Monthly Archives: September 2014

Springfield African-American History Foundation interviews

Posted on September 21, 2014 by editor

As of late 2015, the Springfield African-American History Foundation, in conjunction with the oral history efforts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, had published interviews with 30 black residents of Springfield. Those interviews can be found here. Interviewees are: Adams, Rosia: … Continue reading →

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Adelaide O’Brien

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Adelaide O’Brien was the maiden name of a pioneer woman aviator in central Illinois. See Adelaide O’Brien Rentschler.

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Adelaide O’Brien Rentschler (aviator)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Adelaide O’Brien (1915-99) of Springfield was the first licensed woman pilot in downstate Illinois. During World War II, O’Brien was a local ground instructor for U.S. Army Air Corps flight cadets. O’Brien also was widely known in central Illinois for … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Arts and letters, Military, Women | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Opening of Commercial Airport, 1928 (photo)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

     

Posted in Air travel, Airport, Business, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Scott Burton (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Scott Burton, a black barber, was one of two African-Americans who were lynched during the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

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Kate Howard (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Kate Howard, a white woman, was accused of being one of the leaders of a mob that destroyed Loper’s Restaurant at the start of the Springfield race riot. She committed suicide after being arrested. See Race riot of 1908.

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Joe James (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Joe James, a black man, was accused of the killing of Clergy Ballard, a white mining engineer, on July 5, 1908. Ballard’s killing was one of the incidents that precipitated the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

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Mabel Hallam (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Mabel Hallam, a white woman, falsely accused a black man of rape. The allegation was one of the incidents that precipitated the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

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Harry Loper (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

Harry Loper, a successful white restaurateur, owned one of the few motorcars in Springfield in 1908. So when Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner wanted to move two black accused murderers out of the county jail before a white mob stormed the facility, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and vice, Disasters, Local government, Prominent figures, Race riot of 1908, Restaurants | Leave a comment

George Richardson (Springfield race riot)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by editor

George Richardson, a black man, was falsely accused of the rape of a white woman, one of the incidents that precipated the Springfield race riot. See Race riot of 1908.

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