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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 1920)
—■ I 'T'ttt? M n XT ITA1? I ~ I I X ni/ lVlVXiN 11 UK I A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS ___THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor $3.00 a Year. 10c a Copy_OMAHA, NEBRASKA. DECEMBER 30, 1920 _Vol. Vi. No, 27 (Whole No. 287) We Wish You a Happy and Prosperous New Year DR. BUNDY GRANTED NEW 'M . BY COURT Brave East St. Loiu 'v t Who Protected Race in Horrible Massacre and Wa v* -ed to Life Imprisonment for Con spiracy to Murder °^. Released on Supersedas Bond, Given Favorable Dec. 1 Liberty on $25,000 Bond Dur ing Pendency of Case. SENTENCE FOR LIFE IS REVERSED High Court of Illinois Rules That Errors in Trial Justify Reversal of Original Court and Therefore Remands Case to the Mon roe County Court—Triumph for Bundy’s Attorneys—Race Throughout Country Contributed to Defense Fund—Dr. Bundy Given Ovation in Omaha I^ist July When He Made Most Favorable Impression —Courtesy Omaha Daily Bee MRS. CHARLES OFFUTT Chairman of the Y. W. C. A. Committee on Colored Work (Special to The Monitor) Ol'KINGFIELD, 111., Dec. 30.—A fa ^ vorable decision was rendered here Monday, December 20, in the fa mous case of Dr. Leroy N. Bundy, former East St. Louis dentist, who was sentenced March 28, 1919. to life imprisonment for conspiracy to mur der, in connection with the East St. Louis massacre in which semes of Negroes, men, women and children were done to death with unbelievable brutality at the hands of a white mob July 2 and 3, 1917. Dr. Bundy, who urged his people to protect them selves, was charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the kill ing of two detectives during the riots. He fled to Ohio and fought extradi tion until passion had cooled. The governor of Ohio refused to surrender him to Illinois, until Illinois had de posited $500,900 with the state of Ohio as a guarantee for Dr. Bundy’s safe s conduct. He was tried at Waterloo, 111., one of the most prejudiced towns in Illinois, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The supreme court of Illinois here Monday reversed the decision of the lower court and granted the dentist a new trial, declaring that errprs were contained in the verdict, which sen tenced him to life imprisonment at his trial at Waterloo, 111., almost two years ago. A special telegram from court officials at Springfield and per sonal friends of the dentist in this city informed him of the court’s findings. Dr. Bundy is now practicing dentistry in Cleveland, O. Make $25,000 Bond Chief Justice Orin N. Carter of the state supreme court ordered the re lease of Dr. Bundy from the southern Illinois penitentiary on Friday, March 19, last, pending the disposal of an appeal to that court. The dentist had completed several months of a sen tence to life for murder in connec tion with the slaying of Detectives Coppege and Wodley (white) of the East St. Louis police force. The court made the bond $25,000, pending final disposition of the case. Writ if* Heard Attorneys Hueston and Calloway of Kansas City, Mo., represented Dr. Bundy at the time, and obtained his release on a writ of supersedas. Chief Justice Carter, who at the request of Justice Duncan, also a member of the supreme court, heard the application and passed upon the proceedings. In granting the release Chief Justice Car ter said: "It appears to me, upon due consid eration of the record and abstract thereof, and the brief and argument of counsel, that there is serious and pre judicial error in the record of the crime of which he stands convicted and upersedeas is herein granted.” Trial at Waterloo It is charged that at the time of the Bundy trial at Waterloo, 111., race prejudice was openly permitted in or der to obtain a conviction. The pre siding judge favored the prosecuting attorney in all angles of the case, denying Bundy’s lawyers objections to the procedure at various intervals of the trial. It was further charged that jurors were selected at the behest of the state because of the peculiar fit ness to serve the purpose desired. Insane Juror The word “nigger” was permitted to be used in reference to Dr. Bundy and his efforts to uplift his people at East St. Louis. An insane man was allowed » to serve on the jury, and after thc trial was confined at the asylum for the insane at Dunning. Mrs. Bundy, wife of the dentist, worked faithfully for the release of her husband, despite the fact that all indications pointed to a hopeless path. Doctor Bundy was heard in Omaha last July when he spoke here under the auspices of a citizens’ committer’ of which the Rev. John Albert Wil liams was chairman. He was given an ovation by an audience which packed Grove M. E. church to the doors and upon which the simple recital of the tragic events through which he had passed made a profound impression. A liberal contribution was given at that time towards his defense fund. FORMAL DEDICATION OF Y W C A. BUILDING The Handsome Center for Colored Girls and Women Will Be Sei Apart Wilh Appropriate Exercises Sundaj Afternoon—House Has Been Re modeled and