INTRODUCTION
Senator Benjamin “Pitchfork” Tillman (D-South Carolina), an admitted white supremacist who had been involved in numerous race related riots and massacres, was welcomed with open arms by Wausau city officials. Mayor M.H. Duncan, along with Honorable Judge Neal, among other officials, took Senator Tillman on a tour of the city until they arrived at the Bellis Hotel. The senator would then go on to give a “lecture” in which he argued it was necessary for the white man to remain the dominant power in the south. On October 22nd, 1907, the Wausau Pilot published an article detailing Senator Tillman’s speech. The Pilot reported “there were only a few interruptions and those were made by old soldiers who could not swallow everything he said about the war of secession” and noted “the people of Wausau did not concur with every remark made.” The Pilot’s editorial then went on to praise Senator Tillman, saying, “we believe the senator tells the truth as he sees it, and is perhaps a better judge of the negro character than most of us northern people.” The Wausau Pilot’s positive review of Senator Tillman was a sign of a dangerous precedent that is still felt today.
Although the event is disturbing in its own right, the City of Wausau’s relationship with race has been historically turbulent.
WHAT IS A “SUNDOWN TOWN”?
In 2005, sociologist Dr. James Loewen published, Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, in which he documented numerous municipalities composed of nearly all white residents that used practices to drive away African Americans, Jewish people, and other minorities. These practices included assaults, refusal to serve and, in some cases, murder. Such crimes were often hidden under the cover of darkness after the sun set.
In 1970, Wisconsin had 144 cities of more than 2,500 residents. 126 of which were “all-white communities” (Loewen, 68).
Wausau is classified as a “probable” Sundown Town, due to its censuses showing a historically low African American population and oral histories suggesting discriminatory practices.
Sundown Towns existed between 1890-1968, however the hate they left behind is still alive.
MISSION
The mission of this blog is to house a database of Wausau’s struggle with race relations. The city itself does not acknowledge its past as a possible Sundown Town and has disbanded its board on Race Relations. Wausau cannot truly grow as a community until city officials and residents study their past and learn to understand how the racist practices throughout history have turned into the systemic racism we see in the present. This blog can also serve as part of a broader history of former Sundown Town’s and how their effects still linger. Below is an archive of instances of racial discrimination in Wausau and the greater Marathon County area in chronological order, along with an interactive timeline of key events:
HATE GROUPS
Several hate groups have emerged throughout Wausau’s history, most notably the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which in 1924 had over 1,500 members. In 1925, the Klan began “cleaning” Marathon County. In February 1924, a group of protestors approached Willis Dean, the Wisconsin organizer of the KKK, which led to him fleeing the area.
In 1974, Posse Comitatus, led by Thomas Stockheimer, was formed in Wisconsin. The group was a far-right organization that sought to take over the sheriff’s department and return power to the county. In 1993, a motion was brought forward to redistrict Wausau schools to integrate Laotian immigrants and low-income students. The proposal was met with resistance. Former state school superintendent Herbert Grover called it “divisive nonsense” and said that those who did not support the integration shared a “Posse Comitatus mentality,” to which school board member Scott Williams demanded an apology.
In 1984 Portage County Sheriff Dan Hintz in collaboration with the Shawano County Sheriff Department went to the Posse Comitatus compound in Tigerton, Wis. and used hot dogs and steaks to “muffle the guard dogs” and uncovered over 100 illegal firearms. Tim Burg, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officer based in Wausau said the group was on the bureau’s radar for quite some time and saw parallels between the group and the KKK.
Hate groups and white supremacists still exist in Marathon County today. In 2024 Christopher Wood, a far-right activist and white supremacist launched a bid to run for Mayor of Wausau, but lost in early primaries. In August 2024 Wood appeared in court for a hate crime he committed in May of the same year. Wood was recorded at a gas station telling an interracial couple they should “preserve the white race.”
In June 2025, a man was seen at a No Kings Protest giving Nazi salutes and telling protestors they had “white guilt.” In March 2026 at another No Kings Protest two men were seen wearing swastikas, masks, bullet proof vests while carrying a Nazi flag. Following an altercation with a protestor police were called and intervened. One man was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm, but no further charges were pressed.
Users can use this map to view other hate groups in the Marathon County area and across the country:
https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map
A COMMUNITY FOR WHO?
According to Policescorecard.org, African Americans in Wausau are 11.6 times more likely to be arrested for low level, non violent crimes as opposed to white individuals. In 2022. the city disbanded its board on Race Relations, following controversy around a bill aimed at recognizing the county as a “Community for All.”
Between 2017-2021, citizens of Marathon County reported a seven percent increase in discrimination following a shooting spree committed by Nengmy Vang, a Laotian immigrant.
