Sidney Jacobi Cohen
In this building, Jewish journalist Sidney Jacobi Cohen (1891–1915) was shot and killed, leaving his employer, the Charleston Evening Post, “plunged in profound grief” over the death of the young reporter. Cohen was covering the highly charged Democratic Party primary election battle between mayoral candidates Tristam T. Hyde and John P. Grace. The voting was very close, and incumbent Mayor Grace demanded a recount. Tensions ran high on the afternoon of October 15, 1915, as the ballot boxes were brought into the Democratic Party’s executive committee’s room on the upper floor of the former American Hotel. Partisan supporters broke into the room, some throwing books and ballot boxes from the window, and a struggle over a pistol resulted in a fusillade of shots. Four people were wounded, Cohen fatally. Two days later, Hyde was declared the primary victor, and subsequently elected mayor. No one was ever charged with Cohen’s death.
For more information on Sidney Jacobi Cohen, see the Thomas J Tobias papers, Special Collections, College of Charleston.
Sidney Jacobi Cohen (1891–1915)
In memoriam, Sidney Jacobi Cohen (1891–1915)
The Charleston city year book of 1915 includes a tribute to the journalist who was killed that year while covering the Democratic mayoral primary for the Charleston Evening Post.
King Street the day Cohen was shot
Chaotic scene outside the building at the corner of King and George streets, October 15, 1915, where journalist Sidney Jacobi Cohen (1891–1915) was shot and killed during an election day dispute regarding the vote count. Courtesy of The Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina.
319-325 King Street, no date
Where Charleston Evening Post reporter Sidney Jacobi Cohen (1891–1915) was shot and killed during a dispute over the vote count in the 1915 Democratic mayoral primary. Courtesy of The Margaretta Childs Archives at Historic Charleston Foundation.