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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1917)
n=n the monitor A National Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Colored Americans THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor ------ ----—- -1 $1.50 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, NOVMEBER 3, 1917 Vol. III. (Whole No, \22YK Spring Surprise on Secretary McAdoo — The Mosaic TemplarB of America, Ne- j gro Fraternal Order, Purchase Liberty Bonds. PRESENT CHECK FOR $50,000.00 Secretary of Treasury Deeply Touched by Evidence of Patriotism Given by Race. Little Rock, Ark.—On Monday af ternoon, October 22, when Hon. W. G. McAdoo, Secretary of the U. S. Treas ury, appeared at the Palace Theatre to deliver an address on the purchas ing of Liberty Bonds, he met with a very pleasing and welcome surprise from a delegation of Negroes, con sisting of high officials of the Mosaic Templars of America who were seated on the platform, when the delegation presented the Secretary with a check for $50,000 as a subscription to Lib erty Bonds for the organization. The committee consisted of Messrs. A. E. Bush, chairman, who is secretary treasurer of the Monument Depart ment; S. J. Elliott, National Grand Master; C. E. Bush, National Grand Scribe and Treasurer; S. A. Jones, Attorney-General, and J. H. McConico, National Auditor. This organization is a purely Negro order—was founded in the city of Little Rock, Ark., in May, 1882, by J. E. Bush and C. W. Keatts. It has a membership of more than sixty thou sand, owns its own home building in Little Rock, Ark., which is valued at more than sixty thousand dollars, and has total assets to the amount of more than $200,000.00. Secretary McAdoo arose to speak and then something happened. A committee of five leaders of the Negro race were on the stage, and their spokesman, Scipio A. Jones, came forward and in a few chosen remarks, presented the distinguished visitor with a check for $5U,U00, the contribution of the Mosaic Templars of America, with headquarters in Lit tle Rock, to the Liberty Loan cam paign. “And if you need $100,000.00 more, you’ll get it, Mr. Secretary,” Jones concluded. Secretary McAdoo seemed deeply touched by this evidence of the pat riotism of the Negroes of Little Rock. Turning to the committee, he said: “In the presence of this distinguished company of American citizens I wish to thank you and your association, and to tell you that I feel proud of the Colored men of America. They have in this practical manner given evidence of their patriotism and have proven that they are worthy of cit izenship in this great republic. The Colored men are doing their part in this great war. They are showing their loyalty to the country just as the white people are. The deserve the highest commendation for the work they are doing and for the creditable part they are taking in this great fight for America’s rights and for Liberty throughout the world. I beg you to express to the members of your association my deep apprecia tion of their patriotic action in sub scribing $50,000.00 of United States Liberty Bonds. They have set an ex ample which all patriotic citizens would do well to emulate.” The organization has a campaign on now with its membership whereby each member is to contribute one day’s income to a fund with which to look after the endowment of its mem bers who are called to the colors and assist the Government in the prosecu tion of this great war. Mr. A. E. Bush, who is chairman, and S. A. Jones, who is campaign manager, to gether with the other members of the committee are putting forth every ef fort to raise $100,000 for this pur pose. The campaign will close Thurs day, November 1017. “\ ■ OMAHA i MAKES GOOD Harvey Saunde. ; an Omaha boy and a graduate of the Omaha High School and Creighton Pharmacy, has made good in Chicago. Mr. Saur.ders owns one of the finest and best equip ped drug stores on the south side. His pharmacy is located at 4760 State street and its front is conspicuous be cause of the beautiful blue and white signs on display. The cost alone of these was over two hundred dollars. Mr. Saunders employs four clerks and is doing an excellent, strictly legiti mate business. It is his ambition to have the finest drug store in Chicago and from present conditions his dream may be rapidly realized. CHARLEY BIRD DROWNED WHILE HUNTING — Charley Bird, who was duck hunt ing with a party of friends, broke through the ice at Hyannis, Nebras ka, Tuesday at noon, and was drown ed before assistance could reach him. The body was brought home Thurs day. The funeral will be held from Grove Methodist Church Sunday af ternoon at 2 o’clock. The other members of the hunting party were F. L. Barnett, William Jackson and nephew, and Otto Mason. Charley, who, because of his genial disposition, had scores of friends, was thirty years old, and his untimely death is sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His parents, wife and several relatives survive him. Houston Hurrahs for Race Soldiers Chicago's Famous Eighth Regiment in Great Liberty Loan Parade Leads in Contributions. COL. DENNISON IN COMMAND By C. B. Rourke. Camp Logan, Houston, Tex.