In 2019, the community recognized Black History Month for the first time after the county elected its first African American board member in history, William Harris, a lawyer born in Florida.
In 2020, following the death of George Floyd communities throughout the nation vowed to move forward with progress including members of the Marathon County Diversity Affairs Commission, which introduced a resolution to declare the county A Community for All”.
Later in August 2021, during a public comment session, Norah Brown, a resident of Wausau, said at a previous Executive Committee meeting her son (Julian Brown, 13) and another speaker were called a homophobic slur. Lisa Ort Sondergard, a member of the then Diversity Affairs Commission (DAC), said she witnessed the episode and heard a businessman call the teen a “f*g.”
Christopher Wood, an opponent of the bill, said the teen “had to get over it” and that freedom of speech was under attack.
The motion to pass the bill later failed in a tied vote and one year later the DAC was disbanded. The Commission included African American and Hmong members, the County had effectively lost communication with those minorities.
In November 2025, the Marathon County Sheriffs Department entered a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agreement allowed the department to give custody of inmates to ICE. The partnership sparked fear within the Central Wisconsin community, with Tony Gonzalez, founding director of the American Hispanic Association saying, “the broad understanding of people is that it’s a general program and that they’re not safe wherever they’re at because police are going to come for them.”
For users conceded about ICE these resources are available:
https://iceout.org/en – A website to track and report ICE activity.
https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter – What to do if you or someone you know encounters ICE.
ARCHIVE
Below is a comprehensive archive of instances of racial discrimination in Wausau, Wis.
June 18, 1907: A group of Romani individuals (formerly referred to as Gypsies) were stopped by police as they attempted to enter the town.
https://i.postimg.cc/B8TZY1v7/Screenshot-2026-04-30-085148.png
Source: Wausau Pilot
October 22, 1907: Senator Benjamin Tillman, a white supremacist speaks in Wausau. The Wausau Pilot speaks highly of Senator Tillman.
https://i.postimg.cc/758pHWLG/Screenshot-2026-04-30-173801.png
Source: Wausau Pilot
April 4, 1916: An entertainer, John S. Otten, performed an imitation of an illiterate African American preacher. The Wausau Daily Herald called it “accurate.”
https://i.postimg.cc/2LF4C5TW/Screenshot-2026-04-30-085827.png
1923: Wausau Highschool’s football poem featured a racial slur.
https://i.postimg.cc/zbWHffFj/Screenshot-2026-04-28-141412.png
Source: Wausau 1923 yearbook
February 7, 1924: An anti-Ku Klux Klan association is formed amid rumors that Klan would be coming to Wausau.
https://i.postimg.cc/2bjw3hbP/Screenshot-2026-04-30-091046.png
Source: Dunn County News
February 13, 1924: Willis Dean, state organizer of the Ku Klux Klan was ordered to leave Wausau.
https://i.postimg.cc/KYPk1Kr1/Screenshot-2026-04-28-143054.png
Source: Grant County Herald
March 7, 1924: Reported Ku Klux Klan meeting to be held in Wausau.
https://i.postimg.cc/7LhPkftH/Screenshot-2026-04-28-143609.png
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
April 8, 1924: A reported Ku Klux Klan cross burning was brushed off as a joke by law enforcement, despite there being 1,500 members of the Wausau Ku Klux Klan.
https://i.postimg.cc/XpxQS2rM/Screenshot-2026-04-30-093604.png
Source: The Post Crescent
January 14, 1925: The Ku Klux Klan held a meeting in Wausau to signify the beginning of “cleaning” Marathon County.
https://i.postimg.cc/CnsSJyMQ/Screenshot-2026-04-30-091513.png
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
February 14, 1964: Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District has among the smallest black population in the country.
https://i.postimg.cc/06yny7Jn/Screenshot-2026-04-30-092130.png
Source: The Wichita Eagle
April 2, 1964: Governor George Wallace, a white supremacist was met with protestors in Wausau.
https://i.postimg.cc/4KvGXkVv/Screenshot-2026-04-30-091822.png
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
November 12, 1974: Posse Comitatus, a hate group is formed.
https://i.postimg.cc/WDdZy8Zj/Screenshot-2026-04-30-092540.png
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
June 20, 1984: Posse Comitatus leaders are arrested in Tigerton.
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
May 1, 1993: A 17 year old boy beat a fourteen year old Hmong boy inside the Wausau Oriental Market, he later fired a gun outside the market.
https://i.postimg.cc/LYnMLqGs/Screenshot-2026-04-30-093232.png
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
PROGRESS MADE
In 2020, admits Black Lives Matter protests, Darrell Keaton, a community activist met with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg to discuss the community’s relationship with minority groups. The end result was a yearly Juneteenth Celebration held in downtown Wausau. Below is a video with Keaton speaking to Wisconsin PBS.
