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THE LEADING
AFRO-AMERICANS
of
VICKSBURG, MISS.
THEIR ENTERPRISES CHURCHES, SCHOOLS LODGES and. SOCIETIES
Introductory by W. E. MOLLISOX.
Mr «
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1908 BIOGRAPHIA PUBLISHING CO.
VICKSHURG, MISS.
fNOeCED
F3f7
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FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
Edw. P. Jones. Thomas Dillon. W. E. Mollison. Rev. R. T. Middleton. Rev. Kelly Rucks. Rev. Jno. J. Morant. Sandy H. Highland. Rev. J. H. C. Henry. W. D. Hicks. Jerre M. Blowe. Mrs. Edw. P. Jones.
Georgia A. Procter, M.D. Officers Union Savings Bank. Interior Lincoln Savings Bank. Mt. Heroden Baptist Church. Holly Grove Baptist Church. St. Mary's Church and School. Jackson Street Baptist Church. Bethel A. M. E. Church. King Solomon Baptist Church. Cherry Street School. Magnolia Avenue School.
INTRODUCTORY.
By W. E. Mollison.
A CITY set upon a hill cau not be hid. Vioksbiirg has been in the front ranks of pnblicity for the past sixty years. It was the home of a race of statesmen before the war of the rebellion. It was the home town of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Southern Confederacy. It was the home of many of the reconstruction leaders. It was here that the first colored man attempted to manage a community. No reference need be had to the success or failure of those who took upon themselves this most serious task. But the Carters and Cardozas, and others whose names were house- hold words when the present generation of active people were in kilts and short skirts, have left conflicting memories.
In the very earliest days this city attracted a number of brilliant and energetic colored people from abroad. Vicks- burg became the center from which radiated the spirit and intelligence which attempted the management of the common- wealth.
It was inevitable that it should have afterward been the theater in which was played the tragedy of the second revo- lution. Its white people came from a race of men who had sent the Southrons to win glory at Beuua Vista, and after- wards at Gettysburg and in the Wilderness, and whose valor in defense of its rugged heights added a ucav and brilliant chapter to American arms.
Colored i)eople are imitative of the best as well as the worst in their Avhite neighbors and compatriots, and they aspired to try their hands at taking part in the game of politics as they had seen the masters play it.
But not in the jjolitical field has the colored citizen of Vicksburg been shown at his best. In the gentler walks of private and business life he has won for himself a name for integrit}' as well as ability. The first colored physician who ever practiced in tJie state made Vicksburg his home. A lawyer who had won honors in Queen's College, Oxford, John D. S. Ferrier, made great progress in his profession in this city, maintaining the dignity and grace which his training in England had impressed upon him. Dr. Coi-neil made a
name as a general physician and surgeon, living for many years as a prominent and useful citizen.
No mere sketch could give the names of men who have been jtrominent in the i)ul)lic affairs of the commonwealth.
Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, who taught the colored people of Mississippi the great lesson that the man who did not pro- vide for those of his own household was worse than an in- fidel, and who left the Masonic Benefit Association as a mon- ument to his memory, lived and died on Cherry Street, loved and honored by thousands.
Thomas W. Broad waters, a little less original but just as earnest and aggressive, brought Pythianism to a position of great prominence and usefulness.
W. T. Jones, who founded the order just entering a career of usefulness in the fraternal field of insurance, lived to have a thousand nienibers march behind his Itier. regretting the loss of a man whose genius had made an institution whose benificence had made thousands happy.
But yesterday's triumphs are no more brilliant than those of to-day.
The colored man has no part in the management of local affairs. He has accei)ted the inevitable and pursues the path of simple industry and energetic effort to nmke homes and means of livelihood.
He has done this well. He has maintained a number of fraternal insurance orders whose payments have ecpialled a king's ransom within the ])ast ten years. He has builded homes of beauty and filled them with books whose stories tell of ho])e and with articles of beauty which make for cul- ture and ])rogress.
He has shown the world that in the higher branches he can hold his own. He has four ])hysicians whose works attest their worth. .V colored man is dentist; another is stenog- rjipher for one of the leading business houses and still another has for years occupied the })Osition of shipping clei-k in the largest wholesale house in the country; two others are more than shipping clerks for the biggest ship])ers in the country.
\'icksl)Ui-g has s|)oken in jtraise of her colored lawyer, whose ollice ;ni(l e(|ni|tment. as well as the (piestions with which he deals, e(|n;ils those of any lawyer anywhere. He is known all over the st;ite as well as the country and his works speak for the man.
Two banks with a i>aid in cajntal of some twenty thou- sand dollars and whose loans and discounts run close to the hundred tli(»nsand dollar mark, aic amonu the things which
its colored oitizeDS have established aud are maintaiuiiig. It has no limit to the uuinber nor to the eloquence of its preachers. It has within it many denominations. It boasts of the close Presbyterian, the Episcopal, who is reputed to be as liberal to a fault, all branches and varieties of Meth- odists and Baptists of all shades of belief and performance.
It has many beautiful and stately church edifices. To name them would too greatly })rolong this story.
It has a Catholic as well as an Episcopal Parish school. Its public school system has the largest number of teachers of any city in the state. The course is the very best given to colored youths south of ^lemphis. The teachers are reputed to be among the best.
The colored people are too young, as a race, to have made many scholars or artists, but we have some accom- plished and widely read men and women. We have some musi- cians of skill and ability and one musical organization of colored men have really at times made Yicksburg famous. We have colored men artisans and builders. They are workers in wood and iron, and in stone and brick and have maintained their place Avith the best of their white competitors.
There is a good feeling between the two races. Among the best of each there is the closest bonds of sympathy and the widest charity and good will. This feeling is not lessening. There is no maudlin sentimentality between them, but each respects all that is best in the other.
Such a people will make progress. The star of hope is in his sky. To-morrow will be better than to-day.
Whether intended or not, this book will be an inspira- tion to the colored youths, a source of satisfaction to those who are still doing things and a solace to those whose memo- .ries will be enlivened by the reference to filings and men with which thev are familiar.
EDW. P. JONHvS, D.I)., B.S.
Grand Secretary Geo Wiklc, of Eiiglaiul. (to the riffht) lYeseiiting Fraternal Delegate Jones, of America, at Manchester. England, .Iiine 15, I'.KJT.
LEADINCx AFRO-AMERICANS.
EDW. P. JONES, B. S., D. D.
THE subject of tliis sketch Avas boru on the 21st day of February, 1872, in the County of Hinds, State of Mis- sissijtpi.
His father. Kev. (ieor^e 1'. Jones, was an ordained ekler of the Missionary liajitist Church.
The mother of Edw. 1*. Jones died in 1878 wlien our sub- ject was only six years of age.
Edw. P. Jones attended school at the Vicksburg Public Schools and at Alcorn College and Natchez College. He grad- uated at the early age of 16 and 20 from the Public Schools of Yicksburg and Natchez College, acting as valedictorian in each class. Immediately upon leaving school, he com- menced teaching at Rolling Fork, Miss., as the Principal of the City School and resigned to accept the i)rinci}talship of the Tunica High School. Here he was called and ordained to the ministry in June, 18S)-t, by the Tunica County Paptist Convention. He at once accepted the call to the First liaptist Clinch of Tunica, Miss., and at once proceeded to tear down the old structure and build a modern up-to-date church. He led the workmen in getting out the shingles for the roof and in sixty days after he had accepted the call, a beautiful struc- ture Avas erected to the untiring energy of his congregation. After serving here for a period of three years, he succeeded Dr. K. T. Hoffman as I'astor of the First Chui'ch of Green- ville, Miss., where he also remodeled the Mount Horeb Church. ]\lanv were added to the church during his administration for four years and a half. During this period he also pastored the King Solomon P>aptist Church at Yicksburg and the Le- land P>ai)tist Church. He then accei)ted the call to the First Ba])tist Church at Greenwood and later came to the Blount Heroden Baptist Church, succeeding the late lamented Dr. A. A. Hamilton, and the First Baptist T'liurch at Port Gibson, Miss., succeeding the late Dr. R. J. Temple. He has built in Yicksburg a modern and u])-to-date structure at a cost of |;(j,()0().()0 and paid the entire indebtedness of |4,000.()() owed on the Church at I'ort Gibson for Ave years previous to his
acceptance. ]Mucli conid be said of his own church work, but it has been in the line of fraternal work about which we shall now write.
He was elected Grand Master of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in the year of 1900, defeating Dr. A. I). Snod- grass, who had been Deputy Grand Master for a number of years. At the time of his election he had been only a mem- ber for two years. He has been re-elected each successive term by acclamation except at the last meeting at Vicksburg. The opposition to Dr. Jones brought forward every possible means to defeat him at this session, but after his report he was re- elected by a vote of 287 to 48. He feels especially proud of this election, as he was in Europe as Fraternal Delegate of the entire Order in America during the thickest of the fray. He has served for four years upon the Sub-(,'ommittee of Man- agement and until his election as Grand Master of Missis- sippi, no interest was taken whatever in the National affairs of the Order. The first B. M. G. attended by Dr. Jones was at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1900, when he nominated the lamented General N. A. Anderson and he was elected by a handsome majority. He succeeded the lamented General Anderson at New Haven, Gonn., and was re-eleceted at T'olumbus, Ohio. He was a formidable candidate for Grand Master at Rich- mond, Va., and by agreemeunt withdrew and moved the elec- tion of the present Grand Master, Hon. W. L. Houston. Im- mediately Grand blaster Houston moved the election of Dr. Jones as Fraternal Delegate to England. He is now in his thirty-sixth year and is serving as ^^upreme Master of the United Reformers of America, Europe, Asia and Africa, hav- ing been elected for five successive terms.
He credits whatever success he has attained to the devo- tion and wholesome advice given by his wife, to whom he was married November 19tli, 1890. They are blessed with thi-ee bovs, Eddie 1*., Jr., George 1*. an<l McKissack ^IcHenrv.
Caesar !>. .Minor, Secretary and Law rjcik to ^V. K. ^lol- lison. has had a wider exjx'rience in the business world than nsnally falls to the lot of the avei-age young man of color. He was. iiji to I he lime of the cartlupiake in San Francisco, em- ployed in a |)osition of great trust and res]»onsibility in the largest clothing house on I he coast, lie is now a very rapid and expert ty|»e\\riter operatoi*. and his experience is making him an inxalnable assistant to the bnsy lawyei- for whom he is eiiii»ioye(l. lie ought 1o make his mark in the world.
ID
THOMAS DARDEN.
