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» _ _ ■ _■-L-E^=r._^ —---: =——=^=^=s=====r==== VOLUME^XLvTnO. 10 RICHMOND. VIRG1NIA.SATURDAY JAN. 14. 1928 _PR1CE' F1VE CENTS' AFRICAN MISSION CONDITIONS Makes Vitrolic Attack Upon the Secretary, Dr. A. A. Graham Alleges Mistreatment and Concealment of Facts. Denied Free Speech and a Fair Hearing. - « Editlor Richmond Planet, , Sir:—Please allow me space in j your valuable paper rt. say a few i words. As It is expedient for all of us Ho look forward at the beginning of the New Year to better things and 'Jo lay aSd0 as far as possible those things that have hindered and returned our progress, I am thero fore wrWng this open letter to the public. .So many things have been said against me and about' me and my wife since I arrived In Richmond last year, rhai it would take an is sue of your paper to answer Ihem. Again, 1 have never; sought publici-T through the newspapers. I have been an arden* exponent, of Foreign Missions ag conducted under the Ltf.t Carey Society and condemn as an ingra*e and one entirely recreant to his trusp any- one who Would turn and try to kill Ihe organization that he has upheld with enthusiasm for TWENTY-SIX YEARS. AN AMUSING,'STORY. Demand for this article reminds me of a story that my mother once related to me. She said a woman had a crazy boy and as she was going away, she cautioned the bey that he was to sit in the corner of the room and if any one came simply say “ur”. Said she. “If you say more 'he people will find out that you are crazy”. The mother went and some friends called. They asked the crazy boy where was his mother, and *Sie boy said “ur”. They asked h'yn how old he was and he said “ur". The friends said that he was crazy. The analogy is: I have fried no:’ to write against ‘he Lott Carey Society and have go'ten worse results 'han if I had written 'he facts as '.hey were when I firs', came home last year However, although it is late, I must correct some glaring errors “’hat have been made concerning us. \ DR. GRAHAM’S ELECTION. When Dr. Alexander departed ♦his lif© and Dr. A. A. Granam was elected in .his stead as Corresponding Secrehtiry. he received all the Lott Darev mail. I had borrowed $100 (one hundred dollars) from bank in Por.h Rico against the Lot' Carey Society. The note was sent to Dr. W. T. Johnson. He was away and no one in his office. The note went back to protest and my friend in Porto Rico had it pay. In .the meantime I was struck in New York by au automobile. In some myster ious way, Dr. Graham got the letter and paid the bill, bui when h0 pub lished in 'he Lott Carey Herald con cerning i‘.t he said that he paid $200# (two hundred dollars). This was untrue. N ALL STEAMERS CROWDED. The second time I sailed under his direction in 1920 he was hurry ing us on to Liverpool to secure pas sage for ourselves and for Misses Banks and Gooding. It was jua* afl'er 'foe war and all the steamers < going to West. Africa were crowded. < In ;ihe meeting cal'ed in Richmond < prior to th;s do thwart my going to < Africa had been defea'ted in its pur pose. Dr. Graham called the meet- i ing and urged me to be present ad < that meelng. He never ‘old me the ] purpose of it. As I wa3 going out i as a phvsician. I fell impelled to i tke some requests for tnv work. < ms al«o to be married that very hi '*o the favorite daughter of i icon and Mrs. Tharps and made 1 le requests for her school that i she was expected to conduct at Monrovia. PLAIN STATEMENTS. In this meeting I had 1he firs, speech and aflerwards Dr. Thomas was asked to' speak. Rev. Thomas said. "I do no3 know what to say. It was my understanding that I was to speak of Dr. Boone’s work and ne was to speak of my work, aud Dr. Boone has spoken of both sides”. Dr. Howard, of sainted memory asked, ‘‘Is what Dr. Boone said (true"? Rev. Thomas replied thad was. Then Dr. Howard said to ,Dr, Glraham. "You have not made of this meeting what you pkipried". The Board granted my request for $1,000 (one thousand dollars) for my medical work and $5Q0 (five hundred dollars) for Mrs Boone’s school work. Drs. Graham and Johnson were appointed to see thai this money be paid. But so