Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Adams Street
Site of the Sangamon County Courthouse
— 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour —
Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022
1. Adams Street Marker
Joe James, a black man, was tried and convicted for the murder of Clergy Ballard. Although Mr. James was eighteen-years-old and, as a minor, not subject to the death penalty, he was nonetheless executed on October 23, 1908.
During the Grand Jury investigation of the alleged rape of Mabel Hallam, a white woman, by George Richardson, a black man, Mrs. Hallam admitted that the accusation had been fabricated. Mr. Richardson was released and returned to a peaceful life in Springfield.
In August 1908, a special Grand Jury returned 107 indictments against nearly 80 white riot subjects on charges ranging from malicious mischief to murder. The trials that followed resulted in only one conviction - petty larceny.
The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour starts at Union Square Park, Fifth and Jefferson Streets.
(reverse:)
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free."
Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States
Erected 2018 by City of Springfield and the NAACP. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans
this page online
Location. 39° 48.032′ N, 89° 38.908′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker is on East Adams Street west of South 6th Street. Marker is in front of the Old State Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 E Adams St, Springfield IL 62701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stephen A. Douglas (here, next to this marker); C. M. & S. Smith Store (here, next to this marker); The Bath & Barber Shop (here, next to this marker); Potawatomi Trail of Death (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (a few steps from this marker); President-Elect Abraham Lincoln (a few steps from this marker); 1859-1911 (a few steps from this marker); Departure Point of The Donner Party (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
More about this marker. This is the last of eight markers that highlight the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield. All have the same format, and are triple-sided. The front contains historical text and the City of Springfield logo, one side with the NAACP logo and a quote from either Abraham Lincoln or Barack Obama. The other side says "Springfield's Race Riot of 1908"
Also see . . . Springfield race riot of 1908 on Wikipedia
Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022
2. Adams Street Marker
reverse side
Photographed By Jason Voigt, June 11, 2022
3. Adams Street Marker
Marker is in front of the Old State Capitol.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
