How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Proclamation State of Illinois, Executive Department...$1000 Reward
Springfield, Illinois, February 28, 1870. Printed reward poster, issued by Governor John M. Palmer, for the apprehension and conviction of those involved in the lynching of an African American man, Anderson Reed. 10 3/4 x 8 3/8 in. (273 x 213 mm). Creasing from old folds, separation along same at center right; soiling and edge-wear; scattered closed tears along edges; old residue on verso from when mounted.

In December 1868 (some accounts state 1867), Fritz Lurakee (another account gives the name Frederick Sudikee) was murdered in his home near Venice, Illinois, after an apparent attempted robbery. According to contemporary newspaper reports, following the murder, an African American man named Joe Marshall was arrested for the crime. Shortly after his apprehension, he was seized by a white mob and lynched. His apparent accomplice, an African American man named Anderson Reed, who was reported to go by the alias Bill Wilson, escaped the mob and went on to elude authorities until his capture in St. Louis on February 12, 1870. As reported in the St. Louis Times of February 25, "Henry Lemmert, a constable, came over from Venice and demanded the prisoner [Reed]--without a warrant. Captain Lee refused to deliver him up without the necessary requisition, remarking he was satisfied they meant mischief to him, and if he should surrender Anderson without due process of law and he should be lynched, he would be an accessory to murder." After acquiring the requisite papers, Lemmert took custody of Reed, and took him before a local judge, who convicted him of murder. "Lemmert tied his [Reed’s] hands and feet, placed him in a wagon and proceeded towards Edwardsville. When he had gone about five miles, and as if by preconcerted action, the wagon was surrounded by a mob, who took possession of Reed", who was then summarily murdered.

News of the lynching was reported in newspapers throughout the Midwest. In the present poster, Illinois Governor John M. Palmer issues a proclamation stating that the "the murder of the said Reed under the circumstances, is a foul disgrace to the people of the State" and orders "all the officers of the State and particularly the Sheriffs, Coroners, Justices of the Peace and Constables of the Counties of Madison and St. Clair, to exert themselves to bring all persons connected with the outrage of justice, and all good citizens residing in the neighborhood where the killing of said Reed happened, are urged to render every possible assistance to that end." He goes on to offer a $1,000 reward for the "apprehension and conviction of the persons concerned in the killing of said Reed."

We cannot locate another copy at auction, nor recorded in OCLC.