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Nebraska State Historical Social ..—- .— - -
== J lnc oln, Nab r a 3k a OMAHA, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1930 NUMBER 38
VOLUME IS ____ . —i —.. ■ - ■ -
Wins Fight
F1"".. 11 ■■■■
Melvin B. Johnson
The progressive 30-year-old
editor and half owner of The
Newark Herald, who won his
fight against Grand Jury dis
crimination in Essex County.
The fight ended when Shet>
iff James McRell caused the se
lection of Rev. Janies A. Gugh
es of Orange, as a member of
the grand jury. A jury commis
sioner had explained that only
“chance’’ had caused Negroes
to be left off the panel. Mr.
Johnson is a native of Rich
mond, Va. and studied at Un
ion University where he was an
outstanding athlete and honor
sfcident. He began his journalis
tic career at Union as editor of
the student paper and also pub
lished a church paper.
Carlton Goodlett Presented
The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People will
present Mr. Carlton Goodlett on
Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p. m. at
the Community Center. Mr. Good
lett will apeak on the topic, “Negro
Youth Faces Perplexing America.”
Others who will appear on the pro
gram will be Miss Edna Blair, Miss
Christine Dixon and Mr. Lloyd Lee.
It 8 exjpected that a large audience
will be present The NAACP is in
the middle of a membership drive.
Dr. Jones, president, C. Davis secre
tary.
PRESENTS GIFT SERVICE
Mt. Moriah Baptist church, 24th
and Ohio Sts., F. P. Jones, pastor,
presents its fifth annual WHITE
GIFT SERVICE Sunday Dec. 20th
at 8:16 p. m. Special music by the
Lewis symiphony orchestra and
a chorus of 40 voices directed by
Rev. J. S. Williams. The public is
cordially invited to share this treat
of the season. You are advised to
come early for a seat.
APOLOGY FOR AN ERROR
THAT WAS MADE
I am very sorry there has
been a mistake made by an ad
justor, who I had looking after
some accounts. He connected the
wrong persons with some and sent
statements without my consent to
others. I do not want to press those
who cannot meet their bills. I want
to do unto you as I want you to
do unto me—live and let live. Those
who are lfiy debtors, come and see
me, regardless of how your con
science feels. I would appreciate
it and will meet you half way and
for the widows and the real old
couples that have no means with
which to pay their bills, bring me
your statement, perhaps I will see
what old Santa has at Christmas
time for those who come. Those
who are not working, not making
sufficient money to take care of
all your obligations, come also. Hop
ing you will not overook thi3 and
wishing you well.
Yours truly,
(Signed) Dr. G. B. Lennox
Vernon Bean and
Willard Levison
Are Sentenced
In the district court, Monday.
Dec. 14th, Vernon Rean, 2730 Cald
well St., and Wllard Levison, 2728
Burdette St., received deferred
sentences on the charge of grand lar
ceny when they plead guilty.
On Nov. 26, 1936, Bean and Levi
son concealed themselves in the
show room where used cars are
fixed in the office of Greenlease
Lied Motor Oo., and when the place
was closed, robbed a cash drawer
of $120.
Apprehension of Bean and the
other tpersons connected with the
Sandard Cleaners and Dyers plant
robbery, 1445 So. 13th St., which
took place Dec. 7th will end the
series of robberies which had been
taking place it >s thought.
A glance over Bean’s confession
showed him and others to be impli
cated in below named robberies:
Oct. 30th, Stop and Shop Market,
4015 No. 16th St., by Foch Allen,
Joe Smith and Bean; Nov. 9th or
10th, Campus Inn, 501 No. 24th St.,
by Foch Allen and Bean; Nov. 3rd,
Winn Cigar Store, 4008 Hamilton
St., by Joe Smith and Bean; Thorn
Grocery, 4010 Hamilton St., by Joe
Smith and Bean; Nov. 14th Dia
mond Beer Tavern, 2562 Cuming
St., by Foch, Wm. Avant and Bean;
N<>v. 18th, Rosen Liquor Store,
2311 Leavenworth St., by Willard
Levison. Frank Terrall, Avant and
Bean; Nov. 8th Kubvoy Tailors.
4622*So. 24th St.
Bean stated that he and Foch
Allen first started out making rob
beries; later group was composed
of Lyle “Soup” Lawson, 2509 No.
26h St., Elmer Williams, 2314 No.
