African Americans | Page 42

African American Suffrage in Minnesota, 1868

From their state's admission to the Union until the mid-1860s, a majority of Minnesotans advocated the abolition of slavery in the South. African American suffrage, however, did not enjoy the same support. Minnesota's African American citizens paid taxes, fought in wars, and fostered their communities. But they could not vote, hold political office, or serve on juries. This continued until 1868, when an amendment to the state's constitution approved suffrage for all non-white men. The amendment did not apply to African American women, however, who continued to be disenfranchised in Minnesota and the rest of the United States.

Thompson, James (ca. 1799–1884)

James Thompson was born into a life of slavery in Virginia around 1799. He overcame the hardships of that life to work as a capable English-Dakota interpreter for Methodist missionary Alfred Brunson. After winning his freedom in the 1830s he became a respected citizen of the city of St. Paul known for his accomplishments more than his skin color.

Black and white image of headline from the St. Paul Pioneer Press regarding the near-lynching of Houston Osborne, June 3, 1895.

Houston Osborne newspaper headline

Headline and text of a news item published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on June 3, 1895, describing Houston Osborne's near-lynching.

Houston Osborne

Photograph identified as Phil Rice but likely of Houston Osborne, taken c.1895. Phil Rice and Houston Osborne were both clients of Fredrick McGhee; however, Phil Rice was white, so he is unlikely to be the man in this photograph. A photograph identified as Osborne from the same collection resembles a courtroom sketch of Rice, so it is possible the attributions were switched.
Image reproduced with permission of Minnesota State Archives.

Near-Lynching of Houston Osborne

In the early morning of June 2, 1895, Houston Osborne, a young African American man, broke into Frieda Kachel's bedroom in her St. Paul home. When Kachel screamed, Osborne ran; he was caught and hanged from a cottonwood tree but let down while he was still alive. He died in prison eighteen months later.