Replacing white waitresses with Black men nearly destroyed four Indiana communities

Lee Sinclair’s Hiring Decision Ignites Indiana’s Racial Violence

The West Baden Springs Hotel sparked a dark chapter in Indiana history in 1902.

Hotel owner Lee Sinclair fired forty white waitresses and hired Black men from Louisville instead, claiming he wanted to “better moral conditions.

Local whites soon formed a “Committee of Regulators” and sent chilling threats to Black workers: “35 sticks of dynamite in hiding now to blow you up.

By 1908, the threats turned real when midnight explosions damaged the Black-owned Jersey European Hotel. Though many fled, others stayed and built churches and businesses despite the danger.

Today, the magnificent West Baden Springs Hotel stands as a testament to this complex history, its 200-foot domed atrium housing museum pieces that tell this forgotten American story.

Hotel Owner Fires White Waitresses, Sparks Racial Tension

Lee Sinclair shook things up at West Baden Springs Hotel in June 1902 when he fired about forty white waitresses.

He brought in Black men from Louisville to replace them, claiming he wanted to “better moral conditions” at the fancy resort. Rumors spread that a jealous woman pushed Sinclair to make the change.

This staff switch happened right after the hotel reopened following a bad fire in 1901. Local white workers saw these new Black employees as a threat to their jobs in the small Indiana town.

Anonymous Letters Threaten Violence Against Black Workers

Scary notes started showing up at Black hotel workers’ homes in early June 1902.

The unsigned messages from so-called “Friends” warned about “35 sticks of 45 per cent dynamite in hiding now to blow you up.”

The threats targeted all houses with Black residents in West Baden, French Lick, and nearby Hillham. The letter writers claimed fifty-six locals met in the countryside to plan how to drive out the Black population.

They gave workers a cruel choice: leave town or face deadly consequences.

Skull And Crossbones Signs Pop Up Around Town

White residents formed a “Committee of Regulators” to push their demands.

They put up skull and crossbones signs around West Baden, symbols often used in towns where Black people weren’t welcome after dark.

This group spoke for the “laboring classes among the white people” who didn’t want Black workers taking jobs. Local police and town officials either backed these actions or looked the other way.

The signs sent a clear message that Black residents faced danger if they stayed.

Secret Service Agents Rush To West Baden

Federal agents came to West Baden just days after the threatening letters showed up. The Secret Service officials warned the Committee of Regulators they could face serious trouble for their actions.

They threatened jail time for “inciting a riot” if anyone got caught with guns or weapons. Deputy U.S. Marshal John Ballard worried that making arrests might make the situation worse.

The federal presence helped calm things down for a while, but it’s unclear if any ringleaders ever faced charges.

Black Families Leave Town Under Pressure

Several Black residents packed up and left during the first wave of threats, following orders to go “quietly. ” The Bedford Weekly Mail reported that the “most objectionable” residents had gone without causing a scene.

Local sheriffs enforced unwritten rules that kept Black people from settling in the area. The mix of public opinion and law enforcement created a climate of fear.

Many families chose to flee rather than put their children at risk of violence.

Reverend Asks "Where Are My People To Go?"

Rev. Edward Gilliam wrote a heartfelt letter to the Indianapolis News about the crisis.

He asked the painful question: “Where are my people to go? What are we to do?”

Gilliam pointed out similar conflicts happening in “several towns along the line of the Monon railroad. ” He saw these events as part of the larger struggle Black Americans faced after Reconstruction.

He talked about how factory jobs and business chances stayed “closed against us. ” The reverend begged Indiana citizens who believed in “fair play” to speak up.

Tensions Simmer For Years In The Valley

The violence cooled down after the federal warnings, but bad feelings stayed just below the surface. Many Black hotel workers kept their jobs despite ongoing threats.

Some property owners like John Felker refused to kick out Black tenants even when faced with bullying. The community stayed split, with some white residents backing the Committee’s goals while others opposed them.

Fear remained a daily reality for Black residents even during quiet times.

Midnight Explosions Rock The Jersey European Hotel

Gunfire lit up the valley just after midnight on June 5, 1908. Hours later, explosions woke dozens of Black waiters staying at the Jersey European Hotel.

Dynamite sticks damaged the west side of the building run by Charles “Champ” Rice, a Black business owner. Scared residents ran into the streets as the blasts shook the building.

The attack specifically targeted a place where many West Baden Springs Hotel Black employees lived, showing the violence hadn’t ended.

Terror Drives Many Black Residents Away

Nobody got hurt in the explosion, but the mental damage was huge. Many Black residents fled the area right after the dynamite attack.

Newspapers guessed the bombing was payback for Sinclair firing those white waitresses years earlier. The night watchman ran to find police when the shooting started.

Marshal John Ballard came back looking for the attackers but found nobody willing to talk.

Brave Residents Stand Up To Intimidation

Some Black residents refused to be driven out of their homes despite the dangers.

Property owner John Felker stood firm, saying he wouldn’t evict his tenants “even if alternative is leveling building with dynamite. ” Charles Rice kept running the Jersey European Hotel after the attack.

Tensions got so high that some people thought the state militia might need to step in. The violence gradually died down as national attention moved to other issues.

Black-Owned Businesses Thrive Despite Obstacles

By 1909, Black residents who stayed began rebuilding their community. Rev. Chas. Hunter reported on successful Black-owned businesses including tailoring shops and dressmaking services.

The First Baptist Church opened its doors in April 1909, with hotel waiters proudly bringing their tithes.

The Jersey European Hotel kept serving Black guests from across the country, including famous visitors like boxer Joe Louis in later years.

Despite facing discrimination, these determined residents created lasting institutions that served future generations.

Visiting West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana

You can explore the West Baden Springs Hotel at 8538 W Baden Avenue to learn about the 1902-1908 racial tensions when owner Lee Sinclair replaced white waitresses with Black men from Louisville.

The atrium and museum displays near the Mineral Springs exit are free to visit. Daily guided historical tours run at 1 PM for $18 adults and $13 children.

Special behind-the-scenes tours happen select Thursdays for $50. Free parking and trolley service to French Lick Springs Hotel are available.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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