Perry massacre facts for kids
| Part of Jim Crow Era | |
News coverage of the Perry massacre
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| Date |
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| Location | Perry, Florida |
| Participants | A white mob kills 4 Black men in December 1922 |
| Deaths | 4 |
The Perry massacre was a terrible event that happened in Perry, Florida, in December 1922. It was a conflict driven by race. During this time, white people killed four Black men, including Charles Wright. They also destroyed many buildings in the Black community of Perry. This violence followed the death of Ruby Hendry, a white schoolteacher.
Contents
What Happened in Perry, Florida
This section explains the main events of the Perry massacre. It covers the discovery of a crime and the start of the violence.
The Start of the Conflict
A young white woman named Annie "Ruby" Hendry was found dead. This happened on December 2, 1922, in Perry, Taylor County, Florida. Police found weapons near her body. These included a shotgun and a razor.
Police soon linked these weapons to a Black man. He was staying in the area and using the name "Charley Wright." It was found that he had escaped from prison in nearby Dixie County.
Search and Destruction
After Ruby Hendry's body was found, search parties formed. These groups had guns and used bloodhounds. They searched everywhere for suspects.
Each night after the discovery, buildings in the Black community were burned. A schoolhouse, a lodge, and an amusement hall were destroyed. Then, a church was also set on fire.
First Shooting: Cubrit Dixon
Authorities gave guns to local citizens. They were made deputies to help with the search. Roads were closed off to control who entered or left.
On December 6, Cubrit Dixon, a Black man, was coming from Madison County. He entered Taylor County. Armed citizens, acting as deputies, stopped him. They told him to put his hands up.
Dixon did not obey. Witnesses said he seemed to reach for something in his back pocket. He was then shot and killed. Later, it was found he only had a closed pocketknife in his pocket.
Arrests and Mob Action
On December 7, another Black man, Albert Young, was arrested. This happened in Valdosta, Georgia. Young was also an escaped prisoner. He knew Charley Wright.
On December 8, Charley Wright was arrested in Madison County. Police said he had also used the name "Jim Stalworth." Wright was reported to have admitted to killing Ruby Hendry. Young was reported to have said he was with Wright. However, Wright also said Young did not help with the killing.
Mob Justice and More Deaths
On December 8, 1922, a large crowd gathered. Between 3,000 and 5,000 white men stopped the police. They took Wright and Young from custody. The mob held a quick, unfair trial, like a kangaroo court.
The mob decided Wright was guilty. They then killed him by burning him. Young was returned to the sheriff's care. He was taken to the jail in Taylor County.
On December 12, Young was being moved from the jail. A smaller group of people took him. They shot him to death.
Final Act of Violence
The Madison–Enterprise newspaper reported another incident. On December 15, 1922, a Black man in Perry was accused. He was said to have written "an improper note" to a white woman.
As a punishment, the man was shot and killed in his home. His home was then burned down with him inside.
Summary of the Violence
Charley Wright, a 21-year-old who had escaped prison, and Albert Young were arrested. They were jailed for Ruby Hendry's death. A very large group of people, called a mob, took them from the sheriff. This mob included people from both inside and outside the state.
The mob forced Wright to confess by treating him very badly. Wright said he acted alone. He was then killed. After this, two more Black men were shot and killed. White people also burned down many buildings. These included the town's Black school, a Masonic lodge, a church, an amusement hall, and several family homes.
