The Wilmington Race Riots The Wilmington Race Riots 18981898

by by Shy LiddellShy Liddell

Melisa HanksMelisa Hanks

The Wilmington Race Riot was the result of the The Wilmington Race Riot was the result of the 1898 white supremacy campaign instituted by 1898 white supremacy campaign instituted by the Democratic Party. Democrats fueled racial the Democratic Party. Democrats fueled racial

hatred and promised violence to win the hatred and promised violence to win the election.election.

Facts about Post Facts about Post Reconstruction North CarolinaReconstruction North Carolina Reconstruction lasted in North Carolina from 1865-1870.Reconstruction lasted in North Carolina from 1865-1870.

The Freedman’s Bureau continued operations until 1876.The Freedman’s Bureau continued operations until 1876.

Over 50% of the population in Eastern North Carolina Over 50% of the population in Eastern North Carolina was Black, was Black, uneducated and non-property owners.uneducated and non-property owners.

Whites dominated the state both economically and Whites dominated the state both economically and politically.politically.However...However...

By the 1870s and 1880s the Black vote was By the 1870s and 1880s the Black vote was becoming increasing important and many Black becoming increasing important and many Black Republicans were elected to offices including the Republicans were elected to offices including the

State Legislature and Congress.State Legislature and Congress.

Wilmington PopulationWilmington Population1870 - 19101870 - 1910

White

Black

White 5,526 6,888 8,731 10,556 13,267

Black 7,920 10,462 11,324 10,407 12,107

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910

Wilmington by the 1890sWilmington by the 1890s

Wilmington and surrounding countiesWilmington and surrounding counties

Wilmington was the largest city in North

Carolina with a population in 1898 of 20,055.

11324=Black 8731=White

The city was racially integrated The city was racially integrated in residential areas, but there in residential areas, but there was still inequality socially, was still inequality socially, economically, and educationally.economically, and educationally.

Wilmington by the 1890sWilmington by the 1890s

Across fromAcross from town at town at foot of Mulberryfoot of Mulberry

South side Marketbetween Front and

Second

...was a prosperous port ...was a prosperous port despite the fact that the despite the fact that the economic center had began economic center had began shifting from the coast toward shifting from the coast toward the Piedmont Region.the Piedmont Region.Ferry at Water StreetFerry at Water Street

The “Black Mecca”The “Black Mecca”Progress for FreedmenProgress for Freedmen

Wilmington was regarded as a "Black Wilmington was regarded as a "Black Mecca" by some--a fact that some white Mecca" by some--a fact that some white

working men resented and white working men resented and white business leaders saw as dangerous. business leaders saw as dangerous.

Black literacy in North Black literacy in North Carolina rose Carolina rose

dramatically from virtual dramatically from virtual total illiteracy to 2/3 that total illiteracy to 2/3 that of whites. Black literacy of whites. Black literacy in Wilmington was the in Wilmington was the highest in the state. highest in the state.

African Americans worked African Americans worked as skilled craftsmen along as skilled craftsmen along

the river front, owned the river front, owned businesses, and held businesses, and held

positions in local positions in local government.government.

However, many African Americans However, many African Americans were unemployed or worked only in were unemployed or worked only in low-wage, seasonal labor, and black low-wage, seasonal labor, and black businesses were primarily service businesses were primarily service operations, which were not operations, which were not integrated into the white financial integrated into the white financial and business structure. and business structure.

Wilmington's African–American Wilmington's African–American CommunityCommunity

Gregory Normal InstituteGregory Normal Institute St. Luke's AME Zion ChurchSt. Luke's AME Zion Church

Religion played Religion played an important an important

part in part in education and education and

charitablecharitableorganizations.organizations.

African Americans from a African Americans from a wide range of wide range of

backgrounds were able backgrounds were able to manage their own to manage their own businesses and buy businesses and buy

homes throughout the homes throughout the city such as these Skilled city such as these Skilled cotton compress workers cotton compress workers

pictured here in 1897.pictured here in 1897.

