The forum. [volume], April 14, 1917, Image 1

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TOL. IS -NO. (1 SPRINGFIELD, ILL., SATURDAY APRIL 14. 1917 PRICE: FIVE CENTS
CO OPERATION OF COLORED
LEADERS IS URGED BY
MEMBERS OF RE
ALITY BOARD
TO HELP DEAL WITH THE EFFECTS
OF NEGRO MIGRATION FROM THE
SOUTH INTO CHICAGO
Real estate men and property
owners in the Hyde Park and
Woodlawn districts particularly
are much stirred up over the heavy
influx of Negroes to that part of
the city and the matter was
brought up at the monthly meet
ing of the Chicago real estate board
on Wednesday.
Several earnest talks were made
by L. M. Smith, president of the
Chicago Renting Agents’ Associa
tion; Ivan O. Ackley and Presi
dent Valentine H. Surghnor, in
which the rapid Negro encroach
ment on districts which heretofore
have been almost exclusively in
habited by white people was de
clared to be the gravest possible
menace to the property interests
of a great part of the south side
and the most serious problem it
has ever faced.
Asks Aid of Negroes.
Following the speeches a com
mittee was appointed by President
Surghnor consisting of Mr. Smith,
Mr. Ackley, Adolph Kramer,
John A. Carroll and C. R. Glea
son to investigate the situation
and report to the board what
seem to be the most feasible steps
to protect the interest of proper
ty owners. I
The committee's report says it
is a financial business question not
to be approached from the stand
point of racial prejudice, and sug
gests the co-operation of influen
Negroes. It is urged that inas
much as more territory must be
provided that each block should be
filled solidly with Negroes, first,
and that expansion should be con
fined to contiguous blocks, and
that the present method of secur
ing a single building in scattered
blocks be discontinued.
Fear Loss of Values.
It is declared that promiscuous
sales and leases hero and there
mean an unwarranted destruction
of values, and that the loss in most
cases is borne by the small owner
whose property often represents
his life’s savings.
The committee asks the co-oper
ation of civic bodies in the solu
tion of this most difficult problem
and desires to meet a representa
tive committee of Negro citizens
to this end.
Chicago Tribune
CULTURE CLUB.
Woman’s Day was observed at
the Culture Club last Sunday af
ternoon at which time a splendid
program was rendered. Mrs. J.
F. Johnson presided and the en
tire program was rendered by
women. The choir rendered mus
ic befitting the occasion.
A splendid “Spiritual Talk”
was given by Mrs. Rebecca Mur
rell. Other features were a piano
solo, “The Dying Poet” Mrs.
Willeta Martin. Vocal duet, Miss
es Douglass and Jordan. Heading
Miss Eulalia Osby. Piano “They
Crucified My Savior” Mrs. Ole
tha Beck. Journalist, Miss Hazel
Tucker. Critio, Mrs. S. C. Man
uel. Offering $5.20.
Rev. and Mrs. W. F. Walkei
left Monday evening for Lexing
Utu, Mo., to attend the anuua
Conference.
PLEASANT GROVE
Editorial Notks, My Jas., Hunt
Owing to the inclemency of the
weather, our Sunday school at
tendance was somewhat dimished
Sunday, only 87 present. The
Sunday school is doing exceding
ly well and is being led to victory
in its many particulars. One
should not wonder why part of
our success is due from the fact
that T. \V. Warrick, our worthy
Sui>erintendent is putting forth
every effort in helping t° bring
about a Sunday school that will
meet the demands of to day, and
will make a record behind for un
born posterity. The world will
little note nor long remember
what we say here, but it will nev
er forget what we are doing here.
Rev. S. C. Robinson has charge
of the morning service. His texj
was found in the last verse in the
S. S. lesson. “Loose him and let
him go.” He preached a plain,
practical ,sermon.
Our Easter program was ren
dered in the evening, which was
enjoyed by the audience.
Mrs. ivaricy nawains was in
charge of the program while Mrs.
Virginia Hubbard was in charge
of the music. These two valiant
women have accomplished much
as young women in,the junior de
partment. VV'e talk of people
who attain honor by thrust, some
by inheritance and some by favor;
but rather give honor to that
man or woman who merits it by
their good work.
A COMPLETE SURPRISE.
One of the most pleading “Sur
prise Parties” enjoyed in this city
for a long time was the one given
Mr. Frank R. Wilkins at his home
last Saturday evening by his wife
and a number of friends. It was
not an easy matter to get the good
husband out of the way in order
for the good wife to prepare for
the surprise desired so G. G.
Bates was called into Bervice. A
telephone message was enough to
decoy the husband down town
while the friends gathered and a
most sumptuous was being pre
pared, About Nine o’clock Mr.