Thomas Dardeu is a native of Meringo County, Ala., He came to Mississippi about twenty years ago and settled at Utica, where he remained five years. Leaving Utica he came to Vicks- burg, where he has since re- mained. His only school train- ing was secured at an early age in the Alabama public schools. He has pursued various voca- tions in the city, but the prin- cipal work which has brought him into prominence has been his work in the Christian Home Society, of which he is ])resi- dent. He is also prominently identified with the Mt. Olive Bai)tist Church, being one of the ofticers of the Church. The Christian Home Society, a benevolent institution which pays a sick benefit and buries its dead members, is a monument to the untiring energy of Mr. Harden. He has been a( the head of the society seven years and enjoys the respect and confidence of all his people. He is a member of the Executive Board of the General Missionary Baptist Educational Convention. He is a prominet Mason and I'ythian.
One of the most prominent colored physicians in Vicks- burg is Dr. J. A. ^liller. He is a native of rortsmouth, Va., and received his early training in the Pourtsmouth public schools. He graduated from the preparatory department of Howard College, Washington. I). C, in 1892. Four years later he graduated fi-om Williams College, receiving the degree of B. A. He graduated in medicine from the T^niversity of Michigan in V.HH). He began the practice of medicine in Vicks- burg in 1900, and has built uj) an extensive practice.
Rev. Kelly Rucks, j»astor of Holly (irove Baptist Church, spends every other month in St. Louis and has done so for twen- ty years. His St. Louis Church pays him a good salary and in addition pays his railroad fare to and from St. Louis.
11
THOMAS DILLON.
MANAGER UNION (iKOCERY CO.
THOMAS DILLON.
AMONG the voung' business men of Vicksbui*j>, no one stands more prominently as a representative of the in- tegrity and business sagacity of his people than Thomas Dillon, Manager of the Union Grocery Company. Mr. Dillon is a native of Edwards, Miss., born Dec. 24, 1878. He has a sister older than himself and one younger brother. His early life was beset with many difficulties, and at an early age he determined to acquire an education. He ai)plied himself stu- diously in the public schools of the county for several years and when about 16 years of age, he saw it would be neces- sary for him to sever the home ties and get out into the world and fight the battle of life alone. Leaving Edwards, he engaged in various vocations and practiced strict economy until he was able to enter Tougaloo University, where he spent five years. Being full of determination and energy and be- lieving that there is always help for those who first show a disposition to help themselves, he had no trouble in arranging with the principal of the University to remain under its tu- torage until his education was perfected to such an extent that he could take care of himself in the commercial world. He was assigned to various duties around the college and in this manner tried to keep his accounts even with his Alma Mater,
After leaving Tougaloo LTniversity, Mr. Dillon came to Vicksburg and secured employment in the Y. & M. V. shops, where he remained five years and was at all times considered one of their most valuable employees. In 19U4 Mr. Dillon saw what he thought and what has since proved a good oppor- tunity in a commercial field, and he founded the Union Grocery Company, the largest colored grocery concern in this section, interesting with him Messrs. Ed. Williams, W. M. Ware, Al- bert Judge and Frederic Sims. On April 15th, 1907, the com- pany sustained the loss of their business by fire, losing over |3,000, but, undauted, Mr. Dillon had the business going the very next day, and a short time afterwards a new building was erected and now marks the spot where the beginning was made.
Mr. Dillon was married in 1002 to Miss Tarris S]»eed, a ])rominet Vicksburg girl, who has proved a most capable and devoted helpmeet.
W. E. MOLLISON.
ATTOUNKY AND COUNSELLOR.
I'KEsI1)1:nT LINCOLN SAVIN(;s BANK.
sn-KKMH (.OVKKNOK COLOKED WOODMEN.
W. E. MOLLISON.
WE. MOLLISON, lawyer, banker, and publicist, was born in Issa<iiiena County at what is now Mayersville. He does not remember when he received the first part of his edu- cation. He could read at five and since that time has been a student. He attended the Blue Back Speller Schools in his native bailiwick and was, as he has been most of the time since, at the head of his classes. He went to Fisk Uni- versity in 1870 and although he had not much technical schooling", he entered the preparatory school and was {»repared to enter Oberlin College with the class of 1883. This, from common fractions on a plantation, showed some progress.
He was married to a schoolmate in the Fisk University Chapel in 1880, and entered actively upon the battle of life. He studied law in the otfice of Judge Jeffords and was ad- mitted to the bar at his home town in May, 1881. His wife was his assistant in the passing of what was declared to be one of the best at the time.
He Avas ai)pointed Superintendent of Public Education of Issaquena County by a Democratic Board of Education over a white Democrat. He served the two years in that place and in 1883 was elected Clerk of the Circuit and Chancery Courts of his county. He was re-elected in 1S87 without op- ])Osition, polling within fifteen votes of the largest ever cast in the county.
In 1892 he retired from the office and resumed the prac- tice of law. He was apjtointed District Attorney ])ro tem. in 181)3 by a Democratic Judge, a distinction which no other man of his race has ever enjoyed. He was by I*resident Mc- Kinley appointed Supervisor of the 12th Census, and with 1(>5 enumerators under him in the most important district in the state, he discharged the duties of the office in a manner which won for him the encomiums of the people of the state.
In the political world he has been prominent for years. He has been Chairman of the District Committee of his dis- trict, and Secretary of the State Committee. He represented the State in the National Republican Convention of 1892 at ^Minneapolis and made a speech in that body nominating James Cr. Blaine which brought him to the attention of the country. He organized and ])ut in ojteration the first banking institu- tion organized and managed by colored men in the state and to-day Lincoln Savings 15a nk is one of the best known insti- tutions in the country.
1.')
REV. R. T. MIDDLETON,
KKCTOK ST. MARY'S Kl'lSCOPAL CIIUKCII.
REV. R. T. MIDDLETON.
REV. R. T. MIDDLETON was boiu in Vicksburg, Miss., August lOtli, 1873. He attended the public schools of Vicksburg during his childhood. His college training was received at Fisk University. This was supplemented by some special studies at Howard University, Washington, I). C. He studied theology at King's Theological Hall at Howard Uni- versity, and was graduated from King Hall May 3()th, 1900. Mr. Middleton is truly one of the sons of the pro])liet, his father and grandfather having both been ministers. His father was the first colored man to be admitted to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church in .Mississippi.
St. Mary's Church, Vicksburg, Miss., is his first and only charge. He has been there since the 10th of July, 1900. He is justly held in the highest esteem by the best people of both races. His life has approached the scriptural standard of the preacher's life, "whatsoever things are honest, and of whatso- ever things are of good report.'' He often tells his friends that he has always had a very high ideal of what the min- ister's life should be; that he has never realized those ideals, but he is striving to do so.
Mr. Middleton has rounded out his life by taking to him- self a wife of the teniperament needed for the model minister's wife. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Izod Roland was an event in the social life of the city of Natchez, the home of the bride. Bishop Bratton made the trip from his home in Jack- son to perform the ceremony. The life of this couple in the splendid parsonage of the Episcopal Church is a model of domestic simplicity and felicity.
Mr. Middleton is the principal by virtue of his office of rector of Saint Mary's Academy. His splendid literary equip- ment amply fits him for the place. His friends predict for him a career of great usefulness and prominence.
l*rominent among the colored })hysicians of N'icksburg, is Dr. J. H. Roby. He is a graduate of Meharry Medical College of Nashville, being a member of the class of l!»or». He secured a license to practice from the Mississi]>j)i State Board of Health the same year and located at Mound liayou, and after a residence of nine months lie came to Vicksbni-g, where he is building up a Incrative practice.
2 17
REV. KELLY RUCKvS.
PASTOR IIOI.LY CKOVK I'.AITIJ^T CHL'KCH.
REV. KELLY RUCKS.
THE history of Rev. Kelly Rucks, pastor of Holly drove Baptist Church, if told in detail, would till a volume this size and would be one full of interest. Some great preacher has said that this life is full of "ups and downs," Avhere some have more "downs than ups." Rev. Rucks has had his "up and downs," and with a strong and abiding faith in the Master, and his motto, "Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with you," he has kept in the straight and narrow path, and the Lord hath ])rosi)ered him. He was born near Vicksburg, March 1, 1S48, of slave parents, and was him- self a slave until Abraham Lincoln issued his ])roclamation. He never attended school a day in his life, and what little he first learned Avas gathered from the children of his inaster, whom he attended to and from school. However, he has ac- complished much along literary lines, and as a minister of the gospel, very few men can point to a more successful career. He was converted in 18(;S and began the study of the bible and the preaching of the word immediately afterwards, and since that time he has ministered to twelve churches, three of which he serves to-day. He has been the pastor of Holly Grove Church since 1874 and during the whole time there has never been a day of confusion or disharmony among his congrega- tion. He has served them faithfully and honestly, and they know it, and follow his ministrations with love and respect. In 1888 he was called to the pastorship of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo. This call came to him abso- lutely unsolicited and was a great surprise. He had a short time before gone to that city to conduct the funeral obsecpiies of one of his former members in Vicksburg, and while in St. Louis he preached several sermons which brought him into great prominence and were the direct result of the call to the church. Rev. Rucks did not care to accept the call, but the St. Louis Church believed so firmly in his ability as a pastor, that they ofiered him special inducements, and be- sides paying him a liandsome salary, they jiaid his railroad fare to and from Vicksburg and St. Louis and have kept tliis up for twenty years. During his ministerial career he has ba])tized ]»robably over 2,000 converts. Rev. Rucks says: "1 blame it all on the Lord. He hath prospered me and all my days will I serve Him."
10
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JNO. |. MORAXT.
rASTOH lUiTIIKL A.M. K. ( IIlllClI.
JNO. J. MORANT, D. D.
WAS born near Selnia, Ala., Feb. 14tli, 1ST2. Was brought to Mississippi by parents in 1875. Had all the advant- ages of good pnblic schools dnring his boyhood days. Raised a j)oor farm boy and has never known what it is to be idle. He Avas converted in 1884 and joined the A. M. E. (Minrch. A few years after he was licensed to preach by the immortal Btringer. Was received into the ministry of the A. M. E. Church by Bishop R. R. Dinsey, at the session of the North Mississippi Annual Conference 18!)(). Served missions until 1805, when he received the scholarship of the North ;Mississii)]>i Confer- ence to Wilberforce University. He entered Will)erforce Uni- versity under unfavorable circumstances, but never thought of faltering, and was the life and lead of his class even to the day that he graduated. He graduated in the Class of '99 with great honor and demonstration, with the degree of D.D. The degree of D.D. was conferred u]»on him by A>'ilberf()rce University in 19U(J at the Wilberforce '^Jubilee." He has been elected two consecutive times to the General Conference of the A. M. E. Church (1904 and 1908.) He has i)astored suc- cessfully from the smallest missions to the leading stations, and is now filling the responsible pastorate of Bethel A. M. E. Church and his success here has been phenomenal. Dr. Morant is a great student, a giant debator and is matchless in oratory Avhen fired to an effort. He is a fearless writer, a spokesman for his race in all public issues, and has often been weighed in the balances but never found wanting.
The first commercial phonograph to be used in Vicksburg is in use in the law office of W. E. Mollison, whose immense correspondence has rendered the use of the machine a neces- sity. The busy attorney talks into the machine the letters and legal documents and his clerk conies in and listens to the message and transcribes it on the typewriter. The jdionograph is the latest turned out of the great Edison sho]).
Tom Dillon represents the highest class of citizcMishij) among his j)eo])le. He stands well and has the respect of every- body, both white and colored, and strives to attain every ideal calculated to make him a man of worth and infiuence. He is a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason and a member of Bethel A. M. E. Church.
21
^'^ -A - ©■.
vSANDY H. HIGHLAND.
(iKANI) K. i: .^ S KXKniTsOF I'VTllIA^
SANDY H. HIGLHAND.
SANDY H. HIGHLAXJ), the subject of tiiiy sketch, is a native of Issaquena County, State of Mississippi. His parents, James Hijililand and ^larv Higlihmd, wei-e slaves. His fatliei- was from Mai-vland and his motliei- was from Georgia. Though he was born of slave parents, they had some knowl- edge of books. He was taught his alphabet by his father, and when he entered school he got along pretty well. He finished up in the common schools of the county at an early age. At the age of fifteen years he passed a creditable ex- amination and was assigned as an assistant teacher in the same school he attended. From his salary as an assistant teacher he entered the Seminary at Natchez in 1883. Owing to the health of his father, he was called home in his Fresh- man year. He taught school in his native county for sev- eral years, during which time he took special courses under Hon. W. E. Mollison, then Superintendent of Public Educa- tion, and Prof. F. 1*. Brinson.
He entered politics in Issaquena County in 1887. He was appointed County Commissioner of Elections for three suc- cessive terms. In 188!) he was elected County Assessor, under fusion agreement, and held this position until the dissolution in the fusion.
In 1800, when the entire Mississippi Delta was overflowed, the Assistant Secretary of Wai' a]»])ointed him General ]\Ian- ager to supjjly six thousand flood sutt'erers. The people in his vicinity were loud in their applause in praising him for his eft'orts. In 1800 he joined the Order of Colored Knights of Pythias and was ai)pointed District Deputy Grand Chan- cellor.
Two years later he was elected Grand Lecturer and served in that position two years, after which he was elected Grand Keejter of Records and Seal, the position he holds at })resent. He is highly esteemed by his associates in the fraternal circle, and his counsel is considered when any question of iiuportance f-onfronts the fraternal body.
As a citizen of influence and worth he is esteemed by Ihe members of both races and is noted as a man of strict integrity and character.
He was married in 1804 to INIiss Ida E. Tallry and their union lias been blessed with one l»oy and two girls. They own a nice and comfortable home on East Magnolia Street.
J. H. C. HENRY.
I'ASTOK KIN(i SOLOMON BAITIST C HLKCH.
J. H. C. HENRY, D. D.
REV. J. H. C. HENRY, pastor of Kin" Solomon Baptist Chiircli, is a native of Tensas I'arish, La., boni near Vidalia in ISOO. He was ordained in 1884 and began preach- ing in Adams Connt.v. ^liss. He was called to King i^olomon Church in 1!)(I0 and the church has made great headway for good under his administration. He began his study of the- ology in the McKinley Memorial University. In 190G the de- gree of D.I), was conferred upon him.
He is the statistical secretary of the General Ba])tist Con- vention of ]Mississii»i>i and president of the Sunday School Convention of Mississippi. He is also a member of the Execu- tive Board of the Convention and a trustee of Natchez College.
P. C. COPELAIN.
IMiillip Charles Copelain is a na- tive of Vicksburg and has been ]»r()niinently identified with his people for a number of years. He has engaged in several vocations, lint has made a success chiefly as a caterer and now conducts a cafe on Washington Street, where he does a nice business. He was n.arried to Miss Julia Huff, of l^randon. Miss., and they have two girls. Both are graduates of Straight University, and the eld- est is now a teacher in the Cherry Street Public School. Mr. Copelain was one of the founders of the Lincoln Sav- ings Bank, the first institution of the kind in Mississip])i, and is at ])resent the vice-jtresident of the institution.
He is also prominent in fratei-nal circles, being a Mason, (Jdd Fellow, Pythian and Woodman.
He is a large real estate holder and owns in addition a nice, comortably furnished home on Harris and Marshall Streets.
2.')
W. I). HICKS.
sri'i:i;Mi-; gkand chancellor ijenevolkxt iNi)rsTKL\L assoiiation.
W. D. HICKS.
WD. HICKS was born in Brandon, a small town near • Jackson, in the State of Mississippi, on July 25tli, 1868, which i)Iace is remarkable for nothing moi-e tlian the desert- like api)earance of its soil and the general dilapidation of its farms and fences. He was educated at the (irammar School of Brandon and the Alcorn A. & M. College. At Alcorn Col- lege he was elected to a prominent position over the boai'ding department, which office he filled five years. He then launched out in the mercantile business by opening a store in the town of Hattiesburg, Miss., which he conducted for three years with success. Feeling that he could do better in another field, he engaged with an insurance company of New Orleans, La. In this work he made a wonderful success. The company was so impressed with his success and work that after the second year it raised his salary from |90.00 per month to |140.00 per month. In June, 1005, they disagreed on account of the company refusing to pay, as he thought, just claims, and as the company would not remedy the matter, he resigned and founded what is known as the Benevolent Industrial Associa- tion.
BENEVOLENT INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.
THIvS Order was organized on the 5th of August, 1905. the Supreme Board Officers were as follows: W. I). Hicks, Supreme Grand Chancellor; \\. H. Jefferson, Vice-Chan- cellor; N. C Cannon, Supreme Treasurer, and J. M. Hicks as Supreme Secretary. Its ])rogress has been wonderful. De- cember 80th, 1807, the membershii* had .increased to 4,800 mem- bers. The General Fund was |480.00 and the Endowment Fund was .f 3,200. This Association i)ays all elaims ])romptly. The ritualistic work cannot be excelled. Its obligations are founded on Moses, Peter and Christ. There are seventy-ftve lodges in the State of Mississippi. There are four grades of policy, namely: |4,000.00, .f8,000.00, |1,200.00 and .f2,000.00. From each there is a benefit paid when sick and only one tax a year, which is to defray the ex]>ense of the Grand Lodge every August. The tax is known as the per capita tax and is 25 cents. The sick claims, as well as the death claims, are all paid by the Supreme Board, which leaves the subordinate lodges no responsibility to speak of, or almost free from any payments.
27
JERE M. BLOWE
WlUf IS (lie i-ec()«;iiized historiiui of tlu- Most ^^'()l•sllipflll Strinj>ei- (ii-and Lodj^e F. and A. M., Illustrious Coin- iiiaiider In Chief of the Key Stone Consistoi-y A. A. S. R., Ki^hl lOniinent (Jrand ( \»niniander of St. .John's (iiand (\)ni- niander.v. Knijihts Templar; member of Mecca Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine. Worshipful Master of Strinj^er Lodj^e No. 1 F. and A. M., Past Pati-on of Rose of Shai'on (Miapter ( ). K. S., an Odd Fellow, a Knij;h( of Pythias, a Fnited Woodman, Fiiiled Kefoiiiier and an all 'rouinl good fellow. Ih' is a native of the city of Vicksburg, wh(»re he has s|»ent all of his <lays and is ]»rond of the <dd "Historic City'^ of which he never fails to boast.
A. L. BROWN.
Tlio subject of this sketch, Abra- ham Levi Brown, was born at Raymond, Miss., July 12, 18G3. At the age of three years his motlier, Mrs. Mima Smith, left Raymond and moved to Jackson, wliere slie lived one year. From there she came to Vicksburg, young Abraham being constantly with her. His tirst days in school were spent at Nitta Yuma, Miss., under a Northern teacher Leav- ing Nitta Yuma, young Brown came back to Vicksburg and at- tended the public schools under the tutorage of Mrs. A. A. Watkins. Young Brown in his early school days showed marked ability in gra])pling with the stern duties that con- fronted his youthful days. In the common school he was always at the head of his classes. Standing high in his schol- arship and deportment, he took easy rank as the first in his school. Having finished the prescribed course in the city schools, young Brown, without the aid of anyone on earth ex- cept a fond mother's prayers, went to Holly Springs, Miss., where four years consecutively he attended Rust University. With that indomitable spirit and "stick-to-it-iveness," he fin- ished his normal course, leaving with the honors of his class. After spending the vacation at home with his widowed motliei*, young Brown returned to Rust University, where he spent two years in the ('Ollege Department, after which time his means gave out and he had to leave college in his S()]>homore year to assume the duties of real life. His first occupation after leaving college was that of school teaching, holding at all times the highest license issued in his county. On the 12th of December, 1885, young Brown was married to Miss Henrietta Vincent, with whom he lived hajtpily for a num- ber of years. As a result of this union six children were born, two of whom are now living, a son and a daughter. As si teacher the services of Mr. lirown are constantly sought by patrons, ])ui>ils and teachei-s. He, by hard and inccssjint study and strict a})]»]icati<)n, has added so much to his college ac- quirements that he is known to all races of his community only as Professor Brown, a title which lie more than deserves.
JNO. A. WILLIAMS.
John A. AVilliams is the eldest son of Robt. and Mattie Williams. He was born in Meridian, Miss., on the nth day of August, 1876. When one year of age his parents came to ^'i(•kshurg, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Williams' scholastic education consists of what he was able to acquire in live terms at the ])ub]ic school at Lane's Hill. Owing to an ac- cident to ^Ir. Williams' father, which incapacitated him for work. John A. was forced to give up school and provide for his parents. Mr. Williams served in various positions throughout the city, and finally engaged with the liiedenharn Candy Com- ])any. with whom he remained about seven years. It was here that he learned the confectionery business and the art of making all kinds of candies. liCaving the Biedenharn Com- pany, Mr. Williams engaged with Mr. Kahn, baker and con- fectioner. Here he remained until Kahn retired and sold out to Dreyfuse, and he remained with Dreyfuse over a year. During his connection with the Biedenharn and Kahn and Dreyfuse establishments. ^Ir. Williams conceived the idea of going into the bakery and confection business on his own ac- count, and on Feln-nary ISth, 11)07. he V)ak(Ml his tirst ]>an of bread. His business has seen a substantial increase ever since and continm^s lo grow, his daily consum])tion of Hour being on(^ barrel. Ib^ manufactnres the Sweet Home brand of bread, and many customers declare that it is the best biand of bread in the city.
