| David Wyatt Murdered June 6, 1903 |
Mr. David Wyatt was a prominent
citizen who was instrumental in developing the public school system in
Brooklyn, Illinois. He taught
and served as principal of the school for several years. Mr. Wyatt developed and implemented a program to educate adults in the
community. Professor Sundiata Cha-Jua did extensive research on Mr. Wyatt in his book, "America's First Black Town". He relates
that Mr. Wyatt was held in high esteem through out the state of Illinois by educators. He was known for his eloquent oratory
addresses and was often called on to speak at conferences of educators and ceremonies of prominent dignitaries.
Mr. Wyatt was accused of shooting a white man, Mr. Charles Hertel who was St. Clair County Superintendent of Schools. It was said
that Mr. Hertel refused to renew Mr. Wyatt's teaching license. On the evening of June 6, 1903, Mr. Wyatt went to Mr. Hertel's office,
perhaps to persuade him to renew his license so that he could continue his work to improve the education of Black people. Mr.
Hertel refused the request claiming that grievous complaints of his conduct had been made against him. The East St. Louis Journal
reported that Mr. Wyatt was dismissed for extreme brutality towards his students in the Brooklyn school system. No proof of these
charges were offered. Below are newspaper articles describing Mr. Wyatt's murder.
and served as principal of the school for several years. Mr. Wyatt developed and implemented a program to educate adults in the
community. Professor Sundiata Cha-Jua did extensive research on Mr. Wyatt in his book, "America's First Black Town". He relates
that Mr. Wyatt was held in high esteem through out the state of Illinois by educators. He was known for his eloquent oratory
addresses and was often called on to speak at conferences of educators and ceremonies of prominent dignitaries.
Mr. Wyatt was accused of shooting a white man, Mr. Charles Hertel who was St. Clair County Superintendent of Schools. It was said
that Mr. Hertel refused to renew Mr. Wyatt's teaching license. On the evening of June 6, 1903, Mr. Wyatt went to Mr. Hertel's office,
perhaps to persuade him to renew his license so that he could continue his work to improve the education of Black people. Mr.
Hertel refused the request claiming that grievous complaints of his conduct had been made against him. The East St. Louis Journal
reported that Mr. Wyatt was dismissed for extreme brutality towards his students in the Brooklyn school system. No proof of these
charges were offered. Below are newspaper articles describing Mr. Wyatt's murder.
