Abstract:
Daniel Russell, judge, Congressman, and Governor, was born in Brunswick County, near Wilmington, in 1845. In 1896, he was elected Governor on the Republican ticket. The two years of his administration were probably the worst the state has ever experienced. African Americans held office all over the state; the Legislature was incompetent; disorder reigned in both Houses sometimes, and police were required to keep order; race riots were occurring or were threatened; the election of Democrat majorities in 1898 brought back a semblance of order to the Legislature.