1928 - WE REMEMBER EUNICE “SON” BEAVERS

​The Lynching of Eunice Beavers

A Glimpse into the Shadows: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph

November 22, 1928—a day etched in sorrow and stained with injustice. Mr. Eunice "Son" Beavers ventured to a Tyler cotton gin, hopeful for a fair exchange for his hard-earned crop. But what awaited him was a cruel twist of fate. Met with a paltry offer, Beavers, undeterred, gathered his cotton, preparing to depart. Yet, a sinister chain of events unfolded, as officers were summoned to the scene. Deputy Sheriff Sam H. Bean arrived, and amidst the chaos, a scuffle ensued, culminating in a gunshot that claimed Beavers' life. Beaver’s young son, wide-eyed with horror, became an unwilling witness to this unspeakable tragedy.

But who was Sheriff Bean? What glimpse into his nature and character can the records offer? A faint glimmer emerges, shedding light on his perception of his African American neighbors. Reports from the Tyler newspaper reveal that three years after Beavers' shooting, Deputy Sheriff Bean forcibly removed four Black men from the "levy on East Common St." The crime? Merely existing. It was part of Bean's zealous enforcement of what the Tyler paper described as efforts to "rid Tyler of undesirable characters." There is no doubt other law enforcement officers acted in the same manner. It was the day of Jim Crow. But the haunting question lingers: What criteria rendered these men undesirable? What shadows of prejudice lurked behind the veil of their supposed transgressions?

In 1929, a year after Eunice Beavers' murder, the City of Tyler enlisted the aid of Koch & Fowler, a Dallas consulting firm, to facilitate the city's segregation. City officials defined "undesirable" as Black men, women, and children, their forced relocation to designated "colored people" areas reflecting the entrenched bigotry of the era. Tylerites embarked on a calculated campaign, redlining neighborhoods and perpetuating a system of discrimination.

Yet, from the depths of this turbulent past, a story of resilience emerges—generations later, Quincy Beavers, Eunice Beavers' grandson, would don the uniform of the very law enforcement agency responsible for his grandfather's tragic fate. Quincy Beavers shattered barriers, becoming the first African American to serve as Justice of the Peace in Smith County. With unwavering dedication, he faithfully served his community for an astounding 28 years, leaving an indelible mark of love and respect upon the hearts of those he touched.

In the midst of darkness, the Beavers' story reminds us of the power of perseverance, the triumph of the human spirit. It compels us to reflect on the journey from injustice to progress, urging us to confront the ghosts of our past, to dismantle the barriers that divide, and to strive relentlessly for a future where compassion and equality reign supreme.

Source:

1. Tyler Daily Courier-Times, November 23, 1928, p. 1—officer shoots Negro near here—wounded seriously by Deputy Sheriff Bean

2. Tyler Daily Courier-Times, November 27, 1928, p. 1—Negro wounded in a scuffle with deputy sheriff dies;