21st St., Joe Smith, 2405 Blondo
St„ Joe Allen, 2705 Hamilton St.
and William “Hunky” Tapley,
2730 Caldwell St. (Terrel’s address
was given as 1811 No. 25th St.,
while Foch Allen’s was given as
2705 Hamilton St.)
In the district court Thursay
afternoon, Dec. 17th, Bean was sen
tenced to three years in the re
formatory; Dqvison received a five
year parole and must make restitu
tion of $197.00
OVERDOSE OF ASPIRIN
Monday, December 14, 1936
when Bessie Alexander, 2060 No.
19th St., went upstairs to the room
of Gertrude Astroy, she found Miss
Astroy lying on the bed bleeding
from both wrists and unconscious.
Dr. G. B. Lennox was called, Who
cared for her. She suffered six
puncture wounds on the right wrist,
laceration of the left wrist and
from the effect of an overdose of
aspirin.
OAR HITS PEDESTRIAN
ON SIDEWALK
Edith Johnson, 2211 Miami St.,
was struck by a car while stand
ing at 24th and Paul Sts., Monday,
Dec. 14th, suffering bruised right
leg, hip and back.
Standing on 24th and Paul Sts.
talking with Thomas Seroy, Edith
Johnson was struck by a Chevrolet
coach driven by John Specht, 1701
Davenport St., who was going north
on 24th St. This accident was large
ly due to the fact that Specht’s car
skidded on the slippery pavement,
causing it to go over the curb on to
the sidewalk.
‘ Tho injured was taken to the
police station and treated. Specht,
driver of the car was booked “Oper
ating Motor Vehicle While Under
the Influence of Intoxicating Li
uors.”
STRUCK BY CAR
Edward Jones, 2425 Maple St.,
was struck by a dark colored sedan
while crossing 24th street on the
south side of Corby, driven by an
unidentified driver, who failed t°
stop.
Mr. Jones suffered a possible
fractured right leg and bruised
left leg. He was taken to the Nich
olas Senn hospital by officer, where
his condition is reported as being
good.
m
Twenty centuries ago a guiding star... a star of hope
promising much to expectant mankind . . . led three Wise Men
to a lowly stable in the little town of Bethlehem.
Twenty centuries, and today, as a world pauses, humble and
shot with a glowing spirit of happiness, your newspaper comes
to you asking that it may continue in its chosen course . . .
tireless and unfailing service to you and your community.
It is our wish that this newspaper, dedicated to the provision
of news, leadership, education, and the sponsorship of moral
and civic idealism, be permitted to carry into your homes,
not for this one time only, but for an entire lifetime, this same
11 .**-•«■
spirit of unselfish service to all.
■■■—\ •. . ’9Qg9»
W« consider Christmas an institution successfully serving an
inner need, an institution based on old, well founded precepts,
as well adapted to the needs of today as it was twenty centuries
ago, an institution capable of fulfilling an age-old requirement
; . . that of joy to mankind.
It is our hope that from this day you will gain the full measure
of joy. Merry Christmas! THE PUBLISHERS
t&LI
GIRL RESERVE NEWS
Mr. Eugene Murray presented
an hour’s entertainment to the Girl
Reserves at he YWCA on Wednes
day, Dec. 16th at 6:30 o’clock. The
Three Bears and other characters
performed. The Marionettes have
been made by Mr. Murray and much
effort and expense went into plan
ning for this show.
The Gross Eicks, Jr. and Sr.
Girl Reserves made candy and ex
changed gifts on Dec. 16th. A very
useful book was presented to Mrs.
Saybert Hanger as expression of
thanks for her interest and service.
The Gross Eicks als dressed dolls
for the doll festival to be presented
to the Christmas bureau.
The Freshman Girl Reserves of
the N«rthside YWCA invites you to
their ceremonial opening the Christ
mas season, Dec. 20th at 4 o’clock.
This service will be directed by
Miss Asilee Dotson, advisor.
The Up-to-Date Grade School
Girl Reserves will make candy fo:
the Old Folk’s Home. Mrs. Goode
will instruct the girls in candy mak
ing at the school. Mrs. Ralph Adams
will also present a Christmas play
at the home.
DROPS DEAD WHILE
SHOVELING SNOW
Mr. Robert Banks, 76, 2521 Mia
Mi St., dropped dead Sat., Dec.
