The lynching of Samuel J. Bush in Decatur, Illinois, 130 years ago, is being remembered by family members and local activists who want to continue telling his story.
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The marker tells the story from when Bush arrived in town to his unfortunate passing, the aftermath of the lynching, and Decatur's history as a "Sundown Town," a town that excluded non-white people—predominately Black Americans—from remaining in town after sunset. Wimberly, a Decatur resident for over 30 years who now resides in Jacksonville, Florida, came up for the event and said that this day was vindication for him and memorable to participate in a historic day.Macon County historian Mark Sorensen says the plaque is the first Illinois State Historical Society marker dealing with racial terror lynchings.
However, the accusations prompted an estimated 1,500 people to form a mob, pull Bush out of his prison cell, and lynched him across the street from the Macon County Courthouse, according to Sorensen. A second grand jury in 1893 also would not indict anyone. No one was ever brought to justice for the lynching of Bush.Wimberly said he received an apology from Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe for the death of Bush.
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