James M. Hinds

Who was James M. Hinds?

James M. Hinds of Little Rock, represented Arkansas in the United States Congress from June 24, 1868 through October 22, 1868 when he was assassinated by a member of the Ku Klux Klan named George A. Clark, Secretary of the Democratic Committee of Monroe County. The assassination was deemed to be politically motivated. Governor Clayton feared that it was a precursor to general attack on state officers to seize control of the government and the polls prior to the election and sought to have the colored militia armed, but the insurrection did not take place and the election went smoothly. Hinds was the first sitting member of Congress assassinated.

Hinds had previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota.