Robert Mills Lusher

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'''Robert Mills Lusher''' (May 17, 1823 - November 23, 1890) was a writer, journalist, educator, and [[Superintendent (education)|superintendent of education]] in Louisiana. He was known for [[Racial segregation|segregating]] schools in Louisiana immediately following the [[American Civil War]]. Lusher moved to New Orleans following his first cousin Mary Powell Mills who was involved in an interracial marriage to Creole author and diplomat [[Alexander Dimitry]].{{sfn|Christophe|2018|p=19}} Alexander was the first superintendent of education in Louisiana and the first person of color to hold that position. The Dimitry family underwent countless instances of racism.{{harvnb|Broyard|2007|p=149 }}: "Alexander Dimitry had been thrown out of a society ball for being colored, only to be spotted a little while later dining at a local restaurant with his very accusers."{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014064/1868-06-22/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1868&index=7&rows=20&words=Alexander+Dimitry&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1868&proxtext=alexander+dimitry&y=12&x=12&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|title=Distribution of Paris Metals|publisher=The Chicago Tribune |at=p. 2, col. 4 |work=The Chicago Tribune, Volume 21, No. 3541 |date=June 22, 1868 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823182338/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_kedzie_ver02/data/sn82014064/no_reel/1868062201/0002.pdf|archive-date=August 23, 2023|url-status=live|location=Chicago, Illinois |quote=The Principle Address was by Prof. Alexander Dimitry a gentlemen revered for his learning but said to possess a small mixture of African Blood.}}{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1860-01-25/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1770&index=0&rows=20&words=Africa+Dimitry&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=dimitry+africa&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|title=Nomination Confirmed|publisher=Evening Star|at=p. 2, col. 2 |work=Evening Star, Volume 15, No. 2164|date=January 25, 1860|access-date=August 29, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829203010/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_leonberger_ver03/data/sn83045462/00280654140/1860012501/0407.pdf|archive-date=August 29, 2023|location=Washington D.C|quote=Nomination Confirmed The appointment of Alexander Dimitry, as '''Minister to Africa''', was yesterday confirmed by the Senate. amongst others.

'''Robert Mills Lusher''' (May 17, 1823 - November 23, 1890) was a writer, journalist, educator, and [[Superintendent (education)|superintendent of education]] in Louisiana. He was known for [[Racial segregation|segregating]] schools in Louisiana immediately following the [[American Civil War]]. Lusher moved to New Orleans following his first cousin Mary Powell Mills who was involved in an interracial marriage to Creole author and diplomat [[Alexander Dimitry]].{{sfn|Christophe|2018|p=19}} Alexander was the first superintendent of education in Louisiana and the first [[person of color]] to hold that position. The Dimitry family underwent countless instances of racism.{{harvnb|Broyard|2007|p=149 }}: "Alexander Dimitry had been thrown out of a society ball for being colored, only to be spotted a little while later dining at a local restaurant with his very accusers."{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014064/1868-06-22/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1868&index=7&rows=20&words=Alexander+Dimitry&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1868&proxtext=alexander+dimitry&y=12&x=12&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|title=Distribution of Paris Metals|publisher=The Chicago Tribune |at=p. 2, col. 4 |work=The Chicago Tribune, Volume 21, No. 3541 |date=June 22, 1868 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823182338/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_kedzie_ver02/data/sn82014064/no_reel/1868062201/0002.pdf|archive-date=August 23, 2023|url-status=live|location=Chicago, Illinois |quote=The Principle Address was by Prof. Alexander Dimitry a gentlemen revered for his learning but said to possess a small mixture of African Blood.}}{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1860-01-25/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1770&index=0&rows=20&words=Africa+Dimitry&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=dimitry+africa&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|title=Nomination Confirmed|publisher=Evening Star|at=p. 2, col. 2 |work=Evening Star, Volume 15, No. 2164|date=January 25, 1860|access-date=August 29, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829203010/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/dlc_leonberger_ver03/data/sn83045462/00280654140/1860012501/0407.pdf|archive-date=August 29, 2023|location=Washington D.C|quote=Nomination Confirmed The appointment of Alexander Dimitry, as '''Minister to Africa''', was yesterday confirmed by the Senate. amongst others.

