A Colored Man Brutally Murdered
February 15, 1896
Summary
A White man murders a black man to get out of paying him five cents.
Transcription
Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 7,
About 7 o'clock, James White, a newspaperman, who has been employed on the Evening Metropolis, of this city, shot and instantly killed Robert Mitchell, a colored hackman. The trouble occurred in front of White's home, and was witnessed by Mrs. White, who was standing in the door.
It seems that White had been drinking heavily for some days, and early this morning engaged Mitchell drive him home. When White's house was reached he handed the colored man twenty cents.
Mitchell claimed that five cents more was due him, and a quarrel followed. About this time, Mrs. White appeared in the door, and White turned to her and asked for five cents. Then, without waiting for his wife’s reply, White turned towards the colored man, drew a pistol and fired, the bullet striking Mitchell in the eye, and causing instant death.
White then entered the house, which was soon surrounded by an excited crowd of colored people threatening to lynch Mitchell's slayer.
The officers arrived in time to prevent this, and White was taken to jail. He exhibited great fear and pleaded with the officers to protect him. White claims that he shot the man because the latter applied a vile epithet him.
About 7 o'clock, James White, a newspaperman, who has been employed on the Evening Metropolis, of this city, shot and instantly killed Robert Mitchell, a colored hackman. The trouble occurred in front of White's home, and was witnessed by Mrs. White, who was standing in the door.
It seems that White had been drinking heavily for some days, and early this morning engaged Mitchell drive him home. When White's house was reached he handed the colored man twenty cents.
Mitchell claimed that five cents more was due him, and a quarrel followed. About this time, Mrs. White appeared in the door, and White turned to her and asked for five cents. Then, without waiting for his wife’s reply, White turned towards the colored man, drew a pistol and fired, the bullet striking Mitchell in the eye, and causing instant death.
White then entered the house, which was soon surrounded by an excited crowd of colored people threatening to lynch Mitchell's slayer.
The officers arrived in time to prevent this, and White was taken to jail. He exhibited great fear and pleaded with the officers to protect him. White claims that he shot the man because the latter applied a vile epithet him.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“A Colored Man Brutally Murdered,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1776.