Comer in Barbour County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Election Riot of 1874

Photographed by David J Gaines, October 20, 2012

1. Election Riot of 1874 Marker

Inscription. Near here is old Spring Hill, the site of one of the polling places for the November 3, 1874 local, state and national elections. Elias M. Keils, scalawag and judge of the Circuit Court of Eufaula, was United States Supervisor at the Spring Hill ballot box. William, his 16 year old son, was with him. After the polls closed, a mob broke into the building, extinguished the lights, destroyed the poll box and began shooting. During the riot, Willie Keils was mortally wounded. The resulting congressional investigation received national attention. This bloody episode marked the end of Republican domination in Barbour County.

Erected 1979 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1796.

Location. 32° 2.071′ N, 85° 22.919′ W. Marker is in Comer, Alabama, in Barbour County. It is on U.S. 82 just west of Silo Road, on the right when traveling east. Near County Road 49. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midway AL 36053, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Black Belt,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Unknown Soldiers (approx. 4 miles away); Spring Hill United Methodist Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); Providence Methodist Church & Schoolhouse

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 4.3 miles away); Fort Browder / 15th Alabama Infantry (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Browder / 15th Alabama Infantry (approx. 4.6 miles away); Batesville Church - 1837 (approx. 4.6 miles away); Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away); Jefferson Davis Highway (approx. 8½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Braxton Bragg Comer (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Election Riots of 1874. An article from the online Encyclopedia of Alabama. (Submitted on May 20, 2021, by Laura Hill of Auburn, Alabama.)

Photographed by David J Gaines, October 20, 2012

2. Election Riot of 1874 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,429 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.