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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (June 10, 1920)
i. -=• The Monitor l..= i A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS. _TH« RKV. JOHN ALBMT WILLIAMS. Mttac $2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, JUNE 10, 1920 Vol. V. No. 49 (WhoJe No. 258) WHEN OMAHA CAME TO DENVER I’rof. Dan Deadlines’ Brass Band of Omaha Thrd's Ten Thousand Music Lovers of **r at the Civic Cen ter Amphit. On Wednesday 'May 26) at 5 o’clock, the Omaha -s of the Chamber of Commerce'^ ‘maha j blew into Denver, headed At -of. I Dun DesdLnc.s' famous band o. j ha, and paiaded up Sixteenth s. eet from the depot. When the Negro band marched into Sixteenth street, followed by the Omaha Boosters, the people in the stores and the store keepers rushed to the sidewalk to see and hear that wonderful band that was playing such thrilling music as they had never heard before in Den ver. The pedestrians on the street, homeward bound from thir work, and the shoppers forgot ail about home and dinner and stopped. Some fol lowed along up the street to get a little more of that music. Many ex pressions of surprise and satisfaction were heard all along the line of marcn. On the comer of Sixteenth and Cur tis streets, the busiest comer in the city, quite a large crowd jammed and blocked the sidewalks, and some young girl, in giving expression to her de light, remarked, “Oh ain’t nature grand ? ” The Omaha Boosters are homeward bound from their tour of the West, and if they made the same impres sion in every city and town that they visited that they made in Denver by this great Negro band, Omaha is cer tainly well advertised. The climax of the Omaha Boosters’ visit came at 7:30 p. m. Wednesday at the civic center amphitheater when Prof. Dan Desdunes and his band gave an open-air concert, which was heard by 10,000 Denverites of all races, young and old. Unfortunately, it was .somewhat chilly for this time of year, but the thousands who were there were made warm, and instead of being chilled were thrilled by the sweet and excllnt music of this Negro ( band of Omaha. Mr. Jeff Smith, the comet soloist, was encored three times in apprecia tion of his masterful work with the comet. Mr. Levy Broomfield, who sang a solo, accompanied by the band, was also encored several times. The band and Professor Desdunes were roundly cheered and applauded after each selection. The daily papers mentioned this band as being a jazz band. Yes, It is, and then some. Their classical selec tions were above the average and have never been surpassed by any band in Denver or that ever came to Denver. Their jazz music is unequalled; they have uie tune, the spirit, the swing and everything that spells music. We take off our hats to Omaha and congratulate her upon having such a musical genius and band director as Prof. Dan Desdunes. Come again, boys, any old time.—The Colorado Statesman. SOUTH DISAPPOINTED NEGROES NOT RETURNING (By Associated Negro Press.) Rochester, N. Y., June 10.—The Armstrong association through its in dustrial secretary, A. L. Manning,, has just issued a statement on the "Migrant Negro” which outlines the causes for the migration of the Ne groes from the south to the north. Mr. Manning says that the most dis appointing thing to the south is the failure of the migrants to return to the former homes. It was confident ly predicted that one winter in the north would he sufficient to discour age them and that they would be writ ing and telegraphing for tickets for home. But, instead the recreants found themselves jobs, places to eat and sleep and then began to fit him self into the new order of things. In the earlier period of migration the newcomers were of the poorer, un educated and the more or less irre sponsible class. Since then, however, the better educated and more thrifty members have been coming and the situation has consequently, improved. HOY CHAMPION SPELLER (Bv Associated Negro Press.) Atlanta, Ga., June 10.—Raymond Lamar was returned the winner of the Atlanta Journal silver cup award ed to the best speller in the colored public schools. About sixtv boys and girls competed in the contest which lasted for one hour and twenty min utes. The test was held in the audi torium. A. Gerald Edwards. A. Gerald Edwards, son of Dr. and Mrs. A. G. Edwards, 2409 Erskine street, graduate of the college pre .uatoiv couise, University of Omaha. He is the first colored person to grad uate from this institution. He will enter the dental department of North western university, Chicago, 111. SORRELL WINS IN CONVENTION RACE Prominent and Highly Esteemed Pla queminian Elected Delegate - at - Large to Republican National Con vention—Choice Considered Excel lent One. CLEAN-HANDED AND TRUSTWORTHY MAN PLAQUEMINE, La., June 1.