Wilkins returned and found the
home well filled with friends who
had come to wish him many
“Happy Birthdays.” The even
ing was most delightfully spent
by all and it was quite late when
the guests repaired to their sever
al homes. Mr. Guy Washington
of Decatur came down to help
celebrate.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
Dr. A. H. Kinniebrew, of Jack
sonville, and Dr. P. M. Santos,
Physicians and Surgeons; Dr. ,1.
I. Miles. Dentist, have opened offi
ces 210 1-2 S. 5th St. Dr. Kinni
ebrew will be there every Thurs
day and every other Sunday 10 to
3, or by special apnointineut.
Dr. Santos and Dr. Miles there
every Pay. Bell Phone, 2156.
Calls answered day or night.
Dr. N. A. Mackey of New York,
accompanied byhis secretary. Miss
Franke G. Reed of St. Louis, will
spend a week or more in Spring
Held. Dr. Mackey is introducing
a Rheumatic cure which is said to
be very good.
26 persous were baptized at
Grace M. E. church last Sunday
evening,
I Mrs. S. C. Manuel was some
what indisposed this week.
LITERARY RESEARCH, AND
STUDY CLUB.
—
The Literary Research and Stu
dy Club met at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. E. J, McCoo, on
East Jackson Street last Tuesday
evening and listened to a very in
teresting program. Mr. Fred
White presented sketches made by
him in Cuba during the Spanish
American war showing many in
teresting things, places and events.
The illustrated talk by Mr. White
proved a rare treat to all present.
Dr. P. M. Santos, in his usual
pleasing way, reviewed^ the “His
tory, People, Customs and Tcmpe
nimcnt” of Cuba and gave infor
mation of the highest value to
students of a kindred people.
Miss Jessie Rollins, Mr. Chas. W.
Kittrell and Mrs. P. M. Santos,
were guests of the evening. Mrs.
Santos and Mr. Kittrell were elec
ted to active membership in the
Club, while Miss Rollins was
made an honorary member. Re
freshments and a social hour after
the program, were pleasing fea
tures. The Club will meet with
Mrs. L. C. Mitchell on East Jacb
Bon Street next Tuesday evening
at which time the Character of
Brutus will be delineated by Hon.
B. H. Lucas. l)r. Santos, will take
the Character of Mark Antony,
while quotations will be from Ju
lius Ceasar. “An Evening With
Shakespeare” will afford enter
tainment for the “Researchers.”
L L. SMITH PASSES AWAY.
Dr. T. L. Smith of Quincy. III.,
who for years was pastor of the
Union Baptist Church of this city,
was called by death last Sunday
evening at 9:15 at his home on
South 7th Street. His dauhgter.
Mrs. Carrie Smith of this city
with her sister. Miss Elizabeth
Smith, left Sunday afternoon for
their father's bedside and arrived
but a few hours before his death.
The funeral was held Thursday
afternoon at the Eighth and Elm
Street Baptist Church, where D'-.
Smith had been pastoring for ma
ny years. Quite a delegation of
prominent citizens from here at
tended. Rev. Smith has been a
prominent figure in the Baptist
Cause in this state and in the ad
joining states also for many years
and he will be greatly missed.
His many friends in this city very
deeply feel their loss and sympa
thize keenly with the surviving
members of the family.
Miss Alice Williams and Mrs. J.
Harold White, entertained last Tues
day evening at Mrs. White’s resi
dence, in honor of Mrs. Ethel White
Ashurst. About 25 were present.
They spent a delightful evening
and all departed for their homes at
a late hour, declaring Mrs. White
and Miss Williams ideal hostess.
The St. Cecilia Guild of St. Lukes
Episcopal Church, are spending
some busy days now, quilting.
These ladies are ardent church
workers and meet their guild
promptly every Friday afternoon.
Father Brown, rector of St Lukes
Episcopal church, has been quite ill.
Mrs. Ethel White Ashurst of
Selma, Ala., who has been visiting
relatives and friends in the city for
a number of weeks, will leave for
home Sunday. She will spend a
few days in St. Louis, on her way.
The Rebecca Missionary Society
rendered a very interesting program
Monday evening at the Union Bap
tist church before a very good sized
audience. After the program a
banquet was served in the lecture
room. Mesdumes, J. F. Johnson,
Dora Wormley and Rev. S, C.
I Manuel hud the bouquet in charge.
DANIEL FINNEY CAPTORED
The Supposed Wife Slayer Will Be De
fended by Attys. B.G. Clinton & C.S. Gibbs
A case that lias caused a sensa
tion in this city throughout all cir
cles, will soon lie brought to trial.
