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People and Events

People and Events.



Year State Location Description Source Persons Named as Rioters Persons Named as Targets Note
1850 Missouri Clay Co., MO May: Hanging of enslaved woman for allegedly assualting mistress with an ax R. Douglas Hurt, Agriculture and Slavery in Missouri's Little Dixie (Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press, 1992), 248 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1850 Virginia Culpepper County June: A black man named Grayson arrested for the murder of David W. Miller on "wholly insufficient" evidence. After the murder, "bystanders, under the great excitement of the moment, forgetful of the mild spirit of our law" tortured the accused man. Statements made during this torture used against Grayson. The court ordered a new trial, but a mob stormed the jail and hanged Grayson themselves. Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, 1850-1851 Cases: Volume VII, 318-319 Grayson PTH
1850 California Sacramento, CA June: Men who had bought property from Sutter demolished several houses built by squatters. Hittel.History of California, III, p.672-673
1850 Texas Brownsville, TX July: Hanging of Francisco Flores for alleged murder. Wisconsin Democrat, Aug. 1850 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Francisco Flores PTH
1850 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh July: Fracas between female workers at the Eagle and Hope cotton mills. Calvert. "Allegheny…," p.131-132
1850 New York New York July: Tailors' strike for 50% wage increase. English, Irish and Scottish tailors participate; Germans did not. The result was several attacks in the streets on German men and women and their work taken from them. 40 strikers arrested and German joined the strike. Dagler portrays the riot a little differently. Strikers included Germans who fought with workers at Longstreet tailor shop. Clubs, sticks, and fists used. When arrests were made, strikers attacked police, who with reinforcements, beat them off. McMaster. VIII, p.101-105; Dagler. "Labor," p.80-81
1850 New York NYC July: Striking tailors attack tailors for working less than the demanded scale. Degler. "Labor," p.81
1850 New York NYC July: Striking tailors attack priest and a church because the priest distributed work to his tailor parishoners. Degler. "Labor," p.81; Cook. "Armies," p.21
1850 New York NYC August: Engine company 34 detached hose of hose company 35 at a fire. Costello.Our Firemen, p.115; Limpus.History, p.190
1850 New York NYC August: At a fire in University Place engine company 4 hindered hose company 35 from attaching to a hydrant. Some personal assaults took place. Costello.Our Firemen, p.115; Limpus.History, p.190
1850 New York NYC August: Hose Company 16 assaulted Engine Company 19 and injured their apparatus while Number 16 went to a fire. 16 probably planned a false alarm to ambush 19 on 3rd avenue. This incident, in which several members of 19 were seriously injured, and others, led to the disbanding og 16. Costello.Our Firemen, p.115-116; Limpus.History, p.190
1850 New York NYC September: Fire Chief Carson attempted to have William M. Tweed expelled as a foreman of Engine Company 16 and the company suspended for an attack on Hose Company 31. Costello.Our Firemen, p.119; Limpus.History, p.187-188 William M. Tweed
1850 New York NYC September: Fire Chief Carson complained of various gangs attacking fire companies, especially "The Old Maid Boys," who seized Hose 14, alongside Hose 26, attacking the firemen. Costello.Our Firemen, p.118-119
1850 Missouri St. Louis November: Members of the Missouri Fire Company fight with the Liberty Hose company. Greenberg.Cause for Alarm, p.96
1850 New York NYC December: Women clothing workers, probably German, physically assault another group of workers for havingtaken over their jobs. This occurred at 34th street near 11th avenue. Strike caused by cut in wages. Degler. "Labor," p.81, 115-116
1851 California Agua Fria, CA January: A mob of 500 anglos and 200 "foreigners" hanged a man named Pablo for alleged murder. Sacremento Transcript, 21 Jan 1851 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Pablo PTH
1851 Georgia Columbus, GA Hanging of Jarrett, and enslaved man, for alleged rape Wyatt-Brown, Southern Honor, 389 as listed in Pfeifer, Roots of Rough Justice. Jarrett PTH
1851 California Calaveras Co., California April: An organized company of French soldiers forcibly ejected by 900 Americans storming their encampment. Two French and one American killed. Pitt. "Beginnings of Nativism," p.34
1851 New Jersey Hoboken, NJ May: Rowides assault large body of Turnverein Germans celebrating Pentecost with a picnic. Germans counter-attacked, and drove the rowdies off. Germans demolished furnishing of house where rowdies hid. Rowdies destroyed a German's house. Reinforced, the rowdies continued the battle and tried to prevent the Germans from returning to NYC. At least one killed, maybe as many as 4. Plenty more wounded. H+W p.309-312
1851 California Jackson, CA June: Anglo vigilance committee hanged a Mexican man for alleged murder. Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1851 California Shaw's Flat, CA June: On 15 June, a crowd of between one and three thousand lynched Antonio Cruz and Patricio Janori for the alleged murder of an Anglo. San Francisco Herald, 28 June and 1 July 1851 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Antonio Cruz; Patricio Janori PTH
1851 California San Francisco June: After a merchant caught an Australian thief robbing his safe, a group of merchants held a vigilante trial, found the man guilty and hanged him. One of the leaders cried, at the moment of execution, "Every lover of liberty and good order lay hold of this rope." Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.5
1851 California Downieville, California July: Miners lynched a Mexican woman, Josefa Segovia, because she was an "evil body who corrupted innocent young American men." Pitt. "Beginnings of Nativism," p.34 and Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Josefa Segovia PTH Edits
1851 Texas Austin, TX July: Hanging of enslaved man for alleged murder Enda Junkins, "Slave Plots, Insurrections, and Acts of Violence in the State of Texas, 1828-1865" (MA thesis, Baylor University, 1969), 40 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1851 California San Francisco August: Vigilantes "rescue and murder two prisoners." Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.89
1851 Pennsylvania Christiana, PA September: A marshal, a posse and a slave owner attempt to get fugitive slaves at William Parker's. 15-25 black people engage in a gun battle with them. One white person - the slave owner - killed, several others seriously wounded. Katz.Resistance at Christiana William Parker
1851 Pennsylvania Lancaster, PA Attempted rescue of William Dorsey, a fugitive slave. A large number of black people participate. Fight with officials, etc. Katz.Resistance at Christiana, p.36-37
1851 Iowa Clinton County, Iowa Regulators use torture, including hanging, to elicit confession of horse theft from members of Clinton family. Later, legal prosecutions take over. Black. "Lynchings," p.181 Clinton
1851 New York NYC Rowdies attack a Greenwich Street house where Hungarian offices were located. The Hungarians represented Catholicism. Police fight mob. Headly, p.310
1851 Virginia Culpepper County, VA January: At Hazel River Works a riot between white and black workers left one black person (?). The whites later fought among themselves. Wesley.Negro Labor, p.79
1851 Pennsylvania Columbia, PA January: Attempted rescue of fugitive slave in custody of officials. A lot of noise, but not too much violence. Katz.Resistance at Christiana, p.62
1851 Massachusetts Boston February: Black people rescue fugitive slave Fred Williams. Officials put up no real resistance. About 20 African Americans involved. Katz.Resistance at Christiana, p.62-63
1851 California San Francisco February: Mob attempted to seize two prisoners, accused of murder, but held off by militia and police. As many as 1,000 involved. The prisoners were Australians. Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.3
1851 Massachusetts Boston April: Crowd unsuccessfully attempts to free fugitive slave Thomas Sims. Werner. "Race Riots," p.41
1851 New Jersey New Jersey May: Riot against hiring aliens by city government. Billington, p.335
1851 Conneticut Hartford, CT July: Crowd outside Congregational Church where Jenny Lind was performing became unruly. They were unhappy because of the favoritism shown during the selling of tickets. When the police interfered, a small riot ensued. Stones were thrown, fistfights broke out, and the concert had to be abandoned. Buckley. "To the Opera House," p.530
1851 New York NYC July: Striking cartmen attack other cartmen who insisted on working. Degler. "Labor," p.82; Tribune, July 21, 1851