.Mr. Wiliiaiiis was married March l*.~)th, 11)01. to Miss An- nie Ilitcli. who lias ])r()\('<l a most ]oval>lc liclpiiicet, and to whom a great deal of Mr. Williams' succi^ss is due.
.Mr. Williams is an Odd Fellow and Woodman and also a member of .Mt. Ilei-odeii I'.ajttisl Chnrch.
r.rooks' I»and and Orchestra, under the leadershi]) of Reu- ben 11. 1 '.rooks, is one of the best known musical organizations in the State.
:?0
H. L. SLAUGHTER.
Voi'v few colored men oceupy more l)romiiieut places in the councils of their people than Henry L. Slan»>hter. He is a native of Car- thage, Miss., and first saw the light of day in 1S"")7. He came to N'icksburg- a few years after the war and commenced his career in this city driving a dairy wagon. Later he became bntler for Dr. Harper. In 1876 he nuirried Miss (ioodwin, and began farming. Xot finding the tilling of the soil as ]>i'<)fitable as he had ho]>ed, he en- gaged with Fred Loyd, butcher, and learned that trade. Tir- ing of that trade, he began draying and after a few years of success in that field, he entered the mercantile field, in which he did well until the i)anic of 185)3 swooped down upon him, causing him a loss of about |3,50(). After paying his creditors, he retired from the mercantile field.
He has held many places of trust for both white and black and has never proved recreant to any task. He has suc- cessively been elected president of one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the state for twenty years and is now presi- dent of the Supreme Lodge of the same organization — the (lolden Rule Society. For three years he was cashier of the Lincoln Savings Bank, the oldest colored bank in the state, having only recently resigned to embark in other business.
He is the father of seven children, four of whom are living. No man, white or black, ever stood higher in the estimation of the people of his home than H. L. Slaughter. He has much influence among his people and is always advocating any meas- ure conducive to their good.
Among the Avell-to-do citizens of Vicksburg none is more favorably known than ^Mr. Calvin Gibbs, who is the oldest hackman in point of service in the city. Mr. Gibbs conducts a line of public carriages, and is a general favorite with the traveling public. He owns valuable city ])ro}»erty and no man stands higher than he with the community in which he lives.
31
B. G. VERNON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Noxubee County, Miss., January 1st, 1870. His i>ai'ents, Israel and Charlotte Vernon, were slaves. He entered the public schools of his county in obscure circumstances. In man^' respects he had to depend upon his little classmates to get books to study. He had heard his teachers say, where there was a will he would certainly lind a way. He took it for his motto, and in doing so he got along fairly well in school. Many times his lamp was the pine knots of Noxubee County, but he made the best of the situation. He moved to the Mississippi Delta, in Issaquena County, in 1886, and entered the pursuits of a farmer. While in this emi)loyment he con- tinued to rejid useful l)Ooks. He joined the A. M. E. Church in 1880 and has been a devoted member of that church ever since. He was elected for several terms as Secretary of the Quarterly Conference and at present is a member of the Trus- tee lUnnd of liethel A. M. E. Church of Vicksburg, one of the largest churches in the State. In 1808 he was appointed Su])reme Deputy of the K. of H. of the World by Col. G. F. Bowls and held that position until 1904, when he was elected Grand Dictator of the K. of H. of the World for the State of Mississij)pi. Tender his administration the Order has nour- ished as a green bay tree. Its cardinal ]>rinciples are now known over all parts of the commonwealth. In 11)01 the K. of H. Hank was organized and he was one of its directors. He is also a stockholder in the Cnion Savings Bank of Vicks- burg. In 1007 he founded tlu^ K. of H. of Amei-ica and under his leadership it will soon rank among the leading fraternal institutions of Mississi]»pi.
lie is a young man and bids fair to become one of the urealest leaders in fraternal circles of the State.
Sandy H. Highland owns a tine Delta jdantalion of one hundred acres in Issnipiena County. lie has also other realty
holdings.
A. J. BROWN.
No man in Vicksburj^ can point to a more sncc-essfnl careev as a citizen and business man than A. .1. Jirown. As a business man his life is marked by acts of the strict- est integrity and as a citizen wlio lias at lieart the best inter- ests of his people, morally, social- ly and industriously, he stands without a ])eer. ^Mr. Brown is probably one of the most temper- ate men to be found amonj;' the members of his race — he neither drinks, chews or smokes, is pol- ished in manner and clean in thought and word and deed. He is a native of Livingston, Ala., and received his education at the Talladega Industrial College He never left his parenal roof until he had reached his majority. He came to Vicksburg in 188(jl practically pen- niless and found enqdoyment in the railroad shops of the Y. & M. V. Ky. He was live years with the railroad ](eo])le and resigned to go into the coal business, which enterprise he con- ducted for three years. Quitting the coal business, he took u]) the real estate business and it is in this particular line his greatest success has been made. During his seven years in this field he sold 851 homes to his people and accumulated five for himself. When he first engaged in the business about three hundred home owners were located on rented ground and ^Ir. lirown has brought the nundter down to about twenty- five. Two years ago he established the Brown Brick Manufact- uring Company, which venture has proved a success. He has l>lants at Vicksburg and Kosciusko, with a daily output of :{00,()(>(» and finds ready sale for more than both ])lants can turn out. ^Ir. P>rown is one of the most deserving race build- ers of the country. He is a christian gentleman of the highest type, a truthful and honest man and is universally resjxM-ted and esteemed. He is one of the niost prominent Odd Fellows in tlie State and is at present Grand Advocate of the order. He is Su])reme Lecturer and Organizer of Woodmen of the ITnion of Mississii)])i, Vice-rresident of the Christian Home, Secretary of the Educational Convention of Mississii)]»i. He is also a Pythian.
3 * 33
D. D. FOOTE.
]). D. Foote, a native of Vicks- biii-g, was boi-n Oct. 20, 1879. His father and niotliei- were both Mis- sissippians. Tlie former was for a nmnber of years in the govern- ment postal service in tiiis city, serving as carrier, and was noted among the most prominent col- ored men in Vicksburg. Dr. Foote's early education was se- cured in the Vicksbnrg public schools. From Vicksburg he ma- triculated with Straight Univer- sity, New Orleans, La., and was in that institution four years, finishing in 1001 with high honors in a class of eighteen After finishing at Straight Uni- versity, young Foote returned to Vicksburg and entered the mercantile business, in which he remained two years. Tiring of a commercial life, young Foote decided to study dentistry, which had been his intention when he left school at New Or- leans. Accordingly he entered Howard University, AVashing- ton, I). (\, in 1!)(I8, and was awarded a diploma in 11)0(>. He returned home and applied for a temporary license to conduct his profession and after one year he applied for and was granted a permanent license.
Dr. Foote is considered one of the best dentists in the city. His ofiice is sjilendidly and handsomely equipped and his work will compare favorably with that of any dentist in the State, white or black.
He is a young man, attable and entertaining, and has many friends among the members of both races and enjoys their confidence, respect and esteem.
He is a member of A. M. K. Church and also a ]>rominent Woodman.
Dr. Foole's offices are located at KMi'/w North ^^'ashington Srteet, wiiere he will ]»e [(leased at all times to see his friends.
Mr. W. E. Kelly is the owner of a splendid tract of real estate known as liryson Hill, on which he has erected a num- ber of cottages for rental purposes. He is a young man and an excellent citizen.
34
JESSE W. WILLIAMS.
Jesse W. Williams was born in Jatkson, Miss., August 5tli, 1804. He received his eariy (raining in the public schools of that city. At the age of 1C> years he came to Vicksburg with a widowed moth- er, he being her only sup^tort. In 1881 he was em])loyed as a waiter in the Pacific Hotel, which occu- pation he followed until 1884, when he accei)ted a position as cook at the United States Engi- neer's Office at Wilson Point, La. In 1888 ill health forced him to resign this service. After a stay of five months in the North- west in search of health, he returned to this city, his adopted home, quite restored. In 1889 he accepted the })Osition of ship- ping clerk of the L., N. O. &. T. railroad shops here. In 1890 he was tendered the position of messenger in the United States Engineers Office under Major J. H. Willard, then in charge of said office. This position he accepted and has held ever since with credit to himself and to his race. In 1886 he ])ro- fessed religion and has ever since been a consistent christian. He is a member of King Solomon Missionary (.'liurch of this city, where he held many important positions, having held, among other offices of the Church, that of Secretary and Treas- urer of the Building Committee.
In 190.5 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Javes, one of the most estimable and cultured ladies of the city. He is a member of Prince Hall Lodge No. 26 F. and A. M., Z. R. A. Chapter Vicksburg Commandery No. 1 Knights Temjdar, ^nd is a 32 degree mason.
In young men like Williams, who enjoys the confidence and respect of both races, rests the future of the negro. Mr. Williams is modest, and unassuming, but in the van with those whose careers give promise of great and permanent suc- cess.
Robt. Ellis has one of the largest meat markets in the •city and enjoys a large trade.
ARCHIE WILLIAMS.
The subject of this skett-h was born at Beechwood, live miles fioiii Vicksbiii'g, on the ith of May, 1S72. At abont the age of nine years he entered the public school of his native town, where he was a scholar for about four years. Leaving Beechwood at the age of seventeen, he came to Vicks- burg and attended the public school about one year. In 1S89 Mr. Williams entered the large iiardware house of Lee Richardson (S: Co. in the capacity of stove in- spector. He remained with this firm as one of its most valu- able employes for a term of over eighteen years. This in it- self is one of the very best evidences of Mr. Williams' integrity and character.
In 1895 he led to the altar Miss Mary Jane Mabre, of this city, who has proved a most devoted helpmeet and to whom he insists the credit for a great deal of his success is due. Their union has been blessed with two children, Roger Lee and Lucuis, aged 9 and 7 respectively.
In 1!)0(» ^Ir. Williams engaged in business in a small way with Mrs. Williams looking after the store. He handled a small line of family groceries, charcoal and ice. This business continued to grow larger, and Mr. Williams decided to give uj) his position witli the Lee Richardson Conii)any and give it his entire attention. He now carries a complete line of family groceries and sujtplies and sells annually -ibout .')50 tons of ice. Mr. Williams owns a nice and cosy home at 722 E. Craw- ford Street. He is treasurer of .Jackson Street Bajttist Church, is K. of R. and S. Stringer Lodge 40:! K. of P., a member of the IJaidcing Committee Pedestal Brotherhood Lodge, Odd Fellows, 1S44, and is President of (Jood Samaritan Lodge No. 1, a re- ligious oi-der.
Thoiiiiis y. .McAllister, collector of jjublic moneys at .lack- son, is a citi/eii of \'icksburg and owns a handsome home on Main Street.
