William Henderson Foote (Yazoo County)

State House: 1870-1871

Born: June 27, 1843 in Vicksburg, MS
Died: December 29, 1883 in Yazoo County, MS

Born free in Vicksburg and attended Wilberforce University in Ohio from 1859-1860. Foote appeared on the 1865 census of Boston, working as a barber. He was advertising a barbershop in Vicksburg by 1866. Also served as a constable, circuit clerk, and tax collector. In 1880, Foote was appointed to be the deputy collector of revenue from liquor sales.

On December 29, 1883, a white mob attacked Foote and three other men who had protected another man from an attack days before. Foote was shot to death, and the other three men were hanged. Foote’s name was added to the ATF Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. in 2012, with several of his descendants and their families present.

Albert T. Morgan would later describe Foote: “He went everywhere – into the most violent and blood-thirsty crowds of whites – with head erect, brave words of cheer for friends, and only defiance for enemies” (Yazoo: Or, on the Picket Line of Freedom, 1884).

Links:
Memorial on Find A Grave
ATF: A Buried Injustice (includes photo and biography)
Video: The William Henderson Foote Story

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Listing in Wilberforce University catalog, 1860

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Vicksburg Herald, 24 Feb 1866

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Vicksburg Journal, 14 Mar 1866

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The American Citizen, 28 Aug 1875

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Canton Mail, 28 Aug 1875

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Clarion-Ledger, 8 Sep 1875

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Daily Mississippi Pilot, 26 Sep 1875

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Weekly Mississippi Pilot, 2 Oct 1875

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Weekly Mississippi Pilot, 2 Oct 1875

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Daily Mississippi Pilot, 29 Oct 1875

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Clarion-Ledger, 1 Dec 1875

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Vicksburg Evening Post, 31 Dec 1883

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Vicksburg Evening Post, 31 Dec 1883

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People's Advocate, 9 Feb 1884

William Henderson Foote