1851 Iowa Benton County, Iowa August: Alfred Moore entered the claims of three squatters. The locals decided to discipline him. A mob seized him, stripped him, whipped him and tarred and feathered him. He later began prosecutions against some of the crowd, but when the first effort failed, he left the area. Black. "Lynchings," p.182 Alfred Moore
1851 Louisiana New Orleans August: News of execution of American filibusters in Cuba led to rioting against the Spanish. Mobs sacked the office of the Spanish newspaper La Union, wrecked a cigar shop kept by a Spaniard, and attacked the Consul office, tearing down the sign, burning the flag and looting the Consular office and at least 10 Spanish-owned coffee houses and tobacco shops. McMaster, VIII, p.140-142
1851 Maryland Baltimore August: Crowd of several hundred parade and then burn an effigy at Federal Hill because of the execution of 50 Americans in Cuba for participation in a revolution there. Scharf.Chronicles, p.532
1851 Virginia Grayson County, VA September: A vigilance committee seized John Cornutt for being a backer of a Northern anti-slavery preacher in the neighborhood. A mob of 200 stripped Cornutt, tied him to a tree and severely whipped him until he promised to sell his property and leave the state. Eaton. "Mob Violence,"MVHR(1942) p.367 John Cornutt
1851 New York NYC September: German celebration turned into Catholic-Protestant riot. No source given
1851 New York Syracuse, NY October: Crowd of white and black people forcefully rescue captured fugitive slave William Henry or Jerry. Some prominent people, including Gerrit Smith, encouraged the riot with their opposition to Jerry's arrest. The first attempt to rescue him from the courthouse succeeded temporarily. But that night a crowd busted into the Courthouse to wisk him away. Galpin. "Jerry Rescue,"NYH(1995) p.19-34 Gerrit Smith
1851 Illinois Chicago November: Irish workers fight with Hungarians. Grimsted. "Antebellum Labor," p.9,21
1851 California Campo Seco November: On the 15th, a man named Domingo lynched by a mob for alleged murder. New York Times, 6 Jan 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Domingo PTH
1851 California Rich Gulch December: On the 22nd, two Mexicans hanged by a vigilance committee for alleged murder. Journals of Alfred Doten as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1851 Massachusetts MA December: Riot against hiring aliens by city government. Billington, p.335
1852 California Los Angeles November: Mexican-American bandits kill local judge. Some bandits apprehended. Several taken from court house and hanged. Bleen. "Vigilantism," 57 (1972), 17
1852 Georgia Whitfield County, Georgia 35 men prosecuted for riot - some sort of brawl. Ayers.Vengeance, p.115-116
1852 Missouri St. Louis Union Fire Company fought Liberty and Phoenix Companies. Greenberg.Cause for Alarm, p.96
1852 Ohio Cincinnati Volunteer firefighters cut hose of steam fire engine. Greenberg.Cause for Alarm, p.134
1852 Maryland Baltimore When steam engine failed, crowd attacked it. Greenberg. Cause for Alarm, p.136
1852 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Jenny Lind concert led to some sort of riot. Buckley. "To the Opera House," p.537 Jenny Lind
1852 New York NYC January: New Year's Eve celebrations are riotous. 150 men break up a fashionable restaurant on Broadway. Nissenbaum.Battle, p.98
1852 New Mexico Belen, NM February: Patricio Chaves and Domingo Ramón Apodaca hanged for unknown reason on 16 February. Archives of the Archdiocese of Sante Fe; Santa Fe Weekly Gazette, 1 Jan 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Patricio Chaves; Domingo Ramón Apodaca PTH
1852 Ohio Cleveland, Ohio February: Father susicious that his daughter's grave had been robbed, led a mob in an attack on the Cleveland Homeo-pathic College. They demolished furniture and equipment but didn't find the body. Police had been brushed aside in the assault. Edwards. "Body Snatching," p.338
1852 Maryland Baltimore March: When converted monk Leahey announced he would lecture on Catholics - a mob gathered around the hall to prevent him. The next night he gave his lecture but bricks were thrown through the window. McMaster, VIII, p.77 Leahey
1852 Texas Rio Grande City, TX April: Mexican hanged by vigilantes for alleged murder, "in the presence of the 'whole people - all concurring'" New York Times, 13 May 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1852 Texas Rio Grande City, TX April: A Mexican accused of murder captured in Mexico and returned to Texas to be lynched. New York Times, 13 May 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1852 Texas Rio Grande City, TX April: Six Mexicans shot by Anglos for allegedly murdering Thomas Harris. New York Times, 13 May 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1852 California Mokelumne Hill, CA April: On the 1st, A vigilance committee convicted and hanged Carlos Esclava for alleged theft. A crowd of between 800 and 1000 estimated to be present. Alta California (San Francisco), 3 April 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Carlos Esclava PTH
1852 California Mokelumne Hill, CA April: On the 12th, a man named Flores was taken from officers and hanged for alleged murder. San Francisco Herald, 3 May 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Flores PTH
1852 Missouri St. Louis April: Election riot between Germans and Native Americans (WASP?) in 1st ward, German ward. Maybe Irish attacked, too. Schneider. "Riot and Reaction," p.175-176; Faherty. "Nativism and Midwest Ed." PTH Edits
1852 California One hundred miles from Snelling, CA April: On the 29th, two Mexicans tracked for over one hundred miles and lynched for alleged murder. San Joaquin Republican, 5 May 1852; Collins, Sam Ward as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1852 California Klamath river near Yreka May: John Balthus, described as a "Half-breed Mexican," convicted for theft of $800 in gold by a vigilance committee. The vigilantes shot and killed Balthus. Alta California (San Francisco), 18 May 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. John Balthus PTH
1852 California Columbia, CA May: Anti-Chinese action, expelling all Asians from the camp. The same thing was done in other camps. Pitt. "The Beginnings of Nativism," p.35
1852 California Indian Bar, CA June: Americans expell all foreigners, and flogged some Hispanics. Pitt. "The Beginnings of Nativism," p.35
1852 California Mariposa Creek, CA June: Self-appointed ranger company led by "Captain" Reynolds arrested a Mexican operator and 20 workers in defiance of 400 outraged Mexicans and French. They sold off the mine equipment and distributed $1000 to the American crowd as payment for their time. Pitt. "The Beginnings of Nativism," p.35 Reynolds
1852 California Jackson, CA June: On the 10th, a mob of mostly French goldseekers lynched José Cheverino for alleged murder. Nevada Journal (Nevada City) , 16 June 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Cheverino PTH
1852 California Jackson, CA June: On the 11th, Cruz Flores lynched for allegedly being an accomplice to murder. Sacramento Daily Union, 12 and 14 June 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Cruz Flores PTH
1852 California Santa Cruz, CA July: On the 20th, Domingo Hernandez lynched by a vigilance committee for alleged theft. Los Angeles Star, 7 Aug. 1852, as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Domingo Hernandez PTH
1852 California Santa Cruz, CA July: On the 21st, Vigilantes removed Capistrano Lopez and an unknown Mexican from jail and lynched them for alleged horse theft. Sacramento Daily Union, 28 July 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Capistrano Lopez PTH
1852 California Sutter's Creek, CA July: On the 21st, a vigilance committee lashed a Mexican, Pansa, 75 times and hanged him for alleged murder. Sacramento Daily Union, 23 July 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Pansa PTH
1852 California Los Angeles July: On the 24th, a vigilance committee lynched Doroteo Zavaleta and Jesús Rivas for alleged murder. Los Angeles Star, 31 July 1852, as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Doroteo Zavaleta; Jesús Rivas PTH
1852 New York NYC July: Protestant riots involving knives, shovels, pickaxes. Police quell. Headly, p.310
1852 New York NYC July: A group of building workers attacked some laborers who agreed to work at low wages. Degler. "Labor," p.82; Tribune, July 28, 1852
1852 New York NYC October: During longshoreman strike, strikers threatened and assaulted those who worked. German and black workers used as strikebreakers and had to be escorted to their homes by police. Most strikers were Irish. Degler. "Labor," p.82, 130; Times, October 23, 1852
1852 California Los Angeles November: On the 29th, Reyes Feliz hanged for alleged murder. Sacramento Union, 16 Dec. 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Reyes Feliz PTH
1852 California Los Angeles December: On the 12th, Cipriano Sandoval, Benito Lopez, and Barumas all lynched for alleged murder. San Joaquin Republican, 18 Dec. 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Cipriano Sandoval; Benito Lopez; Barumas PTH
