Tyler, TX’s First Recorded Lynching
1857 - WE REMEMBER THE LYNCHED UNNAMED SLAVE
A Legacy of Suffering: Unveiling Tyler's First Recorded Lynching
In the year 1857, amidst the relentless grip of slavery enacted by the state’s founding fathers, a slave whose name was lost to history found himself confined within the walls of the Smith County jail, awaiting trial for an alleged crime—the rape of a white woman. It was within this crucible of racial oppression that a harrowing chapter unfolded, as a furious mob assembled, storming the jail and wresting the prisoner from his cell, subjecting him to the gruesome fate of lynching.
This chilling event stands as Tyler's first documented lynching, a stark reminder of the brutality and violence that marred the lives of countless Black individuals in Smith County and throughout Texas. Regrettably, this would become a grim precursor to many more racial terror lynchings that would plague the area, all a product of White Supremacy. By the year 1929 (sixty-three years after the first celebrated Juneteenth), Tyler enacted a City Plan whose purpose was to legalize segregation, the insidious doctrine of White Supremacy had become immovably solidified within Tyler and Smith County, cultivating an environment that fostered tolerance for the continued bigotry and oppression against their Black neighbors.
The Sinister Legacy of White Supremacy
Throughout history, the term "white supremacy" has been a grim specter haunting societies, exemplifying a deeply ingrained belief in the superiority of the white race. This toxic ideology perpetuates a system that marginalizes and devalues the lives and rights of individuals solely based on their race. It creates an environment where violence and brutality are tolerated, where the dignity and humanity of Black neighbors, Hispanics, and the LGBTQ+ are stripped away, leaving scars that endure for generations.
Understanding the historical context of white supremacy is essential in comprehending the legacy of racial terror that unfolded in Tyler and Smith County. By acknowledging the pervasive influence of this ideology, we can work collectively to dismantle its harmful systems and foster an inclusive society that values the equality and inherent worth of every individual. It is our collective responsibility to challenge the foundations of white supremacy, embracing empathy, justice, and compassion, as we strive to create a community where the shadows of violence and brutality are replaced with unity, understanding, and healing.
Tyler’s First Lynch Mob
Local Historians Cited It First Among A Handful Of Illegal Hangings
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
Sources:
Whisenhunt, D. W. (n.d.). Chronology of Texas History (1st ed.). Eakin Press.
Ledbetter, Billy D., Slavery, Fear, and Disunion in the Lone Star State: Texans' Attitudes toward Secession and the Union, 1846-1861. August 1972.
Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas, Thu, Apr 01, 1999, Page 20
Author's Note: Dr Whisenhunt earned his doctorate of Arts in History, at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, TX. He has taught at the following including UT Tyler and authored over 10 scholarly books, including the Chronology of Texas History.
Murray State University, Murray, KY
Thiel College, Greenville, PA
Wayne State College, Wayne, NE
Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
Eastern Washington University, Bellingham, WA
