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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 1927)
S3, The Monitor m * VM *> | NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS 3 THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor. $2.00 a Year—. “ ta a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, November 18, 1927 Vol. XIII—Number 20 Whole Number 642 “Tiger” Flowers, Ex-Champ, is Dead PROMISING YOUTH, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, SUCCOMBS TO ILLNESS Fifteen-Year-Old Son of Well-Known Physician Dies Early Sunday Morning After Short Sickness FUNERAL TUESDAY AFTERNOON Gloom was cast over the communi ty Sunday by the unexpected death of Leonard Edward, jr., a sophomore at Central High school, the only son of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard E. Britt, 2519 Maple street, and grandson of Mrs. Mary E. Overall, which occur red early Sunday morning at Lord Lister hospital. While playing football near his home Friday, November 4, Leonard broke his leg and was taken to the hospital where the fracture was re duced. He seemed to be doing so well that he was taken to the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Overall, 2010 Lake street, of whom he was very fond, the following Tuesday af ternoon, because of the illness of his mother at home. Wednesday night he showed symptoms of appendicitis. Thursday morning he was rushed to the hospital and an immediate oper ation was found necessary. His con dition was considered critical, but hope was entertained for his recov ery. He died Sunday morning at 5 o’clock. Leonard was born December 13, 1912, and was therefore within one month of fifteen years of age at the time of his death. It was recalled that he was born on December 13, baptized on December 13, on the first anniversary of his birth, and died November 13. He attended Lothrop school, where he was a favorite with teachers and pupils, through the grades, graduating from there two years ago to Central High. At Loth rop, he was a member of the orches tra and at Central he stood well in his classes. He was a member of St. Philip’s Sunday school and of Troop 23 of the Boy Scouts. The funeral was held Tuesday af ternoon from the residence of his grandmother, where he was born, and was largely attended. The services were conducted by the Rev. John Al bert Williams, assisted by the Rev. John H. Grant, D. D., of St. John’s A. M. E. church, Dr. Britt’s pastor; and the Rev. W. F. Botts, D. D., pas tor of Zion Baptist church, a boyhood friend of Dr. Britt. The services consisted of the hymn, “Abide With Me,” followed by a brief and consol ing address by Dr. Grant, based upon the text, “What I do now, thou know est not, but thou shalt know;” the brief and beautiful service of the Boy Scouts, in which twelve scouts laid a white carnation on the casket, each reciting one of the twelve Scout laws, then unitedly the Scout oath, followed by the Scout benediction; a short and comforting address by Dr. Botts; hymn, “Roc4'c of Ages,” after which followed the simple and beautiful burial office of the Episco pal Church. “Asleep in Jesus,” was the closing hymn. The honorary pallbearers were Messrs. Argetsinger, Boar d m a n, Grovernour, Scout executives; Dr. Craig Morris, deputy scout executive; Arthur Mcfcaw, scoutmaster of Troop 23, and T. P. Mahammitt, scoutmas ter of Troop 79. The active pall bearers were Bill Peebles, James Lee, Ray Gustin, Woodrow Macklin, Dav id Ferguson and Sellers Johnson, all of Troop 23. Archie Brown, bugler sounded taps at the grave. Inter ment was in the Overall family lot at Prospect Hill cemetery. Among those attending the funeral was Miss O’Toole, principal of Lothrop school, who had seen Leon ard pass from kindergarten to high school, and Mr. J. G. Masters, prin cipal of Central High school. Leonard is survived by his parents, a seven-year-old sister, Mary Ellen, his grandmother, and other relatives. GIRL SHOOTS DOWN MAN WHO STRUCK HER MOTHER Quarrel Over Money Alleged Owed by Roomer May Result Fatally Fearing that her mother's life was in danger, Maxine Reddick, 15, shot and probably fatally wounded Alfred Oglesby after Oglesby had knocked down the mother, Mrs. Zeda Reddick, following an argument at the Red dick home, 2211 North Twenty-sev enth street, where Oglesby roomed. All concerned are Negroes. Both mother and daughter were arrested and are being held on an open charge pending the outcome of Oglesby’s injury. Oglesby was taken to Lord Lister hospital. Mrs. Reddick told Police Sergeant Frank Rose that Oglesby “got up on the wrong side of the bed” Sunday morning and picked an argument over a small sum of money he was supposed to contribute toward buy ing groceries for the week. The mother declared that Oglesby struck her several times and finally knocked her down, whereupon the girl, who had been a witness to the altercation, procured a gun from an other room and shot Oglesby in the back. The girl said Oglesby was backing toward her, as if to take her unawares, when she fired. AUTO STRIKES GIRL Taken to Hospital Suffering a