Grant’s presence altered significantly the economic organization of the city. The completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, with Cairo as its southern terminus, had spurred increased trade with Chicago and provided a critical linkage to the largest urban hub of the State. Following Grant’s use of Cairo as military headquarters, much of this trade was diverted to Chicago. Nonetheless, the arrival of a large pool of freedmen provided Cairo with a dramatically increased pool of unskilled labor and changed the urban landscape of the city.
Cairo experienced its greatest economic growth in the latter half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. River trade, industrial growth (especially in bricklaying, timber, and woodpulp …show more content…
In 1855, an angry mob attempted to burn alive Joe Spencer, a black tavern owner, on his boat in the Ohio River after an aborted attempt to exile him. The incident gained nationwide notoriety and extensive press coverage. In 1893, Cairo citizens played a key role in the lynching of C.J. Miller. Miller, a Springfield, Illinois man, was accused of the murder of two young sisters in Ballard County, Kentucky. A posse of thirty men from western Kentucky detained Miller in Sikeston, Missouri, intent upon returning him to Ballard County. Upon return, a group of 300 Cairoites, reportedly intoxicated, awaited the return of the man along the Kentucky shore. Cairoites would also assist in escorting the posse and would be present for the …show more content…
Minimal physical evidence was found against him, mostly based on bloodhounds and the redness of his eyes, indicating that he had spent a wakeful night prior. In the 24 hours following his arrest, enraged crowds began to gather en masse around the police station seeking personal retribution for the crime committed. Sheriff Frank Davis, sensing the danger of the situation, rushed James away from the city via the Illinois Central north towards Anna, Illinois. However, late on the night of November 11, 1909, elements of the mob captured Sheriff Davis and James along a wooded area near the Illinois Central’s line in Belknap, Illinois. The mob forcibly removed James from Davis’ custody and returned him to custody. At 9:15 pm, William James was lynched and his body burned and decapitated in front of nearly 10,000 spectators in Cairo’s main commercial district. The incident grew in national significance and cast a critical eye onto the city and region, prompting state to dispatch militia forces and to declare the office of Alexander County Sheriff vacant. Nationwide, newspapers tended to emphasize, warranted or not, the nature of Cairo as a “town of lawlessness and vice”, which furthered the lack of capital investment in the city. The incident sent an undeniable message to blacks in the city that their safety and
Cairo experienced its greatest economic growth in the latter half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. River trade, industrial growth (especially in bricklaying, timber, and woodpulp …show more content…
In 1855, an angry mob attempted to burn alive Joe Spencer, a black tavern owner, on his boat in the Ohio River after an aborted attempt to exile him. The incident gained nationwide notoriety and extensive press coverage. In 1893, Cairo citizens played a key role in the lynching of C.J. Miller. Miller, a Springfield, Illinois man, was accused of the murder of two young sisters in Ballard County, Kentucky. A posse of thirty men from western Kentucky detained Miller in Sikeston, Missouri, intent upon returning him to Ballard County. Upon return, a group of 300 Cairoites, reportedly intoxicated, awaited the return of the man along the Kentucky shore. Cairoites would also assist in escorting the posse and would be present for the …show more content…
Minimal physical evidence was found against him, mostly based on bloodhounds and the redness of his eyes, indicating that he had spent a wakeful night prior. In the 24 hours following his arrest, enraged crowds began to gather en masse around the police station seeking personal retribution for the crime committed. Sheriff Frank Davis, sensing the danger of the situation, rushed James away from the city via the Illinois Central north towards Anna, Illinois. However, late on the night of November 11, 1909, elements of the mob captured Sheriff Davis and James along a wooded area near the Illinois Central’s line in Belknap, Illinois. The mob forcibly removed James from Davis’ custody and returned him to custody. At 9:15 pm, William James was lynched and his body burned and decapitated in front of nearly 10,000 spectators in Cairo’s main commercial district. The incident grew in national significance and cast a critical eye onto the city and region, prompting state to dispatch militia forces and to declare the office of Alexander County Sheriff vacant. Nationwide, newspapers tended to emphasize, warranted or not, the nature of Cairo as a “town of lawlessness and vice”, which furthered the lack of capital investment in the city. The incident sent an undeniable message to blacks in the city that their safety and