12th, while shoveling snow at the
John Yeager residence, 6012 Web
ster, where he was employed as
yardman.
Mr. Banks was formerly a re
sident of Clarinda, la., coming to
Omaha a number of years ago.
One of the prettiest (parties of
the Christmas season was given by
the Charity club of the Urban Lea
gue on last Thursday night when
most of the elite danced to the
swing music of Ted Adams’ orch
estra. The party was somewhat uni
que as it was necessary to pay one’s
own admission with a toy. The aud
itorium of the Comunity Center was
artstically decorated with symbols
of the Yuleti(!e,. On either side of
the stage was a large screen drap
ed in black with a silver ornament
on each end one in the center with
silver streamers extending from
these. Directly in front of the cen
ter screen was a huge stone fire
place, from which hung stockings.
Before the other screens were beau
tifully trimmed trees. All the gifts
were received and those giving them
may rejoice in knowing that they
have helped to make some child’s
Christmas merry. The club takes
this opportunity to thank those who
responded so graciously. Any one
desirous of helping us with our
Christmas baskets may do so by
calling Mrs. Jewell, WE 3217 or
Mrs. Jones. JA 2887. Food, clothing
or toys will be accepted and appre
ciated. Mrs. Carrie Jewell, presid
ent. Next meeting, Jan. 5, 1937.
Yellow Cab Driver Robbed
ElmerP.Miller, 315 No. 20th St.,
driver of a Yellow Cab was robbed
of $2.00 by an unidentified Negro
Friday, Dec. 11th.
Asked to be taken o 25th Ave.
and Michigan Ave., upon arriving
there, Miler’s passenger pulled a
gun and proceeded to rob him of!
$2.00. i
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
OF THE URBAN LEAGUE
COMMUNITY CENTER
Dec. 22nd—8 P. M.
Unde John’s Christmas Story.
.Written by B. E. Squires
Rae Lee Jones
Singing.Grade school students
Carols.... N. Y. A. Choir
Staged by Urban League Staff
Drama.Madoline Sterling
Miusic...Rae Lee Jones
WPA Recreational Staff
Dec. 23—8 P. M.
A pantomine of Christmas Car
ols . Grade School Students
Under direction of Lucy Mae
Stamps.
Dec. 24—10 A. M.
Tiny Tots Party
Games, Pantomime and Nursery
Rhymes
Direction of Madoline Sterling
Helen Singleton
Oqlestine Smith
Dec. 24—4 P. M.
Grade School Party
“The Meaning of Christmas”—
Grade school students
Direction of Madoline Sterling
Games .. Refreshments
Dec. 30—1-7 P. M.
High School Matinee
Dancing
Supervised by WPA Recreational
Staff
TO SING CAROLS
Tho Literary club of St. John
AME church wall sing Christmas
Carols on Christmas morning. They
will make their rounds in a wagon.
Little Theater Group
Present “Sun Up”
The Little Theater group present
ed, "Sun Up" the first of a series
of four plays, at the Urban Center
<>n Thursday night Dec. 17th, to an
appreciative nudfencc,
The cast of “Sun Up” was com
posed of some of Ontaha’s best
known amateur player, namely:
Lillian IVttiford as Ma Gagel. Susie
Whitekide as Bmnui Todd.Gaitha
Pegg as Russ, Eugene Murray as
Pap T«dd, Ralph Adams as the
stranger; Boyd V. Galloway as Jim
Works, thi\ Sheriff, Richard Ia*wis
as Bud, John Williams as the Prea
cher. Some of those who assisted
in the presentation of the play were
Mr. Marion of the Federal Theater,
Mrs. Gladys Pullum of the YWCA;
Mr. B. B. Owan, Mr. Dillard Craw
ford, Mr. B. E. Squires; R. Gordon
and others.
Title next play “Millionaire" will
lie presented Dec. 30th.