Well Furnished for Its Important Work. The Young Women’s Christian asso ciation center at Twenty-second and Grant streets will be formally opened and dedicated with appropriate exer cises Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The Rev. W. F. Botts, pastor of Zion Baptist church, will preside. Other pastors of the city will also take part. Greetings will be given by the Rt. Rev. Ernest, V. Shayler, bishop of the Episcopal church in the Diocese of Ne braska; the Rt. Rev. Homer Stunt?.. Methodist bishop; Mrs. Carrie Ada Campbell, general secretary, and oth ers. The dedicatory address will be given by the Rev. John Albert Wil liams, rector Church of St. Philip the Deacon. The center is housed in an attrae tive bungalow, which has been remod eled, beautifully furnished and well equipped for the work in hand. The first floor is occupied with a large, handsome room about 35xfi0, which is used a un assembly and recreation room, and secretary’s office, kitchen, bed room and large hath room. The upper floor is occupied with a large dormitory with accommodations for about ten transient guests, to which accommodations the center will be limited for the present. A cafe MISS FR ANK IK B. WATKINS Secretary teria will be one of the features of the center. The basement contains the heating plant, store rooms, a supplementary kitchen and other conveniences. Mrs. Charles Offutt, who has been the efficient chairman of the gcner.il board charged with the duty of hous ing the colored branch, has been most untiring in her efforts and generous in her contributions. She has received hearty co-operation from those asso ciated with her. The members of the provisional committee having charge of this work were: Mrs. Charles Of futt, general chairman; Mrs. J. Alice Stewart, chairman finance committee; Mrs. 'esse H. Hutten, chairman edu . rational committee; ivirs. u. w. ouuu' ten, chairman membership committee; Mrs. Jessie Hale Moss (deceased), chairman religious work; Miss Madree Penn, chairman, and Mrs. L. N. Peo ples, assistant chairman of girls’ work; Miss Lena Paul, chairman of house committee. Miss Frankie B. j Watkins is secretary. The public is cordially invited to the i dedicatory services Sunday, at which ! time the following program will be ; given: Invocation, Rev. S. L. Deas; hymn; 1 responsive services, led by Rev. T. A. Taggart; “The Gloria;” responsive prayers, led by Rev. Russel Taylor;' offertory; violin solo, Miss Evelyn! Battles; solo, Cecelia W. Jewel; ad dress, Rev. John Albert Williams; hymn; greetings, Bishop Shayler, Bishop Stuntz, Rev. W. C. Williams, | Mrs. Carrie Ada Campbell, general secretary; benediction, Rev. W. G. Franklin; Rev. W. F. Botts, presiding. I RACIAL ACTIVITIES TO HE SHOWN IN MOVIES WASHINGTON. Dec. 30.—Recently a contract was signed here by J. Wil liams Clifford, president of I he Monu mental Pictures Corporation . nd the Seaboard Film Corporation for the world distribution of the Negro news reel railed the Monumental Monthly, which will be devoted to portraying the activities and achievements of the American Negro. Gradually the pol try outlined by the executives of the Monumental has in its program the extension of its activities to the entire world. . The Y. W. C. A. Center for Colored ©Iris at Twenty-second and ©rant 8ts, S COLORED AMERICANS WELCOME IN BRAZIL President ot the American-Brazilian Colonizing Syndicate Draws a Roseate Picture of Opportunities Awaiting Ambitious and Well-Equipped Members of Race in South American Republic —Offers Many Business Advantages, is Claim AGRICULTURE IS LUCRATIVE FIELD Land is Cheap and Soil Fertile; Crops Numerous and Varied_ Any Place in Brazilian Republic Will Serve Purpose of Man Who Desires to Enjoy Profitable Farm Life—Knowledge of Portugese Language Valuable Asset (By The Associated Negro Press) □HICAGO, 111., Dec. 30.—“There is little or no employment to be found as waiters, porters, cooks and | similar occupations followed by large \ numbers of our people in the United States, but there are many positions '■ in large business concerns open and j waiting for high class men and women of color.” This statement was made recently by George Rambo, president of the Brazilian-American Colonizing Syndicate, in the course of an address on the general opportunities for Ne groes in the republic of Brazil. In a later interview he declared: “Not only are there good business openings for live people but there are splendid opportunities for successful ventures in the fields of manufactur ing. Ice, cotton goods, leather articles and furniture making offer inviting chances to make money for anyone who has fair knowledge in these sev eral directions. This would apply par ticularly to the large number of towns and small cities in the interior sec i;otis of the republic. "Most all stnictural iron, fabricated metals such as gas and electric fix tures are imported into the country. This is also true of the better grades of office and household furniture, shoes, clothing, men and women’s fui nishings, in fact one can include most of the manufactured necessities in the list of things that could be made and sold