MOB RULE IN NEW ORLEANS:
ROBERT CHARLES AND HIS FIGHT TO DEATH,
THE STORY OF HIS LIFE,
BURNING HUMAN BEINGS ALIVE,
OTHER LYNCHING STATISTICS
BY
IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT
1900
[Transcriber's Note: This pamphlet was first published in 1900 but wassubsequently reprinted. It's not apparent if the curiosities in spellingdate back to the original or were introduced later; they have beenretained as found, and the reader is left to decide. Please verify withanother source before quoting this material. Of special note are the namesCantrell/Cantrelle, Porteous/Porteus, and Ziegel/Zeigel.]
INTRODUCTION
Immediately after the awful barbarism which disgraced the State of Georgiain April of last year, during which time more than a dozen colored peoplewere put to death with unspeakable barbarity, I published a full reportshowing that Sam Hose, who was burned to death during that time, nevercommitted a criminal assault, and that he killed his employer inself-defense.
Since that time I have been engaged on a work not yet finished, which Iinterrupt now to tell the story of the mob in New Orleans, which,despising all law, roamed the streets day and night, searching for coloredmen and women, whom they beat, shot and killed at will.
In the account of the New Orleans mob I have used freely the graphicreports of the New Orleans Times-Democrat and the New OrleansPicayune. Both papers gave the most minute details of the week'sdisorder. In their editorial comment they were at all times most urgent intheir defense of law and in the strongest terms they condemned theinfamous work of the mob.
It is no doubt owing to the determined stand for law and order taken bythese great dailies and the courageous action taken by the best citizensof New Orleans, who rallied to the support of the civic authorities, thatprevented a massacre of colored people awful to contemplate.
For the accounts and illustrations taken from the above-named journals,sincere thanks are hereby expressed.
The publisher hereof does not attempt to moralize over the deplorablecondition of affairs shown in this publication, but simply presents thefacts in a plain, unvarnished, connected way, so that he who runs mayread. We do not believe that the American people who have encouraged suchscenes by their indifference will read unmoved these accounts ofbrutality, injustice and oppression. We do not believe that the moralconscience of the nation—that which is highest and best among us—willalways remain silent in face of such outrages, for God is not dead, andHis Spirit is not entirely driven from men's hearts.
When this conscience wakes and speaks out in thunder tones, as it must, itwill need facts to use as a weapon against injustice, barbarism and wrong.It is for this reason that I carefully compile, print and send forth thesefacts. If the reader can do no more, he can pass this pamphlet on toanother, or send to the bureau addresses of those to whom he can ordercopies mailed.
Besides the New Orleans case, a history of burnings in this country isgiven, together with a table of lynchings for the past eighteen years.Those who would like to assist in the work of disseminating these facts,can do so by ordering copies, which are furnished at greatly reducedrates for gratuitous distribution. The bureau has no funds and is entirelydependent upon contributions from friends and members in carrying on thework.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Chicago, Sept. 1, 1900