Timeline of 1898 Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état exactly 125 years later
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Friday marks exactly 125 years since the Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état on November 10, 1898.
In the days leading up the the tragic events, the New Hanover County’s Democrats used threats and intimidation to stop African Americans from voting on November 8, 1898. Pro-Democratic Party election officers also tampered with the returns. Because of these tactics, Democrats swept the election.
On November 10, 1898, two days after the contested election, the events of one of the darkest days in Wilmington’s history took place.
9:00 a.m.
A mob ransacked The Daily Record office, which is located in the Love and Charity Hall, an African American community center. The crowd burned down the building.
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
A standoff between African American workers and armed white men occurs at the Cotton Compress. The crowd disperses without violence.
11:00 a.m.
Around 11:00 a.m., shots were fired at North Fourth and Harnett streets, starting a wave of deadly violence in the city. Witnesses disagree about who shot first.
More shooting occurred at the same spot around noon.
Early Afternoon
Governor Russell puts Colonel Walker Taylor, an officer in the local branch of the state militia, in charge of troops and calls for him to “preserve the peace.” Wilmington is under martial law.
Wilmington Light Infantrymen shoot African Americans near the Fourth Street Bridge. As many as 25 people may have been killed.
Afternoon
Crews of white militiamen point their rapid-fire guns at the city’s African American residences and places of worship.
During the day, one of the city’s rapid-fire guns is aimed at St. Stephen AME Church at Fifth and Red Cross streets.
The State of North Carolina’s 1898 report lists the following dead:
Gray Bizzell, shot and died at home, 411 Harnett Street
John L. Gregory, killed on North Third Street, between Harnett and Swann streets
Sam Gregory
Josh Halsey, killed on Bladen Street near North Seventh Street
Charles Lindsey killed at North Fourth and Harnett streets
Sam McFallon, died at the hospital
Sam McFarland, shot near the railroad tracks, died at the hospital
George Miller, died at the hospital
William Mouzon, among the first people killed, North Fourth and Harnett streets
Carter Peamon, killed as he was attempting to leave town
Tom Rowan, killed by the river on a wharf
John Townsend, among the first killed at North Fourth and Harnett streets
Daniel Wright, gunned down near his home, 810 North Third Street
And 9 unnamed dead
All of those who are known to have died were African American. This list is not comprehensive, and historians believe it to be an undercount of the numbers of people who died.
In the chaos of the day, hundreds of African Americans flee to the swamps around the city for safety.
4:00 p.m.
One by one, Republican and Populist city officials are forced to resign. A slate of white Democratic Party members are put in their place. White supremacist campaigner Alfred Moore Waddell becomes mayor of the city in place of Republican Silas P. Wright.
7:15 p.m.
Deposed white deputy sheriff George Z. French and African American lawyer Armond Scott board the Northbound train, escaping the city with their lives.
