subsequent investigation.  The location was Burns Mill Rd.  We have lots of historical research regarding the event.”  That event is remembered as the date in 1930 when a mob overpowered the county sheriff and seized Greene from his jail, blaming 51-year old Greene, a black man, for the rape of a younger, married white woman.  A presentation, titled, “Lynching of Allen Green” is scheduled for tomorrow night’s meeting of the Oconee Arts and Historical Commission.