—At the republican state convention held in Alexandria, Eli W. Sorrell, of Plaquemine, was elected one of the delegates at large to the national con vention to be held at Chicago in June. While this was not altogether unex pected, since it was known the erst while Lily White faction of the party had settled upon him as a delegate, it was, nevertheless, an honor worthily bestowed since there is probably not a more clean-handed and trustworthy colored man in the state than Eli Sor rell, whose reputation as a good citi zen in this parish could well be envied by many white men. In years gone by Sorrell held several good positions of honor and trust under the federal government, and was at one time vice nresident of the hoard of trustees of Southern university. The board con sists of four colored and eight white men. Sorrell was appointed twice by Governor Blanchard and since by Gov ernors Sanders and Hall. JOHN S. DURHAM WILLS $150,000 TO HIS WIDOW Philadelphia, June 10.—The will of John S. Durham, the first colored man to be graduated from the Uni versity of Pennsylvania and a Phila delphian by birth, was admitted to probate recently by Register Sheehan. Mr. Durham left an estate valued at $150,000 to his widow, Constance Mc Kenzie Durham. He died in London October 16, 1919. Dr. Durham was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science at the university in 1886, and later entered the diplomatic service. He was consul to San Domingo in 1890, and later was made United States minister to Hayti by President Harrison. LAYING FOOD SHORTAGE ON BLACK GOAT (Rv Associated Negro Press.) Boston, Mass., June 10.—Refusal of Negroes to return to the farms in the south is said to be a large contrib uting factor to the threatening food shortage now impending in all sec tions of the country. A movement is to start here that will be used as one of the means to induce the south to change its attitude toward its Negro population. It is hoped that will’ lx an effective means to forestall the threatened "famine." INVADING EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCE SECTION (By Associated Negro Press.) New York, N. Y., June 10.—The Gold Realty company have sold a five story modem apartment to Gamer & Taylor, who intend to rent to colored tenants. This is the first invasion of one of New York's exclusive sections by colored people, and the white resi dents are said to be very indignant over the matter. UNWILLING TO BECOME OPULENT Dallas, Texas., June 10.—Robert Swan, a boll hoy in a local hotel, re cently refused a 50-cent tin when he returned $1,400 to a man who left the wallet on a writing desk of the lobby. MILLER SPEAKS AT COMMENCEMENT Virginia Theological Seminary and College Has Most Impressive Grad uation Exercises in History of In stitution. PROMINENT TEACHER GIVES PRACTICAL ADVICE (Special to The Monitor by Charles Stewart) YNCHBURG, Va., June 1.—At the commencement exercises of the Virginia Theological Seminary and college, this afternoon Dean Kelly Miller of Howard university, dis cussed "Manhood,” giving some good practical advice to the young people, pointing them the road to the goal through training of the mind. Tt was the largest commencement in the history of the institution, and people were here from all parts of the state, and a large number from other states. One of the features was the unveiling of a monument erected in honor of the first president of the institution, Gregory Willis Hayes. This was done by the alumni associa tion. Dr. A. A. Galvin, chairman of the trustee board, delivered an ad dress introducing the first theolog ical graduate, Dr. W. T. Hall, of Philadelphia, Pa., a successful pas tor and an intimate friend of Dr. Hayes for over 25 years. The Rev. Dr. S. T. Eldridge of Petersburg, delivered the baccalau reate serman Sunday, May 30, using as his theme “Ruilding for God.” He declared that in this world man’s duty was to build character, not alone for time, but for eternity. Tonight thirty-six received di plomas from the various