John W. Stephens
Encyclopedia
John W. Stephens was a state senator
from North Carolina
. He was assassinated by the Ku Klux Klan
on May 21, 1870.
, he was the oldest child of Absalom Stephens and his wife, Letitia. Stephens had four siblings, including three brothers and a sister.
His family moved to Rockingham County
when Stephens was still young, living first in Wentworth
and then in Leaksville. Stephens' father, a tailor by trade, died in 1848, while the family was living in Leaksville.
Stephens married his first wife, Nannie Walters, in 1857. Only two years later, she died, leaving Stephens a widower, and the single father of an infant daughter, Nannie. In 1860, he married Martha Frances Groom. From this marriage, his daughter Ella was born.
An active member of the Methodist church, Stephens also served for a time as an agent for the American Bible and Tract Society
. Soon after, he became a tobacco
trader, moving to York, South Carolina
.
, Stephens was based in Greensboro, North Carolina
. He served the Confederacy
by commandeering horses for the Confederate army. Later, he moved back to Wentworth, and worked as what was known as an "impressment agent", mustering draftees for the Confederate army. Toward the end of the war, Stephens signed up for the armed forces, but it is unclear whether he actually saw action during this time.
In all versions of the story, Stephens shoots and kills a chicken on his own property. The accounts diverge as to Stephens' motives in shooting the chicken. One account states that it was a simple misunderstanding, and that Stephens had thought the wayward chicken was his own. In his history of North Carolina, William Powell paints a picture of Stephens as a vindictive man, who killed the chicken almost purely out of spite.
The stories converge again when dealing with what happened after Stephens shot the chicken. All accounts have Thomas Ratliff, the owner of the chicken, complaining to the sheriff, and Stephens spent a night in jail. Upon release, he confronted Ratliff, sporting a seven-shot revolver. During the altercation, the gun was discharged (whether intentionally or accidentally is again a matter where accounts vary), and two bystanders were wounded. Records do not indicate that Stephens ever spent further time in jail regarding this matter, but the dismissive nickname by which his enemies would refer to him the rest of his life was established.
in 1866, continuing to work as a tobacco trader, and also beginning to serve as an agent for the Freedmen's Bureau. He became a member of the Republican Party
, as well as the Union League
. As part of these organizations, he helped to politically organize the majority black population. These activities made many enemies for him amongst the conservative white Democrats
of the state.
Due in large part to his popularity amongst the black population, Stephens was elected to the North Carolina Senate
in 1868, displacing sitting senator Bedford Brown
, who was quite popular among the white community. This further inflamed the already significant antipathy that the local white population of Caswell County
felt for him. During this time, Stephens became nearly completely isolated socially from the white community, to the extent that he was kicked out of the local Methodist church. Many unsubstantiated rumors were circulated amongst the white population regarding his personal life, including claims that he had burnt the crops and buildings of fellow citizens. His political opponents, consisting mainly of white Democrats, even claimed Stephens had murdered his own mother. However, none of these claims ever resulted in any form of legal action against Stephens, which seems to mitigate against the veracity of such claims.
Due to threats against his life raised during this period, Stephens was known to always be well-armed. Additionally, he took out a quite substantial life insurance policy (worth a reported $10,000) on himself.
of Stephens, in which he was convicted and a death sentence
verdict was rendered. Claims were made by Klan members that Stephens was given a "vigorous defense", though no evidence in this regard has ever been proffered. It was under the auspices of this "verdict" that the assassination of May 21, 1870 was carried out.
According to news accounts from around that time, the assassination was carried out in the basement of the Yanceyville courthouse. Stephens was in attendance at a Democratic gathering, in an attempt to convince a prominent Democrat to run for Sheriff as a Republican. The man he was attempting to sway signaled to him from the floor of the hall, and Stephens followed him down the steps to the basement. Knowing Stephens' reputation for being quite well armed, his Klan assassins had assembled between eight and twelve men who lay in wait in a darkened room on the Caswell County Courthouse's first floor.
