Newman O'Neal was the mayor of Hobson City, Alabama, until he faced death threats and was assaulted forcing him to flee.

The town was named after Richmond P. Hobson, a white naval hero in the then-recent Spanish-American War and member of Congress.

He served his community until he received death threats in the form of a "black hand letter surmounted by a skull and crossbones.

"[2] He ignored the letter but he was assaulted by unknown aggressors and seriously injured forcing him north into exile in late July 1919.

The Summer consisted of terrorist attacks on black communities, and white oppression in over three dozen cities and counties.