New plaque memorializes 1893 lynching of a Black man in Decatur

May 21, 2023

Love Island and Married At First Sight stars expecting first baby together as they announce pregnancy

Apr 29, 2023

Creative Ways To Repurpose Old Picture Frames

Dec 18, 2023

Eurovision 2023: Everyone’s saying the same thing about Finland

May 25, 2023

Kitten and Parrot Adorably Nap Together In Birdhouse

May 04, 2023

10 Best Boxed Wines

Send your inquiry

SUBMIT

Aug 07, 2023

New plaque memorializes 1893 lynching of a Black man in Decatur

Vernon Wimberly addresses the crowd on Saturday at the end of the unveiling

Vernon Wimberly addresses the crowd on Saturday at the end of the unveiling ceremony for a historical marker remembering his great-great-uncle Samuel J. Bush, who was lynched at the spot 130 years ago in Decatur.

DECATUR — A long-buried instance of racial terror was brought into the sunlight Saturday as activists and community leaders dedicated a historical marker memorializing the 1893 lynching of Samuel J. Bush at the hands of a mob of white people from Mount Zion.

Bush, a 30-year-old Black man from Mississippi, was accused of assaulting two white women in separate incidents. He was subsequently found on a farm in Moultrie County and taken to the Macon County Jail.

Amid rumors of a possible lynching, three well-known Black citizens, including the city's only Black lawyer, had offered to guard the suspect while he was in custody. Then-Macon County Sheriff Peter Perl turned down their offer, saying his deputies could handle any situation that might arise, according to an account from Macon County Historian Mark Sorensen.

In the jail, Bush wrote letters to family members asking to send money for a lawyer. He said he had asked the women for food and water, but did not assault anyone.

Bush never got the chance to defend himself. In the early morning hours of June 3, 1893, an angry mob from Mount Zion, then considered a "sundown town," stormed into the jail as the sheriff's deputies charged with protecting Bush stood idly by.

The mob dragged Bush to the northeast corner of Wood and Water streets. There, according to newspaper accounts, he knelt and prayed for "Jesus to come and take his soul and forgive the men who were murdering him."

The vigilantes then forced a naked Bush on top of a carriage and hanged him from a utility pole. It took 12 minutes for Bush to die. After the awful deed was done, pieces of the rope used to hang Bush were distributed to the estimated 1,500 people in the crowd as keepsakes.

Despite outrage at the mob action, including from then-Illinois Gov. John Peter Altgeld, a grand jury refused to bring charges upon the ringleaders who orchestrated the crime.

For a long time, this history has not been spoken or taught.

But, standing just feet away from where the crime took place exactly 130 years ago, another crowd gathered outside the courthouse on Saturday.

A crowd gathers on Saturday at the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse for the unveiling of the Samuel J. Bush historical marker 130 years after he was lynched at the spot in Decatur.

About 75 people, including several Decatur activists and community leaders, vowed to never forget what took place there years ago and to keep pushing forward in the march for racial justice.

"This marker, to my mind, is not the end. It isn't the goal. It won't solve a problem," said A.D. Carson, a Decatur native and professor at the University of Virginia. "It's here to remind us that there is a problem and that we're living with it. It's here to prompt us to ask ourselves, our communities and our elected officials, how do we live with it? How will we live with it with expectations of real responses because we are definitely still living with it."

The historical marker, on the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse lawn, is the fourth in Macon County and the first not relating to former President Abraham Lincoln.

Sorensen, speaking on behalf of the Illinois State Historical Society, said it is the first marker in the state dealing with racial terror lynchings. He said there are 27 known incidents in state history.

The marker comes after more than three years of organizing by Decatur activist groups Affordable Activism and Walk It Like We Talk It. The groups picked up the ball from others after several years of false starts.

Affordable Activism founder Dana Thomas points to the location directly across the street where Samuel J. Bush was lynched exactly 130 years ago. An unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday for a historical marker in Decatur. The installment was organized by Affordable Activism, Walk It Like We Talk It, and the Illinois State Historical Society.

