Nebraska Newspapers

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Published In
-/JUSTICE/EQUALITY HEW TO THE LINE\ volume i,
.„•* NUMBER 43
Entered as Second Class Matterat Postoffice, Omaha, Nebraska- OMAHA, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1937 ... gag 665th EDITION
NEGRO SLAVE
COMPOSED
NOTED SONG
Compose “Swing Low
Sweet Chariot” While
Chopping Cotton
Tho world - famous spiritual,
“Swing Lew, Sweet Chariot,” was
composed by an Oklahoma slave
and his wife before the Civil War.
This illuminating fact is detailed
in The American Guide, an ex
haustive research into folklore and
history compiled by works progress
administration writers.
The deeply moving first poured
from the homesick lips of Wallace
Willis, known as “Uncle Wallace
and “Aunt Minerva,” on a cotton
plantation in the Choctaw nation,
near the Red river.
This couple also composed, by
singing, two other spirituals pop
ular throughout the world: “Steal
Away to Jesus,” and I‘m a Rollin’.”
The interesting and little known
story ts set forth in this excerpt
from the Gude;
In the sultry stillness of an 1840
August noon, in the extreme south
ern part of the Choctaw nation,
Indian erritory, what is now Choc
taw and McCurtain counties, a mid
dle-aged kindly faced Negro paused
in his work of chopping cotton to
wipe the perspiration from hs brow,
and gather up energy and courage
to gw on with bis task anew.
As his eyes'" took in the level
fields of cotton, stretching endlessly
away from the southern plantation
he straightened up, leaned on his
hoe, and looked far beyond the hori
zon to where Red river lay shim-'l
mering in the distance. He loved to
look at it, for it brought him mem
ories of his home back on the banks
of the Mississippi. Suddenly a
wave of homesickness engulfed
him, and he wondered if he should
ever be allowed to got back to the
scences of his childhood, save in
death. He thought, tow, with simple
faith, of the promise of a heavenly
home of rest and happiness. And
as hie reflected, he broke into song,
one which was later destined to
become famous, a song containing
all the spiritual longings of a lone
ly soul.
“Swing low, sweet chariot,
Cornin’ fo’ to carry me home....”
That Negro slave was Wallace
Willis, better known to his master
and fellow slaves as “Unde Wal
Nearby, his wife, Aunt Minerva,
joined in low crooning, as she, too,
leaned on her hoe, and looked far
away into the distant blue.
“I looked ever Jordan, an’ what
do I see,
Coinin' fo’ to carry me home. ..
“Swing low, Sweet Chariot_’*
Uncle Wallace and Aunt Miner
va were Negro slaves, belonging
before the Civil War, to Brit Wilis,
a wealthy plantation near Doaks
ville. Willis had brought the slaves
with him from Hickory Flat, Miss.,
where he had owned a plantation
on the banks of the Mississippi
During the winters, these two
were leased as servants, for a few
yars at Old Spencer academy, a
board school for Choctaw Indian
boys. It was here the Rev. Alex
ander Reid, who was superintend
ent of the academy in the years
1849 to 18G1, heard them sing the
Negro spirituals, which were later
to beccme a part of the world’s
music.
Reid relates how on a visit to
New York, he helped the Jubilee
Singers, a Negro troop from Fisk
university, in Tennessee, who gave
concerts to raise educational funds
for the freedom of the south, by
giving them some of Uncle Wall
when a servent at Spencer aca
ace’s songs the slaves had sung
demy.
Three of the spirituals became
very popular, “Swing Low, Sweet
Chariot,” Steal Away Jesus,” and
"I'm a Rollin’.”