—Twen ty thousand Illinois soldiers in 20,000 different ways are putting forth their best efforts at Camp Logan today to boost the second liberty loan. A hol iday has been granted at the army post and every soldier is being urged to do something to stimulate interest in the purchase of bonds and thereby bring victory nearer for Uncle Sam in his struggle to "get” the kaiser. As far as individual subscriptions are concerned, the 33d division boys have done themselves proud for Illi nois. The total subscriptions at the start were $638,650, with Chicago’s 8th regiment leading with $133,200. The 131st, formerly the “Dandy First,” came next with $119,700. The others came up nobly, but with totals far below the leaders. The per capita contribution to the loan at the camp is approximated at $32. Chicago’s Colored Men Lead. It has been well advertised here that the Colored units are leading all oth ers in Liberty Loan subscriptions and no further criticism concerning their presence near the city of Houston is heard. The population, apparently, is astounded by their patriotism. They participated recently in something new in the life of this leading town of the south. Col. Franklin Dennison, with his regiment of 2,100 men, made up a little more than one-third of a “Liberty Loan” parade which marched through the streets of Houston. It was the first real parade held since all of the boys of the Illinois national guard came to Camp Logan and it is said to be the first time in the his tory of this city that Colored men paraded in its streets. The parade was led by Brig.-Gen. Henry R. Hill, commanding the 65th brigade, to which the 8th regiment is attached. By order of Brig.-Gen. H. D. Todd, Jr., acting commandant of the division, the regiments moved in accordance to seniority of colonels. This placed Col. Charles H. Green of the 129th infantry, formerly the old third, at the head. Next came Col. Denison leading the “Liberty Bond” eighth and here came one of the most paradoxical scenes ever witnessed in the south. Houston Pays High Tribute. High honors were paid to the Chi cago Colored men if cheering may be counted as such. Looking neither to the left nor the right, but keeping step to music of their celebrated band, the Colored men convinced the people of Houston then and there that they were not trouble makers but soldiers. Following the 8th came Lieut.-Col. H. B. Clayton of the 130th regiment, formerly the old 4th Illinois. The three units made up the parade, with approximately 6,000 men in line. It was strictly a military affair. There, was not a civilian in line. The boys who did not march came with mega phones and if there was anything left unsaid about the importance of pur chasing “Liberty Bonds” by the uni formed men on the side lines, the people of Houston are wondering what it could have been. “We have bought Liberty Bonds, why don’t you?” “We are leaving our wives and children at home to help you; why not help us?"—Chicago Daily News, October 24. Washington police are still tearing the pickets away from the White House fence.—Arkansas Gazette. Commercial Club Dines the Colored Conscripts Omaha Gives Great Send-off to Men Drafted for National Army—Banqueted and Honored—Hundreds Cheer Them as They Entrain for Camp Funston. “Say, but there is class to this! Omaha’s certainly doing herself proud in the way she’s sending off her Colored boys. And they are go ing off with a pep and spirit which means business. It’s simply great. I’m going to tell the folks in my town how Omaha does things.” It was a Kansas City man who said this, as he listened to the band and saw the cheering crowds at the Union station last Saturday morning, as Omaha’s fine body of Colored youth were leaving for Camp Fifnston. The Kansas Cityian added: “I had business uptown, but I just had to hang around here until that train pulled out. This kind of business warms a fellow’s heart and makes his patriotism strong. Yes, sir, I must give it to you; Omaha does things right.” This