Where It All Happened

On October 27, 1894, white screwmen launched a violent attack on Black screwmen, who were contracted to load cotton onto British steamships. The Delano was moored at the head of First Street. White screwmen boarded the ship and began shooting at the Black workers. Some jumped overboard and drowned in the Mississippi River. Others attempted to flee and ran in all directions. Some ran past what is now the First Street Wharf and into the surrounding neighborhood.