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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1918)
r=ri the monitor n=n _—,-1 <>, - ..■■■ A National Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Colored Americans \ /4*j THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor '■*o, -—---—-—-- \ - $1.50 a Year. 5c a Copy _OMAHA. NEBRASKA, FEBRUARY 23, 1918 Vol. III. No. 34 U Jo. 137) A Wonderful Day at Camp Logan And Some Interesting Farts Concern ing Colonel Franklin A. Dennison and His Remarkable Career. BY FRED C. WILLIAMS. HOUSTON, Tex., Feb. 22.—A poe; once said, ‘‘Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them.” That some achieve greatness is eminently true of the central figure in this article—Colonel Franklin A. Dennison of the 370th Infantry, U. S. A., formerly the Eighth Illinois Na tional Guards. I say “great” because I have some personal knowledge of this man’s ca reer. He is a Texan, born in the city of San Antonio, where he received his first teachings and the foundation for his education at the hands of a benevo lent Quakeress. At an early age young Frank, as he was called by every one, being the oldest boy of a widowed mother, with a large family to sup port, found that he had to go to work. It being up to him to choose his voca tion he chose the blacksniithing trade, and as he stood at his anvil from day to day, whipping the sledge under the ! direction of his tutor, and afterwards ! as he progressed in knowledge of the finer points of blacksmithing, he was j ever restless and he found that his ambition was directed higher than the ' forge. He was a constant reader—that is, i he read everything he could get—the free almanacs distributed by the drug stores, the scraps? of newspapers and a copy of the Congressional Record, brought to him sometimes by a friend, was to him the most interesting of all. He even read as he ate his noonday lunch, seated on the work-day bench ^ in that old sheetiron smithy shop, just on the bunk of the San Antonio river. Behind the court house, a visit to which by Frank on the day of a big sensational trial, when everybody hud a half-holiday to hear the arguments of the eloquent lawyers for which the South is renowned, was the turning point in young Frank’s career. He realized he was destined for the law. He had worked hard and saved his earnings, and with the help of a few friends started for Howard university, where he finished in the allotted time; took a post-graduate course at Lincoln Law School and landed in Chicago. His only assets were his nerve and his ambition, which was a strong de termination to climb as high on the ladder of success as any one man was able, to be better able to fight the bat tle of his race. As I sat in the tent of the K. O. (that is military slang foi* ■“colonel”) and listened to this strong and aggressive man speak in deep yet well modulated tones, I was much im pressed with the words that he had just finished speaking. “Yes, Williams, I am the only race man in command of a regiment in the service of the United States,” he said. “Because I am first a Christian, next an American, a Texan by birth, an illinoisian by adoption—the last to whom I am more than grateful—I am determined that they shall not regret the trust they have reposed in me.” For wherever the old Eighth goes you can bet she will make good from the K. O. down to the last buck pri vate. As I stood in front of his tent and the music of the regimental band floated across the parade grounds, where guard mount was being set up, I thought of this man’s early ambi tions and determination, and in fine I , can say, like many others, he has grown great and is great and will be greater. His last words when we shook hands in parting were: “God bless you and be with >ou till we meet again!” which I hope will be when this cruel war is over and he shall be greater. Colonel, I salute you! SELECT MEN AT CAMP SHER MAN TO BE TRANSFERRED Rockford, 111.—Two thousand Negro soldiers are to be transferred from Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, O., to Camp Grant, according to announce ment here recently. They will bo assigned to the 183d Brigade of Negro troops. Y. M. C. A. BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION Columbus, O.—Work has been start-* ed on the Colored barnch of the Y. M. C. A. here. The new building and site will cost $115,000 when com pleted. HOSTESS HOUSE FOR SOLDIERS A Suitable Quarters Where Colored Soldiers May Entertain Female Relatives and Friends. _ Atlanta, Ga.