"With all things COVID and reflecting on Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Breonna, Taylor, George Floyd and countless others, I felt like I wasn't doing enough," said Dana Thomas, a Decatur nurse and founder of Affordable Activism. "And I wanted to do something about it. I thought, at least, I could get a historical marker for Mr. Bush."

Thomas first reached out to the Equal Justice Initiative, a national organization that challenges racial and economic injustice and often funds such historical markers.

But, amid the protests that were unleashed following Floyd's murder in 2020, the group had been "inundated with requests" and it became clear that they would miss the 130-year anniversary if going through that channel.

So, Thomas reached out to other groups. The first one that offered to help "without hesitation" was Walk It Like We Talk It.

Keynote speaker A.D. Carson addresses the crowd on Saturday at the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse for the unveiling of the Samuel J. Bush historical marker 130 years after Bush was publicly lynched at the spot in Decatur.

After jumping through necessary hoops, including getting approval from Macon County Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith to place the marker on the courthouse grounds and finalizing its language, they met their deadline.

The plaque, which cost nearly $4,000, is being funded through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and a GoFundMe effort. Thomas said they still hope to work with the Equal Justice Initiative to fund efforts to educate people about what happened to Bush, along with college scholarships.

"We absolutely need to connect this with having the proper education..." Thomas said. "That nobody was ever taught about this that I have ever spoken to is ridiculous."

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, city manager Scot Wrighton and council members David Horn and Pat McDaniel were present on behalf of the city. The mayor read a proclamation declaring June 3 "Samuel J. Bush Remembrance Day" in Decatur.

Moore Wolfe handed the proclamation to Thomas, who then handed it off to Vernon Wimberly, Bush's great-great nephew, who flew in from Jacksonville, Florida, for the ceremony.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe talks to Vernon Wimberly on Saturday after the unveiling ceremony for a historical marker remembering Wimberly's great-great-uncle Samuel J. Bush, who was lynched at the spot exactly 130 years ago, in Decatur. Moore Wolfe signed a proclamation declaring June 3 Samuel J. Bush Remembrance Day.

In a touching moment, Wimberly — holding the proclamation — said, "Mayor, I accept this as an apology. Should I?" Moore Wolfe nodded her head. "I accept that because that is the only thing I'm here for," he continued.

"You can give all kinds of dedications, all kinds of accolades, but until someone accepts an apology, it's unheard of," Wimberly told the Herald & Review after the event. "So a public apology was critical. It was the most critical thing that I could ask for. And it touched close to the heart."

Wimberly, who lived in Decatur for nearly 30 years and learned more about his ancestor through doing research at the African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society of Illinois Museum, assured those in the audience that "these are not the tears of sorrow."

"There is no sorrow here. What's here is joy," Wimberly said.

But, the activists gathered said memorializing Bush is just the beginning. In addition to acknowledging the horrors of the past, they also want to mark the good things that have have happened.

And they says there's still far more work to be done on the road to justice.

"This is a call to action behind the scenes for marching," Thomas said. "I got a garage full of picket signs and megaphones. I'm good at that. But my mind is blown that it is done and I'm just eternally grateful. I'm overwhelmed, I am happy, I am sad, I want to weep."

1 BR/1BA Home in Bethany. Great opportunity for investment property or starter home. Large side lot. New ceiling and Living Room Floor. Eat in Kitchen, Utility Room. Call today to schedule showing.

Situated on a deep lot in the ELMS, this home has been recently updated! The exterior offers a new roof (home and garage), doors, lights, mailbox and door bell plus a brand new concrete patio. The interior offers all new LVP flooring on the main level and upstairs bathroom, new carpet flooring in the primary bedroom and stairs, updated kitchen with new cabinets, granite counter-tops, backsplash, sink, faucet, hardware and appliances, both bathrooms has been updated, the interior has been freshly painted throughout plush much more. The main level offers a living room with wood beamed ceilings, a dining room with French doors, cozy kitchen, mechanical room and bathroom. The upstairs offers the spacious primary bedroom, primary bathroom and multiple closets! Other amenities include a 2c detached garage and shaded deep backyard. This is a Fannie Mae HomePath Property

