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VOLUME 111, NO. 2
TVIO DELEGATIONS MEET
COLORED VOTERf lIAGUE HOLDS
IMPORTANT LINCOLN DAY MEETING
TO HEAR POLITICAL CANDIDATES
Attorney Tom Sullivan Is Foremost Speaker on Program Held at
Memorial Baptist Church Tuesday Evening—Commis
sioners Wenzel and Clancy Present.
The Colored Voters’ League of St. Paul held a Lincoln Me
morial at Memorial Baptist Church, Rice and Fuller streets, Tues
day evening to one of the most enthusiastic audiences ever assem
bled for a like purpose. The occasion was of a political nature, in
fact, as many candidates from the Non-Partisan party were in
vited to be speakers of the evening. This division from the general
memorial feature was well received by the audience as many were
anxious to hear what the labor leaders and Non-Partisan factors
had to say.
Some of the best known labor men in the state were invited
to be present and showed their interest by attending in a body.
Among the labor and Non-Partisan guests were Commissioners
Wenzel and Clancy and Tom Sullivan of Minneapolis. Other speak
ers were Rev. L. W. Harris of Pilgrim Baptist church, Mr. Hen
dricks of the “Coolidge for President” Club and Attorney Glesner
Fowler of Minneapolis.
Program Enveloped.
Mr. Geo. Shannon, president of the
Voters’ League, made a splendid
talk as to the purpose of the organ
ization before introducing the speak
ers. Rev. Harris was the first speak
er of the evening and dwelled at
length on the fairness and justice
that should be accorded all men, re
gardless of race, color or creed. Fol
lowing Rev. Harris was Mr. Hen
dricks, who eulogized Abraham Lin
coln. Commissioner Wenzel bitterly
scored the “old guard” for injudi
cious practices concerning public gov
ernment. Commissioner Wenzel was
well received.
The main speaker of the program
was Tom Sullivan, who gave vent to
bis feeling on the present form of
municipal government, the lynch law,
economic conditions and specifically
stated that the battles of the Negro
must be in copimon with those of the
working man. The speaker received
an enthusiastic reception.
Resolutions Passed.
At this time Attorney Orlando
Smith, secretary of the Voters’
League, was introduced and read a
resolution to be submitted to Sen
ators Shipstead and Johnson con
cerning their supporting the Dyer
Bill. The resolution was adopted as
read. Attorney Olesner Fowler of
Minneapolis was well applauded on
Ills remarks concerning the correct
application of the ballot. Following
the remarks of Attorney Fowler, At
torney Frank Haskell, candidate for
municipal Judge, was introduced to
the audience. Several members of
the labor and Non-Partisan assembly
were presented in a body, after which
the Colored Voters’ League inslgnas
were distributed through the audi
ence. The next meeting of the league
will be announced later. The meet
ing Tuesday evening was well attend
ed and much interest was displayed
in the platform of the new parties.
LESLIE LAWRENCE POST
ELECTS YEAR’S OFFICERS
Leslie Lawrence Auxiliary held
their election of officers Wednesday
evening at the Legion Hall, 355 Rob
ert street, and the following were
elected: Miss Jessie Oden, president;
Mrs. Lenora Brown, vice-pres.; Mrs.
Geo. Hamilton, unit sec.; Mrs. Jessie
Brown, second sec.; Mrs. J. H. Mitch
ell, treasurer; Mrs. Sadie Bridges,
chaplain; Mrs. Ruth Grice, chairman
of ways and means.
Leslie Lawrence Post election of
officers are as follows: Geo. W. Ham
ilton, commander; A. Saunders, Ist
Tice com.; Lawrence McCoy, 2nd vice
com.; Allen Rufus, adjt.; Geo. D.
Howard, sergt. at arms; Geo. W.
Manning, finance officer. After the
election of officers in both Post and
auxiliary the evening was spent in
dancing until 11:00, after which a
very delicious lunch was served.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Howard, 767
Rondo street, are rejoicing over the
arrival of a little daughter, born Sun
day, February 10. Mrs. Howard was
formerly Miss Florence Jackson.
Mrs. Gwen Howell, 941 Rondo
atreet, is gradually recovering from
Iter recent attack of illness.
WOMEN’S CLUB
FEDERATION MID
WINTER SESSION
Pioneer Hall Is Scene of Mid
winter Session of Federated
Clubs.