—During his visit to [Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Em mett J. Scott, special assistant to the [ secretary of war, announced to a com mittee of Colored citizens who are co operating with the war auxiliary com mimttee, that a hostess house has been provided by the YoungWomen’sChris tian association for the benefit of Col ored troops stationed at Camp Gordon and their female relatives who visit them from time to time. This hostess house will offer oppor tunities for the Colored soldiers to meet their female relatives under dig nified and comfortable circumstances. The announcement that this hostess house is to be provided has brought very great pleasure and satisfaction to the Colored citizens of Atlanta and vicinity. Proud Father of Thirty-Five this Patriotic Colored Citizen Has Fourteen Brave, Brawny Sons in Service of Uncle Sam. BEATS ROOSEVELTEAN IDEAL Who Dare Deny That John Borden is Doing His Hit to Defeat the Kaiser? /GOLDSBORO, N. C.—During the ViF progress of a divorce case in the superior court, which is engaged in the trial of civil actions, on Wednes day of last week, in which John Bor den, a well known Colored farmer of this county, was a witness for the plaintiff, a startling revelation of facts was brought out which elicited the attention of th' court and amused the spectators and caused the attor neys to “sit up and take notice.” In the course of the cross-examina tion, while Borden was on the witness stand, Judge Wheedbee, in a spirit of fun, asked him if he wanted to marry the woman after she got a divorce, or, in other words, was he trying to help her to get divorce in order that he might marry her? This question, which Borden answer ed in the negative, gave the old man an opening and he didn’t fail to taka advantage of the opportunity, and for a few minutes he held the undivided attention of his audience, while the judge recorded his remarkable story', which we give below, owing to out" limited time and space, in as con densed form as possible. Borden, in answer to the judge’s question, as noted above, said that he had been married three times,his third wife being still living; that he was the j father of thirty-five children, fifteen by his first wife, twelve by his second ; wife and eight by his present wife; ! that his first wife gave birth to four boys each time for three times, mak ing a total of twelve, and at one time i bus second wife presented him with three boys and one girl. Concluding he said that twenty seven of his children were still living, the youngest being only 22 months old, and that he had fourteen sons in Uncle Sam’s army. He said that he was 02 years of age. If thus old man hasn’t “done his bit” toward raising Uncle Sam an army then we’ll give it up. FIRE DESTROYS HISTORIC DETROIT CHURCH (Special to The Monitor.) Detroit, Mich.—The Second Baptist Church, situated on Monroe avenue, and one of the landmarks of this city, was destroyed by fire Wednesday night, February 13. The church ha3 a membership of 2,000, being the larg est Colored congregation in the city. The church was organized 78 years ago and the property is valued at $75,000. The probability is that the church will be rebuilt on a new site. $50,000 HOME FOR POOR Kansas City, Mo.—On Tuesday, February 12th, a delegation of repre sentative Colored citizens called to the County Farm beyond the Little Blue to meet the Judges of the Cpunty Court and the County Architect and discuss the plans and select the site for locating the new county home for aged and infirm Negroes of Jackson county. The proposed building is to be strictly up-to-date and modern and will cost $50,000.00. “Sam,” or “Somewhere in France” As Recited by J. Homer Tutt of “The Smarter Set”; the Feature of the New Show, “My People.” — (Mr. Tutt has just been handed a telegram informing him of his pal, “Sam’s,” death “Somewhere in France.”) rAEAD! Dead! I feel like saying, “I told you so!” Of course he was one of the first ones to go. He was one of those chaps that must be in front In every scrap, and there stand the brunt Of the bitterest fighting! You bet he was game! If the battle was lost he was never to blame. I begged him to stay, but he would take the chance. And now—he is dead—“Somewhere in Fi ance.” Dead, Somewhere in France! O the pity, the shame; Just one of the millions that’s over there slain. But there’ll come a reck’ning and some one must pay, For a just God has said to us, “Thou shalt not slay.” « CAM was not one of the commonplace kind; ^ He was one in a million so seldom we find. His face shone bright with the glory of youth; Upright his actions, his lips spoke the truth. Either study or play he engaged with a vim ; He discounted failure, for he knew he would win. There was never an “exam” that Sam did not pass— Seemed to have a term’s lease on the head of the class. We were all proud to follow when Sam set the pace; Who contested with him had to take second place. There was none envied Sam for his rapid advance; And now—he is dead—Somewhere in—France! I WAS his pal and the first one to know ^ He would answer the summons—to me ’twas a blow. I tried to dissuade him, but I knew ’twas no use; He just smiled at my pleading, ignored my abuse. I said he was crazy and had not the right To forsake his people and enter this fight. Yes, I was disloyal, but my heart was with Sam When I said that this country cared not a damn For him or his service. “Why, the black in your face Is a sign of dishonor, a