Those who view him as little more than an opportunist often point out that he only joined the above organizations after the South was defeated, and the political winds shifted. During the War, however, he had worked in support of the Confederacy, leading modern historians like Phillips to take a more cynical view of his later support of the Freedmen and the Union League. A significant number of former Confederates opted to join the Republican Party after the war, and some, such as James Longstreet
and James L. Alcorn
became "scalawags" at least partly in the interest of national reconciliation.
The dichotomy with which historians view Stephens aside, there is no question that the black population of the time revered him.
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
from North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He was assassinated by the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
on May 21, 1870.
Personal life and early career
Born John Walter Stephens near Bruce's Crossroads in Guilford County, North CarolinaGuilford County, North Carolina
Guilford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. In 2010, the Census Bureau estimated the county's population to be 491,230. Its seat is Greensboro. Since 1938, an additional county court has been located in High Point, North Carolina, making Guilford one of only a handful...
, he was the oldest child of Absalom Stephens and his wife, Letitia. Stephens had four siblings, including three brothers and a sister.
His family moved to Rockingham County
Rockingham County, North Carolina
Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 93,643. Its county seat is Wentworth.- History :The county was formed in 1785 from Guilford County...
when Stephens was still young, living first in Wentworth
Wentworth, North Carolina
Wentworth is a town in Rockingham County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rockingham County.-Geography:Wentworth is located at ....
and then in Leaksville. Stephens' father, a tailor by trade, died in 1848, while the family was living in Leaksville.
Stephens married his first wife, Nannie Walters, in 1857. Only two years later, she died, leaving Stephens a widower, and the single father of an infant daughter, Nannie. In 1860, he married Martha Frances Groom. From this marriage, his daughter Ella was born.
An active member of the Methodist church, Stephens also served for a time as an agent for the American Bible and Tract Society
American Tract Society
The American Tract Society is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society and the New England Tract Society to...
. Soon after, he became a tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
trader, moving to York, South Carolina
York, South Carolina
York is a small city in York County, South Carolina, United States. The city of York is also the county seat of York County. The population was approximately 6,985 at the 2000 census and the 2009 population estimate for the city...
.
Civil War
Early on in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Stephens was based in Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
. He served the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
by commandeering horses for the Confederate army. Later, he moved back to Wentworth, and worked as what was known as an "impressment agent", mustering draftees for the Confederate army. Toward the end of the war, Stephens signed up for the armed forces, but it is unclear whether he actually saw action during this time.
Post-war
At the conclusion of the war, Stephens returned to Wentworth, and once more worked as a tobacco trader. It was during this time that the incident that would lead his political enemies to refer to him as "Chicken Stephens" occurred. Accounts of this incident vary greatly, even amongst historians. Much of the variance apparently depends upon the view the historian takes regarding Stephens' later political actions.In all versions of the story, Stephens shoots and kills a chicken on his own property. The accounts diverge as to Stephens' motives in shooting the chicken. One account states that it was a simple misunderstanding, and that Stephens had thought the wayward chicken was his own. In his history of North Carolina, William Powell paints a picture of Stephens as a vindictive man, who killed the chicken almost purely out of spite.
The stories converge again when dealing with what happened after Stephens shot the chicken. All accounts have Thomas Ratliff, the owner of the chicken, complaining to the sheriff, and Stephens spent a night in jail. Upon release, he confronted Ratliff, sporting a seven-shot revolver. During the altercation, the gun was discharged (whether intentionally or accidentally is again a matter where accounts vary), and two bystanders were wounded. Records do not indicate that Stephens ever spent further time in jail regarding this matter, but the dismissive nickname by which his enemies would refer to him the rest of his life was established.
Political career
Stephens moved to YanceyvilleYanceyville, North Carolina
Yanceyville, first incorporated in 1833, is the county seat of Caswell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,091 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat since 1792 . The original Caswell County Courthouse has been renovated and provides offices for county departments...
in 1866, continuing to work as a tobacco trader, and also beginning to serve as an agent for the Freedmen's Bureau. He became a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, as well as the Union League
Union League
A Union League is one of a number of organizations established starting in 1862, during the American Civil War to promote loyalty to the Union and the policies of Abraham Lincoln. They were also known as Loyal Leagues. They comprised upper middle class men who supported efforts such as the United...
