"The Peculiar Climate of this Region" The 1854 Cairo Lynching and the Historiography of Racist Violence Against Blacks in Illinois

Abstract

PERHAPS SOME OF OUR READERS MAY REMEMBER a tragical affair that occurred in mudwalled city' of Cairo, Illinois, in autumn of 1854, wrote Edward Willett nearly a decade later. I refer to lynching of a negro named Joseph Spencer. In lengthy article that followed, Willett, a lawyer and a participant in events described, provided what he called a truthful account of a story that had garnered significant national attention when it occurred. Because of location of this small but growing Illinois town at confluence of Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, witnesses soon carried reports of Tragedy along these vibrant waterways, as well as by rail, to newspaper editors throughout Illinois and in larger regional centers like St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati.1With minor variations, newspaper accounts reported that on or about November 27,1854, authorities pressed a charge of trespassing against Joseph Spencer, a well-known black resident who operated a hotel in cabin of his boat, Patrick Henry. When summoned to court, Spencer arrived for hearing armed a pistol and a keg of gunpowder. entered little room, took a chair, drew a six-shooter, deliberately knocked in head of keg, cocked his pistol, and inserted barrel in gleaming black powder, announcing that if justice was not done him he would blow them all to hell.2 Not surprisingly, Spencer succeeded in persuading judge to postpone hearing; a commentator noted that the court wisely took time to consult,' and adjourned in hot haste. With his threat, Spencer enraged white residents. This outrageous affair soon got wind, and excitement against negro became intence [sic], and propositions to lynch him were received general favor.3Well aware of fury that his actions had unleashed, Spencer retreated to his boat and locked himself in cabin, a mob hot on his heels. Like Revolutionary namesake of his boat, Spencer clearly adhered to mantra, Give me liberty, or give me death! When whites threatened to storm boat, Spencer again placed muzzle of his gun into keg and threatened to kill anyone who dared to approach. For a time, whites contented themselves cries of Kill d-d nigger! With as many as three hundred white men assembled at wharf, snipers stationed themselves around boat waiting for him to make his appearance. When Spencer refused to leave his cabin, whites boarded ship only to be driven back by a fusillade from their well-positioned quarry. Five of white men, including Willett, were shot and quickly retreated onto wharf. At that point, mob members determined to burn boat. To prevent other vessels from catching fire, they cut Spencer's boat away from its mooring and set it aflame. While all this was going forward, several shots were exchanged between crowd and negro, who had previously supplied himself two double barreled shot guns and a revolver.4Joe's boat was cut loose, set on fire, and turned adrift, and went blazing out into river, amid yells of excited recalled Willett. mob, however, was not satisfied letting Spencer take his chances on his fiery barge. The river around burning boat was soon dotted skiffs and other boats, many containing armed men, waiting to shoot doomed negro, if he should attempt to escape. Once Spencer had endured flames for as long as possible, he appeared on deck with a weight of some kind tied around his neck. He gave vent to some undistinguishable exclamation, cast himself into river, and sank to rise no more. boat burned to water's edge, and grounded on Kentucky shore, and thus ended what was known in West as Joe Spencer tragedy.5Three primary objectives drive this investigation. first is to analyze lynching of Joe Spencer, as reported by Willett and contemporary press, in order to gauge white racial attitudes in Cairo in 1854. …