36
W. H. JEFFERSON.
^VilIia^l Henry Jeffei-son was born at Clinton, Hinds County, Julv 2:?, 1867, the second son of Wil- liam and Charlotte Jefferson. When he was about six years of age his parents moved to Vicks- burg. He received his education in the Vicksburg public schools. After leaving school Jefferson fol- lowed various avocations, among tliein a service of six years in the Pullman service. In 1904: he es- tablished the W. H. Jefferson Un- dertaking Company, of which he is (he sole proprietor, and. for the jjast fourteen years he has conducted successfully the business. On the Ttli day of De- cember, 1885, he received from the Kenouard Training fc^chool for Embalmers, of New York, a diploma licensing him to prac- tice the art of embalming in connection with the undertaking business, and he is now the only colored end)almer in the State and owns the largest, ttnest and most complete undertak- ing establishment in the South. He carries in stock a full supply of metallic cases and caskets of every description. Burial robes of all styles for ladies, gentlemen and children. He also furnishes first-class carriages for funeral and wedding parties.
Mr Jefferson is a member of twenty-nine societies, figuring lu'ominently in the ^Masons, Odd Fellows, Pythians and others. He is considered one of Vicksburg's leading colored citi- zens, numbering his friends by the hundreds among the mem- bers of both races, and enjoys the confidence, res])ect and es- teem of his large circle of acquaintances.
Spencer Craves is a first-class car])enter and builder, and bears the distinction of being the oldest negro Mason in the state. Mr. (iraves owns nice property in the city.
(^a]>t. January is one of the best colored butchers in Vicks- burg. He has been here for a number of years and is well known and liked bv all.
CHAS. H. SPATES.
Standi ng prominently among the young business men of Vicksburg is ('has. H. Spates, [u-oprietor and managei- of the Delta Tailoring- Company. "Sir. Si)ates is a na- tive of North Carolina, being l)orn at Kingston, on August 2!), ISSl, He began tlie foundation of his education in the public schools of his native town and Avhen nine years of age his parents moved to Water})roof, I^a., where young Spates again attended the public schools for six years. Leaving Waterproof, the family moved to Mounds, La. At that place young Sj»ates finished his education and taught in the ]»ublic schools for two years. This showed that young Spates had been ambitious and studious and was determined to have an education. In 1903 he came to Vicksburg and went into the service of the People's Tailoring Comjuiny, where he sj)ent three years and gained a practical and technical knowledge of the tailoring business in all its branches. He withdrew from the above concern in 1!)0() and established the Delta Tailoring Comjiany, and has built uj) one of the best taihu-- ing establishments in the city. On July 4, IIXKI, Mr. Spates led to the altar. Miss Agnes Connor, and to her he attributes a large share of his sj)]endid success.
Mr. Sjtates is a i)rominent K. of 1'. and Odd Fellow and also a mend)er of the Jackson Street I>a]»tist Church. He is full (if energy, has a large circle of friends among both races aii<l enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect of all.
•las. W. Collins is the ]»ioneer negro letter carrier, and an excellent citizen. Mi-. Collins is the owner of a handsome residence, nicely located, and stands well in church antl state allairs.
All the well dressed negroes of A'icksburg buy their clothes from Ciiarlie Spates, of the Delta Tailoring Company, o|(]M»site tlie Piazza Hotel.
3S
W. J. PEMBERTON.
W. J. Pembertoii is another one of the stanncli business men of Yieksburg. having be,i»nn five years ago Avitli a capital of less than •flO. and a magniticent grocery business and a nice home is the best evidence that his commercial career has been a success. He carries a stock aggregating over $1,500. and keeps two delivery wagons busy delivering things good to eat to his many satisfied customers. ^Ir. l*emberton is a native of Vicksburg. His educa- tion was secured in the Vicksburg public schools. He is a man that always stood well among the people of both races. He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow and a deacon in King Solomon's Baptist (Miurch.
He Avas married in 1883 to Miss Annie Johnson, of this city, who has been very instrumental in his success. They have three sons and one daughter. Two of the l)oys assist in the store. It is such men as Mr. Pemberton who have set a higher standard of citizenship among his people, and he is an advocate of any measure which tends to lead his people up to a higher standard of living. He was born shortly after the war and during his early life there was not the same op- portunities atforded at that time as at the present day and his success is all the more deserved.
He has endeavored to give his children a ]U'actical edu- cation and fit them for the various duties of life.
Jerry Lawson is a true type of the "horny-handed sons of toil." He is a well-known licensed drayman and can handle more cotton than two ordinary draymen. He owns several nice teams and a beautiful home. He is a ])roniinent Mason and his ])resence is absolutely necessary when there is any Masonic work to be done.
Cox & Harris, colorc^l barbers, have one of the best (Mpiip- ]>ed barber shops in tlie city and enjoy a large white trade.
:i9
B. W. CURRIE.
1>. W. Cnrrie was l)orn at Warren- ton, Mi.ss., in the rear of 1870, and received his education in the schools of his native village and liie schools of Vicksburg. At the age of eighteen he passed a very creditable examination and was assigned to teach the school at which he was a pupil only a few years i)revious As a teacher he at once took high rank, especially distinguishing himself in mathe- matics. He gave up teaching to enter the government service as letter carrier, Avhich place he now fills acceptably to all par- ties concerned, having been advanced yearly, as a compliment to his fidelity and efficiency. By special ])ermission from the Postofiice Department, at Washington, he was designated by Col. Mollison as enumerator of the Tweflth Census. This po- sition he tilled without one word of complaint, notwithstand- ing his duties carried him in the homes of three thousand people, both white and colored. He is secretary of the local branch of Letter Carrier's Association, and has been re-elected five successive terms without opposition. Was a delegate to the sixteenth convention of National Letter Carriers, at Can- ton, (Jhio, Sept. 11)07, and in that body was elected National State Vice-President, a ])osition never before filled by a col- ored man. He is one of the founders of the Lincoln Savings Bank, the oldest institution of its kind in the State, a director, and s(M-relary of its Executive Committee. He is also ]»roni- inent in the fraternal world, being a .Mason, a Past .Master. IMastei- of lOxchecpier of his K. of I'. Lodge and Sujtreme IMaster of Hecords of the Master Buihleis.
Walter 15. -loiies is one of the successful young negi-(H'S of A'icksburg. He has the reputation of being one of the best bi-icklayers in Vicksbui-g. Steady and reliable, Mr. .Jones is a menibei- of several fraternal oi-ders, a christian and a gentleman, lie owns a magnificent residence on a |to|>ular sti-ecl and other real estate. He is a director in the Lincoln Sasings r>anU and proniincnl in church and oilier s(»cieties.
•10
EDWARD P. EASTMAN.
Edward Paul Eastman, the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in the t^tate of Mississipi)i near Hard Times Lauding, September Otli, 1872. At an early age he was brought to Vicksburg and left to the care of his grandmother, Ma- tilda Boyd. He attended the city schools until the failing health of his foster parents compelled him to quit school and go to work. At an early age he was appren- ticed to one of the leading }»lund»ers of that day. Where he learned his trade he has worked continuously at the one ])lace for twenty years and has the confidence of his emph^yer.
He lays no claim to haying accomplished anything great. He is a "plain blunt man ;'' attends strictly to his own affairs, trying to make the most of life and live as useful a life as possible, "for he shall not pass this w^ay again."
He is secretary for the Jackson Street M. B. Church, su- perintendent of the Sunday School and a leader in most things for the benefit of the Church.
He is a home-loying man, enjoying the companionship of his wife and the loye of his only daughter.
He is a member of several societies, holding positions of trust and honor, but his main object is to serve his God, serve liis familv and serve his fellow-man.
Joseph C. Jennings unfortunately is not a native Mis- sissippian, he having been reared in New Orleans, La., and moved to Vicksburg about eight years ago. During his stay liere in the state of his adoption, he has contracted for and successfully completed the plastering of some of the largest buildings in the city and state. His work on the Craig man- sion, the Y. & M. V. passenger station, the First Presbyterian Church and hundreds of other jobs stands as a lasting monu- ment to a young negro contractor. Mr. Jennings is a young man and employs regularly a force of a dozen or more work- men.
41
W. H. SPRIGGS.
^^'illialll Heudei'Hon Spriggs is a native of Warren County, Miss. His ])oyliood days were spent on the farm and liis education ac- (piired in tlie pnblic schools of the county. For several years prior to 1890, Mr. Spriggs con- ducted a mercantile business in New Orleans, La., beginning with a capital of about .|;4,(»(K). In 1S9G he disposed of his New Orleans business and returned to Vicks- burg, entering into mercantile pur- suits, in which he remained two years, quitting that to take up the interests of the Knights of Canaan. It is in the interest of this order that he has made most marked success. When he took up the work the order liad very few members and was far from being on a substantial basis. Its first system of insurance was a kind of weekly benefit. Dues were collected by a collector whose duty it was to call from house to house, collecting from each member at their home. This was the first position in the order which fell to Mr. S])riggs. Several months afterward Mr. Sjtriggs accpiired the interests of the then president, and a Supreme Lodge was organized and laws adojjted for its further government. Mr. Spriggs then took the field in the interest of the order and traveled over ]\Iissis- sii)pi and Jjouisiana for four years. His was an up hill strug- gle for a long time. Many ditticulties were encountered and broken down and Mr. Spriggs to-day bears the title of a *'record-breaker" in fraternal work. He was and is devoted to the oi-der and sj)ent his money and his time freely in the effort to make it the most popular order in the Stale.
William II. Jones is a rising young man of sjilendid at- tainments. A colh'ge man, a Fi-ee .Mason and a consistent fol- lower of "(he man of .'!.'>." Mr. -Jones is a decorator and ])ainter. He owns a nice home in the residential i>or(ion of ^'icksbnrl• and is making a name in his held of work.
Vou should join the Knights of Canaan.
I
LEADING NEGRO WOMEN.
FANNIE B. SLAUGHTER.
Aiiioiii*- the leading iieyro Avoinen of \'icksbni-g none are more proni- inent than Miss Fannie 13. Shui<;htei-, chuii>htei' of ^Ii". and .Mis. H. L. Slan,i»hter. Miss Shuiiihter was born in Vieksburg, Imt when three years old she went to (N)h)rado with her god-niother and remained there uiitil seven- teen years old. While in the West ^liss Slaughter attended the very best schools and as a result of close application to her books is a highly educated young woman and now holds a ])Osition as assistant book-keeper in one of the large wholesale firms in Mcksburg, and is the first and only colored woman to hold such a ]»osition in this city.
By reason of her commercial ability and familiarity with such work, she is connected in a clerical capacity with sev- eral of the leading colored enterprises of the State, being- assistant secretary of the Colored State Fair Association, as- sistant secretary of the Golden Kule Society and a mend)er of the executive board of the ('olored Press Association of Mis- sissippi.