WHAT CAN I DO?
The history of racial inequality in Central Wisconsin is far from complete. Please continue to engage with Wausau’s dark past, though it may be uncomfortable and disturbing at times, it is forever a part of the community, whether the city officially acknowledges it or not. If you encounter any other documented source of discrimination in Wausau, please preserve it. This can be as simple as recording a conversation with a loved one or sharing an image of an old newspaper headline! Finally, if you ever witness or experience a hate crime or any form of discrimination please contact: local law enforcement and call 9-1-1 if you are in fear for your safety.
SOURCES AND ADDITONAL READINGS
Wausau Pilot, “Short News Items.” June 18, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/773825383/?match=12&terms=%22Marathon%20County%22%20%22negro%22 (May 3, 2026)
The Merrill Star-Advocate, “All Over The State.” October 14, 1902. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1092385311/?match=1&terms=%22Wausau%20negro%22 (May 3, 2026)
Wausau Pilot, “HAS NO USE FOR A N*GER.” October 22, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/826912942/?match=1&terms=Wausau%20Negro. (May 3, /2026)
Wausau Daily Herald, “Amusements.”April 4, 1916. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272406608/?match=2&terms=%22Myron%20H%20Duncan%22%20%22negro%22 (5/3/2026)
Streck, Clifford. The Quarter-back. Poem. Wausau: Wahiscan Yearbook, 1923. Wahiscan Yearbook, Central Wisconsin Digitalization Project. https://content.mpl.org/digital/collection/cwdp/id/20516/rec/2 (May 3, 2026)
The Dunn County News, “NORTHERN WISCONSIN OPPOSED TO KU KLUX.” February 7, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/543001338/?match=1&terms=%22Wausau%20Ku%20Klux%20Klan%22 (May 3, 2026)
Grant County Herald, “NEWS FROM ALL AROUND WISCONSIN.” February 13, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/884385965/?match=1&terms=%22Ku%20Klux%20Klan%20Wausau%22 (May 3, 2026)
Wausau Daily Herald, “SHORT NEWS ITEMS.” March 7, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272649798/?match=1&terms=%22Wausau%20Ku%20Klux%20Klan%22 (5/3/2026)
The Post-Crescent, “WAUSAU KLAN FIRE WAS JOKE, IS CLAIM.” April 8, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/287156180/?match=1&terms=%22Wausau%20Klan%22 (5/3/2026)
Wausau Daily Herald, “KU KLUX KLAN IN MEETING TONIGHT: Gathering to Signify Beginning of the Cleaning of Marathon County.” Jan. 14, 1925. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272539343/?match=1&terms=%22Ku%20Klux%20Klan%20Marathon%20County%22 (May 3, 2026).
Wausau Daily Herald, “Meredith in Reverse: Wausau Teacher First White at All-Negro U.” Nov. 21, 1962. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272770708/?match=2&terms=%22negro%20Wausau%22 (Accessed May 3, 2026)
The Wichita Eagle, “Voting Patterns of North, South Negros Differ Radicaly;” February 14, 1964. https://www.newspapers.com/image/718617449/?match=1&terms=%22negro%20Wausau%22 (5/3/2026)
Pennings, D, R, “The Southern Visitor;” Wausau Daily Herald, April 3, 1964. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272877387/?match=1&terms=Governor%20Wallace%20 (May 3, 2026)
Nielsen, K, N, “Picket Protest Appearance: Wallace Hammers at ‘Control’ in Rights Bill Visit In Wausau;” Wausau Daily Herald, April 2, 1964. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272877342/?match=1&terms=Governor%20Wallace%20 (May 3, 2026)
The Sheboygan Press, “Marshal Probes Fire In Cottage Bought By Negro;” June 29, 1965. https://www.newspapers.com/image/240912848/?match=1&terms=%22negro%20Wausau%22 (May 3, 2026)
Uhlig, Keith, “Retired sheriff’s book details Posse Comitatus outsing;” Wausau Daily Herald, July 15, 2015. https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/local/2015/07/12/dan-hintz-posse-comitatus/30009027/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118052e003900v118052d–80–b–80–&gca-ft=247&gca-ds=sophi (May 3, 2026)
Stamborski, Al, “Posse Comitatus is sheriff’s topic;” Wausau Daily Herald, Nov. 12, 1974. https://www.newspapers.com/image/271889076/?match=1&terms=%27Posse%20Comitatus%22 (May 3, 2026)
Carlson, Dan, “An interpretive report: Posse Comitatus lists many grievances;” Wausau Daily Herald, Apr. 17, 1974. https://www.newspapers.com/image/272029316/?match=1&terms=%27Posse%20Comitatus%22 (May 3, 2026)