Spacious 2 bedroom Duplex with open floor plan. You will enjoy the single story ease in this modern, well maintained home. Clean-up after family meals will be a breeze with a double sink and dishwasher. The newer stove has a built in microwave hood above it and the refrigerator is full sized. If you like an open floor plan, this home is for you with its kitchen, dining and living room all open to one another. Just off of the dining room, through the glass doors, is a patio that will make hosting friends over for cook-out fun this Summer. The bedrooms each have a spacious closet for all of your clothes. The full bathroom has a tub/shower combo. You can keep your auto out of the weather with the deep one car garage with opener, Broker Owned. Credit and background check; Non-Smoking; No pets; Maximum Occupancy 3, Minimum credit score 600. For details and showing, please call James Syed 618-406-9775, NO text messages.

Great starter home, downsize or investment property. Cute 1 story bungalow with oversized 1 car attached garage. 3 bedroom, 1 bath, eat-in kitchen, living room with fireplace, replacement windows. Newer roof, siding, and HVAC. There is also a mini-barn storage shed. Located on a quiet street close to restaurants and shopping. Don't miss this one!

Don't miss this charming bungalow just minutes from shopping, restaurants, and parks in Decatur! The inviting front porch leads inside where you'll discover updated vinyl plank flooring in the bright and airy living room as well as the open dining room. Find amazing cabinet and counter space plus a stylish tile backsplash in the kitchen. Down the hall, three ample-sized bedrooms offer cool, neutral tones and share the updated full bath. Need more? Check out the full basement where two additional bonus rooms plus a great laundry room are all found. The large backyard features several great shade trees and plenty of space to play! Recent updates include: kitchen cabinets, furnace, water heater, and roof. Nothing to do but move in - schedule your private showing today!

This 3 Bedroom 1 Bath features a 2 car detached garage. An Office area. A Newer Roof, Hotwater Heater only 2 years old, Furnace is 5 years old. This Fixer upper is priced to sell, being sold as is and will not last long. More interior pics to follow soon..

Spacious 2 bedroom Duplex with open floor plan. You will enjoy the single story ease in this modern, well maintained home. The laundry room is located off of the kitchen and includes washer and dryer for your use. Clean-up after family meals will be a breeze with a double sink and dishwasher. The newer stove has a built in microwave hood above it and the refrigerator is full sized. If you like an open floor plan, this home is for you with its kitchen, dining and living room all open to one another. Just off of the dining room, through the glass doors, is a patio that will make hosting friends over for cook-out fun this Summer. The bedrooms each have a spacious closet for all of your clothes. The full bathroom has a tub/shower combo. You can keep your auto out of the weather with the deep one car garage with opener, Broker Owned. Credit and background check; Non-Smoking; No pets; Maximum Occupancy 3, Minimum credit score 600.

Make this charming bungalow your own or add to your investment portfolio! Sitting on a large lot just minutes from restaurants, shopping and Millikin University, the inviting front porch welcomes you inside where you'll discover a cozy living room leading into the kitchen and back bedroom. The fantastic fenced backyard provides plenty of space to play with great shade from the mature trees. Additional storage can be found in the detached garage. New steel roof in 2021. Take a look at this one today!

3BR/2BA Charmer in Bethany. Located on .20 acres in town, this home features a large eat in kitchen, spacious Bonus room, Large utility room with second bath and basement access. Tons of potential. Inspections are welcome, but property is being sold as is. Call today to see this property.

Contact Brenden Moore at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @brendenmoore13.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

State Government, Decatur Reporter

The Decatur Fire Department was called out for a kitchen fire late Saturday morning on North Union Street.

A new study suggests racial bias built into a common medical test for lung function is likely leading to fewer Black patients getting care for…

A time capsule from 1930 was opened at Maroa-Forsyth High School on Thursday.

Mourners file through visitation for slain Chicago cop

President Emily Belle Freeman: Deep and Abiding Belief In Jesus Christ

Blog

New plaque memorializes 1893 lynching of a Black man in Decatur