Jennifer Marts Video/Audio Editor
The History
John DeSantis
journalist & author of "The Thibodaux Massacre"
Margie Scoby
founder & president, the Finding Our Roots African American Museum
The LEgacy
Wiletta Ferninand
descendant of Jack Conrad who was killed in the Thibodaux Massacre
Harambee Barry Payton
descendant of Jack Conrad who was killed in the Thibodaux Massacre
in the news
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Thibodaux Massacre
timeline
Demands
Local Assembly 8404 of the Knights of Labor presents demands (payment in cash, not scrip) to the Louisiana Sugar Producers Association.
Strike Begins
Strike begins during the crucial "grinding" (harvest) season in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.
Evictions
Planters initiate evictions of strikers from plantation homes; strikers move to Thibodaux.
Governor sends Militia
Louisiana Governor Samuel D. McEnery sends state militia to Thibodaux, where they station a Gatling gun at the courthouse.
Black laborer shot
Tension spikes when an unknown person shoots a Black laborer in a local barroom.
Guards Shot
Two white volunteer lookouts ("town guards") are shot and wounded at a picket line.
Massacre
Armed white vigilantes, alongside the militia, launch an organized assault on the black community in town, going door-to-door, killing approximately 30–60, including women and children.
Strike Broken
The strike is broken; workers return to plantations under owners' conditions.
City Condemns Violence
The Thibodaux City Council and Lafourche Parish Council officially condemn the violence.
Historical Marker
A Louisiana State Historical Marker unveiled at 1123 Bourbon St. in Thibodaux to commemorate the 1887 Thibodaux Massacre