to profitable advantage in nearly every section of this rich country. “The government encourages home production of necessities by maintain ing a high protective tariff on all manufactured imports. The wisdom of the government, in this connection, is sustained by the great abundance of raw materials available everywhere that but awaits the disposition to turn them into manufactured products. I again emphasize, however, that the people who go to Brazil must possess a good working knowledge of the busi ness and trades they wish to follow, and they must also acquire a reason able acquaintance with the Portugese language which is spoken in the country. “But the cultivation of the land,” continued Mr. Rambo, “is the shortest and most practical way to success in Brazil. You can’t miss it if you go this way. Land is cheap, land is fer tile, as fertile as it is anywhere on the earth. There is no place that 1 know about where land is as cheap and as good as it is in Brazil. And there is no end to crops. You sow and you reap, and you sow and you reap again. It is almost an endless proposition, this crop matter in Bra zil. This makes farming a profitable investment. The market is ever ready, both domestic and foreign, for youi products and labor effort is quite a negligible question in the investment. Any place in the Brazilian republic will serve the purpose of the man who desires to enjoy a profitable farm life, for that is what farming means in Brazil. “I am confining myself .to a short presentation of the advantages of fered in the fields of manufacturing and farming in the republic of Brazil at this time. At some other time I shall be glad to make a statement re garding the mineral wealth of the country and the profits that can be realized in cattle and general live stock raising.” Mr. Rambo will be in the United States for several months. He is ac tively engaged in presenting the claims of Brazil as a desirable place for ambitious colored people to settle in. He is meeting with considerable success in this connection. HOMESTEADER IS CREMATED IN CABIN (By the Associated Negro Press! BILLINGS, Mont., Der. 30.—E. F. Lampson, a homesteader, near Tuffley, was burned to death in his cabin, a posse having set fire to it after an all night rifle and revolver battle and nu merous attempts to dynamite the house. Lampson perhaps fatally wounded Sheriff Jesse Garfield who had gone to the cabin to arrest him for suspected insanity. PAYNE UNIVERSITY MOVES TO MONTGOMERY (By the Associated Negro Press! SELMA, Ala., Dec. 30.—The Payne University, one of Selma’s well known schools, will, after the present session be moved to Montgomery, where grounds and buildings have been pur chased for its use. The board of trustees of the school have acquired the property of the old St. Joseph Catholic school, together with all buildings and properties and about 200 acres of land. The St.. Joseph school is situated about three miles from Montgomery. The purchase price of the property was said to be $30,000. WOMAN 100 DIES: BELIEVED HOME CONCEALS WEALTH (By the Associated Negro Press PORT DEPOSIT, Md„ Dec. 30 Mrs. Mary Ringold, more than 100 years old, died recently. Mrs. Ring old was the widow of Thomas Ringold, at one time one of the most prosper ous merchants of Port Deposit. He was reputed to be comparatively wealthy, but at the time of his death his hoard could not be located and his widow would not allow her home to be invaded by searchers. His friends have maintained the belief, however, that the money will be found now that the obstacle is removed. \MERICAN NEGRO ACADEMY HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—The twen ty-fourth annual meeting of the Amer ican Negro Aeadamy was held at the Dunbar High school, 'the attendance being large. John W. Cromwell, pres ident, took as the subject of his ad dress, “The Challenge of the Disfran chised.” The Rev. Charles D. Mar tin also delivered an address. One of the features of the session was the ex hibit of rare prints, portraits, manu scripts, books and other interesting products of Negro culture. .1. Weldon Johnson of New York City spoke on “Some Phases of the Haitian Situa tion,” which, in view of the report of the court of inquiry recently made public, was very Interesting, timely, and was well received. WEALTHY TEXAN PLACES *12,000 MONUMENT AT HIS SON’S GRAVE FORT WORTH. Tex., Lee. 30.— What is said to be one of the largest and most expensive cemetery monu ments in Fort Worth is the one which is being set up in Trinity cemetery by William M. (Gooseneck Bill) McDon ald in memory of his son, who died about three years ago. Thq shaft is thirty-one feet high, of polished gran ite and cost $12,000. It was made by a Chicago concern, whose manager, Josef RIttemeyer, is here to superintend its erection. It required three weeks to set the der rick and lift the monument upon Its base. RIttemeyer is editor of the Monu ment Reporter, one of the oldest trade journals in the country, and a former Texan who is renewing old acquaint ances while in Forth Worth McDon ald is one of the best known Negro politicians and business men in the state. [