Jaybird-Woodpecker War
Encyclopedia
The Jaybird-Woodpecker War (1888–90) was a feud between two factions fighting for political control of Fort Bend County, Texas
, just west of Houston. It occurred during the U.S.
post-Reconstruction era, and its effects echoed in local politics for decades.
The conflict allegedly got its name from Bob Chapel, a local "half-crazy" African-American man who was said to sing about jaybirds and woodpecker
s. One faction, white Democrats opposed to the Reconstruction-imposed government, identified themselves with the Jaybirds. The other faction was known as the Woodpeckers. This group, too, was composed of Democrats, but they represented the Republican Reconstruction government and were elected largely by black voters.
The dispute resulted in a number of deaths and the violence culminated in the Battle of Richmond, in the county seat of Richmond, Texas
, on August 16, 1889. Following this martial law
was declared and the next day Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross
arrived to negotiate a settlement, resulting in a reorganization of county government under control of the Jaybird faction.
Subsequently the Jaybirds formally organized as the Jaybird Democratic Organization of Fort Bend County, which dominated local politics for many decades thereafter. The faction's white-only preliminary ballot, which effectively disenfranchised African-Americans by choosing the all-but-official Democratic party nominee, remained in effect until the United States Supreme Court's decision in Terry v. Adams, 345 U.S. 461 (1953).
Fort Bend County, Texas
Fort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
, just west of Houston. It occurred during the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
post-Reconstruction era, and its effects echoed in local politics for decades.
The conflict allegedly got its name from Bob Chapel, a local "half-crazy" African-American man who was said to sing about jaybirds and woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s. One faction, white Democrats opposed to the Reconstruction-imposed government, identified themselves with the Jaybirds. The other faction was known as the Woodpeckers. This group, too, was composed of Democrats, but they represented the Republican Reconstruction government and were elected largely by black voters.
The dispute resulted in a number of deaths and the violence culminated in the Battle of Richmond, in the county seat of Richmond, Texas
Richmond, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,081 people, 3,413 households, and 2,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,975.4 people per square mile . There were 3,595 housing units at an average density of 965.3 per square mile...
, on August 16, 1889. Following this martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
was declared and the next day Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross
Lawrence Sullivan Ross
Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross was the 19th Governor of Texas , a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War, and a president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now called Texas A&M University.Ross was raised in the Republic of Texas, which was later annexed to...
arrived to negotiate a settlement, resulting in a reorganization of county government under control of the Jaybird faction.
Subsequently the Jaybirds formally organized as the Jaybird Democratic Organization of Fort Bend County, which dominated local politics for many decades thereafter. The faction's white-only preliminary ballot, which effectively disenfranchised African-Americans by choosing the all-but-official Democratic party nominee, remained in effect until the United States Supreme Court's decision in Terry v. Adams, 345 U.S. 461 (1953).
External links
}}- http://www.texfiles.com/texashistory/woodpecker.htm Article scanned from Enchanted Rock Magazine.