The parlors of Pioneer Hall, 588
Rondo street, were filled with prom
inent club women and friends who
gathered to observe the nineteenth
anniversary and Mid-winter session of
the Minnesota State Federation of
Colored Women’s Clubs Friday morn
ing, February 8. Convening at 11
o'clock, business of importance was
transacted by the executive board,
presided over by the state president,
Mrs. Susan B. Evans of Duluth. The
board adjourned at 1 o’clock to par
take of a delicious three-course lunch
eon prepared by Mrs. Minnie Archer,
who was ably assisted by a corps of
efficient workers. The tables were
tastefully arranged and decorated
with the federation colors, gold and
white, with nineteen lighted candles
of the same hues. A large birthday
cake graced the center of the table.
Welcome Address.
After luncheon nearly one hundred
women representatives from the
twenty-three federated clubs were
seated in the spacious parlors when
the president called the meeting to
order. Mrs. Jessie. L. Williams of
Duluth, chairman of press and pub
licity committee, led the devotionals
with Mrs. Gladys Harris at the piano.
Extending a hearty welcome to the
assemblage, Mrs. Evans began as fol
lows: We extend to all present on
this our nineteenth anniversary our
heartiest greetings, yet while we meet
to celebrate the founding of our be
loved organization and pay a tribute
of honor and love to the able fore
sighted women who knew that in
union there is strength, we are ever
mindful of the fact that we have a
splendid opportunity to serve hu
manity, therefore we take advantage
once a year to come together in coun
sel gathering renewed Inspiration
from the exchange of ideas and re
ports of delegates. Our foundation
is not for today nor tomorrow, but
for the ages and the late Mrs. lone
Gibbs and Mrs. Lyles, who were the
founders, have not labored in vain.
Let us resolve to do greater things.
Learning the great value of co-op
eration and uniting our forces to
gether to attain the objectives are the
two ideals of the progressive wom
en’s clubs of today. If we expect to
give knowledge we must first have it.
If we expect to lead, let us live clean,
upright lives. Defend our federation
whenever assailed and emphasize the
fact that we are part of a great move
ment to uplift humanity. These
strong sentiments were deeply im
pressed on her listeners. The re
demption of the Frederick Douglass
Home inaugurated by the late Mary
(Continued on page 4)
Director of Branches of
N.A.A.C.P . Will Be
Guest of Local Branch
Mr. Robert W. Ragnall, di
rector of branches for the N. A.
A. C. P., will be in the city on
the following dates, and has
sent this schedule of meetings
to be held during his stay:
Wednesday, March 10—Ex
ecutive committee meeting.
Thursday, March 20—Dinner
conference.
Friday, March 21—Inter
views.
Return Trip.
Sunday, March 23—Mass
meeting at once of the
churches, place to be an
nounced later.
Monday, March 24—Wom
en’s conference at Little
Pilgrim, 2:30 P. M.
The dinner mentioned above
will be held at Hotel Howell at
6P. M. Covers will be laid for
fifty, at SI.OO each.
Hudson is Freed
Of Crime Charge
The trials and tribulations attend
ant with being charged with highway
robbery that temporarily erased the
seemingly perpetual smiles of Lloyd
Hudson, 3020 20th avenue south,
who is more commonly known as
"Dick,” have ended. Hudson was re
cently arrested and tried for robbery
of three taxi cab drivers. Friends at
tempted to have him released on bond
and his bail was boosted from $20,-
000 to $60,000, hence Dick had to
stay behind the bars. Attorney Rob
ert Cowling defended Hudson so vig
orously at the trial that he was ac
quitted of one of the charges and the
other indictments against him were
dropped.
So "Dick” Hudson is smiling again
for more than one reason. Jack Dunn,
manager of the Marine professional
football team, sent him his contract
for 1924 season and Dick intends to
play baseball with the Indianapollß
A. B. C’s.
Elderly Mother
Of Post Office
Clerk Dies Here
Mrs. Harriet Murphy, beloved
mother of James Murphy and Mrs.
Louise Reed, was called home to rest
from all earthly labor Monday, Janu
ary 28, at 11:15 P. M. Although 93
years of age, she was very active and
possessed of all her faculties. Just
before her last illness she recalled
the time when railroads, electricity
and telephone were unknown. Mrs.
Murphy was born near Glasgow, Ky.,
May 31, 1831, and was the daughter
of Reuben and Nancy Wallace. Her
parents had obtained their freedom
shortly before her birth, therefore
she was termed free-born.
Settled in Illinois.