splendid send-off, which so pleased the Kansas Cityian, was but the culmination of events which proves that Omaha does things. If this gentleman had known that only the night before the magnificent din ing room of the Commercial Club, where only a few months ago Presi dent Wilson was a guest, witnessed a gathering, unprecedented and un paralleled anywhere else in the United States, he could have under stood the spirit and enthusiasm of melody arose from those splendid voices it was felt that every one had said his grace. Ellsworth W. Pryor, the famous steward of this famous club, and his able assistants had provided the fol lowing menu, to which the men did justice: Cream of tomato. Olives. Ripe olives. Fried spring chicken. Duchess potatoes. Com fritters. Individual ice cream. Assorted cake. Small coffee. Cigars and cigarettes. With his usual artistic ingenuity Mr. Pryor sprang a surprise in hav ing for the individual ice cream busts of Abraham Lincoln. While the dinner was ip progress a splendid program, prepared under the direction of Mr. Dan Desdunes and Mr. Will Lewis, was given. It consisted of vocal solos by Miss Pearl Ray, Mr. Levi Broomfield and Mrs. James G. Jewell; a saxaphone solo by Mrs. L. L. Gaines; a singing and dancing specialty by Mr. W. H. Perry, better known as “Mr. Jazz Himself”; a number by the Capital Quartet; a piano solo by Mrs. Flor entine F. Pinkston and selections by the Desdunes - Adams orchestra. Every number was enthusiastically encored. ON THE WAY TO WHIP THE KAISER the men who entrained for Funston i and the seething patriotism of the hundreds who had come to wish them Godspeed. It is the Omaha spirit, the spirit of true democracy. Friday night, October 26, the Col ored men of Omaha, ninety in num ber, who had been chosen by the se lective draft for the national army, with the commissioned officers from Des Moines, who were then in the city; the Colored clergy and officials of the exemption board, were the special guests of the Commercial Club at a banquet given in their honor. Upon their arrival the men were graciously met by Robert H. Manley, the commissioner, and Mr. Ellis, the assistant commissioner of the club, and placed at their ease. The beauti fully appointed rooms, without re striction, were placed at their dis posal and they were told to make I themselves at home, which they did without the slightest hint at the vio lation of a single privilege. At the appointed hour each detach ment entered the dining hall and marched to the places reserved for them to the stirring music of the Desdunes-Adams orchestra, which had volunteered its services for the occasion. This is also true of the large corps of waiters and other help who provided for the w'ants of the guests. A temporary platform was erected in the center of the spacious room, upon which the orchestra was seated and from which the excellent program was given. Opposite this there was a table re served for the officers, clergy and other distinguished guests. Seated at this table were General John C. Cowin, a veteran of the civil war and one of Nebraska’s most eminent citi zens; Captain Thomas Rucker; Lieu tenants Barrows, Pinkett, Peebles, Madison, Turner and Bundrant, and the Rev. Messrs. Botts, Bradford, Taggart and Wilkinson. The Rev. Dr. Logun and the Rev. John Albert Williams were also present, but seat ed at other tables. Father Williams was asked to say grace. He asked the men to stand and sing “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,” and as the General John C. Cowin, a distin guished civil war veteran, was intro duced and stirred his sympathetic audience to enthusiasm by his earnest words. He said in part: “Comrades, my comrades, it is a pleasure for me to be with you and break bread with you tonight. I asked for the privilege of being with you for I know the worth of the Col ored soldier. In the days of the civil war we stood side by side. We ate together; we fought together. Our blood mingled on the battle field all one color, red blood, not a drop of yellow in it. You couldn’t find a streak of yellow in it with a telescope or a microscope. We were all com rades without distinction of race or color. And so it should be today. You are to be American soldiers, sus taining the traditions of American soldiers, and you are going to do it. I will place the conduct of the Col ored soldier beside that of the white soldier any day and it will not suffer by the comparison/ Yod are going to help silence the slacker and pacifist. Their breed will be extinct after this war. Your departure for the train ing camp to be groomed into