[SarahUSC]

That's a good point on the use of "crucified". I have never in my life heard tarred and feathered associated with any lynchings. I agree it's just a figure of speech.

[Locomotive Breath]

If you look at the Wiki link, you will find the literal textbook picture of "tar and feather". Note that it's (white) American revolutionaries doing it to a (white) English tax collector. I remember that picture being in a grammar school textbook.