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Arnett Doctor testimony before the Florida Legislative Special Master for House Bill 591 (Rosewood Bill), 1994
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Testimony of Arnett Doctor. Doctor describes the experiences of his mother Philomena Doctor, the granddaughter of Sarah Carrier, who was 12 years old during the event. Arnett Doctor provides his family history, along with that of his relatives, the Carriers and the Goins. Doctor recalls that his mother Philomena Doctor was with Sarah Carrier at their employer Fannie Taylor's house on the morning that set off the violence in Rosewood. Doctor describes how both Sarah and Philomena worked in the Taylor house doing domestic chores, and that Philomena saw an unidentified white man leave the house moments before Taylor ran into the street claiming a black man had assaulted her. Arnett Doctor describes Sylvester Carrier. Doctor recounts that Sylvester Carrier did not die during the gun battle at the Carrier home, and lived in solitude until his death decades later. Doctor then describes the events that led to the massacre beginning with Fannie Taylor's accusations of abuse by a black man being sheltered in Rosewood. Doctor describes the attack on Aaron Carrier and the subsequent capture and lynching of Sam Carter. He describes how his mother and other family members went to Sylvester Carrrier's home seeking shelter from potential violence. He describes his mother's experience as a child in the Carrier home when it was attacked by a white mob and how the women and children escaped into the woods. He states that women and children escaped via train to Gainesville. Doctor mentions that some survivors believed that they troops at the Rosewood Depot helping women and children onto the train, and that these troops were stationed at Camp Blanding near Jacksonville at the time. Doctor says that he researched the history of the Rosewood community and wanted to get other surviving families involved in possible compensation from the state, but promised his mother that he would not do so until after her death. James Peters, the Assistant Attorney General of the state of Florida, then cross examines Arnett Doctor. Doctor describes the intergenerational psychological impact of the trauma his parent's and grandparent's generation experienced due to this event.
General Note
In 1993, survivors from Rosewood sought compensation from the State of Florida for damages. The State Legislature of Florida created a Special Masters Committee to investigate the massacre in Rosewood and present their findings to the Legislature. The Rosewood survivors were represented by the law firm Holland and Knight, while the state of Florida was represented by James Peters, Assistant Attorney General for the state of Florida.
As a result, the Legislature approved 2.1 million dollars in compensation to the Rosewood claimants. This bill was signed into law by Governor Lawton Chiles on May 4th, 1993.
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General Note
In 1993, survivors from Rosewood sought compensation from the State of Florida for damages. The State Legislature of Florida created a Special Masters Committee to investigate the massacre in Rosewood and present their findings to the Legislature. The Rosewood survivors were represented by the law firm Holland and Knight, while the state of Florida was represented by James Peters, Assistant Attorney General for the state of Florida.
As a result, the Legislature approved 2.1 million dollars in compensation to the Rosewood claimants. This bill was signed into law by Governor Lawton Chiles on May 4th, 1993.
Chicago Manual of Style
Doctor, Arnett Tyrone, Sr., 1943-2015. Arnett Doctor testimony before the Florida Legislative Special Master for House Bill 591 (Rosewood Bill), 1994. 1994-03-04. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350848>, accessed 16 November 2024.
MLA
Doctor, Arnett Tyrone, Sr., 1943-2015. Arnett Doctor testimony before the Florida Legislative Special Master for House Bill 591 (Rosewood Bill), 1994. 1994-03-04. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350848>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Doctor)