Ameri can soldiers means that you are going to defend the noblest principles known to man and like the gallant soldier of your race at the battle of Nashville, we know that when the colors are en trusted to you, you will be able to say, “The old flag never touched the ground.” May God bless you.” Lieutenant H. J. Pinkett gave a fit ting response to General Cowin, in which he said that as Colored soldiers had borne themselves valorously in every conflict in the past, so now they would do their part to drive autocracy from the world. The Rev. John Albert Williams was the last speaker. He complimented the Commercial Club on the patriotic and democratic stand it had taken in an historic, unprecedented and unpar alleled event; and said that it would enhearten the men who had been call ed to the colors as nothing else could have done. He assured the men that the love and interest and prayers of the community would follow them and that money and means were being massed to sustain them. He knew that sent forth as they were with the bless ing of the city they would comport themselves with honor as Christian soldiers and gentlemen. The “Star Spangled Banner,” sung with patriotic fervor, closed this never-to-be-forgotten event at the Commercial Club. A reception followed at the beauti ful Dreamland hall. Early Saturday morning the men with many friends assembled at the court house. At 8 o’clock, headed by the First Regimental Band, Dan Des dunes leader, and accompanied by friends on foot and in automobiles, the parade to the Union depot started. Early as it was, hundreds applauded as they marched to the station, where hundreds had preceded them. Here farewells were said. The men board ed two special cars each decorated with large American flags. Some one had chalked on each car above the flag the words: “To Berlin or Bust;” “Goob-bye to the kaiser.” While the Missouri Pacific train was being held for eastern connections, the splendid band played patriotic airs. At nine o’clock the train pulled out while the band played “America” and the crowd cheered and waived good-bye. And so with mingled tears and fer vent “Good-bye, boys, God bless you!” Omaha proudly sent forth her first offering of her sons of color, loyal hearted, brave and true, to help win and save democracy for the world. Reception and Dance At Dreamland Hall Friday, October 26, 1917, will long stand out in the memory of Omaha people as one of the saddest, and yet one of the most pleasant days of their lives. Sad, because of the departure of the first contingent of conscripted Negroes, and pleasant, because of the whole-souled and unstinted enthusi asm and good cheer given to the de parting men. Two events stand out as particu larly worthy of mention on this day. One was the banquet given by the Commercial Club (which is described in another part of this issue), and the other was the reception and dance given by Dr. Craig Morris, now Lieu tenant Morris, of the Dental Reserve Corps, and his sister, Mrs. Grace Hut ten. This reception was given in honor of Mr. Elmer Morris, brother of the host and hostess, the newly commis sioned officers from Camp Des Moines, and the other drafted men from Omaha. It was indeed a pretty climax to the banquet given at the Commercial Club. The beautiful Dreamland Hall with its polished floor and exquisite decorations, was an ideal background for the charming fem ininity and stalwart manhood as sembled there. The sturdy khaki uni forms of the officers were in distinct contrast to the dainty costumes of the ladies, yet neither one cast its shadow upon the other, but each served to moderate the other, so that both be came as parts of an harmonious whole. During the festivities, the conscript ed men were addressed by Mr. Howard H. Baldridge, a prominent attorney and chairman of the Commercial Club committee on military affairs, and Adjutant General Clapp, both of whom were unfortunately detained from at tending the banquet at the Commercial Club. Mr. Baldridge gave the men a most encouraging talk and in the name of the business men of Omaha, bade them God-speed and good luck. Adjutant General Clapp extended a most sincere and hearty welcome to Uncle Sam’s most dependable allies —the drafted Negroes. Music was furnished by Green’s or chestra, and during intermission the Capitol Quartette rendered several ex cellent vocal numbers. The three hundred guests present were lavish in their praises of the capable management of the details of the reception. Truly, too many con gratulations could not be given Dr. Morris and his sister, for their thoughtfulness and generosity