}}{{cite news|author=|title=Buchanan Scrubbing the Ohio Democracy|url=https://www.demetrimusic.com/archive/dimitry/8.pdf|work=Weekly Ohio State Journal Vol. 49 No. 24 (Columbus Ohio), p. 2|agency=Digital Academic Research Archives|date= September 26, 1859|access-date= June 7, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240113224906/https://www.demetrimusic.com/archive/dimitry/8.pdf|archive-date=January 13, 2024|quote= Prof. Alexander Dimitry, whom Mr. Buchanan has recently appointed Minister to Nicaragua is reported to be of African descent, in part, and could not be a voter, or eligible to hold office in this State, according to the Democratic law of last winter. His supposed Africanism, it is said, impaired his usefulness in Louisiana, his native state. The president probably wanted to spite the rebellious Democracy of Ohio in making this offensive appointment. }} Two major incidents involving the family were documented in court entitled ''[[George Pandely#Early life|Forstall, f.p.c. v. Dimitry (1833)]]'' and ''[[George Pandely#Pandelly Affair|Pandelly v. Wiltz (1854)]]''. The Creole family was heavily pressured to [[Passing (racial identity)|pass as white]] which is deemed [[ethnocide]]. Lusher was closely involved with the Dimitry family and endorsed by Alexander and Alexander's daughter Virginia Ruth Dimitry was also involved with Lusher as an educator.{{sfn|Pecquet du Bellet|1907a|p=172}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-18901123tppg2obit/131621760/|title=Death of R.M. Lusher|publisher=The Daily Picayune|at=p. 2, col. 4 |work=The Daily Picayune |date=November 23, 1890|access-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611123645/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-18901123tppg2obit/131621760/|archive-date=June 11, 2024|location= New Orleans, Louisiana|quote=}}

}}{{cite news|author=|title=Buchanan Scrubbing the Ohio Democracy|url=https://www.demetrimusic.com/archive/dimitry/8.pdf|work=Weekly Ohio State Journal Vol. 49 No. 24 (Columbus Ohio), p. 2|agency=Digital Academic Research Archives|date= September 26, 1859|access-date= June 7, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240113224906/https://www.demetrimusic.com/archive/dimitry/8.pdf|archive-date=January 13, 2024|quote= Prof. Alexander Dimitry, whom Mr. Buchanan has recently appointed Minister to Nicaragua is reported to be of African descent, in part, and could not be a voter, or eligible to hold office in this State, according to the Democratic law of last winter. His supposed Africanism, it is said, impaired his usefulness in Louisiana, his native state. The president probably wanted to spite the rebellious Democracy of Ohio in making this offensive appointment. }} Two major incidents involving the family were documented in court entitled ''[[George Pandely#Early life|Forstall, f.p.c. v. Dimitry (1833)]]'' and ''[[George Pandely#Pandelly Affair|Pandelly v. Wiltz (1854)]]''. The Creole family was heavily pressured to [[Passing (racial identity)|pass as white]] which is deemed [[ethnocide]]. Lusher was closely involved with the Dimitry family and endorsed by Alexander and Alexander's daughter Virginia Ruth Dimitry was also involved with Lusher as an educator.{{sfn|Pecquet du Bellet|1907a|p=172}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-18901123tppg2obit/131621760/|title=Death of R.M. Lusher|publisher=The Daily Picayune|at=p. 2, col. 4 |work=The Daily Picayune |date=November 23, 1890|access-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611123645/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-18901123tppg2obit/131621760/|archive-date=June 11, 2024|location= New Orleans, Louisiana|quote=}}

One year later in 1848, Lusher became deputy clerk of the United States District and Admiralty Court under Judge Theodore McCaleu holding the position for thirteen years. He also served as United States commissioner and the interpreter of the court. Lusher was the editor of the Louisiana Courier during the Taylor Case contest in 1848 and two years later in 1850, he graduated from the Law School of the University of Louisiana now known as [[Tulane University]].{{sfn|Breaux|2006|pp=31-35}} By 1853, the Dimitry family was under attack due to their race and desire to hold political positions. Alexander was constantly persecuted throughout his life due to his ethnic background.

