Fun Fact Thursday: The Race Riot of 1903

Did you know that there was a race riot in Evansville in the early 1900’s that killed 11 people? On July 3, 1909, Evansville police officer Louis Massey was trying to prevent Robert Lee from reentering Ossenberg’s saloon after threatening the bartender. Lee and Massey got into a gun fight, that ended up taking the life of Massey the next day. Massey was the first EPD officer to die in the line of duty.

When news broke that Massey died at the hands of a black man, a mob began to form outside of the jail. Gunshops were looted, windows were shot out, and there was even a black effigy hung from a light pole. Classy stuff.

The rioting went on from July 4-6. When it was all said and done, more than 50 people had to be taken to the hospital with wounds from the rioting.

If you want to read more about the riot, check out the Boneyard.

photo courtesy of Losttrekker