The Springfield Race Riot of 1908

Marker Text: In mid-August, 1908, white Springfield residents lynched two African Americans during what became known as the Springfield Race Riot. The mob action was one of many such incidents in the United States which claimed the lives of thousands of African Americans between the Civil War and World War II. The riot in Springfield attracted special attention because of Abraham Lincoln’s connection to the city. In July 1908, Joe James, an African American, was charged with the murder of a white man, Clergy Ballard. On Aug. 13, Mabel Hallam, a white woman, accused George Richardson, an African American, of rape. On Aug. 14, a crowd of whites attempted to remove James and Richardson from the Sangamon County Jail. The sheriff distracted the mob and used a car borrowed from businessman Harry Loper to smuggle James and Richardson out of Springfield and to safety. Loper’s car and restaurant were destroyed by rioters seeking revenge for his actions. Days of Rage After targeting Harry Loper’s business, rioters began targeting African American and Jewish businesses on Springfield’s east side Rioters yelled, “Curse the day that Lincoln freed the n—-rs” and “Abe Lincoln brought them to Springfield and we will drive them out. The riot quickly turned deadly. On Aug 15, an African American man Scott Burton, attempted to defend himself outside his home when the fired a gun and wounded a rioter. The crowd overpowered Burton, beat him and then hanged him with a clothesline. Later that day, rioters attacked William Donegan, an African American businessman who was married to a white woman. Donegan had been an acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln and a conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped escaped slaves to safety. Within sight of the state Capitol, members of the mob dragged the 85-year-old from his home, slit his throat and lynched him. During the two days of terror, many African Americans fled or took shelter as best they could. One thirteen-year-old girl hid in a railroad boxcar with her family, recalling later “I just prayed for an engine to come up there and back up there and pull us away.” Many communities surrounding Springfield refused to help those fleeing the violence. Illinois Gov. Charles S. Deneen called out Illinois National Guard troops to restore order. Soldiers began patrols of the city and established a presence at the Illinois State Arsenal Building where many African American families took refuge. A total of 107 people, both black and white, were charged in connection with the violence. Only one was ever convicted. George Richardson was cleared when his accuser admitted that she lied about the rape allegation. Joe James was convicted of murder and later executed.