far as we know not one cent has ever been paid upon the $1,000 (one thousand dollars) for medical work or ihe $500 (five hundred dollars) for Mrs. Boone’s school'Work. Dr, Graham had told me 'that all money I collected on dhe home field could be applied to equipment. Thla money had been spent for equipment before 1he meeting in Richmond In which *he $1000 was granted. STRIKE IN NEW YORK. I On arriving in New York for my departure with my bride, I met an expressman’s sttrike and found it qu3‘e impossible to get my cargo to ’.he ship before it sailed. But being urged by Dr. Graham tb proceed to Liverpool and engage passage for the party and knowing -.fiat I had re ceipts for all my goods, I ventured ,, go at he command of the Cor responding Secretary. When I reached Liverpool and went nexj morning to Elder Demps’er’s office and found thai Dr. Graham had taken up the mal’ter by cable and had arranged all of the passages while we were in midocean, caused me to prophecy jus.( the same re sults we have to-day. I sent at once ail my veceipts for my cargo, giving in detail where the things were and the money that had been paid upon them. A few of these things were shipped. Mr. Merrill, Liberian Con sul in New York wrote to me that) Dr. Graham refused to pay any more freight' upon (things for me. Can you imagine my righteous in dignation when here in 1923 and I called at Mr. Merrill’s and he hand ed me all my papers and receipts. [ asked him why he did not collect the things, and send them to me. He replied tJha.: ‘‘No one was paying him to gb around town and collect my Things”. Then. I asked him why he had said that I left~my business y “loose ends". ( THE AFRICAN COMMISSION j Drs. Brown and Graham came to Liberia and we were all very glad n see them. For my part', I was *eady to take up my bed and walk, tor I had heard /‘ha I they were coni ng with an express purpose of dis. •hargng me. The day after my dis- j •harge. I had prepared to step righ : • >ver into another field and keep lriving. Their stay was an inspira > licm to us all. We did not ge;‘ tho ;ash that we anticipated, because >ur salaries were far behind. I do lot th:nk .(hai‘ they left $300 upon he entire field. They organized a 3oard of Con‘rol and made me •hairman. Very soon af 'er reaching Ymerioa the Corresponding Secre ary failed to recognize the Board le had pu‘ into existence. We were ;oing to the expense of meeting and “ending in recommendations and not only were our recommendations refused, but tlhe Secretary got so he would noM even make reply. PLEDGES. # « I The Commissioners made many pledges to our work. They were going to furnish a DeJoo lighting sy9t«m for Brewerville School; fake (Tver Rev.; Hayes’ wheelrigh”? shop; put a memlo>rial window in Provi dence Baptist Church, of which I was then paslor. They fulfilled none of these. The only engagement the Secretary kept was to pay a woman a bill he owed. Drs. Brown and Gfraham both said vehemently that they were going 9o send no other missionaries to the field until they erecffed buildings for those already there. jl .7 i FAULKNER AND THE SAW MILL. I Dr. Brown and Dr. Graham had been to the field and according to tlhe home views, were supposed to< know niore about it than the Mis sionaries. They knew conditions were uiort suited for a big saw mill such hs they sent. Yel. they sen? Faulkner and afterwards dumped flte saw mill upon the cotfst of Africa to Work Stfejelf. $10,000 thrown away. SALARIES AND FURLOUGH. Soon at ler the saw mill came to us. there came in its wake death and despair. The Secretary kept falling farther and farther behind in our salaries—while he told the people over here that* tihe Mission aries were all "paid up’’. One year he sent? for me and my Wife only $200. My wife wrote to him and asked for the support according to :'he contract, and he made fun of her and did not send one penny. When times became unbearable, my wife wrote to her friends in Rich mond and ".fiey gave us relief. Dr. Graham never sent us one ounce of food. He put ii* in his annual report but W is a false statement. TRIED TO HOLD US IN SLAVERY He gave us a contract for 3 years and when the fourth year