The Forbidden History of The Arthur Brothers | Roots and Reality

[00:00:00]Before we dive into this chilling piece of history, let's get one thing clear.

[00:00:05]This [music] is a story about the ultimate cost of dignity.

[00:00:08]And it is a reality they completely [music] stripped from your textbooks. In June 1920, two brothers named Herman and Irving Arthur faced a nightmare on a farm in Paris, Texas. [music] Herman was a proud World War I veteran who had just returned home after fighting for freedom abroad. Only to find absolute tyranny waiting for him back [music] home.

[00:00:31]When the brothers refused their landlord's illegal demands to work extra [music] hours without pay, the landlord, John Henry Hodges, and his [music] son William turned to pure terror. On June 29th, the Hodges stormed onto the Arthur family's property, violently [music] threw their belongings into the yard, and held them at gunpoint. But the family refused [music] to be broken. A few days later, on July 2nd, the family decided to permanently pack up and escape the farm.

[00:01:00]But the Hodges returned, heavily armed and opening fire to stop them from leaving. This time, >> [music] >> the brothers stood their ground. Herman, a trained military marksman, defended his mother and sisters, [music] killing both of the attackers in self-defense.

[00:01:17]The police arrested Herman and Irving, while also taking three of their young sisters [music] into custody under the false pretense of protection. Before we reveal the horrific aftermath of their [music] defense, if you believe these hidden history stories need to be told, don't forget to like, share, [music] and subscribe to this channel. Your support helps us keep bringing these truths to light.

[00:01:41]>> [music] >> Four days later, an organized white mob battered down the jail doors, dragged [music] Herman and Irving to the county fairgrounds, and burned them alive in front of 3,000 spectators. While this atrocity was happening, [music] a group of 20 men assaulted and brutalized their sisters in the dark basement of the jail >> [music] >> before tossing them a sack of flour and forcing them to flee the town.

[00:02:06]The Arthur family lost almost everything, but their surviving relatives eventually escaped to Chicago, refusing to let the system erase their names or their survival.

[00:02:17]How different would our understanding of American resilience be [music] if the stories of veterans like Herman Arthur were actually taught in school?

[00:02:26]Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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[00:02:39]This is Roots and Reality, and we will see you in the next documentary.