Trouble at Berkley
December 12, 1903
Summary
White mobs “drove away” black men attempting to “pay the poll taxes” in order to vote by threatening them with shotguns at the entrance of “the county treasury”.
Transcription
Trouble at Berkley.
The Democrats of Berkley or rather certain lawless elements of that party went to the office of the county treasurer and drove away the colored men who were there to pay the poll taxes as a prerequisite to voting. These lawless elements were armed with shotguns and threatened to use them. The County Treasurer was forced to seek an asylum in the station house. The reasons given were that this white treasurer received the poll-tax from colored men while difficulties were thrown in the way of white men.
No arrests have been made as a result of his high-handed proceeding. It is rather surprising that the colored people in that section submitted to it. They are as a rule property owners, thrifty and responsible and some of our best friends are to be found in that locality.
These white men, who are outlawing themselves will yet meet a condition of affairs, which will astound them. Colored men will not forever submit to this flagrant curtailment of their rights. The masses are disenfranchised and the better elements of us are now driven from the county treasurer’s office with shotguns, although we are there on a peaceful mission, complying with the specific provisions of a law as enacted by an all white Virginia legislature.
The Democrats of Berkley or rather certain lawless elements of that party went to the office of the county treasurer and drove away the colored men who were there to pay the poll taxes as a prerequisite to voting. These lawless elements were armed with shotguns and threatened to use them. The County Treasurer was forced to seek an asylum in the station house. The reasons given were that this white treasurer received the poll-tax from colored men while difficulties were thrown in the way of white men.
No arrests have been made as a result of his high-handed proceeding. It is rather surprising that the colored people in that section submitted to it. They are as a rule property owners, thrifty and responsible and some of our best friends are to be found in that locality.
These white men, who are outlawing themselves will yet meet a condition of affairs, which will astound them. Colored men will not forever submit to this flagrant curtailment of their rights. The masses are disenfranchised and the better elements of us are now driven from the county treasurer’s office with shotguns, although we are there on a peaceful mission, complying with the specific provisions of a law as enacted by an all white Virginia legislature.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Rose Williams
Citation
“Trouble at Berkley,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 7, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1456.