. As part of these organizations, he helped to politically organize the majority black population. These activities made many enemies for him amongst the conservative white Democrats
Southern Democrats
Southern Democrats are members of the U.S. Democratic Party who reside in the American South. In the 19th century, they were the definitive pro-slavery wing of the party, opposed to both the anti-slavery Republicans and the more liberal Northern Democrats.Eventually "Redemption" was finalized in...
of the state.
Due in large part to his popularity amongst the black population, Stephens was elected to the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
in 1868, displacing sitting senator Bedford Brown
Bedford Brown
Bedford Brown was a Democratic United States Senator from the State of North Carolina between 1829 and 1840. was born in what now is , Caswell County, North Carolina. His parents were Jethro Brown and Lucy Williamson Brown. After attending the University of North Carolina for one year, Brown was...
, who was quite popular among the white community. This further inflamed the already significant antipathy that the local white population of Caswell County
Caswell County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,501 people, 8,670 households, and 6,398 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 9,601 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
felt for him. During this time, Stephens became nearly completely isolated socially from the white community, to the extent that he was kicked out of the local Methodist church. Many unsubstantiated rumors were circulated amongst the white population regarding his personal life, including claims that he had burnt the crops and buildings of fellow citizens. His political opponents, consisting mainly of white Democrats, even claimed Stephens had murdered his own mother. However, none of these claims ever resulted in any form of legal action against Stephens, which seems to mitigate against the veracity of such claims.
Due to threats against his life raised during this period, Stephens was known to always be well-armed. Additionally, he took out a quite substantial life insurance policy (worth a reported $10,000) on himself.
Assassination by the Ku Klux Klan
Stephens' political activities greatly angered the Ku Klux Klan of North Carolina. The Klan held a "trial" in absentiaIn absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
of Stephens, in which he was convicted and a death sentence
Death Sentence
Death Sentence is a short story by the American science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the November 1943 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov.-Plot summary:...
verdict was rendered. Claims were made by Klan members that Stephens was given a "vigorous defense", though no evidence in this regard has ever been proffered. It was under the auspices of this "verdict" that the assassination of May 21, 1870 was carried out.
According to news accounts from around that time, the assassination was carried out in the basement of the Yanceyville courthouse. Stephens was in attendance at a Democratic gathering, in an attempt to convince a prominent Democrat to run for Sheriff as a Republican. The man he was attempting to sway signaled to him from the floor of the hall, and Stephens followed him down the steps to the basement. Knowing Stephens' reputation for being quite well armed, his Klan assassins had assembled between eight and twelve men who lay in wait in a darkened room on the Caswell County Courthouse's first floor.
Legacy
The legacy of the life lived by John Stephens is quite complicated. William Powell is not alone in his negative characterization of Stephens. Much local folk history characterizes Stephens as, at best, a misguided miscreant, and at worst a criminally craven opportunist. What is clear from all accounts is that Stephens did work extensively with the Freedmen's Bureau and the Union League. It is such associations – as well as his political organization of the black population – that cause the wide divergence in popular opinion surrounding his legacy.Those who view him as little more than an opportunist often point out that he only joined the above organizations after the South was defeated, and the political winds shifted. During the War, however, he had worked in support of the Confederacy, leading modern historians like Phillips to take a more cynical view of his later support of the Freedmen and the Union League. A significant number of former Confederates opted to join the Republican Party after the war, and some, such as James Longstreet
James Longstreet
James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse." He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the...
and James L. Alcorn
James L. Alcorn
James Lusk Alcorn was a prominent American political figure in Mississippi during the 19th century. He was a leading southern white Republican or "scalawag" during Reconstruction in Mississippi, where he served as governor and U.S. Senator...
became "scalawags" at least partly in the interest of national reconciliation.
The dichotomy with which historians view Stephens aside, there is no question that the black population of the time revered him.