A Documented History Of the Massacre which occured at Rosewood, Florida, in January 1923, was submitted to the Florida Board of Regents on December 22, 1993 from The Rosewood Report

A burning cabin near Rosewood, Florida,
January 04, 1923

A Chronology of Events

Date

08/05/20
Four black men in McClenny are removed from the local jail and lynched for the alleged rape of a white woman.

11/02/20
Two whites and at least five blacks are killed in Ocoee in a dispute over voting rights. The black community of Ocoee is destroyed, 25 homes, 2 churches, and a Masonic Lodge.

02/12/21
A black man in Wauchula is lynched for an alleged attack on a white woman.

12/09/22
A black man in Perry is burned at the stake, accused of the murder of a white school teacher. A black church, school, Masonic Lodge, and meeting hall are burned.

12/31/22
On New Year's Eve a large Ku Klux Klan Parade is held in Gainesville.

01/01/23
Early morning: Fannie Taylor reports an attack by an unidentified black man.

Monday afternoon: Aaron Carrier is apprehended by a posse and is spirited out of the area by Sheriff Walker.

Late afternoon: A posse of white vigilantes apprehend and kill a black man named Sam Carter.

01/02/23
Armed whites begin gathering in Sumner.

01/04/23
Late evening: White vigilantes attack the Carrier house. Two white men are killed, and several others wounded. A black woman, Sarah Carrier is killed and others inside the Carrier house are either killed or wounded. Rosewood's black residents flee into the swamps. One black church is burned, and several unprotected homes. Lexie Gordon is murdered.

01/05/23
Approximately 200-300 whites from surrounding areas begin to converge on Rosewood. Mingo Williams is murdered. Governor Cary Hardee is notified, and Sheriff Walker reports that he fears "no further disorder." The Sheriff of Alachua County arrives in Rosewood to assist Sheriff Walker. James Carrier is murdered.

01/06/23
A train evacuates refugees to Gainesville.

01/07/23
A mob of 100-150 whites return to Rosewood and burn the remaining structures.

01/17/23
A black man in Newberry is convicted of stealing cattle. He is removed from his cell and lynched by local whites.

02/11/23
A Grand Jury convenes in Bronson to investigate the Rosewood riot.

02/15/23
The Grand Jury finds "insufficient evidence" to prosecute.

FOR EXTENSIVE DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY VISIT
THE ROSEWOOD REPORT





Cummer & Sons Sawmill in Sumner as it was in the early 1920s.