badge of disgrace!” Then the look in his eyes was determined and fine; The same courage he showed when bucking the line And bowlin’ ’em over—yes, making them roll Aside from his path until he placed the goal. 44jV/TY COUNTRY has called—1 am not asking why?” And then he continued: “ 'Tis little care I What some people may say, or how others define My race or my color—this country is mine! My people earned title by the sweat of their brow, .In factory and field; ’tis my heritage now. For Liberty Crispins Attucks’ was the first blood to spill; Peter Salem fought bravely at old Bunker Hill; Many black men died fighting down at New Orleans With brave Andrew Jackson, back of his cotton bale screens. The brave Tenth at San Juan and gory Carrazal Is a record of glory, a tale known to all. Through no crisis in history that this country has fared, No struggle, nor conflict, that my race has not shared.” I can still hear him speaking, see the fire in his glance; And now—he is dead—Somewhere in France! HE died while in action. This tells of the fight, Of the brilliant charge made in the gray morning light; How they rushed from their trenches; nor rifle, nor shell, Could stay their mad rush. Good God, it was hell! Sam carried the flag; in the front was his place. “Come on, boys!” he shouted. “For your country and race!” Rifle, shrapnel nor shell could those gallant boys stay; Demoralized, the enemy fled in dismay. Sam carried the flag to their works’ highest crest, Then fell when a rifle ball pierced through his breast. He fell, but he kept the old flag waving high, ’Till ’twas grasped by a comrade who was fighting nearby. And these w'ords were the last his lips ever gave sound: “Boys, I nevek once let the old flag touch the ground!” A NDI called him a fool! But never again. ^*‘Such heroes as Sam was cannot die in vain. He died for his country, not forgetting his race, And when history is writ Sam’s name will have place With other black men, who will as gallantly die For their country as he, and never ask why. And America must remember such heroes as Sam, Nor reckon their COLOR, but remember the MAN; For our heroes have died, be it thus understood, For One Country, One People and One Brotherhood. SALEM TU.TT WHITNEY. 610 North Thirty-ninth Street, Philadelphia. WILLIAM H. SKEENE DIES Boston, Mass.—William H. Skeene, grand secretary of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Massa chusetts, well known to the Masonic fraternity of the United States and also a race leader of this state, is dead. CHILDREN MAKE A RECORD Atlanta, Ga.—The Atlanta school children have made a magnificent showing during the two weeks of the campaign for sales of the thrift stamps, when they sold $200,000 worth of stamps to the citizens of Atlanta. RELIEF FOR O U R SOLDIERS’ FAMILIES Little Rock, Ark.—The Colored wo men of Arkansas are responding nobly to the appeal of the National Colored Soldiers’ Comfort committee at Wash ington for funds to relieve the distress of the familmies of the Colored sol diers recently hanged and imprisoned for life at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Colored women of this state feel that those men suffered for the race and that they met their tragic end in de fense of Colored womanhood. RIOTERS AND MURDERERS GET OFF CHEAPLY I — Belleville, 111., Feb. 14.—Cornelius Meehan and Cornelius Hickey, former police officers of East St. Louis, 111., pleaded guilty in the circuit court to charges of rioting in connection with the East St. Louis race riots of last July. Each was fined $50. Hickey formerly was night chief of police. Al bert Lee Wilson also pleaded guilty and was fined $50. The state dismissed charges of riot ing and conspiracy against Henry Coombs and John Haley and a murder charge against James O’Brien, former policeman. All these are white. Tennessee Burns Its Third Victim Reasonable to Believe That Huns Are Horrified and Turks Terror-Stricken by Reports Reaching Them of i American Atrocities. THE WHOLE COUNTRY GUILTY ______ Just as Long as These Barbarous Out- ! rages Are Permitted to Continue j Through National Indifference. _ E' STILL SPRINGS, Tenn., Feb. 13, ■t—A mob estimated at several'thou sand people, burned Jim Mcllherron at the stake here yesterday after forcing from him the usual confession (?) by J the application of red hot irons. Trouble began when three whits men were killed in a running duel with the Colored man. There were no eye witnesses to the tragedy, which took j place in a deserted part of the town,! and no one seems able to establish the cause. A mob of infuriated citizens was hastily formed and started in pur suit of Mcllherron. When the posse, whoso numbers had been augmented by many hnudreds, on its dash for vengeance, reached Prairie, a Colored settlement twelve miles east of here, they suspected their quarry had spent the night with the pastor of the church located there. An attempt was made to arrest Rev. Mr. Lynch for thus aid ing the fugitive, whereupon the