“Steal Away to Jesus” was one
of the two song sung before Queen
Victoria, who called for an encore
of this song. Professor White, d,r
ector of the chorus, assured Mr
John Adams Active
In Legislature
Sessions
Atiy- John Adams, jr., state sen
ator from Omaha, Is reported as
being very active in the organiza
tion of Nel^aska’s Untcamte.ral
body which is now in session in
Lincoln. Senator Adams states
that Miss Dorothy Scott of Omaha
hus been approved as one of the
ten stenographers for the Unicam
eral legislature through his re-c
comendatlon. Miss Scott is the firs*
colored girl to ever serve the legis
lature in such a capacity. She
graduate^ from Central high school
last summer. Mr. Adams said that
Miss Scott is very competent and
is making a success of her work.
Out of 37 employees, the legisla
ture has four colored: Miss Doro
thy Scott, stenographer; Mr. Harry
Bradley of Seward, Nebraska,
head custodian; ftev. White,law of
Omaha, custodian and Mr. Trago
McWflUams of Lfncol'u, check
room attendant.
The Senator said that he was
studying the advisability of pre
senting a bill for the election of the
school board by wards or districts.
“I will also introduce a resolu
tion to ratify the child labor amend
ment to the Constitution of the U.
S- This amendment need the ra
tification of eleven more states; and
a resolution memorallzing Congress
to enact an anti-lynching bill,” con
cluded Mrt Adams.
--
• \
Reid that by giving the Jubilee Sing
ers these songs just at that time,
he had made the most valuable con
ribution to Fisk university ever
made by any one person.
“Uncle Wallace and Aunt Min
era are the parents of Mrs. C. H.
Abrams of this city, who is spending
the winter in Oklahoma City, Okla.
with her son, Mr. George Abrams
and two daughters, Mrs. C. Bates
and Miss Dorothy Abrams. Children
in Omaha are Mrs- C. Nails, Mrs.
C. Banes, Miss Minerva Abrams,
Charles and Jack Abrams, and
Mrs. Booker Simms.
CONSOLIDATION FAILS
Rev. F- B. Banks supposed con
solidation of the Morning Star
Baptist church with Paradise Bapt
ist church faded in municipal court
when Judge Wheeler ruled the con
solation illegal according to the
baptist jiliJsciplinV Atlotfneya for
the Morning Star, were Adams,
Adams, and Adams.
OMAHA GIRL
GRADUATES
IN MISSQI1 I
To Take Missour
Board Examiri
In Februar
*
"V'
Miss Juliette Thelma Inn-, the
daughter of Mr. and Mr* Tglar
enee E. Lee, 2863 Maple street,
was graduated on -January 9th
from the General hospital Num
ber 2 Nursing Training Softool,
where she in the upper ftVLrth I
2dBfer
ofher class..
At present she Is visit irjj^with
her parents, but she. will return.-ear
ly in February to take the Missouri
State, Board examination for regis
tered nurses.
I Southern White
Women Against
Lynching Negroes
Atlanta, Ga., Jan- 20—Mrs- Jes
sie Dlaniel Amos said today white
women of the south are rapidly
forming opposition to the use of
j their skirts as blinds W -LT< fir®
lynchlngs.
She said substantiation of her
statement was gathered here this
week at the first biennial session
of the Association of Southern Wo
men for the prevention of Lynch
ing. Mrs. Amos is director of the
association.
“Economic creed is the cause of
more lynchings than the. protection
of white women’s honor, Mrs. Amos
declared.
She said 35 thousand women in
13 southern states have signed
pledges to fight lynching
OMAHA’S FIRST NEGRO
“MAYOR” IS DEAD
“Mayor” Harry Young was
found dead at 10 a. m. Saturday
January 16th. He was “mayor” of
the “Proverty Flats District” lo
cated in the vicinity of 15th and
Marcy Sts. He was 66-years-old.