At a meeting <>f Iroquois Lodge
No. 92, Wednesday nighi, eight
candidates were initiated. Begin
ning Jan. 1st, a six months inten
sive membership drive will be con
ducted for re.-instated an new
members. Every eligible man will
bo contacted and asked to join. It
is hotiied to have between 300 and
400 members when the midwestern
association of Elks convenes here
next July. Lodgels and Temples
the women’s division, will be repre
sented from Iowa, Nebraska, Kan
sas, Missouri, Oklahoma. Colorado,
and Wyoming, between 3,000 and
4,000 delegates and visitors are
expected to attend the Omaha Cham
ber of Commcrdq has offered itij
cooperati<ii in making this con
vention a big success; also other
civic and business organizations
have volunteered their assistance,
The following candidates were in
itiated: Dr. G. B. Lennox, Johnnie
Owens, Charles F. Davis, Leroy
Childs, Hugh Pollard, Clifford
Hill, Chas. Trimble, Lubie Nance
and Gardner Macklin. The next
meeting will be Wednesday night
Jan. 6th. For applications see Dr,
Price Terrell, secretary, 2602 No,
24th, C. B. Mayo, 2420 Lake St., oi
Johnny Owen director of the drive,
2218 Ohio St.
Checker Cab Driver Robbed
B. A. Thomas, 2102 Chicago St.,
driver of Checker Cab was robbed
of $12.00 Sunday, Dec. 13th at 28th
and Hamilton St., by a Negro.
When ordered to take an uniden
tified Negro passenger to 26th and
Hamilton, only to be told to drive
on o 28th and Hamilton, where he
was robbed of $12.00 Thomas was
then commanded to drive to 28th
and Seward, where his passenger
alighted and disappeared in the
darkness.
"CON” MEN AT WORK
Jesse Shields, 3417 W St., reports
that he mot two Negro men at 26th
and Q St., who gained his confidence
and worked the old “con” game on
him as they walked to 24th and N
Sts. Shields lost $16.00.
THANKS
By Johnnie Owen*
To my many friends on South
1.3th and in South Omaha, and to
my many friends of the North
Side, I express to all of you my
m°st sincere thanks. It was a glor
ious victory for me, winning by a
largo majority in each section of
the city. To hundreds of voters,
and to those who worked on the
polls for me, and to those who fur
nished cars for me, I want you to
know that I am very grateful of
this, your loyal support.
In this election was something
very personal with me, victory
came at a time when I needed it
most. To have been defeated would
have been a crushing loss and a
great set-back in plans of future
building.
My conduct in office shall show
my true appreciation.
Gratefully yours,
Johnnie Owens
Johnny Owen is
Elected Mayor
JOHNNY OWEN
Johnny OWo.n, former state legis
lator and S<>uth high athlete was
elected, Negro Mayor of Omaha,
Monday, Dec. 14th by a margin of
nearly two to one over his nearest
opponent, R. C. Price, former pre
sident of the NAACP. 16,43 votes
were tabulated giving Owen Vtl,
Price 441, J. C. Carey, 223 and John
Dqnj. Horton, jr., 208.
Owen who has been active in
city and state politics for eight
years and who is at present a de
puty register of deeds,said his first
objective would be to improve the
material conditions of Omaha’s
race population.
"The are 15,000 of my people
in Omaha,” the the mayor said,
“about one-seventeenth of the
population. I intend to try to ge*
them one-seventeenth of the jobs
in industry, business and politics
and one seventeenth of the repre
sentation.'* t
Owen, sayis he entered politics
because he was tired of having his
'people sold out by self-appointed
leaders who worked mostly for their
own personal benefit. He wants
more recreational facilities for the
colored district, a new YMCA and
YWCA, possibly a hoted. He believ
es Negroes should have one-seven
teenth of the political jobs in the
city since they make up that much
of the population. He would like to
see Negro teachers in the schools.
Mayor Owen was married nine
years ago to, Thelma King, they
have two children, Shirley Jacque
line, age 7 and Barbara Jean, age
5. They reside with Mr. Owen’s par
ents, the Mr. and Mrs. W. N.. Owen,
2228 Ohio St. Johnny is the brother
of Joe Owen registered pharmacist
and employee of the Utilities Dist.
Owen wll take part in no func
tions in his present semi-official
capacity of ‘Negro Mayor* until he
is formally inaugurated by the
Bacchanite club which sponsored the
election. The inauguration probably
will be held Jan. 1st at either a din
ner or a ball.
John Adams, jr. state represent
ative, denied he and Owen had any
understanding that Adams would
step out next term to permit Owen
to return to the legislature. He
said he felt a newspaper story
about Owen Tuesday implied such
an understanding.
IN THE RACE FOR
NEGRO MAYOR
From the five polling places, votes
were as follows:
Herman’s Market, 778
21th and Seward, 247
13th and Pacific, 101
28th and- Q, 285
27th nnd Lake, 120
