The names of at least three of the Newberry Six — a group of African Americans lynched more than a century ago — were found painted in front of the new Publix on West Newberry Road, apparently to protest its proximity to the site of the lynchings.

“Gilbert and Mary Dennis were here” was written on the Publix road sign and “Stella Young was here” was written on the side of a storage container on the property at the corner of West Newberry Road and County Road 235.

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According to historical accounts, the Newberry murders began after an African American named Boisy Long was accused of stealing hogs in August 1916. Dr. LG Harris and Officer George Wynne attempted to arrest Long , but he allegedly shot the two men and fled. Wynne was mortally wounded and Harris was shot but survived.

The Newberry Six were killed because authorities believed they had helped Long flee.

James Dennis was fatally shot. GilBert and Mary Dennis, Stella Young, Reverend Josh Baskin and Andrew McHenry were imprisoned and then taken by a mob to the Newberry Picnic Grounds (West Newberry Road and CR 235) where they were lynched.

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe, team leader for the Alachua County Community Memory Project, said he first heard about the vandalism Sunday morning. He said the city’s truth and reconciliation ceremonies and installation of historical markers are taking place just west of the Publix, on property owned by Gwendlyn Hunt.

“This leaves me a little perplexed, because Newberry’s truth and reconciliation work is going very well, without resorting to vandalism or anything like that. It’s not like Newberry is hiding from this history. Newberry is the first city in Alachua County to commit to truth and reconciliation,” Marlow said. “…We have done as much, if not more, work than anyone in the county to bring these issues to light.

“I feel bad about Publix being involved in this conversation, and I worry about what this means for the next time we try to hold a truth and reconciliation event. The community will be- Is she still so welcoming?”

This article was originally published on The Gainesville Sun: Names of the six victims of the Newberry lynching painted in front of the Newberry Publix