Po» •ible Fracture of Skull Ida Hogan, 15, of 2514 Grant street, suffered numerous bruises about the head and body and a pos sible fracture of the skull Sunday morning when she was struck by a car driven by Kdward Harris, of 1H4.1 Grant street. The girl was run down as she was j crossing the intersection of Twenty-: fourth and Grant streets. She was i taken to the Lord Lister hospital, where she was attended by police j surgeons. Harris was arrested on a | technical charge of reckless driving. MUST WORK FOR "HAND,” ASSERTS NEGRO DANCER Never Snubbed Behind Footlighti But Sometime! Public Is Cold, Sayi Marceo Thomai, Ap pearing at Orpheum The path of the Negro actor, seek ing to attain recognition on the stage, is set with obstacles, says Marceo Thomas, Negro dancer, who appeared at the Orpheum recently with the girl he won in a Charleston contest, now Mrs. Thomas. Most of the trials, however, are beyond the footlights, and not “back stage,” Thomas as serts. “We have never been snubbed in any way by other actors,” Thomas said. “There seems to be sort of a bond between them which overrides any prejudices they may have.” The public, however, sometimes is difficult, the dancer said. “If you’re colored, you have to work twice as hard to win the same applause. Sometimes you can feel the prejudice and that makes you work all the harder ,to force them to grant that ‘You’re good.’ “Even the critics have the same prejudice. We don’t mind the knocks, but they give us credit and then take it away by saying it’s nat ural to the colored race.” Matter of obtaining desirable hotel accommodations, and eating houses, also frequently presents a problem. Usually they stop with private fam ilies, Thomas said. DIVORCES INCREASING WITH ALARMING RAPIDITY Washington—Divorces in America are increasing more than two and a hulf times as fast as marriages, the commerce department announced af ter a nationwide survey. The courts granted 180,868 di vorces last year, or one for every seven marriages performed in the same period, this survey showed. Meanwhile, marriages failed to keep pace with the estimated increase in population. EDITORIAL Mr. T. Arnold Hill, Secretary of Industrial Relations of the National Urban League of, New York, arrived in Omaha last Friday morning upon invitation of persons interested in the formation of a branch of this organization here. Mr. Hill has put in a strenuous week of ver} hard work holding confer ences and interviews with several groups of our people, with mixed groups of both races interested in social welfare work, with individuals, Community Chest officials, and the Council of Social Agencies. He has been doing educational work which should have been done before his arrival. For several months the work of the National Urban League has been discussed by a very limit ed number of our own people and of socially-minded white people, but, as a matter of fact, few, if any, outside of this limited number, ever heard of the Urban League or of the ex cellent work it has been doing for several years in many of our larger cities, or of the possibility or advisability of its entrance here. * What it has done elsewhere it can no doubt do here. It has proven wonderfully effective in widening occupational fields and opportunities for Negroes in many cities, in securing better housing conditions, improving health, recreational and industial relations and conditions. Omaha sadly needs the enlarged industrial opportunities for our people that the Urban League has been effective in se curing elsewhere, not by over-night methods, but by an in telligent, persistent campaign, a sane method of approach and by helpful contacts it has been able to make. The Urban League has a scientifically planned program carried out by well-trained workers, and in every community where there are large numbers of our people well trained social workers are needed. Omaha is no exception to this rule. We believe that the Urban League is an excellent organization, with high and practical ideals and purposes, and what is more these ideals are approximated, if not fully realized, in a work able program, proven by having Wen put into use. Tts methods are not merely experimental. We believe that Omaha needs the Urban League. We are not so sure, however, that Omaha wants it. We want to see Omaha want it. We are confident that Omaha will want it, ardently and sincerely want it, when it knows more about it and its effective work not only for colored people, but for the whole community, for whatever helps one portion of our citi zenry helps the whole community. We repeat, Omaha needs and badly needs the Urban League; but does Omaha realize its need of it and want it? By this we mean are the people of Omaha, in general, and our own people whose best interests it faithfully serves in particular, ready to give it loyal and whole hearted support and co-operation? This is the supreme ques tion, which gives us personally grave concern, for without such support and co-operation, cheerfully and ungrudgingly given, the work of the Urban League, like that of other helpful