in un dertaking, at their own expense, to entertain their brother and all other men who were called to the colors. The happiness of that evening will al ways be a source of pleasure when these men sit around the camp-fire and dream of the days “back home,” and many a sigh of thanks will be drawn for the host and hostess of that last dance at home. In point of numbers, beauty and genuine pelasure, it was the most suc cessful and most brilliant function of the year; and will long hold its place as an inspiration to the social life of our people in the city. Finds Leavenworth Interesting Town Atchison Also Attractive. Topeka Alert and Progressive. State Of ficials are Courteous. IMPRESSED BY CAMP FUNSTON To the Readers of The Monitor: Left Kansas City Monday the 22nd, for Leavenworth on the interurban. , Found it to be a very quiet, yet im posing little town; imposing because of the institutions surrounding it; the great federal prison and fort at Leavenworth which is now quite a lively place, the war college being established there, a detachment from the 9th and 19 cavalry is stationed there doing striker duty. Leavenworth has a number of pro fessional and business men who were quite pleasant to meet and chat with. Stayed the day and night and on the next morning I went to Atchison where the bad weather overtook me, causing a delay of two days in my schedule. Atchison is a good field for a good newspaper, and I was fortunate in es tablishing an agency there in charge of W. A. Covington, a very prominent race man and capable worker. Arrived in Topeka 10:10 Thursday night and found lodging in a very comfortable rooming house on 3rd and Kansas Ave. Was out early the next morning shaking hands and get ting acquainted and pushing the Mon itor, which met with some favor among the professional and business men. I also visited the capitol, inter viewed the governor, secretary of state, and state auditor. Was well received by all three of the gentle men. Mr. Botkin, secretary of state, impressed me most, being of that large, agreeable, broad minded and liberal spirited and genial type of westerner that we read about so much. Governor Capper, of course, is a very sedate and courteous gentleman, able executive and also a capable news paper man, being the editor of the leading local daily, The Topeka Cap ital. Spent the afternoon in the county court house. Well pleased with the race representation th«re: Mr. John Wright, deputy county treasurer; Mr. H. I. Monroe, deputy county clerk; C. C. Lytle, deputy marshal, and J. J. Holman, deputy sheriff. Left Sat urday morning for Manhattan, Camp Funston and Junction City. From a military standpoint, Camp Funston is one of the most impres sive spots in America. As a man stands upon the station platform and watches train load after train load of young men in the prime of early man hood unload from numerous incoming trains and watches them as they in their different ways cross the sta tion platform and crowd toward the entrance gate, some with boistrous, noisy manner, some in a slow moving regretful way, you wonder just what each one’s thoughts are; but the mo ment they arrive in the vicinity of the gate and that commanding voice rings out, “halt,” you can see each one straighten and you can recognize that they are all thinking of the same thing: the beginning of their life as a soldier in the service of their coun troy. As they are ordered to advance to the office, there to be received in due form, the boistrousness is gone, the loud talking is gone, the careless manner of walk and speech is gone and also the slow, regretful step and look has disappeared, and only that bright, intensified gaze that comes to the eyes of the true patriot is appar ent; and then you realize how easy it is for Uncle Sam to raise an army of either one million or ten million men. I find it is time to leave. The train is going back to Topeka. No ac commodations at Junction City, they are overcrowded already, so back to Topeka I come, failing to be able to wait and welcome the boys from my home town. I spent Sunday in Topeka, attending church services in the morning and as the guest of the civic forurn in the afternoon, a body of representa tive race men of Topeka who are do ing a great thing in that city. Made my headquarters at the office of the Topeka Plaindealer and was cordially welcomed and received by Mr. Ira Smith, foreman of the press depart ment, and Miss Edna Greene, sten ographer and business manager. Thanks to them both. Leaving for Newton, Kansas, bright and early Monday morning. Until next week, I am FRED C. WILLIAMS,