SALISBURY — Aug. 6, 1906, is a dark day in Rowan County history. That’s the day an angry mob hanged three black men without evidence or trial.

Nease Gillespie, John Gillespie and Jack Dillingham worked for a white family that had been found murdered.

A group of citizens is coming together to plan a commemorative service for the men this August, according to two people who have been part of the initiative, Carl Repsher and P.J. Ricks.

The planning group has met twice, first at Trinity Presbyterian and then at Crown in Glory Lutheran Church. The last meeting included clergy, descendants of the victims, the mayor, the police chief and lay people, Repsher and Ricks say.

The group will meet again at 2 p.m Tuesday, May 23, at Crown in Glory Lutheran Church, 517 E. Bank St., and invites the public to hear the conversation and be part of the planning process.