Mrs. L). W. Finney, a member of
the Onion Baptist Church, a mem
ber of the Eastern Star and well
and favorably'known throughout
the city, was killed in her home
on South Fifteenth St. on the even
ing of March 11th, 1917.
*‘I wish that 1 h:ul killed myself
at the time my wife was shot and
killed. Now that I am caught, I
am going to be a man and faie
the consequences.”
Daniel Finney, a colored man of
this city, made this statement Mon
day afternoon following his arrest
in Peoria on a charge of murder
ing his wife, Nellie, on the night
of March 14. this year. Mrs Fin
ney was shot and killed by her
husband in their home at 1022 So.
Fifteenth street. Until Monday,
Finney has been dodging the offi
cers qf both the police and sheriff’s
departments.
runey was arrested at a house
in Peoria oil Matthew street, b.v
Deputies Burton ami Dulaney of
the Sheriffs office of Springfield,
and four detectives of the Peoria
police department. He was traced
by the Springfield officers from
this city to Elkhart, to Lincoln
and fwan there to Peoria.
Aft*r he had been located, Depu
ties IVirton and Dulaney went to
Peoria where they enlisted the aid
of the four Peoria policemetuand
went to the residence where Fin
ney was staying.
Posed As A Friend
Deputy Burton went to the
front door of the house after the
other officers had stationed them
selves on the outside of the resi
dence.
“I understand you have a very
dear friend of mine staying with
you,” Burton told the woman who
responded to his knock on the
door. “My name is Samuel Wheat.’’
Burton was invited to come in
side. While the woman was going
to summon Finney, the latter sus
pected that an effort was being
made to arrest him. He hurried
upstairs and attempted to crawl
out of a window on the second
floor to the roof of the residence
adjoining, but was detected by
one of the Peoria officers who
forced him back into the room.
rromtne position uepuiy nur
ton had taken at the head of the
stairs, he finally induced Finney)
to come down'to the first floor and
submit to arrest. Finney left his
revolver upstairs before coming I
down to be taken into custody.
Questioned by Sheriff
Finney was locked up in the
county jail here last night after he
had been questioned by Sheriff
John A. Wheeler and Assistant
State’s Attorney Snigg.
The prisoner declared that he
Itad killed his wife by accident.
"My gun was lying on a table,”
he said. "I picked it up with one
hand and my coat with the other.
While 1 was putting on my coal,
my wife tried to take my gun
away from me, and in the scuffle
that followed, she was shot.”
Finney was indicted on a charge
of murder by the grand jury for
the March term of court. He re
mained in hiding in this city sev
eral days after the shooting he said.
Attorneys Clanton and Uibbs
have been retained to defend him
and one of the closest contested
murder trials over tried in this
auction will doubtless result. Mr.
Fiuuey is a high degree Mason and
lias stood well among his fellows
iu Springfield, Just what the re*
IN TIE FRATERNAL WORLD
By J. Harch.d White
In connection with the idea of
the local lodges entertaining their
Grand Lodges in their annual Ses
sions in Springfield during the
year of the Centennial, 1918, we
have now to consider the result of
our recent election in making the
City dry after the second of May,
next, as to whether or not this con
dition would iii any considerable
way effect the willingness of those
of the Grand Lodge organiza
tions to meet in our city. This
wo can only tell when such a mat
ter is brought before the State
bodies, but we feel that this should
not be a deciding factor on the
question. Some of the members
of Honor Court No. 4, O. O. C.,
have expressed their desire to have
the local Pythians invite the Grand
Lodge Knights of Pythias here for
1918, and other organizations
should follow.
Capitol City Lodge, K. of P.,
had its usual interesting meeting
on the first .Monday evening, the
report of the banquet committee
being made and committee dis
charged with thunks. A commit
tee was appointed consisting ol
Bros, J‘. Harold White, Jesse
Walker and George J. Beard to
make the necessary arrangements
for the annual Sermon of the
Knights of Pythias and Court of
Calanthe which is to be held on
the first Sunday in -May. The com
mittee will meet this week wgh
those from the Court and Eastern
Star Lodge, and are looking for
ward to a gala day.
Frederick Douglas Lodge No.
48, U. B. of F. has recieved an
other shock in the death of the
Reverend T. L. Smith, Grand
Chaplain of the Grand Lodge ot
lIKuois, United Brothers of Friend
ship and Sisters of The .Mysteri
ous Ten, having just lost Dr. N.
B. Ford about a month ago. At
the regular meeting Tuesday ev
ening, Bro. B. G. Clanton was
Delegated to represent the lodge
in attendance at the funeral, which
was held in Quincy Thurs. Apr 12.
