Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell
THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 30
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, September 25,1902
KILLED AT BIRMINGHAM.
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Roxy Taylor, D(e)legate From Upper
Falls Meets Death.
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Roxey Taylor, colored, was among those killed at Birmingham, Ala., during the
stampede from Shiloh Baptist church, colored.
Roxey was a cook at Mr. C. A. Jones bottom
farm and was a delegate to the National Baptist convention at Birmingham from
the Upper Zion Baptist church.
Her death was caused either by being
trampled to death or by suffocation along with one hundred and ten others, all
colored. Telegrams were received here Sunday afternoon confirming the
news of her death and saying that the remains were en route to Marlin for
interment.
Rev. R. L. Williams, pastor of the Marlin
First Baptist church colored, Rev. Sandy McGill and others from this county
were in the Shiloh church at the time the stampede occurred but were unhurt.
Rev. S. W. R. Cole well known here was also unhurt.
The stampede that lead to the death of so
many was caused by one member of the choir stepping on the toe of another which
caused an altercation between the two and the ministers began calling on the
audience to be "quiet." The word "quiet" was taken
for "fire" and over two thousand delegates rushed for the door,
trampling men, women and children under foot.
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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas