In the 1880s, writer Andrew Grayson had a column published in the Madison Courier that described what has been labeled a race riot, but which was probably not quite that full-fledged a conflict.
There have been writers who doubted the event happened and no one has previously given a specific date. However, this account, published in Niles National Register of Aug. 15, 1840, coincides with the more detailed version written by Grayson.
While the newspaper gave the story an Iowa headline, it was clearly Madison, Ind., as the town is called Madison, Ia., and Ia., was the abbreviation for Indiana. Also, the account was carried in the Louisville journal. Moreover, there is no Madison, Iowa, although there is a Fort Madison, which would have been called that.
Vol. III Niles National Register, August 15, 1840 Baltimore, 5th series, No. 24.
"We understand, that, on Friday night, there was a conflict between a number of whites and blacks at Madison, la., in the course of which two men were shot and very severely wounded. One of the negroes was subsequently taken to the river for the purpose of being thrown in and drowned, but the interference of some influential persons saved his life. On Saturday night many of the citizens were arming themselves and swearing to exterminate the negroes from the city." Louisville Journal