1890s Political Leaders1890s Political LeadersThe FusionistsThe Fusionists

Politics of the 1890s revolved around attempts by Republicans Politics of the 1890s revolved around attempts by Republicans and Populists to “fuse” their voters to defeat Democrats.and Populists to “fuse” their voters to defeat Democrats.

John Campbell Dancy CongressmanCongressman George P. WhiteGeorge P. White

Mayor Silas P. Wright Mayor Silas P. Wright

““Fusion” was successful and by 1898 the alliance, Fusion” was successful and by 1898 the alliance, composed of the largely black Republican party and composed of the largely black Republican party and the white Populist party swept North Carolina politics the white Populist party swept North Carolina politics

by storm.by storm.

Fusion Success in the 1890sFusion Success in the 1890s 1894 Fusionists achieved victory in the state elections. 1894 Fusionists achieved victory in the state elections.

1896 won control both of the legislature and the 1896 won control both of the legislature and the governorship governorship appointing Wilmington native, Daniel Russell to the appointing Wilmington native, Daniel Russell to the seat.seat.

Made amendments to the North Carolina state Made amendments to the North Carolina state constitution:constitution:

more democratic governmentmore democratic governmentexpansion of voter registrationexpansion of voter registrationelect a municipal governmentelect a municipal government

The new municipal government included:The new municipal government included: four blacks among the city's ten aldermenfour blacks among the city's ten aldermen

thirteen officers among the city's thirty thirteen officers among the city's thirty policemenpolicemen

and blacks in other city offices as well. and blacks in other city offices as well.

1897 the NC Supreme Court decided in favor of the 1897 the NC Supreme Court decided in favor of the Fusionists Fusionists during a legally contested election and Republican Silas during a legally contested election and Republican Silas P. P. Wright became mayor. Wright became mayor.

1890s Political Leaders1890s Political LeadersThe DemocratsThe Democrats

Col. Walker TaylorCol. Walker Taylor

The 1898 election was viewed by Democrats as pivotal to The 1898 election was viewed by Democrats as pivotal to regaining control of state legislature; a key part of a regaining control of state legislature; a key part of a gradual process to reclaim control of the state and gradual process to reclaim control of the state and

reverse laws created by Fusionists to make government reverse laws created by Fusionists to make government more equitable.more equitable.

Hugh MacRae Col. Alfred WaddellCol. Alfred Waddell

The 1898 campaign was the most organized Democratic The 1898 campaign was the most organized Democratic Party election campaign up until that time.Party election campaign up until that time.

White Supremacists White Supremacists CampaignCampaign

The Democratic Party machine use The Democratic Party machine use printed media, speechmaking and printed media, speechmaking and

intimidation to achieve victory at all intimidation to achieve victory at all costs.costs.

1892 Cartoon urges1892 Cartoon urgesWhite voters to fearWhite voters to fear

Black voters.Black voters.

August 1898August 1898Raleigh News and ObserverRaleigh News and Observer

October 1898October 1898Raleigh News and ObserverRaleigh News and Observer

IntimidationIntimidationWhite Government UnionsWhite Government Unions

"the Secret Nine""the Secret Nine" - Hugh MacRae and eight other - Hugh MacRae and eight other Democrats formed this group to organize a seizure of Democrats formed this group to organize a seizure of the city government by violent means after the state the city government by violent means after the state elections in the fall. This group maintained close elections in the fall. This group maintained close contact with the statewide Democrat white supremacist contact with the statewide Democrat white supremacist campaign. campaign.

"the Group of Six""the Group of Six" - This group - This group was formed by Col. Walker Taylor. was formed by Col. Walker Taylor. These men secretly organized to These men secretly organized to deliver victory to the Democrats in the deliver victory to the Democrats in the fall county and state elections. fall county and state elections.

IntimidationIntimidationRed ShirtsRed Shirts

The first Red Shirts, a paramilitary group, The first Red Shirts, a paramilitary group, appeared in North Carolina in the fall of 1898 appeared in North Carolina in the fall of 1898 and, by Election Day, the organization boasted and, by Election Day, the organization boasted membership in several eastern counties, membership in several eastern counties, including a strong contingent in New Hanover.including a strong contingent in New Hanover.

