Paul Bogle

Pamphlet titled "National Heros of Jamaica" which gives descriptions on the political achievements on the following people: Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante, Paul Bogle, Sam Sharpe, Nanny of the Maroons, George Willam Gordon and Norman Manley. Paul Bogle led a rebellion in 1865 in Morant Bay, St Thomas, Jamaica, against the government's social and economic treatment of Black people in the area. Around midday on October 11, Bogle and upwards of 200 of his men headed for Morant Bay, along with some followers from neighbouring districts. Armed with sticks and cutlasses, they raided the police station at Church Corner, took some muskets and bayonets and poured into the square before the courthouse at about 2:30pm. Meanwhile, there was a terrible uproar, the blowing of horns, conchshells, fifes and the beating of drums. The Custos and other Vestry men came out onto the porch of the building to placate the angry mob. The Custos cried for peace and the magistrates urged him to read the Riot Act as the crowds approached. Someone threw a stone at the Volunteer Captain which cut his head. As a result, anorder was given and the Volunteers outside the court house opened fire. Seven rioters died in the gunfire, and in retaliation the mob killed and wounded many of the Volunteers, while others retreated. The situation escalated and Morant Bay was overtaken by rioters and looters; the jail was broken open and the prisoners freed. The rebellion came to a halt within a week; however, martial law was extended to the end of November, long after the revolt was suppressed. Meanwhile, Governor Eyre set about organising a reign of terror in Morant Bay, with atrocities unleashed against the peasantry. Prisoners arrested in connection with the uprising were hanged or flogged for the slightest reasons and without much evidence. By the end of the year, over 430 men and women were shot or executed, 600 men and women flogged, and over 1,000 cottages and houses destroyed.
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