departments of the college, and the address was delivered by Dr. Kelly Miller, dean of Howard university. Among other things, he said. "The institution of slavery placed all manly virtues in the possession of the white race and suppressed the Negro below the plane of noble In stincts and qualities. It was per fectly logical under this conception that the black man should be exploit ed for the honor and glory of his white lord and master but under the new democratic conception every man is supposed to develop and exercise th best powers within him for the enoblement of his own nature. Man is the greatest thing in the world. He is the crowning effort of creative energy. All of the forces of the uni verse ultimate in him. The lowest man in the world is worth more than all the world besides man. The chief aim of education is to emphasise on the recipient the potentiality, the dig nity, even the divinity of manhood. “If through the process of education we can inculcate this idea into the minds of the Negro youth, our prob lem will be on the way to solution. All freedom first exists in the state of mind. Fred Douglass was liber ated the moment he read the Colum bia Orator, which inspired in him freedom of mind. The removing of the shackles from his body was only an incident." ROLAND HAYES IN ENGLAND (By Associated Negro Press.) London, England, June 10.—Roland W. Hayes, the noted Negro tenor, ar rived here last Saturday from the United States. Mr. Hayes has out lined a concert tour of the British Isles, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and portions of Africa. He expects to make an extensive study of the origin of Negro music while in Africa. He will be absent from America about two years. WINS IN ARMY ESSAY CONTEST Atlanta, Ga., June 10.—To a young colored girl here, Mildred Adele. Bar field, 13 years old, a pupil of the Yonge street school, goes tlje honor of representing the Atlanta district in the United States army essay contest for papers on the subject, “What Are the Benefits of an Enlistment in the United States Army?” Mildred also gets a big silver cup, awarded by the war department, as a prize to each district winner, and the cash prize of $25 offered by the Atlanta Kiwanis club. NORFOLK CITIZENS FORM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Norfolk, Va., June 10.—Industrial and commercial activities have great ly increased in the city and business men are now endeavoring to organize a Chamber of Commerce. Plans for the organization were discussed at a mass meeting held under the auspices of the Norfolk Rusiness Men’s League. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT DROWNS Victor Williams, Assistant Scout Com mander and Choir Boy at St. Philip the Deacon, Succumbs to Cramp and Drowns at Carter Lake. CICTOR Williams, 18*-year-old high school student, was the first vic tim of drowning this year. He and three other boys went swimming in Carter Lake near the auto speedway Monday and Victor, who was taken suddenly with cramps, sank in eight feet of water and was drowned. His body was recovered Tuesday and taken to the Jones & Reed undertaking par lor. The lad was well beloved by ail who knew him and while in the city was under the guardianship of Mr. South of South & Thompson’s cafe. He was assistant scout commander and choir boy at the Church of St. Philip the Deacon. His relatives in Kansas City, Mo., were notified. SERIN’ THINGS AT NIGHT IN ALEXANDRIA. VA. Well, well, Alexandria, Va., spent one sleepless night—all because they had tried to lynch a colored prisoner. They compelled the humble and com pliant jailer and sheriff to allow them to search the jail. They did not find the Negro; he had been taken away. And then some one phoned from Washington that a mob of two hundred Negroes were plan ning to cross the Potomac and pay Alexandria a visit. Alexandria im mediately lost its nerves. To go after one Negro handcuffed and jailed was to be a picnic. But the idea of two hundred Negroes unhandcuffed and armed, was panic. There was the greatest excitement. All the town was stirred. Soldiers were sent for— soldiers can always be had when the white mob gets into distress. Every sort of weapon was displayed, from a pick-axe to a machine gun. The streets resounded with the tramp of arms and autos bristled with artil lery.. Alexandria kept sleepless eyes turned on the bridge-heads of the Po tomoc, and jumped every time a