In Clinton, Mississippi, on the southern end of the ancient Natchez Trail, on September 4, 1875, as the election campaign season heats up, 2000 or more Republicans — still the party of Lincoln, ten years after his death — rally, prepared for barbeque and a day of speeches.

Most attendees are black, but 18 of the 75 or so white people are White Liners, a paramilitary wing of the Democrats, violently opposed to Reconstruction. They shoot into the crowd, killing seven and maiming dozens. Rumors spread of a black insurrection and hundreds of White Liners storm town throughout the night and the next day, hunting, beating and killing black people. Over fifty people are killed.

Black people are terrorized and don’t vote in November. They say this is the day Reconstruction dies in Mississippi.