Wilmington's 1898 Racial Conflict

The following trascription is provided to help better understand the

unsettled political climate that helped cause the racial conflict of

November, 1898 in the city of Wilmington.  The conflict is also

known as the "Wilmington Race Riot," "Wilmington Race Revolution," and the "Wilmington Rebellion."

This account was published 40 years after the event.

1898 Wilmington Race Riot

Pictorial and Historical New Hanover County and Wilmington

North Carolina - 1723-1938
Edited, Complied and Published by William Lord deRosset,

Wilmington, N.C. 1938

The Wilmington Race Revolution:

The True Story from Official Records

The Wilmington Race Revolution, November 10th, 1898, was the

direct result of ill-advice given Negroes by unprincipled white

Republican leaders. This scurrilous influence, supplemented with recognition given Negroes, through minor political offices such

as magistrates, police duties, etc., had made the darkies impudent,

and insolent. The situation finally developed to the point where

white women and children were being insulted, pushed off the

sidewalks into gutters.

The racial break came at the time mentioned above. As a result,

within 48 hours, it resulted in the white race asserting itself and

regaining absolute control of the municipal and county governments.

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