leaf rustled or a meteor flashed. Now, why was Alexandria so tol erant of the white mob and so afraid of the mere suggestion of a Negro mob? The nervous state of these white people at the prospect of a Negro mob much smaller than their own, ought to cause them to reflect on what must be the condition of the helpless colored folk when white mobs are holding the streets and every black face is for the time outlawed. The colored people have no soldiers to help them. This white mob had outraged the state and ravished civil ization by taking possession of the jail and upsetting law. But this same state, which had just been outraged, immediately rushed soldiers to the aid of these men when the mere imaginary ghost of a Negro counter mob filled the air. But the mob got at least one right’s dose of its own medicine. It suffered one whole night of “pre paredness” and of real “watchful waiting” and wakeful watching. The Negroes did not come. They had never planned to come. So far in the history of the United States Negroes have only mobbed and rioted on the defensive. As a group they always observe the law, except when they are forced back through despair to the more primary law of self-defense. “The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth.” Yes, and although the wicked flee when no man pursues, Alexandria proves that they can make much better time when they at least think that somebody is about to pur sue. WILLIAM PICKENS. New York City. GRADUATES OF CENTRAL HIGH Among the graduates of Central High who will be given their diplomas at the city auditorium Saturday night are Sabert Hanger, Ruth Jones and Dorothy Elizabeth Williams. The Misses Jones and Williams have made excellent records during their entire four year course, the latter having been on the honor roll successively for the last two years. Miss Jones has not yet decided what she will do. Miss Williams will enter the Nebras ka state university at Lincoln in the autumn. Mr. Hanger has not yet fully decided upon his career. GERMAN SCIENCE HAMPERED Rerlin, June 10.—The depreciation of the mark has dealt a stunning blow to German science, according to a statement bv Emil Abderhalden, food expert and professor of physiology at the University of Halle. Miss Rae Lee Middleton, Who leaves Friday to represent The Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in Okla homa and Texas. DUBOIS PLAYERS PLEASE LARGE AUDIENCE Local Dramatic Club Presents “Test ing Fire” and Wins Well Deserved Commendation—Entire Cast Does Excellent Work. Brandeis theatre was filled with a record attendance last Thursday night when the DuBois Players, a local dra matic organization, presented a melo drama, entitled “Testing Fire,” under the direction of Andrew T. Reed and the management of Mrs. James G. Jewell for the benefit of St. John's A. M. E. church. The acting was ex cellent, and the play was well staged. So well was each character adapted to the impersonator and so proficiently did each act his part that it is diffi cult to single out any member of the cast as a star. The scene is laid in France, during the latp war, and the prologue opens at the cottaee of John Renaud, a sol dier, near the firing line; scene sec ond of which being the camp of a regiment behind the lines. The play proper, which comprises four acts, centers around the Chauteau de Au beterre and the Hotel D’Aubeterre. The star role, that of John Renaud, was taken by John Otis Wood, and was artistically done; Madeline Re naud, his wife, and Adrienne, their little daughter, were impersonated by Mrs. Cecelia W. Jewell and Miss Ruth Washington, who took their respec tive parts with excellent taste and poise. Miss Washington in her role as a child of eight years deserves especial mention. John R. Lemme as Duge D’Aubeterre was made for this part. He took it well, and was ably supported by Mrs. Fannie Russell, who impersonated the haughty Duch ess D’Aubeterre. Mrs. Pearl Alexan der, as Adrienne, age 20, loooked and acted the part to perfection. As Count de Moray, the villain, Andrew T. Reed was at his best and divided hon ors with the star. Cecil Alexander, as Dennis O'Rourke the Irish valet, was fine. Corinne Thomas made a good Valentine de Moray and Jesse L. Peoples, as Viscount de Langley; Eva Peoples as college matron; Ed ward Turner, as Captain Wolfe and Gerald Edwards, in the dual parts of Joseph a servant, and sergeant of the guard, all sustained their parts well. It was an excellent and well-balanced cast. No better amateur acting has ever been seen in this city. It would hav done credit to professionals. Interspersed with the play were musical numbers by the Harmony and Excelsior quartets; Roscoe Miller; a violin solo by Maceo Williams, and a solo by Iena Mays-Currv, all of which were artistic and pleasing. ^^________ "'r "*r WELL REPRESENTED IN CITY GOVERNMENT (By Associated Negro Press.) Cleveland, Ohio., June 10.