PBA Galleries

Gelatin silver photographs with postcard backs, captions in the negative. Unused. 8.5x13.5 cm. (3½x5½").

Rare real-photo postcards of the mass civil disturbance in Springfield, Illinois, on August 14 and 15, 1908, sparked by the arrest of two African Americans as suspects in violent crimes against whites, being accused of rabing one Mabel Hallam and murdring Clergy Ballard. When a mob seeking to take the men for lynching discovered the sheriff had transferred them out of the city, it rioted in black neighborhoods. It killed black citizens on the street and destroyed businesses and homes. By the end of the riot the next day, the governor had sent in thousands of militia to restore order. At least seven people died, and there was US $200,000 in property damage, mostly to the black neighborhoods.The photographs show he burnt district, the Illinois National Guard at the ready and in their encampment, etc.