When it comes to events in Mississippi’s history, there are plenty that can be described as bizarre but none can quite compare to the incident that occurred on March 17, 1886. Dubbed the “Carroll County Courthouse Massacre,” the horrifying occurrence took the lives of nearly two dozen people, and surprisingly enough, you won’t find anything about it in most history books.
The events that led to the massacre began in January 1886 on the streets of Carrollton. It all started when brothers, Ed and Charley Brown, went into town to deliver molasses.
Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival/Facebook While en route, the brothers, who were half black and half Native American, accidentally bumped into Robert Moore, spilling molasses on his clothing. An argument ensued but was quickly resolved; however, a month later, Moore told his friend James M. Liddell about his run-in with the Brown brothers, reigniting the feud.
Liddell took it upon himself to “deal with the Brown brothers,” and on February 26, 1886, he approached them, hurling accusations that the molasses was deliberately spilled on his friend.
Jimmy Smith/Flickr The argument quickly escalated and, before long, bullets were flying. To this day, it’s not known who fired first; however, the gunfight left all three men injured.
After the run-in, the Browns decided to press charges against Liddell, accusing him of attempted murder. The trial was set for March 17, 1886 at the Carroll County Courthouse.
Susan C. Allen/© scwallen 2016 - Used with permission. May not be reproduced or reposted without permission.
On the day of the trial, both white and black citizens filled the courthouse.
Susan C. Allen/© scwallen 2016 - Used with permission. May not be reproduced or reposted without permission.
Shortly before the proceedings began, attendees got the scare of a lifetime when a group of 50-100 armed men stormed the courthouse, firing a barrage of bullets on the Brown brothers as well as the black citizens in attendance.
Jimmy Smith/Flickr
Beyond frightened and trying to escape, several people resorted to jumping out second story windows, only to be shot once they hit the ground.
Jimmy Smith/Flickr
The murderous mob rode out of town as quickly as they had rode in. The surprise attack left 10 dead. Another 13 would later die because of their injuries.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
It didn’t take long for word of the courthouse killings to spread. Within hours, newspapers in New Orleans were reporting the story. Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Canada followed suit, demanding an investigation of the killings.
Susan C. Allen/© scwallen 2016 - Used with permission. May not be reproduced or reposted without permission.
Surprisingly enough, no investigation ever came. Mississippi Governor Robert Lowry said the “riot was provoked.”
Courtesy Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Senator J.Z. George, who was from Carrollton, took no action either.
wikipedia.org
Hernando DeSoto Money was the “most-often elected Carroll County politician” at the time and he too did nothing.
Matthew Brady/Wikimedia
As the years faded away, so did memories of the massacre. The bullet holes in the walls of the courthouse were the last reminder of the gruesome murders and they were covered during a 1990 renovation.
Jimmy Smith/Flickr And with no mention of it in any general history of the state, the massacre has been all but erased from the past.
Did you know about the Carroll County Massacre?
Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival/Facebook
While en route, the brothers, who were half black and half Native American, accidentally bumped into Robert Moore, spilling molasses on his clothing. An argument ensued but was quickly resolved; however, a month later, Moore told his friend James M. Liddell about his run-in with the Brown brothers, reigniting the feud.
Jimmy Smith/Flickr
The argument quickly escalated and, before long, bullets were flying. To this day, it’s not known who fired first; however, the gunfight left all three men injured.
Susan C. Allen/© scwallen 2016 - Used with permission. May not be reproduced or reposted without permission.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Courtesy Mississippi Department of Archives and History
wikipedia.org
Matthew Brady/Wikimedia
And with no mention of it in any general history of the state, the massacre has been all but erased from the past.
Looking for some more interesting state history? Check out “9 Shocking Things You Had No Idea Happened In Mississippi.“
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