At the age of 15, deceased was
married to Richard Murphy, who had
also been freed by his master. Decid
ing to establish a hotae, they jour
neyed North, where conditions were
different and traveled by the "prarle
schooner" to Warren County, Illinois,
five miles southeast of Monmouth.
They immediately purchased and paid
for ninety acres of land upon which
they lived over fifty years. To this
union were born sixteen children,
seven of whom are living.
Burial in Monmouth.
Brief services were held over the
remains at Simpson and Wills Chapel
where a number of friends paid their
last respects. Rev. L. W. Harris of
Pilgrim Baptist church officiated.
Handsome floral offerings surrounded
the casket. Her son James accom
panied the body to Monmouth, 111.,
where interment took place in the
family plot Thursday, January 31.
Mrs. Murphy was a great Christian
character and acquired a large circle
of friends during her residence in St.
Paul. Five sons and daughters
mourn the passing. Rev. Murphy,
Denver, Colo.; Augustus Murphy,
Kalamazoo, Mich.; Richard Murphy,
Canada; Warren Murphy, Monmouth,
111.; James Murphy, Bt. Paul; Mrs.
Nancy Hayes, Chicago, 111., and Mrs.
Louise Reed of St Paul. Five gen
erations also survive.
THE NORTHWESTERN
ST. PAUL—MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1924
R. NATHANIEL DETT
NATHANIEL DETT
TO APPEAR HERE
MONDAY EVENING
Famous Composer-Pianist Will
Give Redtal at Peoples
Church.
R. Nathaniel Dett, renown Com
poser-Pianist, will appear Monday
evening, February 18, at Peoples
church in one of the best musical
treats ever witnessed in the Twin
Cities. This modern day composer
possesses something unusual in the
realms of music, something indefina
ble to the masses, but recognized by
the masters of his jAc.'ession as mu
sical genius.
In every city where Mr. Dett has
appeared his renditions have been
of such that critics, if even biased,
were forced to acknowledge him an
artist of note. Many of the nation’s
foremost critics have announced his
ability through the press.
To Give Masterpieces.
Mr. Dett will render some of the
masterpieces that have made him fa
mous in his Monday night appearance
in St. Paul. "Juba” is a rare treat
in itself and after viewing the pro
gram numbers, one scarely knows
how to estimate the value of his
presentation to the lovers of music.
In speaking of Mr. Dett, when it
became known that he had accepted
the musical directorship at Hampton
Institute, Mr. Frederick H. Marten
said in the Musical Monitor:
"It might be said that the coming
of R. Nathaniel Dett to Hampton as
director of music at that institution
has marked a new epoch in its mu
sical development."
It goes without saying that Mr.
Dett’s appearance in the Twin Cities
is extremely notable. If any one
should miss this musical feast Mon
day evening they shall have lost an
opportunity many desire to have. Mr.
Dett appears under the auspices of
the Everywoman Progressive Council.
THE HONOR OF HIS RACE
The following poem was inspired
by the Press reports of the thoughts
of John Trice, the Negro football
star of lowa State College, on the
day of the game in which he lost his
life, taken from “His Creed."
No loftier or braver creed has ever
been propounded,
Than when this football 9 tar from
Ames, his thoughts of life com
pounded.
For what he thought about the game,
his whole life would express,
His love for family, and race, his
few words do confess,
He was an Honor to his race, an Hon
or to mankind,
And lofty thought like he express
ed, .will races closer bind.
He threw his body, and his soul, in
reckless bravery.
To gain the Honor for his State,
his College’s Victory,
And so if he had lived we think, the
same thoughts would prevail,
An Honor to his Stats, and Race,
he’d have been without fall.
—EL F. Rosing.
Public Is Urged to Take
Time to Register; then
Use the Ballot Rightly
What have you done about
registering? With the increas
ed |iolitiral activities it is high
ly necessary that every loyal
citizen exercise the (tower of the
ballot and such cannot be done
unless we register now and
vote when the time comes. The
various places for the conven
ience of the voters have been
made available by the city and
in order to carry on municipal
work properly the citizens must
interest themselves in city gov
ernment. If registering and
voting means good citizenship,
then it behoves every person to
register early and be a good
and useful citizen. IF YOU
HAVE NOT REGISTERED, DO
80 IMMEDIATELY.
Battle Royal is
Staged Sunday
Willie Weeks, Charles Spllle and a
Mr. Williams, who is better known
as "Turkey Breast,” were partic
ipants in a Grand Battle Royal at
Sixth and Lyndale avenue north Sun
day. Weeks and “Turkey Breast”
engaged In a nice battle for the pos
session of a two-barreled Derringer
pistol. The pistol was discharged,
knocking the sole off "Turkey
Breast’s” shoe. Mr. Spille, a by
stander, in the meantime attempted
to stop the two anti-Volsteadors from
fighting and he got a few licks for
bis trouble. "Turkey Breast” forced
Weeks to give up his gun by biting
his nose. Results: A night in jail;
lecture by the judge; free air again;
friends again.