Red Shirts, such as these Red Shirts, such as these men from Laurinburg, men from Laurinburg, held day-long rallies in held day-long rallies in

which they rode through which they rode through African American African American

communities with their communities with their guns in plain sight. guns in plain sight.

Fuel for the FireFuel for the FireAlex ManlyAlex Manly

The illegitimate The illegitimate grandson of Charles grandson of Charles Manly, NC governor Manly, NC governor (1849-51), Alex was (1849-51), Alex was the mulatto editor of the mulatto editor of

the Wilmington the Wilmington RecordRecord – the city’s only – the city’s only

African American African American newspaper.newspaper.

In August, 1898, Manly In August, 1898, Manly printed an editorial in printed an editorial in response to a speech response to a speech given by Mrs. Rebecca given by Mrs. Rebecca

Felton, the wife of a Felton, the wife of a Georgia congressman Georgia congressman and a leading women's and a leading women's rights advocate in the rights advocate in the

South. South.

Manly addressed Manly addressed her remarks and her remarks and the editorial was the editorial was reprinted within reprinted within days in every days in every

white newspaper white newspaper in the state, and in the state, and

in many in many newspapers newspapers

throughout the throughout the South calling it South calling it ““an attack on an attack on

White Christian White Christian Womanhood.”Womanhood.”

Final PoliticsFinal Politics The day before the election, The day before the election,

Democrats held a rally at Thalian Democrats held a rally at Thalian Hall in which Alfred Moore Waddell Hall in which Alfred Moore Waddell gave a speech that demonstrated gave a speech that demonstrated his party’s determination:his party’s determination:

You are White Americans. You are White Americans. You are armed and prepared, and You are armed and prepared, and

you will do your duty. Be ready at a you will do your duty. Be ready at a moment’s notice. moment’s notice.

Go to the polls tomorrow, and if you Go to the polls tomorrow, and if you find the Negro out voting, tell him to find the Negro out voting, tell him to leave the polls and if he refuses kill, leave the polls and if he refuses kill, shoot him down in his tracks. shoot him down in his tracks.

We shall win tomorrow if we have to We shall win tomorrow if we have to do it with guns” do it with guns”

Alfred Moore Waddell Alfred Moore Waddell November 7, November 7, 18981898

Election DayElection Day Democrats won most of their contests across the Democrats won most of their contests across the

state with large majorities. state with large majorities.

Victory was the result of low Republican and Populist Victory was the result of low Republican and Populist turnout and higher than normal Democratic voting.turnout and higher than normal Democratic voting.

The day was peaceful with only a few incidents of The day was peaceful with only a few incidents of unrest.unrest.

In Wilmington, ballot counting was undisturbed in In Wilmington, ballot counting was undisturbed in most city precincts but one polling place in the most city precincts but one polling place in the African American community was “stormed” by African American community was “stormed” by whites who stuffed the ballot boxes when lights were whites who stuffed the ballot boxes when lights were extinguished. extinguished.

November 9, 1898November 9, 1898Preamble to the White Declaration of Preamble to the White Declaration of

IndependenceIndependence

Rejuvenated by victory, Rejuvenated by victory, whites met at the whites met at the courthouse the day after the courthouse the day after the election to place a series of election to place a series of demands on the African demands on the African American communityAmerican community. .

“ “We, the undersigned We, the undersigned citizens of the City of citizens of the City of Wilmington and County of Wilmington and County of New Hanover, do hereby New Hanover, do hereby declare that we will no declare that we will no longer be ruled, and will longer be ruled, and will never again be ruled by never again be ruled by men of African origin.” men of African origin.”

Declaring that they represented the sentiment of the white people of the

county, they proclaimed that Alexander Manly had to leave the city and the Record cease to be published, and that the Fusionist

municipal government led by Mayor Wright and Chief of Police John

Melton had to resign.