Resides her distinction in the business world. Miss Slaughter is very })opular socially, having only recently been voted the most }>o])ular young lady in the city.
She is her father's "right hand bower," assisting him in all of his business aff'airs. She has traveled extensively, is well read and is a very brilliant conversationalist.
Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, who taught the colored ])eople of Mississippi the great lesson that the man who did not pro- vide for those of his own household Avas worse than an in- fidel, and who left the Masonic Benefit Association as a mon- ument to his memory, lived and died on (Mierry Street, loved and honored by thousands.
43
CxEORGIA A. PROCTER, M. D.
FKOrUIETOR I'ROCTER'S I)KU(; STORK.
GEORGIA A. PROCTER, M.D.
IT IS only in the j)ast few years that women have l)e<>nu to attract attention as pliysicians by the number of tliem taking \\\i the practice of medicine. In the State of ^lississippi Ihere are very few white women doctors, and Vicksbnr<»- is the home of the only colored woman in the state licensed to practice this science. Mrs. Georgia A. I'rocter was born at BoAvling Green, Ky., in 1872, of well-to-do ]>arents. She com- pleted her high school education in her native town and en- tered Bereah College, where she remained one year, going from there to the State T'niversity, where she remained until the death of President Wm. J. Simmons. She then removed to Eckstein Norton, where she was employed as assistant in- structress. She was married in 18!)2 to Henry M. I'rocter, and in 1!)()2 she and her husband completed the medical course at Meharry Medical College, at Nashville, Tenn. ^Irs. IM-octer also graduated as a trained nurse at the same time. The following year she and her husband located in Vicksburg and began the practice of their profession and have always enjoyed a lucrative practice. Mrs Procter is proprietor of Procter's Drugstore, the only business of the kind in the city owned and managed exclusively by colored people. They carry a complete stock of drugs and chemicals, as well as all the leading patent and proprietary medicines and druggists sun- dries.
Among the many noted colored women of Yicksburg none stands higher in the hearts of the race than Mrs. Koxena A. Jones, widow of the late W. T. Jones.
Mrs. Jones is the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Court of Calanthe of the State of ^Iississi})pi, Governess of Rebecca Circle United Woodmen, and high official in such noted orders as the Eastern Star, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the Race Pride. She bears the distinction of having been one of the first ladies promoted to the i-anks of bank directors.. She is a thorough business woman, minus the mannish style of business women. ^Irs. Jones owns a nice residence on Crayton Street and not a few cottages for rental ])urposes. She is a" conspicuous figure in all the Grand Lodges to which negro women attend, and is given an imi)orfant jdace on all com- mittees.
4.'i
MRS. LUCY JEFFERSON.
Mrs. I^ncy Jettei-8on was born in Jackson, Miss., 1807, but the greater part of her life has been spent in Vicksburg, where her ]»arents reside She attended the city jtnblic schools and accpiired the honor of being the leader of her class. She is known as a great chnrch and society worker in this city and possesses those qual- ities which make up true woman- hood. Mr. Jefferson's success in his undertaking establishment is largely due to the assistance of his wife. She is the president of the Women's Christian Union, who are buying a piece of property at Cedar Grove to establish an old folks liome and orphanage for her race. She is pointed to with jiride as one of the leaders of her race. She is a member of twelve secret societies, secretary of the Stewardess Board of Bethel Church, of which she is a zealous worker. (Irand Treasurer of the National Knights and Ladies of Honor, a fraternal societv.
Miss Maud Gertrude Lovett is a graduate of Straight Uni- versity, New Orleans. La., and is an accomjdished musician.
She is a product of A'icksburg and all \'icksburg negroes are }»rond of her. Miss Maude's delight is in the sonatas of Bethoven, Wagner and Listz. She is one of nature's noblest women and nothing pleases her better than to entei'tain with her excellent musi<- her admiring friends. Miss Maud is one of (he few coloi-ed girl heiresses of \'i(ksburg. She in- herits in her own right the title to several valuable city lots and a farm near Mound Bayou, Miss. She is consi)icuous in all musical entei'tainments given by her peoi)le in the city and is an honoraiy member of ^'icksburg Commandery Xo. 1 Knights Temjdar and Stringer Lodge F. and A. M. She is the idol of the Masonic Fraternitv of ^'icksbura.
MRS. EDW. P. JONES.
o
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NEGRO ENTERPRISES.
LINCOLN SAVINGS BANK.
IX the business world of this section no institution stands in higher regard than this staunch institution. It was founded in 1<S1*2, hirgely as an experiment, for the memories of the Freedmen's Savings Bank came like harpies over the colored people of this section, notwithstanding the fact that the (lovernment Avas back of that institution and it was num- aged and controlled by white men.
The bank's name was changed and its real career entered upon Emancipation Day, 19(13. It has known few days since that it has not grown. Its tirst statement showed a
M. Z. M0LL180N, Cashikr Lincoln Savings BANK.^
total of resources of less than .f3,500.00 including everything. The deposits for any average Monday will e(pial or exceed that figure, while its loans now exceed forty thousand dol- lars. Its president is W. E. Mollison, whose biography ap- l)ears in this volume. He is known all over Mississippi as well as most of the Southern States. B. F. Lacey, the First Vice- President of the concern, is a suciessful and energetic planter and business man. 1'. C. ro]»elain is also a well known and ])rogressive citizen. Its Cashier, ^I. Z. ^lollison, has grown u]t with the bank, having been its bookkeeper and corres- ])()ndent. She is a graduate of the famous Oberlin ColJege and is an ex])ert stenograjdier and very proficient book-keeper. The bank's afi'airs have been run by her with great success, the
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^ Assr. [A'jHir.R 1/hioiv JAVM05 3'^'^fi
Dillon Second i/icf, - prir,:)!Di^NT
OFFICERS UNION SAVINGS HANK.
President's duties requiring that for days in a stretch she is the sole authority. That the bank has grown wonderfully since she has l>een in control shows the confidence of the public in her ability and integrirv".
Among the directors will be found the names of some of our leading citizens and business men. A few of them are here given : B. W. Currie. Walter B. Jones. C. B. Minor. Jno. W. Harris. W. \V. Manaway. S. H. Highland. Lewis Johnson.
The bank's capital has been increa.sed lately and it is now api»arent that within a short time this bank will be what its promoters ho])e and dream : a sure enough great big bank, disjjensing thousands of dollars into the channels of trade to the hundreds now being put out.
UXIOX SAVINGS BANK.
THE UXIOX SAVINGS BANK of Vicksburg. Miss., is an institution of which the negroes may justly feel proud. It was organized about three year-s ago with the capital of the negroes of this community who felt that they could spare a few dollars of their earnings to invest in a negro Ijanking business venture, and has been supported during that i»eriod almost entirely by negro patronage.
The history of this institution can be told in a few words. It was in the main the conception of Dr. C. Henri Woode. a prominent physician of Vicksburg. and Mr. T. G. Ewing. Jr.. the present cashier. They succeeded in interesting the rep- resentative colored people in this effort to the extent that sufficient capital was subscribed and paid to enable the pro- moters to begin business as soon after the fii'st meeting as the charter could be secured. As a reward for this effort to promote the organization of the bank. Dr. Woode was made Iiresident and served the bank as such until his death. His mantle fell sticcessively upon Prof. R. J. Rowan, president of Alcorn College and I>r. H. E. Connor, the latter of whom honor-s the position of president at this writing. Mr. T. (}. Ewing. Jr., a brilliant and aggre-ssive young business man, was chosen cashier and has filled this position ever since with credit to himself and profit to the bank. Its success is due largely to his management.
The rating of the bank is what reflects credit upon the business ability and tact of the race. In a city of less than 2o.(KMi inhabitants, where five banking institutions with an aggregate capital of more than half a million dollars were
doing business, this infant institution came fortli tliree years ago claiming a sliare of tlie i)atronage or the race. Many thought at the time that this was a too venturesome venture; tliat the odds against its success were too great, but time and result have proven the wisdom of tlie enterprise. It has be- come the Mecca institution of tlie negroes of this community who do financial business. Its standing is known and re- spected by the business institutions and business people of the opposite race. It is well know^n that its affairs are directed by men of honesty and business integrity that its condition is entirely solvent; that it throws around the funds of its de- positors the greatest possible safeguards. Its accounts and funds undergo the regular scrutiny of an auditing committee, it carries a reasonable fire and burglar insurance, and has its officers under bond commensurate with the holdings of the bank.
The venture has been a success in a business way. Two dividends have been declared in its short history and a hand- some sum passed to surplus.
The Union t^avings Bank is an example of what the negroes in any community may do if they organize, having for their motto : "Business ability and business integrity."
1
LINCOLN PARK LAND CO.
FOUR miles north of the city of Vicksburg, nestling be- neath the hills which trembled beneath the heavy guns which resisted the siege of one of The most magniticents armies of the modern days is beautiful Spout Springs, which for three generations has poured forth a stream of the coolest and most welcome water that ever came freely forth from hill or crag. There is a table land just west of it sloping down to the line of the railroad at Avhat is known as Kings. This land is as bountifully rich as ever held the fleeting shadow of the crow or eagle. This tract of land and the beautiful elevation overlooking it seemed designed by nature for a i)leasure re- sort. It is amply sui)plied with everydiing that would make it an ideal resort. The construction of the street railway by Houston Bros, will ]>ut this tract within three or four minutes of Yicksburg's city limits. The I>inc<)ln I'ark Land Conijtany was chartered to own and put this jtroperty, as well as a num- ber of other ])ieces that have belonged lo \A'. 10. ]\Iollison, on the market. It is not known >Nlietlier it will be ])]atted or not. Mr. Mollisoii li;is re-fused .1^.'),.")0(l for the thirteen acre
tract and expects to have the Land Company take it in charge when the time seems ripe to pnt it and other lands tliat will be conveyed to the company. The Land Company's officers are : W. E. Mollison, President ; C. B. Minor, Secretary ; T W. Molli- son, Vice-President; M. Z. Mollison, Treasurer. Among the directors are C. B. Minor, J. Monroe Hnbbard and other well known colored citizens. It is reported that the managers have arranged that the issue of stock will not exceed ten thousand dollars, and that a new feature is that stock certificates will be accepted in part payment for building lots in Lincoln Park as soon as the leases now on the property shall expire. Shares of stock are ten dollars each, and this is a good time to buy.
VICKSBURG MERCANTILE CO.
SOME months ago a couple of promoters came through Vicksburg and solicited subscriptions to the stock of a corporation which was chartered and put into working order. A number of our leading colored citizens were interested and took part in the organization. It met and elected J. J. Morant president, Juo. W. Harris Secretary, H. L. Slaughter, treas- urer and John T. Spencer vice-president and all things looked hopeful for a prosperous campaign. The corporation elected Mr. Jno. Tate business manager and is now in every way in shape to enter the business field. The panic of last fall is all that prevented the Vicksburg Mercantile Company from en- tering a live and active business before August 1st, 1908.