Candidates For
Mayor Number
Three Increase
Mayor Nelson Still Holding
Three to One Lead Over Op
position for Office.
A great impetus was given the
mayoralty race with the official an
nouncement Tuesday that George L.
Seigel would enter as a candidate on
the labor ticket. The second bomb
of the week developed Wednesday
when it was officially announced that
Mike J. Carr, former commissioner,
would become an independent candi
date.
The outside parties are devising
every possible means of defeating the
present mayor in his campaign for
re-election. However, the mayor
seems to encounter no difficulty in
maintaining his lead established by
splendid executive work during his
regime. Mayor Nelson’s backers ex
pect to put him over in great style,
despite his present opposition. This
is conceded by many authorities on
the coming election.
Four in Race.
Two proposed candidates for may
or passed the fifty mark in nominat
ing petitions Wednesday at the office
of the city clerk. They were George
L. Siegel, Indorsed by labor, and
Mike Carr, county commissioner, now
in California on a political mission.
Mayor Nelson still leads all mayor
alty candidates in nominating peti
tions by more than three to one. m
Signers for Carr were recruited
from the office of Sheriff Wagener,
other county offices and friends
scattered over the city. These filings
were in response to several telegrams
received in St Paul Wednesday and
Tuesday from J. E. McMahon and
Sheriff Wagener, who accompanied
Carr on his Western journey..
George E. W. Nelson, reported
mayoralty candidate, proved Wednes
day that he is really a candidate for
the council when thirty-seven signers
appeared to file his name for the
council while his total in the mayor
alty race remained at five.
Many labor men appeared at the
city clerk’s office Wednesday to sign
petitions for all of labor's candidates
for city officer.
Mr. O. H. Locke, Kansas Clt}, Kan.,
has been the guest of Mrs. O. C.
Locke, 864 St. Anthony avenue.
COOLIDGE
TWO ASSOCIATIONS PRESENT PLEA
OF HOUSTON MARTYRS TO PRES.
COOUDGE; CLEMENCY IS ASKED
James Weldon Johnson and William Monroe Trotter Present Peti
tions From N. A. A. C. P. and Equal Rights League
Bearing Over 120,000 Names.
Washington, D. C.—Stirring developments followed closely
upon the joint race soldiers’ pardon hearing conducted before Pres
ident Coolidge by the N. A. A. C. P. and the National Equal Rights
League with their respective delegations, J. Weldon Johnson, sec
retary, making the statement for the former delegation of fifteen
and Wm. Monroe Trotter, secretary, the statement for the league
delegation.
At the audience President Coolidge stated that he favored
clemency and would order an investigation made to ascertain
whether the facts would permit of his pardoning all or part of the
men. He said he always gave a colored person the benefit of the
doubt and hoped the facts would warrant his granting pardons,
though realizing the affray was a terrible affair. He was politic
ally free-handed as the action was under a different part adminis
tration.
NEW INSURANCE.
CO. LAUNCHES
STOCK CAMPAIGN
Capitalization of $150,000 Given
to West Va. Corporation
of Race Men.
Charleston, W. Va.—The Union In
surance Company, the newest venture
promoted by business and profession
al men of the race in the state, has
leased offices at 306 Morris street,
and is now launching a campaign for
new policy holders.
The company is capitalized for
$160,000 and has $55,000 paid up
capital stock on deposit, the amount
required by the state in order, to do
sick and accident business. The
company was licensed on January 3
by the insurance commissioner of the
state.
The president of the company is
Mr. James J. Price, who has had
over 18 years’ experience in the In
surance business. Mr. Price came
to the state a little over a year ago
from Ohio a total stranger, and to
have gained the confidence and sup
port of the splendid men now behind
him in the company, and to have suc
ceeded in getting such a big company
qualified under the rigid insurance
laws of West Virginia in so short a
time is in itself a remarkable achieve
ment.