Four hundred and fifty four men signed

"The White Declaration of Independence

"

The Wilmington Messenger, November 14,

1898, with the "Declaration" and 454

signatories to it.

Committee of Colored Committee of Colored CitizensCitizens

On the evening of November 9, 1898... On the evening of November 9, 1898... The declaration and ultimatum was delivered to the The declaration and ultimatum was delivered to the Colored Committee, made up of twenty five black Colored Committee, made up of twenty five black leaders, who were given until 8:30 the next morning to leaders, who were given until 8:30 the next morning to reply. reply.

The black leadership agreed to these demands, but the message was The black leadership agreed to these demands, but the message was not delivered back to Col. Waddell's home in time the next day.not delivered back to Col. Waddell's home in time the next day.

Wilmington Light InfantryWilmington Light Infantry

Waddell had scheduled a meeting with whites at the Waddell had scheduled a meeting with whites at the Wilmington Light Infantry Armory the next morning. At the Wilmington Light Infantry Armory the next morning. At the

meeting it was anticipated that he would receive the meeting it was anticipated that he would receive the response by 8:30 from the Committee of Colored Citizens. response by 8:30 from the Committee of Colored Citizens.

However, their response had not arrived by 9:30 and However, their response had not arrived by 9:30 and Waddell made use of the crowd’s furor -- leading a Waddell made use of the crowd’s furor -- leading a

procession of men to Manly’s press building.procession of men to Manly’s press building.

Destruction of Manly’s PressDestruction of Manly’s Press

After the press was destroyed, a group of men paused After the press was destroyed, a group of men paused for a news photographer in front of the building. Most for a news photographer in front of the building. Most

of the men then returned to the Armory but some of the men then returned to the Armory but some returned to their neighborhood across town by trolley. returned to their neighborhood across town by trolley.

Remnants of the Press Building Remnants of the Press Building and Printing Pressand Printing Press

““Hell Broke Loose”Hell Broke Loose”According to one native According to one native Wilmington historian, “Hell Wilmington historian, “Hell Broke Loose” around 11:00 Broke Loose” around 11:00 am near the intersection of am near the intersection of Fourth and Harnett Streets Fourth and Harnett Streets in the predominantly in the predominantly African American Brooklyn African American Brooklyn community. After the first community. After the first shots were fired at this shots were fired at this intersection, several black intersection, several black men lay dead or wounded. men lay dead or wounded.

After the first shots were After the first shots were fired, a “running firefight” fired, a “running firefight” erupted in the streets with erupted in the streets with armed men of both races armed men of both races rushing to the scene.rushing to the scene.

Manhattan ParkManhattan ParkBefore the Wilmington Light Before the Wilmington Light Infantry could contain all of the Infantry could contain all of the violence, shots rang out around violence, shots rang out around Manhattan Park deep in the Manhattan Park deep in the African American community. African American community. At least two African American At least two African American men died as a result of the men died as a result of the action around Manhattan Park. action around Manhattan Park.

A fence had surrounded A fence had surrounded Manhattan Park but was Manhattan Park but was “mowed down” by rifle fire. The “mowed down” by rifle fire. The day after the riot, one white day after the riot, one white participant wrote his future wife participant wrote his future wife that he wanted to take her to that he wanted to take her to see the “battle-scarred” trees see the “battle-scarred” trees and buildings in Brooklyn when and buildings in Brooklyn when she returned to the city.she returned to the city.

Coup d’etatCoup d’etat Even as gunshots echoed Even as gunshots echoed

through the city, Waddell through the city, Waddell and other leaders sought the and other leaders sought the resignations of Wilmington’s resignations of Wilmington’s Mayor and Board of Mayor and Board of Aldermen at 4:00 in the Aldermen at 4:00 in the afternoon.afternoon.

Waddell was then “elected” Waddell was then “elected” mayor by a new Board of mayor by a new Board of Aldermen who had been Aldermen who had been hand-picked by leading hand-picked by leading Democrats to run the city.Democrats to run the city.