1852 New Mexico Mora, NM Late: Gabriel Luhan and José de la Cruz Vigil (a "Hispanicized Navajo") hanged for alleged murder. Santa Fe Weekly Gazette, 18 Dec. 1852 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Gabriel Luhan; José de la Cruz Vigila PTH
1853 Iowa Council Bluffs, Iowa May: Mob seized Baltimore Muir, tried him for the murder of a fellow traveller on a wagon train and hanged him. Black.Lynching, p.182-183 Baltimore Muir PTH edits
1853 Illinois Lasalle, Illinois December: Irish canal workers, angered by a 20% cut in pay, attacked the contractor's house and beat him to a pulp. Before order could be restored, authorities killed one rioter. Grimsted. "Antebellum Workers," p.10,11,23,24;NY Tribune, December 15, 1852
1853 New York NYC 3,000 people sacked apothecary's shop because of a rumor that human bones had been found in cellar. No source given
1853 Ohio Cincinnati African Americans failed at resucing an escaped slave recaptured by authorities. Curry.Free Black, p.231
1853 California Yankee Camp, CA January: "Big Bill" lynched for alleged murder. Sacramento Daily Democratic State Journal, 31 Jan 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Big Bill PTH
1853 California Murphy's Camp, CA January: Unknown Mexican lynched for alleged murder. Elias S. Ketchum Diary as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1853 California Angel's Camp, CA February: On the 1st, an unknown Mexican lynched after confessing to have aided outlaw Joaquin Murrieta. Boessenecker, Gold Dust as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1853 California Montery, CA February: On the 8th, two unknown Mexicans seized from authorities after alleged horse theft. The men were lynched. Gonzales-Day, Lynching in the West as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1853 California Jackson, CA February: On the 15th, vigilance committee hanged Antonio Valencia for alleged murder. Sacramento Union, 17 Feb. 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Antonio Valencia PTH
1853 California San Andreas, CA February: On the 20th, Juan Sanchez lynched for admitting to being a part of Joaquin Murrieta's outlaw band. Placer Herald (Auburn), 5 Mar. 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Juan Sanchez PTH
1853 Maryland Baltimore February: Iron workers on strike at Winan's Iron Works attack strikebreakers. Baker. Ambivalent America, p.16; Baltimore Clipper, February 2, 1853
1853 California Los Angeles February: Vigilantes seized horse thieves and gave them 78 lashes. Blew. "Vigilantism," S. Cal. Q., 54 (1972) p.17-18
1853 Maryland Baltimore March: "Desperate riot by a gang of fellows and abandoned women." Baker.Ambivalent America, p.16
1853 Massachusetts Boston March: Concern for an Irish Catholic girl who had been converted to protestantism and then dissappeared led to crowd action. Militia was called out to prevent an attack on a Catholic church, but one Irish home was torn down. Billington, p.312-313
1853 Ohio Cincinnati April: Reverend L. Giustinian aroused so much animosity with his anti-Catholic pronouncements that a mob destroyed the church he was speaking in. Billington, p.308 L. Giustinian
1853 New York NYC April: During a strike called by the Laborers' Protective Association, strikers beat some building employees who continued to work. The police intervened and arrested two strikers. Degler. "Labor," p.82; Herald, April 21, 1853
1853 Missouri St. Louis May: Bloody riot erupted at a corner dog fight in Irish community between Green and Cherry streets near the Levee. Schneider. "Riot and Reaction," p.175-176
1853 Texas Ft. Bend, TX May: Hanging of young enslaved man for alleged murder of master Junkins, "Slave Plots, " 44 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1853 Texas Ft. Bend, TX May: An enslaved, black preacher hanged for allegedly influencing young man to murder master Junkins, "Slave Plots, " 44 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1853 California Jackson, CA July: On the 25th, Palonio Sanchez, an alleged horse thief, seized from authorities and lynched. Sacramento Daily Union, 29 July, 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Palonio Sanchez PTH
1853 Wisconsin Milwaukee July: Strikers riot over cut in pay. German workers involved. Also contractor took pay or savings. Grimsted. "Antebellum Labor," p.10, 32
1853 New York NYC July: Hibernian riot involving Catholics and Protestants in 9th ward. National Guard quelled. Headly, p.310
1853 California San Francisco August: Two rival factions scuffle during Democratic primary. Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.111
1853 Illinois Illinoistown, Ill August: Ethnic labor riot. No Irish involved. Grimsted. "Antebellum Labor," p.21
1853 Missouri Boone Co., MO August: Enslaved man hanged for alleged attempted rape Hurt, Agriculture and Slavery, 249 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1853 Texas Smith Co., Texas August: Hanging of enslaved man for alleged rape and murder Junkins, "Slave Plots, " 44 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1853 California Martinez, CA September: On the 4th, José Maria Ochoa lynched for alleged murder. Gonzales-Day, Lynching in the West as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Maria Ochoa PTH
1853 California San Luis Obispo, CA October: On the 13th, Bernardo Daniel, Higuerro, and three unknown Mexicans lynched for the alleged "murder of San Jose dry goods peddler." Los Angeles Star, 22 Oct. 1853, 10 Dec. 1853; Nevada Journal (Nevada City), 4 Nov. 1853 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Bernardo Daniel; Higuerro PTH
1853 South Carolina Lancaster, SC November: At a militia muster a personal struggle between Archibald Flemming and Jackson Gregory ended in a riot, with a club swinging, rock throwing, knife slashing mass melee. J.K. Williams.Vogues in Villainy, p.12 Archibald Flemming; Jackson Gregory Archibald Flemming; Jackson Gregory
1853 Ohio Cincinnati December: Printers throw out some of the type of the Cincinnati Gazette when it failed to meet workers' demands, unlike other city papers. Grimsted. "Antebellum Labor," p.11
1853 Kentucky Louisville, KY December: Jeering crowd burnt Bedini's effigy during the papal nuncio's visit to the city. Hutcheson. "Louisville Riots," p.153; McGann.Nativism, p.53-54 Gaetano Bedini
1853 Pennsylvania Erie, PA December: The mayor, sheriff, 150 special police officers and a huge crowd ripped up track and destroyed bridges of the Erie and North East RR when it began to move to a standard gauge that might lead to bypassing Erie. This action was repeated on several nights. Grinde. "Erie's RR War," p.18; McMaster, VIII, p.92
1853 New York NYC December: Daniel Parsons arrested for inciting a riot with his nativist speeches. A mob swarmed the mayor's home and Parsons was soon released. Beales.Brass-Knuckle Crusade, p.125; Billington, p.307 Daniel Parsons
1853 Pennsylvania Erie, PA December: Confrontation between Erie "rippers," those who destroyed the standard guage RR track and RR men "traitors," that includes much shoving and pushing and one shooting as RR men attempt to prevent rippers' action. Kent. "Erie Warl;" Grinde. "Erie's RR War," p.19-20
1854 Texas Fannin, TX Hanging of enslaved woman for alleged murder of mistress and mistress's two children Frederick Law Olmstead, The Cotton Kingdom: A Traveler's Observations on Cotton and Slavery in the American Slave States (New York: Alfred A. Kopf, 1953; repr., New York: Da Capo Press, 1996), 303 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1854 Massachusetts Boston May: Large crowd attempts to break into the courthouse to free fugitive slave Anthony Barns. During the attempt, some shots fired, killing one of the deputies. "The Case of the Courthouse Riot,"Journal of Negro History, 56 (1971), p.31-42
1854 Missouri St. Louis August: Nativist riot lasting several days. Claim that an Irishman stabbed an American in the back led to Nativist attack on Irish neighborhood. 50-60 houses destroyed with axes, etc. Irish fought back. 8-10 killed, many injured. Began August 7th, election day. McMaster, p.8,87; Billington, p.421
1854 California Los Angeles November: Two murderers sentenced separately to hanging. The Anglo was given a stay; the Mexican was hanged immediately. Mexicans angered at this difference in treatment stormed the jail and lynched the Anglo. Bleen. "Vigilantism," p.20-21
1854 Kansas Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Pro-slavery members of the Squatters Claim Association tar and feather and rail ride William Phillips, free state lawyer. Rister. "Outlaws and Vigilantes," MVHR 19 (1932), 551 William Phillips
1854 Washington, DC Washington, DC Opposition to a gift of marble from the pope to be cased in the building of the Washington Monument led a mob to break into the shed where the marble was held and throw it into the Potomac. Billington
1854 Georgia Whitfield County, GA 14 men prosecuted for riot - some sort of brawl. Ayers.U+J, p.116
