In 1925, Ossian Sweet purchased a two-story brick house in an all-white neighborhood. His new neighbors, angry that their community would become racially integrated, responded with violent verbal threats. Nevertheless, on September 8, Sweet, his wife, and their infant daughter moved into their home, escorted by police. They were accompanied by nine family members and friends who were armed and ready to protect the Sweets’ property. 

The next night, 500 white neighbors congregated in front of the house. They threw rocks and bottles and then began to rush the house. Someone from inside the house fired into the crowd, killing one member of the mob and wounding another. The police then arrested all 11 adults in the house, including Sweet’s wife.