was out we applied for a furlough. He had no money with which to pay our expenses. He also informed us tha' our contraq4 automatically renewed irtself—mark you, without consent of the pan'ies contracting. We could no‘J reach the Board. He broke open and confiscated my mail sent in his care. He had planned to starve us So dea4h, but God delivered us. COMMITTEE OF ARBITRATION Here in America he was like a lion. In Brooklyn, I could not meet! the Board or have a word to say in the Convention, until ithose few words at the closiing of the meeting. Dr. Graham owed us when we reached America $2,394 (two thousand, three hundred and ninety four dollars). I could ge;! no' hear ing. He acted far from a Christian or even a gentleman. I appealed ‘.Jo the brethren for a commitee of ar bitration. The Committee me* in Washington, D. C . accepted my re port and *4ook out of my salary every cent ihatf I had made upon '‘he field withou4 allowing me one cent for ‘'.xT'enses. The Convention by rights, sfll owes me $1,294 (one thousand two* hundred and n’nety-four dol lars). Dr. Brown said in the No vember issue of 4he Lott Carey Her ald that they paid me above con tyaa4 price $2,000 (two thousand dollars) and that is untrue. / MEDTCAL EDUCATION. Dr. Stokes in his effort to up hold Dr. Graham stated that’ the Lott Carey Convention gave me my medical education. A more false statement oould not have been made. When I came home from Congo, dhe Convention voted tio give me a year’s vacation on salary. Ad the next session when i|t was found that none of <<hat money had been paid and tlhatithey owed me $600* (six hundred dollars), they rescinded nation of the previous 'Convention ffu<t gave me $300 (three hundred dollars) in stead of the six hundred which they owed. Tha3 is the way they paid my schooling. Much was said while I was upon the field about “pensions” eto. I have never looked for any, but I have been receiving JuaM what I an" tidipated from colored people. And I am even doming out bet|ter than Colley and PreBley. I shall never look for even a vo/te of thanks from tihe Lott Carey Convention. ‘T have done iny woric, >1 (have aungj my song”. It will stand and the .Great Arbiter of human fortunes will some day call up ithe credit list. Selah* C. C. BOONE, M. Dj POE—ALSTON > Mrs. Charfcty Elizabeth Alston, of Philadelphia, Pa., ormerly of 708 Denny Street, Richmond, Va. an nounces the marriage of her daugh ter, Luclle Virginia to Mr. Therman Arehie Poe. The marf'age took pBace Thursday, December 8, 1927 at 'She parsonage of Rev. J. H. Dwelle.' Mr. and Mrs. Poe will make tJheir future home a’J 1842 North Twenty fourth Street, Philadelphia. WtiSW: _ ADVANCE QUARTERLY MEETING AT ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH. j You are cordially invited to at tend the service of the Home Mis sion Society to be held at St. Paul Baptis-' Church, Denoon and Henri co Street's. Richmond, Va. Sunday January 29, 1928 at 3:30 P. M. Program of Fifcty Years Ago, under the auspices of 'the Grand United Order of Knights of Damon. Please br* ng a friend with you. Sermon by Rev. M. W. Rainey, Pastor of Firsit Baptist Church, Basil Richmond, ac companied by his choff'. '-. Invitation Committee: C. J. Pur year, James Williams, Charles Hen derson, William Venable, J. R. Crawley, Milton Ross, V. R. Ivey J. L. Stovall, Frank Matthews, James Smith. John Ellis, Sophia Lyons, John Ford, MatJtie Puryear, Charles H. MOrtton Sr., Bertha Ran some, Ellie Babbs, Marion Parker, Tohn Syms Ida Ellis, G. R. Quarles Laura Sco'‘t, John Williams, Annie B.. Brown, Laura W. Davis, Mae Summersett Mary Carring ton, Sarah Drew, Martha Farmer, Hester Cooke Lenora Jones, Izet*a Warren, Annie Norwood, Irene Clarke, Henrietta Clay. L. J. Randolph, Jesse Lewis, Sir J. C. Randolph, President; R E Moifon, Secretary. j CARD OF THANKS My Chr'stmas wou’d have been very lonely and desolate on account of the Reaper Death having taken my dear cousin suddenly from labor to reward, had not many loving friends of my Colonel remembered me bountifully, buS requested their names not to be published. The Southern Aid Society, Planet Office, Second Baptist Church, Invin cible