Our story of Shack Roberts, freed slave/politician/minister/blacksmith/founder of Wiley College continues.
Running as a Republican (which was the liberal party at the time), Shack won office as a Legislator in 1873 during Reconstruction. He fought for the education of minorities and easily won re-election two more times. It is said he was extremely well liked by most of his fellow legislators. Shack was often described as sensible with a quick wit. He often caused his colleagues to laugh out loud during speeches addressing the House.
In the infancy of his political career, Shack was abducted by the Ku Klux Klan. He was whipped and left for dead at the side of the road, in a ditch. I do not have details on how he managed to survive and get medical attention.
In a letter dated 1879, Shack has left his mark at the bottom. He was illiterate and could not sign his name. This highly respected legislator who was a favorite of his fellow representatives, who fought for the education of African-Americans, was illiterate himself. The education battle was a very personal one.