MANY MOTOR TO CLEVELAND
TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF
CLARENCE C. GREEN
_ ffl---—--- I
“Daddy” Green Buried
Friday From Wynne
Funeral Home
By Gene Ray
Cleveland, O., (Special to the
Omaha Guide)—Nearly a him- ,
dred limosines bearing license 1
plates from the principal cities
of a half dozen states, were in '
the long procession which wend
ed its way from the Arthur E. j
Wynne’s funeral home, 5909 ,
Hawthorne avenue, here Friday i
afternoon, to the Woodland ceme- 1
te.ry, where the rt'mains'of the late <
'“Daddy” Clarence Clifton Green, 1
56, were deposited- Green, known <
from coast to coast members of <
the sporting world, died at the '•
Cleveland City hospital, Sunday, 1
January 3rd at 10:00 a. m. 1
His daughter, Mrs. Leona Green
Elliot and her husband Tom Elliot,
vho is co-owner with Clarence "Pig- 1
meat” Jones, of the Heat Wave l
Bar and Grill at 1991 Seventh ave- ’
iucs, New York City, motored here '
o take charge of the funeral ar- 1
rangements. They were accompan- t
ed by Robert Booth and John Ro
and of New York City and Dave
Lucky and Virgil Maddock of Pitts
burgh, Pa. Mrs. Lulu Robinson
Green, 2615 Grant St., Omaha, the
widow arrived Thursday evening
fVr th)' cferer^onV8 which were
ield Friday at two o’clock at the
Vynne Funeral Home.
The Rev. Dr. Marion F. Wash
ngton, pastor of Liberty NM Bap
ist church officiated and was as
listed by Rev. David Mosely of
rrldestone Baptist church. Miss V.
dcLend of McLeod’s Floral shop,
ierved as pianist and rendered a
lumber of religious instrumental
elections. Miss Susie Porter read
is a tribute, “A Psalm of Life,” by
fenry Wadsworth Longfellow;
Jeno Ray, owner of Ray’s Special
y Service and organizer-executive
lirector of the Negro Rescue Fed
eration, 3617 Cedar avenue, pre
ented a condolence from neigh
lors and friends and read the ob
tuary.
From 'Indianapolis, Omaha
“Daddy” Green was a native of
ndianapolls where he attended the
iubHc schools. He went to Omaha,
tfebr., many years ago, where he
net and was happily married to
Uss Katie Coffee who died while
heir daughter was still a small
(Continued on Page 5)
Second Inaugural
Franklin D Roosevelt
“We are determined to make every
American citizen the subject of his
country's intelrtest and concern;
and we wll never regard any faith
ful law abiding group within our
borddrs as superfluous. The test of
our progress is not whether we add
more to the abundance of those wht
have much; It Is whether we pro
vide enough for those who have to<
little.”
From President Roosevelt’s Sec
ond 'Inaugural address January
20, 1937.
Fighters Are Shy
Of Jim McVey
San Francisco, Calif., Jan. 23
(ANP)-George Godfrey once
told a group of Pacific sports wri
ters that he was able to secure more
ring work after he lost a match,
than when he won. Some of these
same writers laughed at that time,
but they are ready to admit the
truth of ‘ Gawge’s” statement now,
sinco learning the difficulty Sunny
Jim McVey is having in getting
ring opponents.
McVey, who was recommended by
Champion John Henry Lewis to nis
father, who conducts a gymnasium
In Oakland, hails from Pittsburgh
and since arriving on the coast
last year, is undefeated. With the
wallop of a mule in either hand,
Sunny Jim has kayoes more than
half of some dozen foes. His prow
ess in the squared circle has reached
far and wide, but too his sorrow,
as the ofay leather pushers turn
thumbs down when a bout with the.
Negro boy is mentioned. Maybe
Jim should lose a few bouts like
Godfrey.
Pilgrrim Baptist Gets
Goodwill Musical
L. L. McVay
The committee made up of pre
sidents of the leading colored choirs
cf Omaha met last Sunday at the
home of L. L. McVay, 2868 Cor
by St. and voted to go to Pilgrim
Baptist church at 25th and Hamil
ton Sts. for the third annual Good
will Spring Musical, Sunday Mar.
14th. Note this will be the second
Sunday in March and not the four
th as was once stated.
