Graffiti naming at least three of the “Newberry Six” lynching victims appeared recently in front of the new Publix on West Newberry Road. 

The Publix roadside sign was marked with “Gilbert & Mary Dennis were here,” and a storage container was tagged “Stella Young was here.” The names belong to three African Americans who were lynched in 1916 at the former Newberry picnic grounds, approximately the same site as the Publix. 

The lynchings took place over a dispute about stolen hogs, and while Boisey Long, the accused, escaped, James Dennis, suspected of hiding Long, was shot to death by a mob. Law enforcement and a posse rounded up five African Americans, including Dennis’ brother, Gilbert, and sister, Mary, a pregnant mother of four. Stella Young, Long’s partner and mother of his son, Stella’s brother Andrew McHenry, and the Rev. Joshua Baskin were also part of the group, which was then taken to the Newberry picnic grounds and hanged. 

Boisey Long surrendered himself two days later and was convicted of murder for the man he shot and killed in his escape. 

An Alachua County grand jury took up the case and investigated the actions of the lynch mob, but found no one guilty for the lynchings. 

Newberry unveiled a marker denoting the lynching in 2019. 

“The tragedies and crimes of the past should absolutely be acknowledged today. But, vandalism isn’t the way,” Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe wrote to Mainstreet on Monday. 

Marlowe said he wanted to apologize to Publix for the graffiti, and that while Newberry has held public meetings, gatherings, events and resolutions to acknowledge the issues in its history, vandalism “doesn’t help that work.” 

“I want to express my apologies to Publix that they have been victimized in this way. Newberry stands ready to continue talking about the past, but we can only do that in a healthy and respectful way that works towards unifying our community,” Marlowe wrote. 

Publix media relations did not respond to requests for comment.