Provided by Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta
On Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Occoquan Town Hall (314 Mill Street), come hear historian Kate Bitely discuss a tragic and violent episode of vigilante justice in late 19th century Prince William County. This story revolves around a group of tenant farmers accused of robbery and murder, crimes that unsettled the local community. With tensions running high and faith in the justice system wavering, a violent mob took matters into their own hands. The accused were forcibly seized and ultimately killed at the hands of the vigilantes. Ms. Bitely will share how this grim chapter in the county’s history highlights the social and economic struggles of tenant farmers, the fragile state of law enforcement at the time, and the dangers of mob mentality.
The lecture is FREE and is jointly sponsored by the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation and Historic Prince William. You’re encouraged to make an evening of it by visiting one of Occoquan’s restaurants for dinner before the lecture where you can see the holiday atmosphere already taking shape in town. Among the restaurants open that evening are D’Rocco’s, Cock and Bowl, Madigan’s, Secret Garden, Bottle Stop, Thai Ghang Waan, Bar-J, and Zorba’s Grill.