Lodge Odd Fellows, Missionary Circle Fifth Street Baptist Church, Though sad we mark the closing eye Of those we loved in days gone by, Ya,: sweet in death their latest song We'll meet again, ’tw-ill not be long. My heartfelt thanks to all and may our Dear Lord keep you many Prosperous New Years. MRS. THOMAS M. CRUMP Mrs. Roberta Miller, of 12 E. 20th St. is ouJ again after an illness of about’ six weeks. Mr. RoberJ Morris continues very sick at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nannie Thompson, of 1509 Stockton St., Southaide„ Mrs. Regis Denny Marshall, of Evington, 111. and baby, Parthenia are in the city visiting their parents and grend -parents, Attorney and Mrs. W. F. Denny, 610 N. Third Street. Mrs. Irma Denny Royal, of New York spent the holidays here with parents and left for her pres ent residence. All have been royally entertained by friends here. Hilliard Jackson. 2242 Moore St. was in She Police Court last Monday upon the charge of shooting Hallie Harringbon, with the inSent to kill. In the pen, he started that Harrington had trouble with his brother and when he endeavored t|o gait his brother to go home Harrington drew a knife on him and he shot him in the leg. The case was continued. Explaining his possession of the re volver he said a party had pawned it whfb him. BESSIE H. CHERRY DIES SUDDENLY. i Mrs. Bessie H. Cherry, of 901 N Fifth Street, who was sis’er in-law of Dr. E. R. Jefferson, died sudden ly January 6, at about 3:30 A. M. from acute indigestion, also desig nated as angina ped'oris. She was practi dally dead when medical at tention could be given her. Her funeral book place at the First Bap Ms' Church Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Dr. W. T. Johnson officiated- < FULTON NOTES A powerful sermon waa delivered by Rev. G. W. Goodgame, ot Bir mingham, Ala. a? Calvary Baptist Church Sunday morning. He is a sludent a1*. Union. Rev. C.A. Cobb3. Vergie Meads, Walter Johnson and C. B- Jefferson were on*the rostrum . Mr. Lemuel Egglesi|on and friends were present’. The Pastor preached a credit ab’e sermon at night. Shiloh Baptist Church extends an invifthjMon to all to hear a great mes sage by Rev. Daniel Hargrove, cf North Carolina, Sunday 8:30 P. M. Tomorrow at 8 B. M. there will be a great mass meeting att Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the . auspices of the Fulton Lily Benefi cial Society. No. 1, Inc. The prin cipal address will be delivered by the pastor, Rev. O. B. Simms, B. Th . Members will wear regalia. The good people otf the New Vine Baptist Church, Charles Ci’y County presented heir pas*or, Rev. W. L. Tuck and h!s Madam with several valuable gifts at their Chris-mas ex- j ercises. Rev. K L. Bush enjoyed a fine Cliris’mas. Several presents were given him by the church, including a heavy overcoat. [PROF. MILES MARK FISHER RESIGNS FACULTY 'OF VIRGINIA UNION FOR ACTIVE PASTORATE. i RUMORED FISHER WILL FILL LOCAL^ULPIT. Rev. Miles Mark Fisher, popular member of the faculty of the Vir ginia Union University has resigned his professorship dn tie Theological Department and will devote his, em tire- itime to the active minis.Ty. Profc. Fisher has (been a member of Union’s faculty for five years and has accomplished preat good for the school and the community. Rev. Fisher has aipo resigned the pad orates, of Second Liberty..Baptist Church. New. Kent County and Elam Baptia’ Church, .Charlee City Coun.y. They are in .healthy^ spiritual and financial condition .;c /Pew rallies on special days amounted to over $3000 a‘ both . churche8--largest known amounts raised at one time by any rural churches in Virginia. I'.' is rumored that Rev. Fisher will accept a church In Richmond. Va. He preached last Sunday at the 31st SKree:v Bapfist Church to an enthusiastic audience of members and friends on Church Hill. The following is the contert of Prof. Fisher’s letter of resignation: The President and Trustees, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia. Dear Mr. President and Gentlemen: For the past' five years I have been happy ’‘o be associated with the splendid work of Virginia Union University. Probably our academic processionals, and