Brother R. A. Byrd, Mutual
Aid Secretary of the U. B. F.
and S. M. T. has been confined to
his bed for several days with a
troublesome cold. We hope him
an early recovery.
Mrs. Emma J. Goin has accepted j
the appointment of Business Agent j
for The Home Protective Associa- j
tion of Hannibal, Mn. All members
of that Association should bring
their books to 124 So. 11th street,
where proper credit can be given.
Miss Nadine Wright, daughter of!
the late Willis Wright of this city,
graduated from Radcliff College,
Boston, Mass., in the February class,
she now holds a position in the
State House in that city. Miss
Wright is well known in Springfield
and her friends will be pleased to
know of her success.
suits will be no one can tell at this
Lime. Deputy Sheriff Burton will
come in for a large part of the re
ward that was offered by the stale
for the arrest and conviction of
the accused.
At a meeting of the Pleasant
Grove Baptist church last Monday
evening, a call wat extended to Rev.
S. A. Mosely of St Louis, Mo. and
it is expected that Dr. Mosely will
come at once to take charge here.
The church is to be congratulated
upon securing the services of a di
vine like Rev. Mosely.
Ueo. Anderson and sister, Mrs.
Willie Wright of ia!30 East Kan
sas St narrowly escatied death
Wedneseay evening as they were
erossi g the 1. (J. tracks on tilth
and Ash Street in a buggy. The
horse was killed and the buggy
demolished. The injured were
taken to St Join. Hospital,
DOINGS OF OUR WOMEN
B.y Mrs. L. E. Barksdale
The Home Culture Section of The
Springfield Womans Club, met at
the residence of Mrs. Pearl Nelson,
209 So. 14th St., Monday, at 2:30
P. M. That the ladies are doing
their utmost to reduce the high cost
of living, was thoroughly demon
strated in the excellent 50 cents
menu given.
Meat Pie, by Mrs E. J. Goin:
Round steak, 15c: 1 potato, lc;
baking powder, 1 tea spoon; salt, 1
pinch; flour, one cup; tea, 2c; sug
ar. 2c; rice, 5c. Total 32c
Mrs. Barksdale, menu for 3.
Soup beans, 15c; bread, 5c; meat,
15c; rice, 5c; sugar, 5c; tea, 5c;
Total 50 cents.
Mrs. Bellamy. Turnips, 10c; meat
15c; bread. 5c; tea, 5; sweet pota
toes, 10c; sugar, 5c. Total 50c.
Several other excellent menus
were given.
The Educational Section will meet
next Monday with Mrs. Barksdale.
Mrs. Byrd, as chairman of this sec
tion is making the work very inter
esting. The program for Monday is
familiar and unfamiliar trees. Also
a paper by Mrs Frank Wilkins. Mrs
Pearl Nelson has charge of the mu
sical division of this section.
That our women are no less pa
triotic than our men, was demon
strated beyond measure last Mon
day, when a large class was organ
ized to take up the "Red Cross”
work. Thorough instructions will be
given us, and u fully equipped room
l.as been obtained at the Palmer
School, where the ladies will meet
For instructions, and muke hospital
supplies. No race has braver sol
diers than ours. Their blood has
been the first shed in every war.
From the Revolutionary down toihe
present time. He loves his coun
try, he honors the flag and our
women are just as loyal. Our "Ban
ner of Duty” shall never trail in
the dust. We hope a larger num
ber of our women will help us. Mrs
R. A. Byrd was unanimously elect
ed Secretary of the auxiliary.
"The Sister Masons” given at
St. Paul Church last Thursday ev
ening was lurgely attended. It was
very comical and furnished the au
dience with a great deal of laughter
MAJOR JACKSON’S BILL
BECOMES A LAW
BIRTH OF A NATION AND OTHER
MOVING PICTURES CALCULATED
TO CREATE RACE PREJUDICE
ARE BARRED
The Senate has passed Repre
sentative Jackson’s bill which pro
hibits the showing of any play,
either in the state or in motion
pictures, which tends to incite race
hatred. As the measure has
passed the house, it now becomes
a law. It received thirty-three
votes and seven votes were cast
against it.
Senator Ettelson led the tight
for the bill. He contended that
it should he adopted out of justice
to the Negro race.
Senators Denvirand Manny lead
the opposition, claiming that it
was so broad in its scope that al
most any play could be stopped.
Representatives Jackson and
Lucas have well won the confi
dence and respect of their consti
tuents and Race by their untiring
etl'orts to secure justice for their
people.
After several months visit to
various parts of the south includ
ing Orlanda, He Tone, Tampa, St.
Augustine, St. Petersburg and
Tampa. Fla., Mrs. Celia Lambert
of this city has returned and re
turned und reports a most delight
ful trip. _