Not long after Waddell Not long after Waddell assumed power, all black assumed power, all black employees or appointed employees or appointed officers were fired or officers were fired or replaced.replaced.

Banishment CampaignBanishment Campaign Another aspect of the riot was that prominent African Americans Another aspect of the riot was that prominent African Americans

– economic, religious and political leaders – were arrested, jailed – economic, religious and political leaders – were arrested, jailed overnight and banished from the city. overnight and banished from the city.

These men were promised that returning to their homes, These men were promised that returning to their homes, families and businesses would result in physical harm and/or families and businesses would result in physical harm and/or death. death.

This photo shows the banishment of African American leaders This photo shows the banishment of African American leaders being marched to the train station on November 11.being marched to the train station on November 11.

Aftermath – Aftermath – Jim Crow Alive and WellJim Crow Alive and Well

Burial of the DeadBurial of the Dead– Actual numbers of dead and wounded have never been tallied and, due Actual numbers of dead and wounded have never been tallied and, due

to inconclusive evidence, a definitive figure may never be determined.to inconclusive evidence, a definitive figure may never be determined.

ExodusExodus– During the riot and immediately afterward, scores of African Americans During the riot and immediately afterward, scores of African Americans

left the city to find less hostile homes for their families and businesses. left the city to find less hostile homes for their families and businesses.

Changes in workforceChanges in workforce– African Americans who remained or moved to Wilmington faced harsh African Americans who remained or moved to Wilmington faced harsh

racism and a reduction in pay as they accepted lower paying jobs.racism and a reduction in pay as they accepted lower paying jobs.

Suffrage Amendment (1900)Suffrage Amendment (1900)– Democrats won the Governor’s office in 1900 using election campaign Democrats won the Governor’s office in 1900 using election campaign

tactics similar to those of 1898. In 1900 Democrats were able to pass tactics similar to those of 1898. In 1900 Democrats were able to pass a Suffrage Amendment to the state Constitution that virtually a Suffrage Amendment to the state Constitution that virtually eliminated African American voting rights and perpetuated segregation eliminated African American voting rights and perpetuated segregation that lasted until the Civil Rights movements of the 1950’s and 60’s.that lasted until the Civil Rights movements of the 1950’s and 60’s.

Significance?Significance? Wilmington "riot" offered a very different kind of Wilmington "riot" offered a very different kind of

model to the South. model to the South.

The Wilmington riot and coup, precisely because it The Wilmington riot and coup, precisely because it was carried out as the overthrow of what was was carried out as the overthrow of what was perceived as the "black" government, marked the perceived as the "black" government, marked the beginning of the Era of Segregation in North Carolina. beginning of the Era of Segregation in North Carolina.

The decision of President McKinley to avoid The decision of President McKinley to avoid confrontation and of the Wilmington insurrection confrontation and of the Wilmington insurrection have yet to be fully appreciated. Just as the Supreme have yet to be fully appreciated. Just as the Supreme Court decision in the Plessey case of 1896 Court decision in the Plessey case of 1896 contributed, as a legal precedent, to the spread of contributed, as a legal precedent, to the spread of "separate but equal" Jim Crow laws throughout the "separate but equal" Jim Crow laws throughout the South, so the WilmingtonSouth, so the Wilmington Revolution of 1898 Revolution of 1898 and its and its acceptance by the federal government contributed, acceptance by the federal government contributed, as a political precedent, to the spread of violence to as a political precedent, to the spread of violence to end black civil and political rights throughout the end black civil and political rights throughout the South. South.

As an Aside...As an Aside...

Alex and Frank Manly prepare to flee Alex and Frank Manly prepare to flee

There is an oral There is an oral tradition that while tradition that while they were fleeing, they were fleeing, the Manly's were the Manly's were

stopped at a stopped at a checkpoint, assumed checkpoint, assumed to be white, given a to be white, given a rifle, and told to "be rifle, and told to "be on the lookout for on the lookout for

that “n”(word) editor that “n”(word) editor Manly." Manly."

Wouldn’t that Wouldn’t that be funny if be funny if

thatthatWere really Were really

true?true?