Horror and Disbelief

The violence reached a crescendo when a flaming bundle of rags was thrown into one of the broken windows. Within seconds, the bundle exploded, sending dark gray smoke throughout the bus. Three of the Riders found open windows, dropping to the ground and staggering across the street, where neighbors took the two white women to the hospital. The others were trapped inside as some of the mob pressed against the door screaming "burn them alive." It was only an exploding fuel tank that forced the mob's retreat. Agent Cowling then pried open the door and the choking passengers escaped. Hank Thomas, the first Rider to exit, was struck in the head with a baseball bat. He fell to the ground as the rest of the Riders spilled out. A few of the neighbors stepped forward to offer assistance, including 12-year-old Janie Forsyth, who lived with her family next door to their store. She supplied the victims with water, filling and refilling a five-gallon bucket.

Anniston, Alabama · United States