Arnet, Peter, “Posse has roots in Wisconsin;” The La Crosse Tribune, Mar 4, 1981. https://www.newspapers.com/image/512599577/?terms=%27Posse%20Comitatus%22 (May 3, 2026)
Rupinski, Pat, “‘The Posse’ arrived in ‘74;” Wausau Daily Herald, Feb 21, 1980. https://www.newspapers.com/image/273021180/?match=1&terms=%27Posse%20Comitatus%22 (May 3, 2026)
Beck, Roy, “The Ordeal of Immigration in Wausau;” The Atlantic. From The Atlantic Online, Apr. 1994. https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/politics/immigrat/beckf.htm (May 3, 2026)
Moberg, Glen, “Wausau Area Sees Resurgence In Racism;” Wisconsin Public Radio, Jan. 19, 2006. https://www.wpr.org/news/wausau-area-sees-resurgence-racism#:~:text=A%20study%20released%20today%20yesterday,Glen%20Moberg%20has%20the%20story%E2%80%A6 (May 3, 2026)
Uhlig, Keith, “Wife details troubles before her husband gunned down 4 people;” Wausau Daily Herald, May 8, 2017. https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2017/05/08/wife-details-troubles-before-her-husband-gunned-down-4-people/100164526/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11xx52e004500v11xx52d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=132&gca-ds=sophi (May 3, 2026)
Sinyangwe, Samuel. Police Scorecard: Marathon County. Website. Wisconsin, 2022. https://policescorecard.org/wi/sheriff/marathon-county# (May 3, 2026)
Siewert, Shereen, “In Wisconsin, hate makes a comeback;” Wausau Pilot and Review, Aug. 15, 2020. https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2020/08/15/in-wisconsin-hate-makes-a-comeback/ (May 3, 2026)
Jayshi, Damakant, “As diversity decision nears conclusion, an adult dismisses a slur against 13 year old-boy, saying ‘Get over it!’;” Wausau Pilot and Review, Aug. 21, 2021 https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2021/08/21/as-diversity-decision-nears-conclusion-an-adult-dismisses-a-slur-against-13-year-old-saying-get-over-it/ (May 3, 2026)
Mettzer, Rob, “After ‘Community for All’ battle, Marathon County Board eliminates Diversity Affairs Commission;” Wisconsin Public Radio, April 20, 2022 https://www.wpr.org/diversity-and-inclusion/after-community-all-battle-marathon-county-board-eliminates-diversity-affairs-commission#:~:text=After%20%27Community%20for%20All%27%20battle,meetings%20and%20behind%20the%20scenes (May 3, 2026)
Ruiz-Branch, Judith, “White nationalists ‘Active Clubs’ growing in WI;” Wausau Pilot and Review, September 9, 2025 https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2025/09/09/white-nationalist-active-clubs-growing-in-wi/ (May 3, 2026)
Marathon County LIFE Report. Marathon County LIFE Committee, Life in Marathon County. PDF. Marathon County, WI. Marathon County LIFE Committee, 2022. https://www.marathoncountypulse.org/content/sites/marathon/2019-2021_Marathon_County_LIFE_Report_2019-01-06.pdf (May 3, 2026)
Betti, Justin, “Marathon County Sheriff’s Office clarifies relationship with ICE;” WAOW 9, Feb. 5, 2026 https://www.waow.com/news/marathon-county-sheriffs-office-clarifies-relationship-with-ice/article_929a6f59-2761-4b7d-8fda-5e524fb0bea9.html (May 3, 2026)
Who Was Ben Tillman? Columbia College, South Carolina, from Historic Columbia website. https://www.historiccolumbia.org/Tillman (May 3, 2026)
Poltrock, Heather, “Former Wausau Mayoral candidate charged with hate crime;” WSAW 7, Aug. 14, 2024 https://www.wsaw.com/2024/08/14/former-wausau-mayoral-candidate-charged-with-hate-crime/ (May 3, 2026)
Davies, Emily, “Immigrant advocate warns against Marathon County ICE partnership;” WSAW 7, Nov. 6, 2025 https://www.wsaw.com/2025/11/07/immigrant-advocate-warns-against-marathon-county-ice-partnership/ (May 3, 2026)
History- The Wausau Story. Wausau City Hall website. https://www.wausauwi.gov/about-wausau/history-of-wausau (May 3, 2026)
Wasson, J, Peter, “Shooting suspect hearing delayed;” Wausau Daily Herald, May 1, 1993 https://www.newspapers.com/image/273313040/?article=2701dca8-d02c-41f9-bfe0-26ee5bbfa905&terms=%22Wausau%22%20%22hmong%22 (May 3, 2026)
Paulsen, David, “After gangs, a tapestry of hope;” Wausau Daily Herald, August 18 2002, https://www.newspapers.com/image/274115437/ (May 3, 2026)
Leave a Reply