The 1919 Longview Race Riots
A few years ago, I did and posted a study on the 1919 Longview Race Riots as part of my study of the Black History of Longview, Texas. Since we are currently studying Unit 7's The Roaring Twenties which mentioned the race riots all over the United States in 1919, I thought it would be appropriate and helpful to repost my article. This was originally posted February 12, 2014.
BLACK HISTORY IN LONGVIEW AND GREGG COUNTY
FROM 1880-1930
(From the books Traditions of the Land: The History of Gregg County and Longview, Texas Centennial)
Part 2: The Race Riot of 1919 in Longview, Texas
During the summer of 1919, there were 25 disturbances known as race riots in large and small cities across the country, including Longview. The worst was in Chicago, where 38 whites and blacks were killed during 13 days of conflict. In Longview, one person was killed during the upset itself, not by mob violence but apparently through a tragic mistake.
In brief, the circumstances of Longview’s race riot of 1919 were documented as follows: On June 17, a young black man named Lamuel Walters, a local teacher, who allegedly had been romantically involved with the daughter of a notable white family of Kilgore was found murdered near Longview. He had earlier been whipped by two of the girl’s brothers and held in protective custody by the sheriff, who was reluctant to investigate these crimes. On July 5, The Chicago Defender, a national black weekly, carried an article on the alleged romance and killing. On a Longview street on Thursday, July 10, the brothers assaulted the Defender’s local reporter-distributor, a man named Jones (no first name was given) who had also written the article. That night, gangs of both races roamed the town. Supposedly in reprisal for the Defender article, a white mob (first about 12 men, later about 100) beat two blacks and burned three houses and a dance hall along Harrison and Nelson Streets. Other whites decided to invade Jones’ home obviously to continue the earlier attack. But when they approached his home, gunfire chased them away. Some were wounded, though not fatally, and one was caught by Jones’ friends and beaten. A larger mob, this time well armed, returned, burned Jones’ house, Dr. Davis’ home, and the homes and businesses of other Blacks. In the process, three members of the mob were superficially injured by birdshot and another was beaten severely.
The mistake and death occurred two nights later. The father-in-law of a black community leader shot at the sheriff on being offered protective custody for unexplained reasons. He fled but was soon killed during armed resistance of capture. No further violence occurred, and tension rapidly subsided in the next few days.
The main reason for this was that County Judge E.M. Bramlette and Mayor Bodenheim telephoned Governor William P. Hobby for help immediately after each incident, on Friday and Sunday mornings. The governor sent about 250 national guardsmen and 8 Texas Rangers and put the entire county under martial law for 5 days beginning that Sunday. The Rangers arrested 25 whites and 21 blacks on charges of arson and attempted murder. Officials and leading citizens of the city and county worked to promote racial harmony and to quell adverse national publicity which had already been received. All charges against the arrested persons were dropped.
In summary, the long, hot summer of 1919 in Longview was all about race and prejudice. Ninety-five years later, one must ask, have relations improved between the whites and blacks here in East Texas, or in the United States in general? Do we show the love towards one another that Jesus taught us to do? As we celebrate Black History Month, this is what we all should strive for.
Next: Black Schools in Longview- Pre-Integration
Newspaper clipping and book article about the race riots
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