The fine spirit of the members of
this committee give light that thei
spirit will be inclined to make
this years program even better
than the years before.
The choirs are now getting start
ed on the way to a fine program
for this day. A day when all minds
will be centered on a closer rela
tionship between churches and
choirs.
i
This is the time for the members
of the different choirs of the city
to show their love for their church
and choir by coming fo regular '
practices and help to make their
choir just what It should be.
iNow are people from the other
group, who are already looking
forward to this day and I am sure
we are also and will do our best
to make this day a success in every
way.
LELAND UNABLE TO
ATTEND INAUGURATES
Mr. Harry Lei and of 2824 No
24th St., deputy In the Port of En
try department of Nebraska am
prominent In Democratic circle!
although in receipt of several in
vitations both to the ceremonies am
afte.r-entertainment; states he wai
unable to attend this terms Inau
guration of Franklin D. Roosevelt
as President of the United State;
on January 20th, because of tb
illness of his wife.
WEDDED
The announcement of the mar
riegu of beautiful Miss Helen Sin
gleton to Eugene McMullain cam'
as a shocking but p^astant sur
prise to their many friends and ad
mirers.
Both young people are popula'
favorites with the social set, an<
they are constantly being congra
tulated and showered with gooe
wishes for a happy future.
The couple were wedded severa
months ago, but kept their mar
riage a secret until last Wednes
day.
Mr. and Mrs. McMullain are a'
home to their friends at 2408 Maple
St. The residence of the groom!
mother, Mrs. M. E. Sterling.
Man Killed In Fight
Over 5(k
Dice Game Causes
Fatal Fight
Participants Have Criminal
Records
|
I Julius Shinehouse, 1325 1-21
North 24th St., was sentenced
to seven years in the State pen
I by Judge Fitzgerald, Tuesday
January 19th after pleading |
guilty to manslaughter in the
fatal wounding of Arthur Pat
terson, 2626 Franklin St., last
week at the home of Shine-1
house's sister, 1320 1-2 North i
24th St.
Shinehouse in confessing
said that he and Patterson had
been gambling and that after |
he had won all of Patterson’s
money, he was asked for a loan
' by Patterson of $2, which he
, gave him. Shinehouse said
Patterson followed him to the
home of his sister where he de
manded another loan of 50c to
which Shinehouse’s sister ob
jected thereby causing an ar
gument, cumulating in the fa
tal fight. Shinehouse said that
Patterson, “matii* f°r ! his poc
ket as if to draw a knife where
upon he hit Patterson with an
* empty whiskey bottVe knock
ing him to the floor, where
( Patterson finally succeeded in
* drawing his knife. The con
victed man said he hit Patter
son several more times and
broke the bottle and slashed
the slain man’s face.
According to Oscar Doerr,
Asst. County Attorney, both
men have long criminal rec
ords. Patterson having 1)6611
convicted twice for murder an
Shinehouse having numerous
sentences for petty larceny and
vagrancy. Patterson who was
removed to the Nicholas Senn
hospital after the fight, died
from injuries Sunday at 5 p.
m. The body is at Myers fun
eral home. Patterson was 56
years old.
SHORE PHYSICIAN LAUDS
PROVIDENT HOSPITALS
POST GRADUATE COURSE
- m---i
Cites Good Work Done
By Medical Staff and
Nurses in the Hospital
Atlantic City, N. J-, Jan. 23—
Growing tribute was paid to th<
work being done through the dir
ectors of Chicago’s Provident Hos
pital and Training School wher
Dr. Albert E. Forsythe of Atlan
:ic City spoke before the Esses
County Tuberculosis League, ct
January 6th In Orange, N. J
The occasion "was the first meet,
ng of the New Year for the Negro
Advisory Committee of the Esses
County League. The prominen’
»uest speaker, Dr- Forsythe, was
me of several Negro physicians
who pursued a four week’s course
n general medicine at Provldeni
lospital test September. Following
his experience, ha engaged in ex
rerne work in pneumothorax ther
ipy at New York’s Seaview Hos
jital and in December, took advan
age of the opportunity to spend
'our weeks of intensive training al
Jennie Burn Sanatorium, a county
nstitution at Scotch Plains, N. J
[ncidently, Dr. Forsythe was tht
irst colored physician to be con
lected with Bonnie Burn hospital
n a position equivalent to stafi
member.
