Leroy Bundy (1883–1943) served as a city councilman in Cleveland from 1929 to 1937. Before serving as city councilman, however, Bundy, an African American, was accused of leading a mob that sparked the East St. Louis riots of July 2, 1920. Bundy was the last person to be tried out of 34 defendants, 20 of these defendants were white, and all of the defendants received imprisonment. Bundy served one year in prison and worked as a dentist while imprisoned. Following his imprisonment, Bundy became a city councilman and lead the fight to block seating of delegates that excluded African Americans at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
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Early Years
Bundy was born from into a prominent family in Cleveland. There are few published details on his early life. He was married to a woman named Vella. He and Vella adopted a boy from Africa. Later in his life, he graduated from Case Western Reserve dental school in 1903 and received a degree in dentistry. He then moved to St. Louis in 1909, where he became an entrepreneur who owned a service station, garage, and small car agency. In March 28, 1919, Bundy was charged and found guilty of being the mob leader of the St. Louis race riots. After spending a year in prison, where he also worked as a dentist, he was released due to the appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. He then returned to Cleveland and pursued a law degree from Western Reserve. He was anointed as “Sir. Leroy Bundy” and served as the city councilman from 1929 to 1937. Bundy served one year in prison and worked as a dentist while imprisoned. Following his imprisonment, Bundy became a city councilman and lead the fight to block seating of delegates that excluded African Americans at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
East. St. Louis Riots
Bundy was accused of participating and leading the East St. Louis Riots. The tension in East St. Louis heightens due to African American taking over many of the labor in St. Louis from white people. The riot was initiated by the injury of two and death of another two policemen. The Riots caused a total of $400,000 property damage and drove out 6,000 African American laborers and killed 200 people. e mob. During the trials, Bundy received help and funding from the N.A.A.C.P.
The key evidence that lead to Bundy’s incarceration was a testimony from Edward Wilson. Edward Wilson was also responsible for testifying against ten other defendants which lead to convictions. In jail, it is alleged that Wilson was beaten by police to testify against Bundy. Even though in the court, Wilson admitted that Bundy did not participate in the mob Bundy was still found guilty by the all- white jury.
Bundy’s lawyer then appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, where they successfully overturned the conviction, and he was freed.