1854 Indiana Jackson County Regulator movement against counterfeiters, pretty thieves, and (??) types. Noble.Whitecaps, p.64-65
1854 Indiana Brown County Regulator movement against counterfeiters, pretty thieves, and (??) types. Noble.Whitecaps, p.64-65
1854 Indiana Monroe County Regulator movement against counterfeiters, pretty thieves, and (??) types. Noble.Whitecaps, p.64-65
1854 Massachusetts Boston January: Large crowds burn Bedini in effigy and threatened the home of the bishop where he was staying. Billington, p.302 Gaetano Bedini
1854 California Angle, CA February: On the 11, Dollores and an unknown Mexican lynched for the alleged murder of an Anglo. Their bodies were left hanging from the tree to decompose. Columbia Gazette, 25 Feb. 1854 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Dollores PTH
1854 New York NYC June: Mob so large waiting to attack him at the dock, that police smuggled Bedini aboard his ship after it left and was on its way out of the harbor. Billington, p.303 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh January: Group of rowdies manhandle Bedini as he entered the Bishop's carriage. Billington, p.302 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Virginia Wheeling, VA January: Anti-Bedini rioters threaten him. Several hundred Irishmen armed themselves and protected Bedini and the Catholic churches. Billington, p.302 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Maryland Baltimore January: Bedini burned in effigy by crowd. Bullets fired into his room. Billington, p.302 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Ohio Cincinnati January: Two weeks after Bedini Riot, mob successfully burned Bedini in effigy. Billington, p.303 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Ohio Cincinnati January: Bedini riot. Bedini was a papal nuncio sent to settle controversy over chuch property. Bedini had also been active in suppressing revolution in Rome. Cincinnati Germans remembered this and planned to burn Bedini in effigy. The police interfered and a fight ensued. Effigies of Bedini were burnt. Twenty persons arrested. Billington, p.302-303; McMaster, p.79-81 Gaetano Bedini
1854 Illinois Cairo, Illinois January: "Free for all" fight at the Delta House, involving many men. One badly hurt with a poker. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid Am., p.72
1854 Pennsylvania Erie, PA January: Erie Rippers busy tearing up standard gauge bridges. Rippers wear women's clothing as a disguise. Kent. "Erie Woman;" Grinde. "Erie's RR War," p.21
1854 New York NYC February: Democrats called a meeting of Germans to obtain support for the national administration's Kansas policy. One thousand showed up, but the pro and anti-slave groups led to fistfights between factions. Degler. "Labor," p.302; Tribune F.24; Herald F. 24, 1854
1854 New York NYC February: Riot at Dance Hall. Headly, p.310
1854 Massachusetts Boston February: Stephen Douglas hanged in effigy. Inscription called him "the Benedict Arnold of 1854." Unclear if this a singular or crowd action. McMaster. VIII, p.208 Stephen Douglas
1854 Wisconsin Waushara Co., WI February: Hanging of Frederick Cartwright for alleged murder Oshkosh Democrat, March 3, 1854; Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, Marh 6, 1854 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. Frederick Cartwright PTH
1854 Rhode Island Providence, RI March: Mob threatens a convent after charge that an American girl was held there against her will. Authorities, aided by armed Irishmen, prevented the destruction of the convent. Billington, p.311
1854 New Hampshire Portsmouth, NH March: Stephen Douglas is hanged in effigy from a tree. McMaster, VIII, p.208 Stephen Douglas
1854 Massachusetts Auburn, MA March: Stephen Douglas hanged in effigy for "treason" - Kansas Nebraska act. McMaster. VIII, p.208 Stephen Douglas
1854 Washington Puget Sound April: Unnamed Native man hanged for alleged murder. Pioneer and Democrat (Olympia), April 8, 1854 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1854 Maine Ellsworth, Me May: When an irate Catholic billed the state for the education he provided his daughter because public schools used a Protestant Bible, hostile mobs battled openly in the streets. Billington, p.293-294
1854 Massachusetts Chelsea, MA May: Protestant Preacher John S. Orr, the Angel Gabriel, incicted a crowd to break windows of Roman Catholics and tear down the cross. There was also a fight with Irish laborers and a faceoff with police. Troops prevented the destruction of another church. McMaster. VIII, p.86-87; Washington Daily Union, August 23, 1854; Billington, p.305-306 John S. Orr
1854 New York NYC May: Street preacher named West incited a crowd at Grand street and East Broadway against Catholics. They marched on City Hall where they assaulted men that looked like Irishmen. The police dispersed the mob, arresting two, both carpenters. Myers.History of Bigotry, p.196; Headly, p.310 West
1854 Massachusetts Westfield, MA June: After passage of Kansas Nebraska Act, Douglas Pierce, Hallet and Loring hanged in effigy, save that of Douglas, which was burned. McMaster VIII, p.208 Stephen Douglas; Franklin Pierce; Hallet; Loring
1854 New York Brooklyn, NY June: New York preacher with body guard went to an Irish neighborhood to harrangue about Romanism. A crowd of 1,000 had followed him. Soon numbers swelled to 20,000. Irish began to object, blows exchanged, bricks thrown, pistols fired. Many injured and sixy arrested. Preacher had left soon after fighting broke out. National Guard called out, but by the time they arrived fighting was over. Myers.History of Bigotry, p.196
1854 New York NYC June: Catholic speaker Samuel G. Moses triggered several riots on Sundays. Most serious occurred on the 4th, when Irish broke up the meeting. Pistols were fired and several injuries sustained. The militia had to be called out to quell the disturbance. Native gang called "Wide Awakes" involved. Billington, p.319; Cook.Armies, p.21
1854 New York Brooklyn June: Angel Gabriel (Orr) and Rev. John Booth speak on Atlantic avenue near Hoyt street to crowd of 10,000. Orr started to go over the ferry afterwards, and two Irishmen attacked him. They were arrested, but other Irish came to rescue them. A battle ensued and the militia had to be called in. Myers.History of Bigotry, p.196-197; Billington, p.306 John Booth; John S. Orr
1854 Massachusetts Lowell, MA June: Know nothing/Irish riot. Yankees parade militia through Irish neighborhood along Lowell street followed by Yankee boys. Irish throw stones, etc. at them and general disturbance broke out. A few evenings later Irish again in the streets ignore mayor's efforts to disperse them. The Irish reacted this way because they believed there would be an attackon St. Patrick's Convent School. Mitchell.The Paddy Camps, p.135-140
1854 New Hampshire Nashua, NH June: Hector Orr excited a mob to attack Irish neighborhood. Billington, p.366; Beales.Br. Kn. Crusade, p.123 Hector Orr
1854 California San Vicente Rancho, CA July: On the 21st, Nemesio Berreyesa taken from his home and lynched for alleged murder. Boessenecker, Gold Dust as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Nemesio Berreyesa PTH
1854 New Hampshire Manchester, NH July: Nativist riot in which houses of Irish Catholics sacked and R.C. church windows broken. McMaster VIII, p.87; Washington Union, July 7, 1854
1854 Maine Bath, Maine July: Street preacher denounces Catholics, Jesuits and foreigners. That evening crowd of 1,500 rushed to Old South Church used by Catholics, gutted the place and set it on fire. Street preacher probably Orr - it was. They displayed an American flag from the church. Billington, p.306; Myers.History of Bigotry, p.197; Beale.Brooklyn Crusade, p.123 John S. Orr
1854 New York Palmyra July: Nativists burn Catholic church. Billington, p.306; Beales.Brooklyn Crusade, p.123
1854 Massachusetts Lawrence, MA July: Claiming that the Irish had flown an American flag upside down, know-nothings marched to Irish neighborhood firing pistols and shouting abuse. Some fighting erupted and the Nativists wrecked about 20 Irish homes. Some 1,500 Natvisits involved. Billington, p.421; Myers.History of Bigotry, p.196-197
1854 New York NYC July: Mob attacked cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, but building saved by arrival of police. Billington, p.309
1854 New York Buffalo July: Street preacher opposite American Hotel attacked Romanism. Some Irish attempted to interrupt and a fight ensued using fists, brickbats, and clubs. Myers.History of Bigotry, p.197
1854 Nebraska Omaha July: The organization that would become known as the Omaha Claim Club founded. Sean M. Kammer, “‘Public Opinion is More Than Law:’ Popular Sovereignty and Vigilantism in the Nebraska Territory,” Great Plains Quarterly 31, no. 4 (Fall 2011): 309-324. PTH
1854 New York NYC July: Group of German turners attacked by some Irish. Degler. "Labor," p.130; Tribune, July 26, 1854