agencies which have been launched here will be greatly handi capped, if not nullified. . Unless, therefore, it is quite evident that this is the psychological time” for its organization, and that its introduc tion will not be met with apathy and indifference, due either to ignorance or prejudice, but met with a sympathetic attitude and open-mindedness, at least, then in our judgment, it were best to confine present efforts to such preliminary steps and tentative organization as may be required for the introduction of the Urban League here when the time is more opportune and the conditions more favorable. In the meanwhile, the present social agency, which the Urban League would sup plant, should be continued and developed until such time as the League is functioning. If Omaha, not simply the colored people of Omaha, but the community—for social agencies belong to the community— is ready and willing to adequately support the Urban League, by all means let us have it without delay; but if not, then let us wait until such support is forthcoming, and while waiting work to make it forthcoming. MR.FLOYD SHACKLEFORD STARS IN BABYLON; ONLY NEGRO ACTOR John Stevens MeGroarty, the noted California author, newspaper man and producer of the stupendous drama "Babylon,” the famous mis sion play, a satire on modern life in ancient setting, at San Gabriel, Cal., staged his premier of his new play at the Spreckles theatre at San Diego, Cal., prior to its opening at San Gab riel Mission playhouse for a run of fourteen weeks, with Floyd Shackel ford, formerly an Omahan, the only Negro actor starring, among a large cast of noted players. Due to his heroic build and masterly powers of expression, he was chosen and is playlhg the part of "Essennues,” that of a huge enslaved Nubian with mur derous power and unrelenting veng eance. Floyd and his twin brother, Lloyd, left Omaha seven years ago at the age of 14 years, to seek fame and fortune, and they are progressing ra pidly, as movie fans, and banking their accounts. The younger set of Omaha will remember them as Bus ter and Midget. Buster stands 5 feet and 10 inches high; weight, 215 pounds. Midget stand 6 feet 4 inches high; weight, 198 pounds. Their latest screen production is “The En chanted Island.” Read the Monitor, you will hear from them again soon. “THE GYPSY ROVER” PLEASES AUDIENCE “The Gypsy Rover,” the romantic musical comedy, an operetta in three acts, was staged at St. John A. M. E. church last Friday night by their choir of 40 members, to a well pack ed house, both white and colored. Our compliments to Miss Maude Ray, the most efficient directress, who worked very hard to make the affair a financial as well as a dramatic suc cess. All the cast of characters were good, and the gipsies in costume, the bright light and moon, made a pretty sight. Those who did not witness it missed a rare treat. It might be re peated in the near future. MRS. MALONE GIVES $1,000 TO ST. LOUIS CHARITY St. LouiB, Mo.—Mrs. Annie Ma lone, founder and owner of Poro col lege, telegraphed her pledge of $1, 000 to the annual St. Louis Com munity fund campaign which closed here last week. It was the largest subscription to the fund from a col ored person. PAUL ROBESON A “DAD” New York—A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Robeson on No vember 2 at a Brooklyn hospital. The youngster has been named Paul Robeson, jr. His famous father, who is in France on a concert tour, tabled congratulations to his wife. RECORD SESSION HELD BY NEGRO HISTORY SOCIETY Attendance of Delegates Largest in History of Organization; All Officers Are Re elected Pittsburgh, Pa.—The Association for the Study of Negro Life and His tory, under the direction of Dr. Car ter G. Woodson, of Washington, con cluded its three-day meeting at the Ebenezer Baptist church, Wednes day, October 26. It was the most largely attended conference ever held ' by the association. Among the Washington educators who spoke at the meetings were Dr. Woodson, Dr. Charles Wesley, Gar net C. Wilkinson, Miss Nannie H. Burroughs, Dr. Alain LeRoy Locke, and S. W. Rutherford. During the conference, the mem bers of the association were enter tained at luncheon by the H. J. Heinz company (57 Varieties), in the dining room of that establish ment. An address of welcome was made by one of the officers of the firm. The entire present corps of offi cers of the association were unani mously re-elected. The officers in clude Dr. John R. Hawkins, presi dent; S. W. Rutherford, secretary treasurer; executive council, J. R. Hawkins, S. W. Rutherford, Carter G. Woodson, Julius Rosenwald of Chicago; James H. Dillard, William G. Pearson, Franz Boas of Columbia university, Carl A. Fish of the Uni versity of Wisconsin, and E. A. Hoot on of Harvard university, John Hope of Morehouse college, William E. Dodd of the University of Chicago, Bishop R. A. Carter, Bishop John Hurst, Alexander L. Jackson, Bishop R. E. Jones, T. R. Davis, and John E. Nail. The headquarters of the associa tion are in Washington, at 153 South stret, northwest. E. K. JONES ADDRESSES OHIO STATE STUDENTS! _ I Urban League Executive Presents Case of Negro Before University ] Students of Sociology; New Building Dedicated by Jones r - Eugene Kinckle Jones, executive secretary of the National Urban league, has just returned to New York from a trip to Columbus and Canton, Ohio. In Columbus, he ap peared before two of the classes of Prof. Adolphus Miller, head of the department of sociology of the Ohio State university. The first group of students was the elementary class in sociology, and the second group of 92 students was composed of seniors and graduate students working on special social projects. Mr. Jones’ subject was “Inter racial Relations,” and he provoked much discussion on stating that there was no difference in the capacities of races, and that the Negro’s con tribution to American life was being recognized at home as one of the most valuable of the contributions of the various groups making up Amer ica; and abroad as the most signifi cant of gifts. Keen interest was dis played by the students at each ses sion, and Professor Miller indicated that it was a most helpful discussion of a subject which is now being gen erally discussed in American col leges. In Canton, Mr. Jones delivered the principal address at the dedicatory service of the new $40,000 Urban league building which is to serve as a clearing house for social service ac tivities among Negroes in Canton the home city of ex-President McKin ley. At this meeting the sum of $1, 950 was raised to complete the last payment due on the property and equipment, thus enabling the Can ton Urban league, with Gerald E. Allen, executive secretary, to proceed in its activities with adequate build ing, playground, and equipment with out a cent of indebtedness. *, i NEGRO MOTHER AND SON BELIEVED TO BE KLAN VICTIMS Persist in Refusal to Surrender to Terrorists and Disappear Mysteriously as Officers Are Sent Montgomery, Ala.— (Special)—In the midst of the agitation against the Ku Klux Klan and the baring of the brutality of some of its members, news comes that a gang of Klans men gave notice to Abe Jackson, prosperous race farmer and his mother to leave Colbert county be fore November 1. But the son and his aged mother bravely refused to leave their little homestead and the farm they acquired through years of toil resulting in foul play befalling them. The gangster terrorized the aged mother to force her to sell her land, which represented her life’s savings. Jackson, goaded by threats and fear ing for the safety of his mother, fi nally wired Attorney General McCall, telling him the state of affairs. McCall immediately ordered pro tection sent for the pair, but when officers arrived, they could not be found. All efforts to locate Jackson and his mother have been in vain. The brutal act 3 attributed to the Klan are gradual'y turning all of the best whites in the South against it. “TIGER” FLOWERS SUCCUMBS AFTER OPERATION ON EYE New York, Nov. 16—(AP)—Tiger Flowers, of Atlanta, Ga., former middleweight champion of the world, died Wednesday night after a minor operation. Death of the Negro “Georgia Dea con,” was announ"ed through the of fice of Walk Miller, manager of Flowers, after information concern ing the fighter’s condition was refus ed at the private hospital of Dr. W. G. Fralick, where the operation was performed late Wednesday. Operation on Eye Miller said that Flowers, after sub mitting to a minor operation for re moval of growth over his left eye, rallied from the ether in fairly sat isfactory condition, but suffered a sinking spell some hours later and died shortly after 8 p. m. | Nurses at the Fralick hospital re fused either to confirm or deny Flow ers’ death. In the absence of Dr. Fralick, who performed the opera tion, information of any kind was re fused. The surgeon could not be lo cated. Flowers won the middleweight title from Harry Greb, who died under almost similar circumstances in Oc tober 1926, in a fifteen round deci sion bout at Madison Square Garden here February 26, 1926. He lost the championship to Mickey Walker on a decision in Chicago, December 3 of the same year. Fought Lait Saturday The Georgia Negro, a colorful bat tler of the ceaseless punching type, fought his last battle here on last Saturday when he knocked out Leo Gates, a heavyweight, in four rounds. Earlier Wednesday Madison Square Garden authorities, announc ed that Walker had been given five days in which to defend his title against Flowers in a match scheduled at the garden this winter. Legal measures were planned to force the present champior. to meet Flowers under a contract alleged to have been signed before Flowers lost his championship. Flowers, 32 years old, is survived by a widow and one child. VRREST WHITE OFFICER FOR SHOOTING A NEGRO Louisville, Ky.—A white patrol Tian is under arrest here, awaiting trial for the shooting of a colored cit zen. He is said to have wilfully fir ed at his victim. Judge A. T. Burgenson issued the bench warrant for Patrolman Joseph Donnelly’s arrest for the wounding if Will Smith. The nqli(eeman is charged with malicious' shooting and wounding. > ■ > \