Speaking of the opportunities
that cculd be created for colored
physicians, reference was made to
a letter from Dr. John W- Law
lah, Medical Director of Provident
Hospital, dietailing a comprehen
sive course of study which the staff
had succeeded in arranging upon
Request. The letter indicated the man
Tier in which the all Negro staff of
the institution as the University of
Chicago and Billing’s Memorial
hospital with Its excellent library
and other facilities to the end that
colored physicians may enjoy full
er opportunities for professional
advancement.
Dr. Forsythe, a member cf the
Atlantic City Medical Association
and the New Jersey Medical Socie
ty, discussed in detail the present
status of tuberculosis work from
the medical viewpoint, and also con
ditions confronting those who seek
training in efficiently combating the
disease. Both Seavlew hospital and
Bonnie Burn Sanatorium, he ex
plained, are using extensively the
collapse type of therapy for pul
monary tuberculosis. This is now
supplementing the rest,, fresh air
and diet treatment that has liere
(Continued on Page 5)
GRADUATE
NURSES HOLD
CONFERENCE
Will Have Several
Meetings in the Next
Three Months
New York, Jan. 21—The Na
tional Association of Colored
Graduate Nurses announces
plans for four regional confer
ences during March and April.
To Hampton Institute on
March 19th and 20th, the nurs
’s will come from the south
>n,stern region. Mrs. Cora,Eh ties
of Greenwoor, South Carolina is
president of this region.
On March 26th and 27th the
nurses of the northeastern region
will meet in Richmond, Va., at the
Phillip hospital school of nursing.
Mrs. Marion Hlerrvandez of New
York is president of this region.
The west central conference wit
bo held In Louisville, Ky. on April
2nd and 3rd- Mrs. WUla Maddux
cf Cheago Is the president.
Youth Day Program
Given At Zion
Tnu Kappi Chi, formerly
“ThP Critic Club’’, entertained
Omaha Church attendees with
a very interesting “Youth
Day’’ program Sunday at the
Zion B; ptist Church. At the
eleven O’clock service the au
ditorium was jammed with
many interested spectators,
both old and young.
Mr. Charles I>avis, a member
of the organization did a splen
did job as chairman of the ser
vice. His sophisticated at
mosphere added a charming
touch and eloquence io the oc
casion.
Rev. M. K. Curry, pastor of
Zion chose his text from the
book of Joseph. Ilis subject
was “Joseph’s Coat of Arms’’.
Rev. Curry clearly defined' the
problems facing the youth of
that day in comparison with
the youth of today. “Courage
and fidelity is self helps to
solve the problems. Exper
ience and assistance from par
ents will aid on the other
hand.” Rev. Curry emphas
ized the need of Christianity
in every home, and parental
guard over children.
Mr. B. E. Squires, executive
of the Urban League, spoke
briefly on, “Negro Youth In a
Change in Social Order”. Mr.
Squires as guest speaker be
wildered many in the audience
with his public speaking abil
ity; his liberal views on timely
topics alnd questions of not
only local interest but Nation
al as well, were astounding.
“Youth must be given a chance
to develop and exercise their
talent abilities and potential
powers.” He took his seat a
mong facial expressions of ap
proval.
Zions Senior Choir in songs
and Lloyd Lee in instrumental
gave several appropriate num
bers for the occasion.
The organizations’ president,
Henry L. Levells, spoke brief
ly on the motives and ultimate
objectives of the groups. “The
an dedication above all.
Voices uttering words of ap
proval closed the service. The
president stated the organiz
ation intended to make such a
service an annual affair as is
done in other wideawake cities.