One year later in 1848, Lusher became deputy clerk of the United States District and Admiralty Court under Judge Theodore McCaleu holding the position for thirteen years. He also served as United States commissioner and the interpreter of the court. Lusher was the editor of the Louisiana Courier during the Taylor Case contest in 1848 and two years later in 1850, he graduated from the Law School of the University of Louisiana now known as [[Tulane University]].{{sfn|Breaux|2006|pp=31-35}} By 1853, the Dimitry family was under attack due to their race and desire to hold political positions. Alexander was constantly persecuted throughout his life due to his ethnic background.

Alexander's first cousin [[George Pandely]] was ejected from public office as assistant alderman in New Orleans because he was of African descent. A detailed account of the Dimitry family's ethnic background was published in local newspapers proving their African heritage. It was against the law for people of African descent to hold office and own property. Alexander's school in Raymond, Mississippi dropped from 50 students to 2 students at the onset of the Wiltz allegations.{{sfn|Maddox|1853a|p=3}}{{sfn|Thompson|2009|pp=50}} It became known that the family was African but they publicly denounced their ethnicity in court in favor of a fictional American Indian heritage. The incident widely became known as the [[George Pandely#Pandelly Affair|Pandelly Affair]]{{sfn|Thompson|2009|pp=49-51}}

Alexander's first cousin [[George Pandely]] was ejected from public office as assistant alderman in New Orleans because he was of African descent. A detailed account of the Dimitry family's ethnic background was published in local newspapers proving their African heritage. It was against the law for people of African descent to hold office and own property. Alexander's school in [[Raymond, Mississippi]] dropped from 50 students to 2 students at the onset of the Wiltz allegations.{{sfn|Maddox|1853a|p=3}}{{sfn|Thompson|2009|pp=50}} It became known that the family was African but they publicly denounced their ethnicity in court in favor of a fictional American Indian heritage. The incident widely became known as the [[George Pandely#Pandelly Affair|Pandelly Affair]]{{sfn|Thompson|2009|pp=49-51}}

By 1854, Lusher was elected by the City Council Director of the Public Schools of the Second Municipal District holding the position until the commencement of the Civil War. He was also deputy clerk of the United States District until 1861. Some members of the Dimitry Family such as George Pandelly became a court clerk in 1854 and [[Ernest Lagarde]] briefly served as a court clerk in 1859. By the American Civil War, Alexander and the entire family served the Confederate cause. Lusher took on the role of clerk of the Confederate states district court and chief tax collector for Louisiana while Alexander was assistant postmaster general of the Confederacy. At the close of the war, Lusher returned to New Orleans and associated himself with Professor William O. Rogers. They opened a school which Lusher conducted until November 1865.

By 1854, Lusher was elected by the City Council Director of the Public Schools of the Second Municipal District holding the position until the commencement of the Civil War. He was also deputy clerk of the United States District until 1861. Some members of the Dimitry Family such as George Pandelly became a court clerk in 1854 and [[Ernest Lagarde]] briefly served as a court clerk in 1859. By the American Civil War, Alexander and the entire family served the Confederate cause. Lusher took on the role of clerk of the Confederate states district court and chief tax collector for Louisiana while Alexander was assistant postmaster general of the Confederacy. At the close of the war, Lusher returned to New Orleans and associated himself with Professor William O. Rogers. They opened a school which Lusher conducted until November 1865.