1854 California Drytown, CA August: On the 25th, an unnamed Mexican man lynched with a log-chain for the alleged murder of a Chinese miner. Nevada Journal (Nevada City) , 8 Sept 1854 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1854 Alabama Mount Meigs, Montgomery Co. August: Burning of enslaved man for allegedly murdering master James Benson Sellers, Slavery in Alabama (1940; repr., Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1994), 262-262 from Pfeifer, Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1854 Massachusetts Charlestown, MA August: Officials arrest Angel Gabriel for distributing Landbills on Sunday. Mob attempts a rescue, but is dispersed. Billington, p.306; Beales.Brooklyn Crusade, p.123
1854 California Monterey, CA September: On the 2nd, vigilance committee hangs José Higuera for alleged murder of an Anglo constable. Gonzales-Day, Lynching in the West as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Higuera PTH
1854 California San Francisco September: Democrats and Know-Nothings fought each throughout 2nd ward election. Same thing occurred at 6th ward. At least 200 Irishmen came to help Democrats there. Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.112-114
1854 New Jersey Newark September: First American Congress held. While a procession of American Protestant Association Lodges passed through the streets, stones were thrown. Nativists attacked a Roman Catholic church, destroying windows and an organ. McMaster, VIII, p.88-89; NY Tribune, September 6, 1854
1854 Maine Ellsworth, Me October: Priest tarred and feathered and ridden from town on a rail. Billington, p.309-310
1854 Maryland Denton, Caroline Co., MD October: Dave Thomas, a free black man, hanged for alleged murder Baltimore Republican and Argus, October 10, 1854 Dave Thomas PTH
1854 California San Luis Obispo, CA Late: Mateo Andrade, an alleged thief, lynched after escaping from San Quentin on the 29th of July. Gonzales-Day, Lynching in the West as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Mateo Andrade PTH
1855 California Contra Costa Co., CA January: On the 22nd, a vigilance committee hangs Salvador Valdéz and two unknown Chileans for alleged theft. San Francisco Daily Placer Times, 27 Jan., 1855 Salvador Valdéz PTH
1855 Tennessee La Grange, TN Hanging of enslaved boy belonging to William Turner for alleged murder of overseer Waldrep, ed. Lynching in America, 74 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1855 New Mexico Doña Ana, NM March: Four unknown Mexicans taken from jail and lynched "for robbing an Anglo clerk and 'abusing' his wife." Sante Fe Weekly Gazette, 31 Mar. 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1855 California Jesus Maria, CA April: On the 22nd, Justo Betancour taken from magistrate's office and lynched. Georgetown Weekly News, 10 May 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Justo Betancour PTH
1855 Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio April: Nativist election riots. On the 2nd a mob of 300-400 nativists invade German area and destroyed 1,300 German ballots because of reported ballot stuffing. Intermittent attacks on Germans and Irish followed. German barricaded the streets in the Over-the-Rhine area. When 400 nativists invaded on the night of the 3rd the Germans were well organized and trained, beat them back. Killing two. Scattered violence continued through the 4th. Ross.Workers, p.188-189
1855 Illinois Chicago April: Demonstration against tavern licensing. Germans objected to the measure. Police broke up 1st demonstration, but when the Germans returned prepared for a confrontation a riot broke out. One German killed; one peace officer had his arm blown off by a shotgun. Johnson. (??), p.32
1855 Texas El Paso, TX May: Four unknown Mexicans lynched for '"outrage on a family.'" New York Times, 12 May 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1855 California Drytown, CA August: On the 7th, a vigilance committee hanged Trancolino, Puertovino, and José for alleged murder. Empire County Argus (Coloma), 11 Aug. 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Trancolino; Puertovino; José PTH
1855 California Texas Bar, CA August: On the 10th, Manuel Castro "Taken from law officers and hanged." Secrest, "Revenge of Rancheria" as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Manuel Castro PTH
1855 California Jackson, CA August: On the 15th, Rafael Escobar taken from law officers and lynched in front of a large crowd. Autobiography of Charles Peters as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Rafael Escobar PTH
1855 California Gopher Flat, CA August: Unknown Mexican lycnhed for alleged murder. Secrest, "Revenge of Rancheria" as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1855 California Drytown, CA August: A posse, which was seeking suspects in the Rancheria murders, hanged Manuel García and at least six other, unknown Mexicans. Los Angeles Star, 25 Aug. 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Manuel García PTH
1855 Maryland Baltimore August: Fire companies battle; 2 men killed. Greenberg.Cause for Alarm, p.93
1855 Alabama Montgomery Co., Alabama August: A slave clubbed a master to death, a Dr. MacDonald, in retaliation for punishment. The slave gave himself up. The whites in the neighborhood, however, becamse so agitated that they burned the slave alive the next day. Subsequently, the whites took up a collection to reimburse the MacDonald family for the cost of the slave. Howington. "Violence,"Alabama Rev, 27 (1974), p.227
1855 Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky August: Nativist mob with knives, muskets, and cannon sought to attack a Catholic church. The mayor dissuaded them, but the nativists attacked Irish neighborhood, burning down houses. In the fighting between the two sidse, at least 20 killed. Billington, p.421; Myers.History of Bigotry, [.199
1855 Maryland Baltimore August: Fire company riot. New Market and United Company planned an ambush of Mount Vernon Hook and Ladder Company. After a false alarm set by New Market, that company followed the Mount Vernon on its return. Some skirmishing occurred. But on Franklin street between Howard and Eutaw streets, the United attacked from the front. Pistols, bricks, axes, picks, and hooks used as Mount Vernon aided by the police drove off the assailants. Two mortally wounded, several others hurt. Scharf.Chronicles, p.548
1855 New York NYC Mobs attacked Bunker Hill Engine Company No. 32 at Hastes street quarters. Costello.Our Firemen, p.134; Limpus.History, p.214
1855 New York NYC Rowdies attacked Engine Company Number 41 on its way to a fire. They used clubs, slingshots, and stones, injuring several. Costello.Our Firemen, p.134
1855 New York NYC Rowdies attacked Hose Company 15 while at a fire, driving them away and upsetting the carriage. Costello.Our Firemen, p.34; Limpus.History, p.214
1855 Pennsylvania Erie, PA January: After the Erie and NE RR failed to locate a terminal in the city limits, "rippers" destroyed tracks and burned bridges. Mayor refused to interrupt dinner party to deal with the disorder. Kent. "Erie War"
1855 New York NYC January: Longshoreman's strike. An Irishman attacked a black man who wanted to work. Most African Americans had been intimidated off of the docks by the Irish Longshoreman's society. Armed, the black men fired at the Irishmen. Hundreds of other strikers immediately appeared. But the black man managed to escape. Bernstein, p.119-210
1855 Kansas Kansas March: After editor Jeb Patterson complained that border cross voting would hurt the Southern cause in his Parkville Luminary a mob visited him, dumped his type into the Missouri river and threatened to hang him. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.27 Jeb Patterson
1855 Nebraska Bellevue April: Charles A. Henry, having killed George W. Hollister in a land dispute, was held in a makeshift jail by Chief Justice Fenner Ferguson and some guards. A lynch mob, seeking to try Henry themselves, gathered outside the building. Eventually, the crowd disbursed. “Murder of Hollister,” Nebraska Palladium, April 11, 1855 and “Coroner’s Inquest,” Nebraska Palladium, April 11, 1855. Charles A. Henry; Fenner Ferguson PTH
1855 Kansas Leavanworth, Kansas May: Because William Phillips had signed a protest over pro-slavery election a public meeting ordered him to leave Kansas. When he refused, a mob seized him, took him to Weston, stripped him, shaved his head on one side, tarred and feathered him, rode him on a rail, and then sold him at an auction held "by a big black n*****." Purchased for "the enourmous sum of one cent and a half" the purchaser gave him his (??) McMaster, VIII, p.224 William Phillips
1855 Kentucky Louisville May: Ethnic rioting during municipal election. Several brawls occurred. In one case three Germans were chased from the polls and took refuge in a tavern on Market street. Gun barrels appeared from the upper windows and the Nativists broke in, destroyed furniture and barroom fixtures. Fighting limited to 1st and 2nd wards. Deusner. "Know-Nothing Riots," p.136-137
