History
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On August 14, 1908, a mob gathered at the Sangamon County Jail and demanded the release of George Richardson and Joe James, two black prisoners. Richardson was accused of raping Mabel Hallam, a white woman, and James was accused of the murder of Clergy Ballard, a white man. Sangamon County Sheriff Charles Werner secretly transported the prisoners to Bloomington, Illinois, with the help of Harry Loper, a white local restaurant owner. Their removal precipitated the Race Riot.
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Springfield, Illinois · United States