preacher got down his old musket and fired into the mob, injuring several seriously, if not mortally. He was in turn overpowered and shot to death. | They came upon Mcllherron several miles away at McMirville, where he put up a brave battle, but being out numbered by 1,000 to one was forced to surrender. Another mob of a thou- | sand persons met the train on which he was brought back here. A sister of one of the victims addressed the crowd, denounced his slayer and called for summary vengeance. The prisoner was then taken out of town, chained to a tree, where red hot irons were ap- | plied to his body in order to extort the usual confession. He was then burned to death. The mob-Crazed people collected the charred bones of the victim for sou veniors. This was the third burning of Negroes in which Tennessee has engaged within the past eight months, the others being at Memphis and Dyersburg. PRIVATE JOHN BURNETT DIES IN FRANCE Topeka, Kas.—John C. Burnett of Topeka, reported among the dead in France by General Pershing, is a Col ored man. He had been a waiter in hotels here until last summer, when he enlisted in one of the stevedore regiments recruited for service in France. He leaves a wife and mother in Topeka. Colored Man s Big Opportunity To Continue Trade and Serve Coun try; Tailors, Canvas Men and Leather Workers Needed at Once; Good Pay; Rapid Advancement. CAMP FUNSTON, Kan,, Feb. 16.— The vast amount of leather and canvas goods used by the army is in constant need of repair. One of the chief functions of the Ordnance De partment, Ninety-second Division, is to take care of this kind of work, con sequently skilled Colored men who have been leather workers, saddlers or harness men, tailQrs or canvas men are urgently needed in the ordnance detachmetns which will accompany the Ninety-second Division (all Color ed troops). Furthermore, an excellent oppor tunity is offered to Colored men skill ed in the above trades to become non commissioned officers. It is planned to promote rapidly those who qualify to fill the existing vacancies. The pay for the enlisted man w'ill vary from $30 a month for private to $51 a month for ordnance sergeant. Those applicants who are accepted will have the advantage of a course of instruction varying from fifty to sev enty days at government expense at the various schools established for that purpose, and upon completion will rejoin their units. No previous military experience is necessary and any one of military age can volunteer. Applications are now being received and those interested should communi cate at once with division ordnance officer, Ninety-second Division, Camp Funstion, stating full name, educa-t tion, trade, qualifications, previous civil experience, with name or names of employers, and also name and num ber of local drafting board. Letters of recommendations should accom pany the application. As the mobile shop is rapidly reaching its enlisted strength no delay should be incurred in order to assure favorably action on your application. All correspondence should be ad dressed to Lieutenant J. L. Butler, Ninety-second Division Headquarters, Camp Funston, Kansas. NATIONAL SOLDIERS COMFORT COMMITTEE INCORPORATED AS PERMANENT BODY Washington, D. C.—The National Colored Soldiers Committee has been incorporated as a permanent organi zation, under the laws of Congress here. Under its incorporation it can contribute to the relief of any and all worthy charities and charity institu tions as well as for the relief of de pendents of Colored soldiers. It incor porated with Prof. Kelly Miller^ dean at Howard University, president; J. C. Napier, banker, treasurer, and Ralph W. Tyler, the well known news paper writer, as national secretary in charge of the campaign for funds and membership. MISS WATERS GETS POSITION AT HOWARD Washinghton, I). C.—Miss Phyllis Wheatley Waters, the talented daugh ter of Col. and Mrs. Phil Waters, of Charleston, W. Va., has been appoint ed instructor of French in the De partment of Modem Languages of Howard University. Miss Waters is a graduate of the University of Mich igan, and throughout her course in the college and in the high school at Ann Arbor she was a favorite with teach ers hnd classmates. She has the dis tinction of being the first Colored girl in the history of the University of Michigan to win her letters in athlet ics, and for several terms was captain of the basketball team of the institu tion. She finished with high honors in the class of 1917. GREAT ARMY DEPOT TO BE ERECTED AT NORFOLK NEED 6,000 COLORED MEN Norfolk, Va.—Porter Bros., of Spo kane, Wash., contractors for the great army depot to be erected in this city, have opened offices at 300 Withers Building. They have announced that they need 12,000 men, and can use from five to six thousand Colored men in the work. MAY GO TO CAMP FUNSTON Camp Meade, Md.—It is understood here that the two Colored regiments in camp here, the 351st and 368th, will soon be ordered to Camp’Funs ton at Fort Riley, Kans.