1855 Kentucky Louisville, KY May: The American Fire Companies sounded a false alarm and ambushed the German Hook and Ladder company at Main and Eighth streets. They demolished the German wagon and threw it into the Ohio river. Deusner. "Know-Nothing Riots," p.137
1855 Alabama Sumter Co. May: Burning of black man for alleged murder and rape New York Times, June 2, 1855; Sellers, Slavery in Alabama, 263 from Pfeifer, Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1855 Nebraska Cuming City June: Cuming City Claim Club wrote on the willow poles of Thomas M. Carter's cabin that if he did not abandon the land he would be dunked in Fish creek and banished. The club never followed through on the threat. Collection of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences, by Nebraska Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 290. Thomas M. Carter PTH
1855 California Los Angeles July: A deputy constable shot a Mexican while seizing his guitar for debt. Natives rose in revolt, so Anglos organized their own committees. Some 11 prisoners given death sentences by summary court. Blew. "Vigilantism," S. Cal Q., 54 (1972) 22
1855 Kentucky Louisville, KY July: Know-nothings held a rally in the predominatly Irish 8th ward. During the speaking, some disturbances and rock throwing erupted. Deusner. "Know Nothing Riots," p.139
1855 Wisconsin Janesville, Rock Co., WI July: Hanging of David F. Mayberry for alleged murder. Democrat Standard (Janesville), July 12, 1855; Janesville Gazette, July 14, 1855 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. David F. Mayberry PTH
1855 Wisconsin West Bend, Washington Co., WI August: Hanging of George DeBar for alleged murder. Milwaukee Daily Free Democrat, August 8, 1855; Milwaukee Daily News, August 8, 1855 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. George DeBar PTH
1855 Alabama Clayton, Barbour Co. August: An enslaved man named Bob lynched by hanging Sellers, Slavery in Alabama, 263-264 as listed in Pfeifer, Roots of Rough Justice. Bob PTH
1855 Illinois Cairo, Illinois September: Crowd "shampooed" tarred and feathered and set adrift on a log a loafer who had attempted to set fire to B.S. Harrell's house on the night of August 14th. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Middle America (1951) p.85
1855 Illinois Cairo, Illinois September: Roving band of rowdies attack and maltreat drunken Irishmen. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Middle America (1951) p.73
1855 Tennessee Sparta, TN September: A riotous mob broke into a jail and lynched an enslaved man accused of rape and murder. Waldrep, ed. Lynching in America, 74 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice and Weekly Law Gazette 4 (1859): 122-124. PTH
1855 California One Mile From Hill's Ferry October: On the 19th, a vigilance committee hanged Francisco Tapia, Jesus Pino, Francisco Sanchez, and an unknown German for alleged theft. New York Times, 29 Nov. 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Francisco Tapia; Jesus Pino; Francisco Sanchez PTH
1855 Maryland Baltimore October: Election rioting. No source given
1855 Missouri Carroll Co., Missouri October: "Slave of Judge Thomas Clingman" hanged for alleged murder of master New York Times, October 16, 1855 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1855 Illinois Cairo, Illinois November: Crowd dragged by a rope a gambler through the water until he was nearly dead. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid. Amer. (1951) 86
1855 Illinois Cairo, Illinois November: Crowd seized and "soused in the Ohio" and almost drowned a man for robbing a black person of money and then sent him to Kentucky. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid. Amer. (1951) 85 PTH Edits
1855 Illinois Cairo, Illinois November: "Cairo Justice" incflicted on two gamblers who swindled a black out of $240. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid Amer. (1951) 77
1855 Kansas Lawrence, Kansas November: Free-soilers burn homes of three pro-slavery men in retaliation for the murder by one of the men of free soiler Charles Dow. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.51
1855 Kansas Blanton Bridge, Kansas November: Free soilers rescue Jacob Branson from pro-slaver sheriff and posse. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.52
1855 Texas Corpus Christi December: On the 1st, an unknown Mexican taken from jail and hanged for alleged murder. San Antonio Ledger, 22 Dec. 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1855 California Snelling December: On Christmas Eve, an unknown Mexican was siezed from Law Officer and lynched for alleged cattle theft. San Francisco Daily Placer Times, 30 Dec., 1855 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1855 Tennessee Nashville December: Crowd of rowdies gathered outside Catholic church to disrupt Catholic midnight mass. Remained there for several hours disturbing the peace, but local bishop had cancelled service so greater violence avoided. Gohmann.Pol. Nat. in Tenn., p.126
1856 Nebraska Omaha, NE Members of the Omaha Claim Club tear down the house of George Smith and threaten his life to drive him from his land. Transcript of Record, Supreme Court of the United States, no. 117, 1870, Baker v. Morton, file date: December 6, 1869, page 32. George Smith PTH
1856 Kansas Kikapoo, Kansas January: When local pro-slavery rangers heard what happened at Easton, they captured free-soil captain Reese Brown. While they debated whether they should try him before killing him, one of the Rangers put an axe into Brown's skull. They deposited his body at his farm's door. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.82-83 Reese Brown
1856 Kansas Easton, Kansas January: Free-soil election disrupted by pro-slave forces. Taunts led to threats and exchange of shots. A southerner was killed. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.82
1856 Illinois Charleston, Coles Co. February: Hanging of A.F. Monroe for alleged murder New York Times, February 22, 1856 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. A.F. Monroe PTH
1856 California Los Angeles February: Crowd took Mexican prisoners - one a bandit involved in 1855 revolt - out of jail and executed both by hanging. Bleen. "Vigilantism," p.22
1856 California Monterrey May: On the 11th, three unknown Mexicans taken from jail and hanged for alleged murder, apparently with little proof. Nevada Journal (Nevada City), 16 May 1856 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1856 Kansas Santa Fe Trail, Kansas May: Eight free-soilers ambush 18 pro-slavery men, killing several. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.111
1856 California San Francisco May: Organization of S.F. vigilance committee by middle and upper class Protestants to counter Irish-Catholic political machine and violence. On May 12, Comm. Seized two accused murderers, tries and executes them. Committee then active in arresting and banishing others. Confronts governor's forces and wins. Tries and executes two others and disbands in August. H+W p.458-462
1856 Kansas Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas May: John Brown and 8 followers visit three homes and execute 5 pro-slavery men (two were boys) in brutal massacre. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.110-119 John Brown
1856 Kansas Praire City, Kansas May: Pro-slavery men, after capturing local minister, road into town to be met by 20 or 50 free-soil men, who fired upon them. Two men killed. Next day free-soil men, with John Brown and company attack Captain Pate's pro-slavery force of 50. Although free-soil men outnumbered, they capture Pate and half his men. Two opposing forces in area almost collide, but federal troops arrive and restore order. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.12-124 John Brown; Pate Pate
1856 Texas Rio Grande City June: Unknown Mexican "hanged for stealing horses and robbing a church." Galveston Weekly News, 8 July 1856 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1856 Louisiana New Orleans June: Great deal of election rioting, mostly by know-nothings. At least two men killed and a score wounded. Maybe 4 men killed. Billington, p.421; Asbury.French Quarter, p.295-296
1856 Kansas Franklin, Kansas June: Free soilers attack a half-built fort and a pro-slavery man killed. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.130
1856 Nebraska Omaha, NE Summer: Two men allegedly stole horses from settlers near Omaha and sold the horses to some Pawnee Indians. The white settlers recovered the horses, and the Pawnee proceeded to seize the men who had sold them. The whites and Natives decided to shave and lash the alleged thieves, and that the prisoners would have to repay the Pawnee. Bill Lee, a black man, shaved the heads of the accused in "a highly artistic manner." The crowd tied the prisoners to a liberty pole, and, over the objections of legal officials, Natives and white settlers both whiped the men. Sorenson, Early History of Omaha, 116.