—A re recent canvass of the colored men and women holding lucrative positions in the city government reveals that the race is drawing about $350,000 an nually in salaries from the city. Dr. .T. T. Suggs, Alexander Taylor and Thomas W. Fleming are among the prominent men who are holding places of trust and honor. PROVIDING NEW SCHOOL. (By Associated Negro Press.) Rock Hill, S. C., June 10.—A new school building is being erected for Negro children in this city. The structure will be readv for use bv the opening term of 1920-21. The schools are now being conducted in the churches of this district. Some stones of life should not only be screened, they should be covered. INDIAN CLAIMS RICH OIL MAN’S ESTATE William Cowan Lowery, Who Was Generally Considered a Negro But Who is of Indian and White Par entage, Claims to Be the Son of Late President of Standard Oil Company of Indiana. ALLEGES CAN PROVE CLAIM TO SHARE OF $3,000,000 □ELEYVILLE, Mo., June 10.— William Cowan Lowery, who says he is the son of the late William b. Cowan, president of the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, by Cowan’s common law marriage with a full blooded Indian woman from the Choc taw and Creek tribes, affirms he is certain he can prove his claim to a share. at least of Cowan’s $3,000,000 estate. Lowery lives in the Negro district of Neelyville, and with his dark com plexion and straight black hair has been regarded as a Negro since he came here a year ago. According to Lowery's story, Cowan met his mother—who was traveling with a tent show in Illinois—forty two years ago, and they lived to gether as man and wife for several years. His mother is now dead. “I met my father twice,” he said, “the first time right after my moth er’s death, when I went to see him because she told me to. I told him about my mother and he gave me $500. In 1916 I went to Chicago to see him and told him I wanted to buy a farm. He asked me how much I would need and I told him about $6,000. He finally gave me $4,675 and told me to go down to Neelyville, saying I might strike oil. At the same time he said to me, ‘I will make provision for you in my will.’ ” Until his mother told him, just be fore she died, he says, he was ignor ant of his father’s identity. Lowery married a Negro woman, who died in Neelyville on November 13 last. They had two sons, one of whom, Abraham, was killed in France. LOUISIANA FARMER BECOMES MILLIONAIRE Colored Planter Has Several Large Producing Oil Wells on His Land From Which He Will Receive Princely Royalties—Charles Jack son Becomes Rich Overnight. SOME OTHERS ARE EQUALLY FORTUNATE SHREVEPORT, La., June 10.— Charley Jackson is a millionaire. His little farm, located in 24-21-8, in Claiborne parish, now has many pro ducing wells on it, some of them be ing among the largest producers in the Homer field. Two of the wells were drilled by George Baird, each having a produc tion of approximately 5,000 barrels, and the Louisiana Oil & Refining Cor poration, the Arkansas,Natural Gas company and others have some of the best producers that have been drilled in the shallow sand in the Homer field. Still others are being drilled, and no dry holes have yet resulted on Jackson’s land. This is only one instance of the sudden transposition of a Negro from the class of a poor farmer to a mil lionaire oil man. Two others can be mentioned in connection with the de velopment of the wonderful field in Claiborne parish. One of these is William Chatman, who Is drawing a good fat check each month from roy alties for oil produced on his land, and William Hardy, another Negro, upon whose land the rost Oil com pany has four wells, which it is re ported were recently sold for $1, 500,000. BUREAU REPORTS 15,342 SETS OF TWINS BORN Washington, June 10.—The census bureau furnishes the interesting: in formation that 16,342 sets of twins and 147 sets of triplets were bom in the United States in 1918. Monitor Phone Douglas 3224