New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell recently issued a certificate of recognition regarding an event that happened in 1891 when Joseph Shakspeare was mayor. A mob of at least 5,000 gathered at the Henry Clay statue, marched to the prison, broke in, and killed 11 Sicilians. At no time did New Orleans police or prison guards attempt to stop the mob.

A leader of the mob was James D. Houston. Houston had been acquitted of the murder of Arthur Guerin in 1871. In 1885 Houston assaulted George Osmond, the editor of the Mascot newspaper, for writing a disparaging editorial about James’ brother, Judge W.T. Houston. Houston was acquitted for assault and attempted murder.