1856 Kansas Kansas August: Free-soil men capture Fort Titus. One free-soiler killed, 2 pro-slavery killed. A cannon used. Titus captured and sent to Lawrence. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.137-139 Henry Titus
1856 Kansas Osawatomie, Kansas August: Missourians under the leadership of General John Reid, at the invitation of pro-slavery interim governor attacked this free-soil town. Forty free-soilers ambushed them and resulting gun battle led to 5 free-soilerss killed, 3 wounded, and 2 killed and 3 wounded pro-slavery. After driving off the free-soil forces, pro-slavery men ran into Frederick Brown, John's son, and killed him. They then sacked the town. Shortly thereafter 2 larges forces (1300 each) fired a few volleys at each other and separated. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.135-136 John Reid Frederick Brown
1856 Kansas Kansas September: Pro-slavery forces called regulators attack William Phillips' house. He and his brother-in-law killed two, but Phillips was killed, too. Regulators also shipped 150 free-soilers down river that and the next day. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.149 William Phillips
1856 Kansas Hardteville, Kansas September: Free-soilers under John Swift attacked and captured the town. One defender had been killed. Four-pounder used. Later government troops capture free-soilers. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.154-155 John Swift
1856 Maryland Baltimore September: "Rip-Rap" and Wanpawoag Clubs attack 17th ward house kept by James clar on Light street, opposite Warren. Bricks used and some shots fired. One man killed, several wounded during half hour battle. Police eventually disperse rioters Nativist battle. Scharf.Chronicles, p.549; H+W, p.93 James Clar
1856 Maryland Baltimore November: Serious election rioting throughout city, especially at 2nd and 8th ward polls. Eight killed, about 150 wounded as Democrats and know-nothings square off. Some common brought into play as know-nothings, despite strong democratic resistance, carry the day. Other reports (now Scharf) say 17 dead, 67 wounded. Scharf.Chronicles, p.550-552
1856 South Carolina Columbia, SC February: The "Guardhouse riot" - when an intoxicated and quarrelsome student was arrested by the Columbia police, the rest of the university of SC student body decided to liberate him. That evening they were rebuffed, after short scuffle. The following day they returned, armed from raiding the college arsenal and the police, with citizens joining in and the students formed opposing battle lines. Only the intervention of the Professor James H. Thornwell, who persuaded the students to go back to the dormitories, prevented greater bloodshed. Williams.Vogues in Villainy, p.71
1856 Nebraska Elkhorn March: Claim club founded in Elkhorn. Cutler, E. R., and Jno. A. Steinberger. "Claim Meeting at Elkborn City." Nebraskian, 19 Mar. 1856. PTH
1856 Pennsylvania Erie, PA April: A mob of rippers gutted the newspaper office of the Constitution, destroyed the press and tore the building down. The Constitution apparently supported the railroads in the Erie War and had been the scene of a fight between J.R. Cochran and John H. Walker, son of a railroad man Cochran had beaten several months earlier. Kent. "War of the Gauges,"
1856 Illinois Cairo, Illinois April: About 50 ruffians on their way to Kansas from Alabama and Georgia fell upon three men, shot and beat them at the levee. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid. Amer., (1951) p.72
1856 Iowa Fort Dodge April: Members of the Fort Dodge Claim Club dispossed Busey and Smith. After tearing down Busey's home, they tarred and feathered the men. A vote had been taken to whip the men instead, but the tar and feather voters won three to two. Colburn was the captain of the vigilantes, John F. Duncombe and John McLaughlin both vigilantes. Duncombe had voted for whipping. Seemingly about 100 vigilantes present. Eventually, when Duncombe ran for Lieut. Governor in 1863, his participation would be used against him in the press. Roger B Natte, A reckless life of three years in Iowa': The diary of a young attorney, John Duncombe, 1856-1859, 66 and The daily Gate City, August 10, 1863 Colburn; John F. Duncombe; John McLaughlin Busey; Smith PTH
1856 Kansas Kansas May: Reverend Pardee Butler seized by pro-slavery men and after discussing killing him, tarred and feathered him. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.102 Pardee Butler
1856 Kansas Kansas May: Junction of California and Fort Scott roads. Free-soil gang looted Bernhard's store. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.111 Bernhard
1856 California San Francisco May: Vigilantes organize, they hang four men, expel many others, breaking up Irish Democratic machine. Senkewicz.Vigilantes, p.156-188
1856 Kansas Lawrence, Kansas May: Under Sheriff Sam Jones, and after a federal marshal had obtained the arrests he came for, pro-slavery forces sacked the town, burnt down the Free State Hotel (attempts to blow it up failed) and burnt Free State Governor Robinson's house. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.103-109 Sam Jones Charles Robinson
1856 Kansas Kansas May: Pro-slavery forces burn John Brown Jr's home, Theodore Weiner's store for John Brown Sr.'s massacre. Both were held as captives and turned over to federal authorities. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.120-121 John Brown Jr.; Theodore Weiner
1856 Kansas Kansas June: Major Henry Titus of the Law and Order militia went to Captain Samuel Walker of Free State militia at the fork of the Lecompton and California roads. Titus had 15 men, Walker, 30. Free soil men drove off pro-slavery men in a hail of bullets. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.130-131 Henry Titus Samuel Walker
1856 Nebraska Omaha June: Capt. Goyer and his regulators, working for the Omaha Claim Club, put an alleged Claim Jumper across the Missouri river and threatened to drown him if he returned. The Nebraskian, a local paper, reports approvingly, writing that "Every squatter has the sympathies of his neighbors - they have suffered together, and they will fight for each other." "Local Items." Nebraskian, 25 June 1856. Alfred D. Goyer PTH
1856 Nebraska Omaha June: The Omaha Claim Club threatened Robert Shields and forced him to sell his claim. Shields fled to Elkhorn, but would later return to Omaha, after the club lost power. Shields, et al. v. Root. Transcript of Record Robert Shields PTH
1856 Kansas Leavenworth, Kansas Summer: Captain Emory's Regulators rounded up free-soilers and sent the down the river(?) by the boatload. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.135 Emory PTH Edits
1856 Iowa Otter Creek, Lucas County, Iowa August: Mob seized William Davis and charged him with burning the barn of Alexander Lamb. He denied the charges, but they whipped him anyway. Black.Lynching, p.185-186 William Davis
1856 Kansas Kansas August: Eight miles from LeComptones skirmish fought between Sam Walker's men (free soil) and Henry Titus pro-slavery men. Inconclusive. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.137 Henry Titus; Sam Walker Henry Titus; Sam Walker
1856 Kansas Franklin, Kansas August: Free soilers under Jim Lone capture Fort Franklin (pro-slavery) after three hour gun battle. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.135-136 Jim Lone
1856 Kansas Tecumseh, Kansas August: Free-soilers from Lawrence pillage homes of pro-slavery settlers. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.139
1856 Kansas Lecompton, Kansas August: Pro-slavery men under Sheriff Sam Jones burned houses of seven Northern familiesin pro-slavery capital. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.142 Sam Jones PTH Edits
1856 Nebraska Omaha September: John A. Harback threatened with violence by claim club, and does not file his pre-emption. Decisions of the Interior department in public land cases, and land laws passed by the Congress of the United States : together with the regulations of the General land office, 893-896. John A. Harback PTH
1856 Kansas Alexandria, Kansas September: About 150 free soilers attack and pillage the town. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.150
1856 Kansas Osawkee September: Free-soilers devastate the area. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.154
1856 Kansas SE Kansas Fall: George (Murderer of Barber Clarke) led a raid that destroyed crops, stole horses and cattle nad burned free-soil homes. Nichols.Bleeding Kansas, p.219 George
1856 California Pajaro River, Near Watsonville October: José Castro hanged by Matt Tarpy and his vigilantes for alleged attempted murder. Tarpy and his men had to seize Castro from a group of Mexicans who tried to protect him. Santa Cruz Pacific Sentinel, 1 and 15 Nov. 1856 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Matt Tarpy José Castro PTH
1856 Maryland Baltimore October: Local election for mayor and city council triggers rioting. Most serious affray was a gun battle between "Rip-Rap" club and New Market Fire company in the Lexington Market. New Market's driven from field and "Rip-Rap" enter and sack their engine house. Scharf.Chronicles, p.549-550
1856 New York NYC November: Election riots. Bullet boxes and ticket stand destroyed in several wards. Police called in. Anbinder, p.277
1856 Ohio Manchester, Adams Co. November: Bill, a black man, hanged for alleged rape New York Times, December 4, 1856 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. Bill PTH
1856 Illinois Cairo, Illinois December: "Plug (??)" battle in which knives, brickbats, clubs, and bottles used by rowdies. Briggs. "Lawlessness," Mid Amer. (1951) 73
