1908 Race Riot
Marker 1
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Seventh and Jefferson - Site of Old County Jail
On August 14, 1908, a mob gathered at the Sangamon County Jail and demanded the release of George Richardson and Joe James, two black prisoners. Richardson was accused of raping Mabel Hallam, a white woman; and James was accused of the murder of Clergy Ballard, a white man. The prisoners were secretly transported to Bloomington, Illinois, by Sangamon County Sheriff Werner with the help of Harry Loper, a white local restaurant owner. This escape precipitated the Race Riots.
The second marker is located at 223 South Fifth.
