INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quaiity of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black arxf white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 USA UIVQ800-521-0600 BLACK LYNCHING IN THE PROMISED LAND: MOB VIOLENCE IN OHIO 1876 -1916 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment o f the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Marilyn K. Howard, MA. ***** The Ohio State University 1999 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Warren R. VanTine, Advisor Professor Paul Allen Beck Professor James N. Upton Department of Kstory Graduate Program UMI Number: 9951668 Copyright 1999 by Howard, Marilyn Kaye All rights reserved UMI Microform 9951668 Copyright 2000 by Bell & Howell Wbrmation and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is threefold. First, I wanted to tell the story of a long forgotten part of Ohio’s history-the lynching of black: men by white mobs. Second, I wanted to ascertain if the theory developed by historian Roberta Senechal de la Roche was correct: that the components of a lynching could be broken down and labeled, and that by doing so, it could be predicted whether a lynching was going to occur. The latter part of the aforementioned statement is important, for lynching is a premeditated crime. If the components of a particular lynching are known, perhaps that lynching can be averted. Third, I wanted to verify if the passage of the anti-lynching law o f 1896-the so-called “Smith law,” named after Harry C. Smith, a black newspaper owner and Republican state legislator ftom Cleveland, Ohio—was the reason that lynchings o f black men tapered off and ceased altogether after 1916. Finally, 1 wanted to see if there was a definitive reason for which black men were lynched, be it sexual, economic, or racial. Accordingly, 1 examined twelve lynchings and thirteen incidents in which lynchings were averted. 1 also looked at a legal execution-the victim had nearly been lynched before his execution by the state could be carried out-and an incident in which a lynching was reported but found to be the hanging of an iron statue made in the likeness of a black man. u de la Roche’s theory turned out to be correct. In each of the twenty-three incidents, at least two of her four variables were present. Second, it was impossible to ascertain with any certainty if the Smith law was responsible for the decline and eventual demise of the lynchings o f black men in Ohio. In fact, three men were lynched after the Smith law was passed. Tim'd, there is no definitive reason for why black men were lynched in Ohio, although accusations of sexual assault played a powerful role. Four of the men who were lynched had been accused o f or charged with murder, five had been charged with serual assault, one had been charged with assault, one had been charged with a murder arui an assault, and one with robbery. Of the ten men who escaped being lynched, five had been accused of sexual assault, three had been accused o f assault, and the last man was a white county sheriff who was nearly lynched for protecting a black man accused of sexual assault. There was a common thread running through all but one of the incidents: The men who were lynched or escaped being lynched were all black, and except in one case, the mobs were white. Clearly mob in Ohio contained a strong racial element, although it could not be verified with any great certainty if it was the sole motive in any of the incidents. lU To Warren R_ VanTine, for believing in me To Mom and Dad, for prayers and laughter To Joe Boyce, who told me I could write To Juliet C. Saunders and Kathryn S. Pyant, for inspiration To Amanda and Richard Byrnes, for reminding me of the value of play And to O G -fo r everything. IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS So many people believed in me and helped me get this finished. First, Fd like to thank my advisor, Warren R. VanTine, who is just wonderful: a scholar, advisor, critic and friend. Thanks, too, are owed the members of my committee, Paul Allen Beck and James N. Upton, for their support, patience, and faith in me. I thank my parents, Bette and Joe Howard, my aunts and uncles, cousins, and siblings—Marsha, Marva, Tony, Michael, Scott and Maria—for cheering me on. I am especially grateful to my ABD Girls, Tona Dickerson and Linda Trautman—who are like sisters to me—for their fellowship, support and prayers. The staflT at the Ohio Historical Society was very helpful. I would like to especially thank Marty Maceyko, who miraculously managed to ensure that I had a microfilm machine for incredibly long periods of time, and Thomas Reider, reference technician, fi)r his assistance in tracking down materials. I would also like to thank Susanna Marlowe, reference library director, and Marge Murfin, reference librarian at The Ohio State University College of Law and the Main Library respectively, fer helping me locate old cases and statistics. My former colleagues at The Ohio State University have been stalwart in their faith in me. I am especially gratefiil to Mildred Chavous, former director of graduation services and degrees; Roy Koenigsknecfat, former dean o f the Graduate School; Kathryn S. Pyant, former associate dean, and Jim Siddens, assistant dean, for their long years of interest and support. My former colleagues in the Graduate School, too numerous to mention, were like my own squad of cheerieaders, and they also have my thanks. Dr. Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services at Ohio State, was incredibly helpful in getting me past my writer’s block. I am so grateful to my journalist fiiends, Joe Boyce, Ellis Cose, Nfike D’Orso and Haygood for encouragement, advice, and the wonderful example they have set for me. Joe was especially helpful; he waded through the manuscript on my behalf. Edward Ball, Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. offered encouragement when I very badly needed it, and I’m very appreciative. Dr. Goodwin’s kind words and advice buoyed my spirits every time I read them. My colleagues at Columbus State were also very helpful. Ann Miller is a Word­ Perfect wizard, and her assistance was vital to the completion of the document. My fiiends in the Department o f Social and Behavioral Sciences have been incredibly supportive. To Jonnie Budke, Jen Chapman, Marcia Daniels, Glen dayman. Bob Fitrakis, Judy Gentry, Brigette Greiner, David Hockenbery, Garfield Jackson, Karsten Look, Karen Muir, Eric Neubauer, Anne Peterson, Judy Roobian-Mohr, Earl Schaeffer, Michael Schumacher, Paula Snyder, and James Stewart go my sincere thanks. I’d also like to VI thank John Marr, Doug Montanaro, A1 Simmons, and Nfike Snider for their encouragement. Finally-and this is clearly not in order of importance—I want to thank Jean Hansford. He was a cheerleader, sounding board, editor, shoulder to cry on, and an unfailing supporter. I could not have made it through this process without him, and I am more grateful than I can ever say. vu VITA July 26, 1956 £ o m - Columbus, Ohio 1990 M. A., Political Science, The Ohio State University 1997 - Present .....................Assistant Professor, Columbus State Community College 1993 - 1997....................................... Instructor, Columbus State Community College 1990 - 1993................. Graduate Administrative Assistant, The Ohio State University FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: IBstoty, 1877 - Present Minor Field: History, 1607 - 1877 Minor Field: Political Science vui TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication iv Acknowledgments v Vita viii List of Tables x List of Plates xi Chapters 1. Lynching Explained and Defended I 2. Conflicted Attitudes on Race: White Ohioans and the 47 Treatment ofBlacks, 1800-1920 3. Episodic Lynchings 70 4. An Epidemic of Lynching 104 5. A Legislative Response to Lynching 152 6. Lynching on the Wane 170 7. Conclusion 227 8. Bibliography 234 IX LIST OF TABLES Table Page Number of Blacks Lynched From 1917-1920 27 Number of Lynchings by Region 37 BlackAVhite Population in Ohio, 1800-1840 54 LIST OF PLATES Plate Page The Underground Railroad in Ohio 226 Mob Violence in Ohio 229 Mob Violence in Ohio By Counties 231 XI CHAFTERl DEFENDING AND CONDEMNING LYNCHING Introdaction The Chicago Tribune reported that there were 4,951 lynchings in the United States from the years 1882 through 1927.