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by Fostenia W. Baker (Author)
Frazier B. Baker a married, 40 year-old African-American schoolteacher and the father of six children was appointed postmaster of Lake City, South Carolina in 1897 under William McKinley the 25th President of the United States. Local whites objected and had undertaken a campaign to force his removal. When these efforts failed to dislodge Baker, a mob attacked him and his family at night at their house, which also served as the post office. Baker and his infant daughter Julia Baker died at his house after being fatally shot during a white mob attack on February 22, 1898. The mob set the house on fire to force the family out. His wife and two of his other five children were wounded, but escaped the burning house and mob, and survived. On December 10, 2018, U.S. Representative. James Clyburn, D-S.C., introduced a bill to rename the Lake City Post Office after Baker, saying it would ensure that his story won't be forgotten. The state's entire congressional delegation co-sponsored the bill, and President Donald Trump signed it into law December 21, 2018.