the genesis of the Un’versitp h'sforv—“Virginia Union University and Some of Her Achieve ments”,- and 'the recently estab lished Phi Alpha Sigma honorary fraternity are the more tangible ex pressions of my presence. has been my pleasurue to assist in instructing youth who are highly typical of the rising generation, and it has been my delight to have had 'the company and friendship of es teemed colleagues. Union is a great school, administered by men of ster ling character and integrity. Its. future is assured among the better institutions for the training of young men and women. So many pleasan4 experiences at the UniversVy in Richmond and in the rural districts of Virginia in crease tihe difficulty of my leaving my professorship in the Richmond Theological Seminary. Yet I. must give myself wholly to my preaching ministry. As a result please accept this letter as my formal resignation do become effective not later than the last of March. 1928. I trust 4hat my desire '.fo assist mv successor in any possible way will counterbalance any break in the Theological Depart ment which may be caused by my leaving during a semester, i "When mp residence here will be terminated, I hope that.’ you will give me the pleasure of becoming one of your supporf’ng con^ti uents. Wri4ten word about1 my work hero boh from you and from my col 'eaeues would cheer me during the days when my thoughts will be turned "o this place made famous by many earnest souls. Yours for a Greater Union. MTLES MARK FISHER. SHEPHERDS NOTES. An overflow Union Degree Meeting was held on the first Friday night af ,the Samaritan Hall. More than 25 •can^idai'es weye initiated into the mysteres of the Improved Order Shepherds and Daughters of Bethle hem by Secretory 'A. C. Clark. Grand Presiding Shepherd Ora Brown Stokes delivered a very timely and instrucfi’ve address to tite members of the Order gathered af this mtee'ing. The ovation received -by her at the conclusion of her ad dress showed plainly <that what ehe said was approved by every one pres errtl. At the conclusion of this meet ing refreshments were served and every one went away happy ‘ (’lark's Invincible Fold held a very well attended meeting on the 9th inat'. This Fold is pulling hard •for the 'two hundred mark. 'The membership campaign meet ing held on the 10th was filled wt.h enf husiasm • The Reds walked away with more than three more members than che Biues reported at’ this meeting- Both sides are girding themselves for the final fray which promises to be (‘he biggest thing ever pulled off in Richmond. Now ,'s the opporAinity for every one who wishes to join a live, wide awake, progressive fraternal organ ization wi h a big humanitarian pro gram. Before 'his month is out your apoTcailoh will be solicited. The following death claims were paid during the pas-‘ month: H L Armsr'ead, Pamplin. Va Samuel Smith. Richmond Va. George W. "Hayes. Richmond, Va Re-lte Broaddus. Red Star, W. Va. Hazel D. Marshall, Spring Mills, Va) Rachel Price. Chcff'er, Va. Emanuel M. Dent, Covington Va Charles Carter, Nohead Va. The Director of our play "Frag ments of Luxury” request* all tided sellers to meet at the True Reform ers Auditorium Monday night TrM* o’clock to clear up the ticket* in circulaion. Report to your Preaf#" ing Shepherd or Ticket Chairman. ‘FRAGMENTS OF LUXURY” WILL RE PRESENTED MONDAY. We' will present what you have wqftine for so very, very long' Monday night, January 16, 1928 a* the True Reformers Auditorium, tbc p’ay which was written and so grace fully directed by Preston Wiltiams. The play has a strong cast, consis> ing of Misses Mamie Wood, leading lady and Edith Pollard, Pearl Lucas Messrs. Aubrey Pollard. Leon Cooke Zack Landis. Jr. Mus'c galore will be furnished by the no'te-1 and able Union University Collegians directed by Mr. Commodore Bennett, assist ed by Mr. Preston Johnson. You must be present :V> wi4ness your own comedian, Mr. Castor Oil. Come early to get a good seat*. “Come for curiosity”. If you have had a bluey. blue day, follow the crowds to witness title p’ay—Monday. Our program con s'sts of some of the best music ob tainable and each number will be of the rarest.