1857 Nebraska Omaha, NE Members of the Omaha Claim Club threaten James Taggat to compell him to vacate his claim. Transcript of Record, Supreme Court of the United States, no. 117, 1870, Baker v. Morton, file date: December 6, 1869, 32. James Taggat PTH
1857 Nebraska Omaha, NE Members of the Omaha Claim Club threaten William Jones to compell him to vacate his claim. Transcript of Record, Supreme Court of the United States, no. 117, 1870, Baker v. Morton, file date: December 6, 1869, 32. William Jones PTH
1857 Tennessee Rogersville, TN Burning of black man for alleged "sundry foul, revolting, and hellish crimes" New York Times, Sept. 17, 1857. PTH
1857 Kentucky Louisville, KY Hanging of George, an enslaved man for alleged murder Cutler, Lynch-Law, 125; source: Liberator, October 16, 1857 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. George PTH
1857 Kentucky Louisville, KY Hanging of Bill, an enslaved man for alleged murder Cutler, Lynch-Law, 125; source: Liberator, October 16, 1857 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. Bill PTH
1857 Arkansas Chicot Co., AR Burning of black man for alleged murder and rape Bertram Wyatt-Brown, Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982), 389 from Pfeifer, Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1857 California Near Los Angeles January: On the 29th, a mob, angered by the death of an Anglo sheriff, hanged Juan Catabo, shot and decapitated Miguel Soto, and shot Diego Navarro, Pedro Lopez, Juan Valenzuela, and two unknown Mexicans. Sonoma County Journal (Petulama), Feb. 20, 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Diego Navarro; Pedro Lopez; Juan Valenzuela; Miguel Soto; Juan Catabo PTH
1857 California San Buenaventura February: On the 2nd, Encarnacion Berreyesa hanged for alleged murder. El Clamor Publico (Los Angeles), 28 Mar. and 9 May 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Encarnacion Berreyesa PTH
1857 California Near Ventura February: On the 2nd, José Jesus Espinosa hanged for alleged murder. New York Times, Mar. 17, 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Jesus Espinosa PTH
1857 California Near Los Angeles February: On the 3rd, Francisco or Guerro Ardillero hanged for alleged murder. Los Angeles Star, 7 Feb 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Francisco Ardillero; Guerro Ardillero PTH
1857 California Los Nietos February: On the 6th, two unknown Mexicans hanged and one shot for alleged murder. Sonoma County Journal (Petulama), Feb. 20, 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1857 California Los Angeles February: On the 14th, Juan Flores hanged for alleged murder of Anglo sheriff. Alta California (San Francisco), 2 March 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Juan Flores PTH
1857 California Monterey, CA February: On the 16th, a mob of two hundred seized José Anastacio García from jail and lynched him for alleged murder. Santa Cruz Pacific Sentinel, 28 Feb. 1857; Santa Cruz Sentinel, 12 May 1877 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Anastacio García PTH
1857 California Near El Monte February: "Mexican Joe" hanged and decapitated for alleged murder. Bartlett, ed. Reminiscences of a Ranger as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Mexican Joe PTH
1857 California Los Angeles February: José Santos hanged for alleged murder. Pacific Sentinel, 21 Feb 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. José Santos PTH
1857 New Mexico Sante Fe, NM March: On the 11th, Manuel Ribera was "shot through the bars of his jail cell" for alleged murder. Sante Fe Weekly Gazette, 14 March 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. Manuel Ribera PTH
1857 Nebraska Rock Bluffs, Cass Co. March: F. Pearman, banished after the claim jumping troubles in Cass, railed against club law in a local paper. He notes that twenty armed men stormed his home and put him under guard. He denies aiding and abbeting any jumping, and insists he simply did not want to live under club law, which he calls "mob laws." Nebraska News, March 24 1857 F. Pearman PTH
1857 Texas Near Goliad April: 8 unknown Mexicans lynched for alleged theft. San Antonio Herald, 18 Apr. 1857 as listed in Carrigan and Webb, Forgotten Dead. PTH
1857 Iowa Jackson county, Iowa April: Iron Hills Vigilance Committee broke into jail and seized accused murderer Alexander Gifford. They forced him to confess. He claimed he had been hired to do the killing. The mob hanged Gifford anyway. Black. "Lynchings," p.187 Alexander Gifford
1857 Nebraska Omaha, NE April: Jesse Lowe, the Mayor of Omaha and Captain of the Omaha Claim Club's regulators, is seen leading an unknown man to the Missouri River for punishment. The man was an alleged claim jumper. Lowe was flanked by several men carrying muskets. Lowe and the men returned without their victim. Erastus F. Beadle, Hams, Eggs, & Corn Cake: A Nebraska Territory Diary (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2001), 4. Jesse Lowe PTH
1857 Texas Montgomery, Montgomery Co., TX May: Hanging of enslaved man for alleged attempted murder of mistress Galveston Weekly News, May 17, 1859 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. PTH
1857 Iowa Andrew, Jackson Co., Iowa May: Mob seized 3 thieves from DeWitt jail in Clinton. They represented a Vigilance committee. They took the 3 to Andrew, the (??) headquarters. The mob quickly hanged William Barger, one of the thieves. They held the other two for trial. After trial they were whipped. One, Michael Carroll was then turned over to authorities; the other was banished. Black. "Lynchings," p.188-190 William Barger; Michael Carroll
1857 Iowa Johnson co., Iowa May: Mob seized Boyd Wilkinson at his farm - actually he surrendered on the promise of being turned over to the authorities - for burning Philip Clark's barn. Clark and he had aruged over land claims. Placed in a wagon, he was drowned while crossing a river. 15 were arrested. Black. "Lynchings," p.187-189 Boyd Wilkinson
1857 Iowa Cedar county, Iowa June: Regulators attacked the cabin of a man by the name of Corry. He was shot and killed apparently because Alonzo Page, one of the Regulators, had a personal grudge. Graham. "Vigilance Committee," p.309 Alonzo Page Corry
1857 Iowa Cedar County, Iowa June: Regulator organization against horse thieves active. One member of the Regulators argued with Alonzo Page. Corry told the Regulators that Page was associated with horse thieves. The Regulators warned Page to leave the country. When he didn't, they came to his house night of June 18th and when Page resisted, he was shot. He died from the wounds. Black. "Lynchings," p.192 Alonzo Page
1857 Iowa Warren's Settlement, Cedar Co., Iowa June: Mob seized Jacob A. Warner and accused him of being connected with a gang of outlaws. They tried him in a lynch court and then hanged him. At least 300 involved. Black. "Lynchings," p.193-194 Jacob A. Warner
1857 Iowa Cedar Co., Iowa June: Band of Regulators capture Peter Conklin, chased and shot him and killed him. Graham. "Vigilance Committee," p.366-367; Black. "Lynchings," p.194 Peter Conklin
1857 Iowa Jones Co., Iowa June: Mob of about 60 took convicted horse thief from officials and hanged him. Black. "Lynchings," p.194
1857 Iowa Clinton County, Iowa June: Hanging of Bennett Warren for alleged horse theft Black, "Lynchings in Iowa," 192-194 as listed in Pfeifer, The Roots of Rough Justice. Bennett Warren PTH
1857 Iowa Farmer's Creek, Jackon Co. July: Ally or member of vigilance committee shot at. Citizens meet to determine a course of action. Newspaper says that "prospect looks favorable for more lynching." Bellevue Gazette: Feburary 26, 1857. PTH
1857 Iowa Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa July: Regulators numbering about 200 broke into jail and took accused horse thieves Alonzo Gleeson and Edward Super. They held a trial for them. Super confessed. Both were hanged from a tree. Black. "Lynchings," p.195 Alonzo Gleeson; Edward Super
1857 New York NYC July: Bowery Boys and Dead Rabbits battle it out in the 6th ward. Arrival of Metropolitan Police had little effect. Beaten by the Dead Rabbits, only the arrival of a crowd of Bowery Boys enabled the Police to retreat. Twelve were killed, including two policemen. 41 injured. More fighting continued the next day and two regiments of militia needed to quell the disorder. Cook.Armies, p.41
1857 Iowa Jones Co., Iowa July: 18 year old horse thief caught in the act. Given 70 lashes. Some say he was killed. Black. "Lynchings," p.195
1857 Iowa Jones co., Iowa July: Vigilance Committee wen to a Dr. Longs' believing he was connected to horse thieves. They found his brother and another man, whom they hanged. Long, however, escaped. Black. "Lynchings," p.196 Longs
1857 New York NYC July: Two Germans fighting collected a great crowd on the corner of 3rd street and Ave B. With the fight over two policemen arrived to disperse the crowd. When one man refused to move, a policeman clubb him. The crowd became threatening. Sergeant Lockwood arrived in the German area with seven more policemen and asserted his authority. He and the police were driven back under a hail of brickbats and rocks. More police arrived and clubbed their way through the crowd. They began to shoot. Crowd dispersed. One man killed. Cook.Armies, p.44-45 Lockwood
1857 Iowa Cedar co., Iowa July: Vigilance committee captured a man named Kelso and an accomplice. They tried them and hanged them. When one of the crowd, a young farmer named Finch, came home and told his mother that he voted for hanging, she made him feel so bad that he went and hanged himself. Black. "Lynchings," p.197 Finch Kelso