Other officers and members of the
board are: Vice-president, Attorney
J. H. Love of Montgomery, W. Va.;
secretary, J. A. Thompson, Charles
ton, W. Va.; treasurer, J. E. Clark,
Charleston, W. Va.; legal adviser, At
torney J. M. Ellis, Oak Hill, W. Va.;
H. B. Hunley, Mt. Hope. W. Va.; B.
B. Waynesboro, Beards Fork, W. Va.;
Christopher Campbell, Charleston,
W. Va., and Rev. Smoot of William
son, W. Va.
This is the first insurance company
promoted by race men ever incorpor
ated and qualified under the rigid in
surance laws of West Virginia, and
ought to do a fine business among the
100,000 Negroes in this state. The
company has written over 1,000 pol
icies since it received license from
the Insurance commissioner on Jan.
3 and the outlook is exceedingly
bright.
CHURCH ITEMS
Border M. E.
By Rev. Robert Cheers
There will be a grand entertain
ment given under the auspices of the
Willing Workers’ Club and the La
dies’ Aid at Border M. E. Church on
February 21 and 22.
It will comprise a trip around the
world, including an opossum supper
and a musical program by Miss Mary
H. Mosley, the accomplished dramatic
teacher of our city.
Admission 15 cents. You cannot
afford to miss it. Time and space will
not permit us to publish the details.
Come and see for yourself, because
the half cannot be told.
r ‘ ' ''
PRICE: FIVE CENTS
Friday it was announced the Presi
dent has directed the Secretary of
War to re-investigate the Houston
riot of 1917 to see whether clemency
should be extended. Also it was an
nounced that Secretary Weeks has
made it plain that the attitude of the
War Department is that the convict
ed soldiers should be granted clem
ency. This removes the only possible
block to at least partial pardons.
Mr. Johnson presented a petition
of 120,000 signatures. With him
were S. S. Booker of Md., N. D. Brash
er of 111., A. P. Randolph of N. Y.,
A. H. Grimke of D. C.. Mrs. Q. Pel
ham of D. C.. J. £. Mitchell of Mo.,
Robert S. Abbott of 111., Rev. C. H.
Tobias of N. Y., Robert L. Vann of
Pa., Carl Murphy of Md., C. V. Briggs
of N. Y., M. J. Chlsum of Md., Rev.
W. M. Norman for Rev. L. K. Will
iams of 111., Dr. M. O. Dumas of D. C.,
H. Seligman of N. Y., S. J. Davidson
of D. C. Mr. Johnson asked pardons
because of excellent records in army,
local provocation, heavy punishment
meted out, exemplary conduct as
prisoners.
Mr. Trotter presented petitions
and resolutions adopted by the league
and branches and by other race bodies
from Mass, to California, letters from
congressmen to the President, ac
knowledgments from the White
House and War Secretary, and a set
of petitions by elected officials of
Mass., federal and national, headed
by Senator Lodge, U. S. Senate lead
er, by 5 Mass. Congressmen, mem
bers of Governor’s Council, and of
Maas. Senate and House, signed “On
representation men had never been
found guilty of disloyalty, cowardice,
treason, or breach of prison rules.”
With him for the Equal Rights
League were Dr. Julia H. Coleman,
viee-president.; J. L. Neill, recording
secretary; M. W. Spencer, treasurer,
all of Washington, and Wm. H.
Fields of Mo., representing Pres. T.
J. Moppins.
Last Friday the Equal Rights
League sent President Coolidge a let
ter of thanks for his sympathy with
the pardon pleas and his prompt
starting of a re-investigation of the
cases, enclosing resolutions from the
Peoples Baptist Church of Boston and
a letter from the Attorney General
of Mass.
MPLS. CIVIC CLUB
TO HOLD MEETING
The Thirteenth Ward Civic Club
will hold a get-together meeting at
the assembly room of the library at
Fourth avenue south and 36th street,
Minneapolis, Monday, February 18,
at 8:30 P. M. The program will con
sist of addressee by prominent speak
ers and music by male quartette. The
speakers of the evening will be Al
derman W. C. Robb of the Thirteenth
Ward, Dr. R. S. Brown, Rev. F. C.
Parsons, Atty. H. Cannon, Atty. O. G.
DeVaughn, L. C. Valler, J. P. Dur
den and others. Ladles are cordially
invited. Committee on arrangements,
Carl Wade, chairman, M. W. Judy,
Jas. Hugh&s, B. M. McDew, Talmage
Carey, master of ceremonies.
Mrs. J. T. Haskell Is recuperating
from serious illness at the home of
her daughter, Mrs. Amanda Bond,
846 Front street.