No mere sketch could give the names of men who have been prominent in the public aft'airs of the commonwealth.
Thomas W. Broadwaters, a little less original but just as earnest and aggressive, brought Pythianism to a position of great prominence and usefulness.
W. T. Jones, who founded the order just entering a career of usefulness in the fraternal field of insurance, lived to have a thousand members march behind his bier, regretting the loss of a nmn whose genius had made an institution Avhose benificence had made thousands happy.
Vicksburg has spoken in praise of her colored lawyer, whose office and equipment, as well as the questions with which he deals, equals those of any lawyer anywhere. He is known all over the state as well as the country and his works speak for the man.
53
INTERIOR UNION GROCERY CO.
THOMAS DILLON, MANAGER, {fw pa-e 18.)
tx-'*',,-'"*'
^I^St ] cS'iz, i a^ ^ ssr I 3^ J
THE UNION GROCERY CO.
>npHE UNION GROCERY COMPANY was organized in 1904 -*- by Thomas Dillon and the business to-day stands as a monument to his strict integrity and devotion to business. As- sociated with Mr. Dillon are Ed. Williams, president of the company ; Wm. Ware, secretary, and Albert Judge and Ferdi- nand Sims.
The company began operations on the 30th day of May, 1904, with a capital of less than |1,000, and under the careful management of Mr. Dillon it has prospered beyond the most sanguine expectations of its founders. They now carry a stock ai)proximating .f4,000 and run two delivery wagons to all parts of the city.
On April 1."), 1907, the company suffered the loss of their entire stock by tire, losing over .f3,000. Phoenix-like, however, the very next day the company was doing business, having secured temporary quarters. Shortly afterwards they built a new and large store building and the business is continuing to grow larger day by day. The company enjoys a large trade, and caters to the best trade. Their stock is always clean and fresh and everything that is good to eat can be secured from them. The fresh meat department is under the manage- ment of ^Ir. Williams, the president of the c()m])any. Here can be had all the choicest native and ^^'estern meats, and l)r()duce.
MX. HERODEN BAPTIvST CHURCH.
KDW. 1'. .loNlvS. 1'. C. (See PiiKc U.
THE NEGRO CHURCHES.
MT. HERODEN BAPTIST CHURCH.
1\ /r OUXT HERODEX BABTIST CHURCH, organized in ^^^ the year of 1S<><) by Rev. G. G. Middleton, who after- wards became the tir.st clergTnian of tlie Episcopal Church South, has ever been known for its worsliip as at variance with the hirge majority of negro Baptist Churches. Intelli- gence has ever held sway with this congregation. Dr. Middle- ton Avas succeeded by the lamented Dr. A. A. Hamilton, who served the congregation for fourteen years and the Baptists of Mississippi as president for four years. Dr. Hamillon's ad- ministration was one of the most successful and he deserves much credit for the great number which were added to the congregation, many of whom are now the most devout and true members of the church. Dr. Hamilton died June 24th, 11)02, and the present pastor. Rev. Edw. P. Jones, B.S., D.D., was immediately called as his successor. Upon liis death bed Dr. Hamilton earnestly requested that they should call tliis young man to his pulpit. Dr. Jones has served the church as best he could. He has succeeded in replacing the old structure with a modern and up-to-date building. One of the best pipe organs used by any colored church in the South has been purchased and is a monument to the devotion of the membership of the church for excellent music. Dr. Jones is of the opinion that he has an efficient Board of Deacons, viz. : Patrick Washington, Steven Tucker, Robert Ellis, John ('amp- bell, Matt Campbell, Elijah Bates, I. S. Terrell and Robert Crane, who serves as treasurer, and W. P. Thompson is clerk. John W. Harris is secretary of the Relief Fund and the follow- lowing are the trustees: A. Asberry, William Thomas, James Anderson, B. C. McCoy, Walter Pittman, Joshua Black and Edward Patterson,
The Church has also a flourishing Sunday School, over which Armstead Asberi-y has been Superintendent for twenty- five years and ^Nliss Alice Cam]>bell for about eigliteen years.
The Church has a memlxn-ship of 500 members and the Sunday School about llncc hundred and flftv.
JACKSON vSTRHKT BAPTIST CHURCH.
KDWAKI) r. KASTMAN. Skchkiahv. (Sec I'iiKo 11.)
T
JACKSON STREET CHURCH.
BAPTIST. HE Jacksou Street Baptist Church, Yicksburg, ]Miss., was
J- organized in April, 1899, by Rev. A. A. Hamilton and others in State Golden Kule Hall with seventy-five members. The ehnrch called Kev. A. ]\I. Johnson, D.D., of Port Gibson, as [>astor. The congregation bought a lot at a cost of |1,00().00 on the corner of Second North and Jackson Streets. For two years they continued to worship in the State Golden Rule Hall. On July 10. 1899, the ground was broke for the build- ing of an elaborate brick edifice. This building has a main auditorium up stairs that will seat 800 persons. This is a model of beauty and is finished in the latest style. The parlor (or basement) has a large lecture room, dining room and kitchen, together with the young men's gymnasium. This is one of the best church buildings, as well as the largest and finest (when completed) owned by colored people in the State of Mississippi. It was built under the direction of the present pastor. Rev. A. M. Johnson, and the Board of Trustees. The membership of the Church now numbers about 350 members. There is one feature about the erection of this church that shows the progress of tlie negro, and that is, all of the work was done by negroes.
The Church numbers among its mend^ership some of the most progressive young men and women in the State. Under the direction of the Church, they have a model Sunday School, a B. Y. P. U. and also a Benevolent Society, which looks after the wants of the poor and sick members of the Church.
The Church, when completed, will have cost about |25,- 000.00.
Rev. Kelly Rucks was born a slave and freed at the age of fourteen Avithout a home, or respectable chUhes; yea, even the necessities of life, he now through (Jod's blessings, owns a nice home and other i)roperty valued at over |10,000, has an interesting family and enjoys the full confidence and respect of every one who knows him. He is a member of I lie Board of Directors of Kosciusko Industrial College. He has never been a member of anv secret order.
BETHEL A. M. \i. CHURCH.
.INO. ,1. MORANT. 1'. ('. (Src piiKi' -1
BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH.
BETHEL A. M. E. (^HUR('H was oi-oiiiiizod in 1S()4 by Rev. Page Tyler. Bishop J. P. Cainiibell was the first Bishop of the A. M. E. Church, wlio visited this ehurcli and organized the first annual cont'erenee. The present site and building was formerly owned by the First Presbyterian Chureh (white) of this city
Many have been the hardships of Bethel congregation and great has been its struggles, but in all of it the^^ have been more than conquerers ; and to-day ''Bethel" is one among the leading churches of the great A. ^I. E. connection. She has an enrollment of nearly seven hundred members and property valued at |25,()00.
The following are some of the illustrious ministers who have served the church as pastors: Page Tyler, Hiram Bevels, Dr. Cooper, T. W. Stringer, Brother Allen, Brother Brown, J. C. Embry, Adam Jackson, J. I. Lowe, F. Carolina, C. H. Thomas, H. B. Parks, W. T. Anderson, O. P. Ross, A. J. Russel, P. W. Mills, (;. W. Porter and Jno. J. Morant.
Bethel Church is an old landmark of African Methodism and a citadel for the faith that has been delivered to the saints. The congregation is proud of her work in past days and is now turning its attention to the future and to greater achievements. In a few years, D.V., a new structure will hallow this sacred spot. Bethel has done much in the way of moulding public sentiment, and stands to-day, as it has always stood, for the Fatherhood of God, and the I^rothei-hood of ^Tan Her I)astors in the main have never been recreant to duty, and have always been found to the front in all emergencies that sav- ored detriment to the people — and especially to the race. Her members are made up of a class of Yicksburg's best citizenry, and they live and ]»reach "peace on earth and good will to all.'' Her pulpit is a veritable "watch tower" and will always seek to be on the side of right, the majoi-ily on the wrong- notwithstanding. She has done untold good in bringing about amicable relations between the two races, which is e\idenc('(l by the good feeling that exists toward her by a wliilc neigh- borhood that surrounds her.
Rev. K. 1*. Jones conducts a Avell e(|uipped piinling estab- lishment.
61
HOLLY GROVE BAPTLST CHURCH.
KKLLY RUCKS, P. C. (See page Hi.)
HOLLY GROVE CHURCH.
BAPTIST.
HOLLY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH was orgaiiizod and foiiiuled by Rev. Mose Bell, shortly after the capitn- hition of Vicksbiirg iu 18()3. Rev. Bell preached to his congregation about one year under an improvised slied. and Avhen the chnrcli was tlnis established, the congregation de- cided to bnild a church. Rev. Bell was gathered to his Fathers before the completion of the church, and was succeeded by Rev. Lee Davis, who remained until his death, four or five years afterwards. He was succeeded by Rev. Sterling Stiles, who remained only a short time, and was succeeded by the Rev. Kelly Rucks in 187(). Rev. Rucks found the church greatly disorganized and its erstwhile influence and standing greatly crippled. He gathered around him a few of the more devout members and proceeded to bring order out of chaos, and in a short time the church again took position among the leading churches. When the church was originally built, it was erected on rented ground, and after Rev. Rucks came to the church he bought a site and built a new church, at a cost of |1,()5(). In 1!)07 it became neceifsary to tear down and rebuild, and the present building was completed in November, 1907, at a cost of about |2,()00. The congregation numbers about 225 devout mend»ers, and since Rev. Rucks has been its pastor there has never been a day of dissension among its members. The entire membership work in harmony, and go in more for pure religious worship and the good they can do, than for style and show. Rev. Rucks has only two and)itions. One is to be a good husband and father and the other to be a good minister for God, and there are any number of phys- ical evidences that his ambition in this respect is being ful- filled. He believes that the biblical injunction that ''Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrines; continue in them; for in doing this thou slialt save thyself and them that hear thee * * * But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.''
When Vicksburg cajdtulated Rev. Kelly Rucks was a four- teen year old slave. He is now worth -fKKOOO, and, a yet greater asset, he is trusted and respected by bolh whiles and blacks.
03
( lloll; AND ( UANCEL, -ST. MARY'S CHURCH, (i-ue page 17.)
ST. MAKV'S SCHOOL AND I'AKISH HoCSE. ( S,i. piifjc TJ. )
ST. MARYS CHURCH.
EPISCOPAL.
ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Yieksbiirg, Miss., was established diiriug the year 18S5. The three men who did more than any other in establishing the Chnrch were the Rt. Rev. H. M. Thompson, the Rev. Henry Samson and Mr. R. R. Harrison. Bishop Thompson did not receive very much enconrageinent from the majority of his people in what some of them called his "pet scheme."' St. Mary's Church was the first Protestant Episcopal Church organized among the col- ored people of this section of the country. This church stands for an intelligent, refined and dignified mode of worship. Its ideals of Christianity are b}' some of the people misunderstood, misrepresented and consequently severely and adversely criti- cised. A church is not to be blamed if its ideals are in ad- vance of the majority of the people she tries to reach. Her duty is to minister faithfully to those who can appreciate and ^ill accept what she has to offer. The church is growing on the people of Yicksburg, and as they know her better, she re- ceives thankfully the sympathy and help of a great many of all classes of the citizens. St. ]Mary's Church was the first church in Yicksburg to organize the vested choir. Since its organization, it has had eight ministers, two white and six colored. The Rev. Dr. Middleton, now in charge, is the eighth. He has been there since 1900. Since his coming to the church very little remains of the old equipment except the floor, the walls and the ceiling. The pipe organ, as large and sweet- toned as any in Yicksburg, the pews, the carpet, the bap- tismal fount, sanctuary lamj) and altar furniture have been j)laced in the church during his incumbency. However, these things would count for very little if they were all the church stood for. The minister tries to get his people to realize that it is the church's duty to do some real and tangible good for the people of the community; that its influenc(^ ought to be felt in the moral, spiritual, and, indirectly, in the social life of all the people. No church has any other excuse for existing.
W. E. ]Mollison is known as a writer and sj)eakei' of ability and is recognized as one of the leaders of the people in America.
5 65
KING vSOLOMON BAPTIST CHURCH.
J. H. C. HENRY, r. C. (Seo page •-'•■..)
KING SOLOMON CHURCH.
BAPTIST.
A MEETING of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Association, doniieiled in Vieksburg, Mississippi, was held in their one-storv frame edifice on the site of the jtresent church, No- vember 17th, 18()6. After devotional exercises were had, a notice was read, authorizing the call of the council. The fol- lowing ordained elders were present: Revs. Handle Pollard, Marion Dunbar, William Tensly, Marcus Bryan, Joseph Smoth- ers, L. Woods and Ivorv Williams.
Rev. Randle I'ollard was chosen moderator of the council. Rev. Ivory Williams Clerk. The Moderator stated that the object of the council was to establish an independent and reg- ular organized Church of the Baptist denomination at Vieks- burg, Miss. The following resolutions were read:
"■Be it resolved, that Mt. Pleasant Baptist Association be known hereafter as the Mount Pleasant Church of Vieksburg, Miss." These resolutions were received and adoj)ted, after which the council adjourned.
The Church, at the time of its organization, was without a regular pastor. During the latter part of 1804: and ISdf) spiritual help had been given by local preachers. Among the most prominent of these were Rev. Jim Middleton, Rev. Hodge and Chaplain Edwards (white) of the lOth Regiment of the U. S. Army. He assisted the church in securing the lot upon which their one-story fran)e building stood. He labored Avith them for several years after the organization of the church. By the consent of the church at a regular meeting, he changed the name of the church, ]\rarch 22, 18()1) from ^It. Pleasant to that of King Solomon Bajttist Church. He was an earnest worker for the upbuilding of the church, and he was greatly esteemed by them. He, however, left the State in the latter part of 1869. After his departure the church called Rev. G. G. Middletton to its pastorate and afterwards ordained him for the Avork in 1870. During his administration the mem- bership of the church increased to upward of seven hundred regular attendants. In 1874 he resigned his otTice to take charge of Mount Heroden Baptist Church. lOarly in the year 1875 the church elected Rev. Jefferson Tliomjison ])astor to succeed Rev. G. G. ^liddleton. H<* labored until the sum- mer of 1878, when he fell a victim to vellow fever, and at his
own request, his remains were buried at the southeast corner of the church, where they repose until this day. Eev. G. P. Jones was elected pastor to succeed Rev. Jefferson Thompson late in the year 1878. His administration began under the most extraordinary circumstances. He found an empty treas- ury, the church half finished, notes on contracts maturing, besides an oversight of the spiritual condition of his Hock. He sold one of the church lots to the Drayman's Aid Society for |«30() and completed the church, bought new pews which are now in use; dedicated the church to the service of God in 1880 and paid off all the indebtedness left by his predecessor. He established our first church choir, bought an organ and added many other progressive improvements to the credit of the church and the denomination. He labored on for the good of the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ until his i^hysical body gave way to disease and died in 1883. He was succeeded in 1884 by Rev. Marion Griffin, who served for thirteen years. He found the church in the zenith of her glory. During his administration many converts were added to the church. At the close of the thirteen years he was stricken with con- sumption and after lingering several mouths, the destroying angel came for the third visit to take the ruler oft" the throne, and he was buried beside his predecessor. Rev. M. Charles succeeded Rev. Marion Griffin in 1896. His career was ended on January 22, 1900. His remains were shipped to Mont- gomery, Ala., their last resting place.
Rev. J. H. C. Henry was elected pastor to succeed Rev. Marion Charles, Sept. 24, 1900. He accepted the call, Sept. 28, 1!)00. He found the church in a feeble condition — the joy of old was to be restored, the waste places to be made to flourish as before, the spiritual growth of the church to be re-established. Whether he has succeeded in the arduous work before him, we leave that to the future generations to pass judgment upon. His career as pastor and leader, during his administration, the church has increased her membership up- wards of five hundred. In 1901 he built a hall for the church, to be used for suppers, concerts, etc., at a cost of |440.00, and remodeled tiie church, including fixtures and furnitur(^ at a <-ost of |.~),2.")T.2.~). -Jesse W. A\'illiams has served as clerk of the cliurcli since 1898. He lias been a member of the I'.oard of Trustees since 1!M)4.
The Vicksburg Light is the leading negro news[»aper of Vicksburg. It is owned and edited by W. 11. Rogers.
6H
THE NEGRO SCHOOLS.
CHERRY STREET HIGH SCHOOL.
SOME little time after the civil war, there being little or no educational facilities opened to the colored people of the South, the most noteworthy Presbyterian Church organ- ized in this city what was known as the U. P. ^lission on North Cherry Street, where now is located the present Cherry Street School, a part of which was purchased Oct. 28. 1872, and the other part on Dec. (>, 188(1.
It was conducted as a mission school for several years, even into the early seventies, drawing of course its support from the church which organized it.
That the educational work done by this God-sent organi- zation was well done, is evidenced by some of tlie students who have taken and yet maintain high standing as Avorthy cit- izens of this very historic and progressive city. Among those Avorthy of mention are Mrs. A. A. McCalloway, Mrs. M. A. liell, Hon. W. E. ^lollison, Prof. A. S. Barnes and others who might be named.
There is a tide, though slightly noticed by the wise, and entirely unnoticed by the unwise, which carries man on to meet ucav conditions, higher planes and ideals, questions of greater moment, more difficult of solution, yet must be solved, more tasteful appreciation of the beautiful ; the tide of time, Avhich correctly solves all (juestions, wise and unAvise — the test of all human effort.
Time brought a change. The people thought of ]»ublic edu- cation and reasoned on higher things Avliich smacked of more equitable justice towards the tattered and uncultured.
The }>roi»<)siiion to sell and buy Avas agreed to, Avhich caused a cessation of the U. P. ^lission and the Cherry Street Public School came into existence, draAving on the city treasui-y for support.
The first ])riiici]»al, a Mr. Sullivan, (Avhite) Avas from Dublin, Ireland. Next in order canie ^Irs. I. I). Shad (col- ored) ; then Mrs. Anna Watkins, now Mrs. McCalloAvay; then Messrs. Barnes, Reynolds, Shannon and ]McIntyi-e, the jtresent incumbent, Avho has served for the ])ast five y(^•lrs.
.1. Monroe Hubbard is a po]>uhir China Street barber,
CHEKKY STREET SCHOOL.
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.MAOXOLIA AVEXl'E SCHOOL.
MAGNOLIA AVE. SCHOOL.
WHAT is now Magnolia Sc-liool was begun as a result of an ovei'rtow of attendance at ("lien-y Street School. About lifteeu years ago Cherry Street School, which Avas then the only public school for negro children in Vicksburg, became so congested that the P.oard of Education felt called u})on to provide other accommodations for the excess of attendance, and for those who had been refused permission to enter. Ac- cordingly, they rented the Golden Rule Hall on Clay Street and employed several teachers under the supervision of the principal of the Cherry Street School, to teach those who by force of circumstances were compelled to enter this jilace. This incipient institution became known as Clay Street School and continued for four years in this relation to Cherry Street School. At the end of this time the increased importance of the school made it necessary that a su])ervisor be placed in the building, and so the board elected a principal whose duty it was to supervise this work, and thus organized it into a separate and distinct school. From this time forward the school began to grow. Its faculty of four teachers was in- creased with the increasing demand to five and then to six.
Finally the Board of Education decided that a building was necessary. A committee from this body selected a lot situated in the center of negro ])Opulation of this city and recommended its purchase and the erection thereon of a six room school house, to the city council. This recommendation was acted upon and in January, 1902, the six teachers and pupils of Clay Street Schools were installed in their new quarters on Magnolia Avenue. Subsequently three rooms and as many teachers were added to the school to accommodate the increasing attendance. The school has now a princi])al and eight teachers; an enrollment of 5S1 i>upils. .\mong the furniture of this school is to be found an organ, a book case containing about 400 books and pictures which are copies of the master artists of the world. There are many other fur- nishings and apparatus of an educative character which have beeii added by i)Opular subscri]>tion to the school.
Prof. G. M. IMcTntyre, ]irinci]>al of Cherry Street High School, has been at the head of that institution tor five years, and the school has never enjoyed greatei- ]>r<)sperity.
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ST. MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL.
THE writer believes that he is simply stating a fact when he says that the Episcopal Church, generally speaking, does not appeal to the absolute unlettered person. A greater or less degree of education is really necessary to a just apprecia- tion of her service and mode of worship even. The church and school are usually found side by side, or the one is very soon followed by the other.
St. Mary's Parish School was opened in 1900 when the Rev. A. A. Roberts was rector. The school was taught in the church building; it was afterwards moved to the old Benev- olent Hall just across the street, and later to a hall on First North Street, between Main and First East. In neither of these places were conditions favorable, as the teachers had only one room in which to do their work. Conditions are very much better now. Through the untiring efforts of Bishop Bratton, the school now owns a large two-story building con- taining eight rooms, which is used as a school and parish house. The accompanying cut does not represent the spacious grounds, almost a half block, nor the teachers cottage that fronts Main Street.
The school admits children from any or no denomination who will be obedient and teachable. Like the public schools, it has been patronized by some of the best and some of the worst families in Vicksburg. It is a fact that some of the young people who have gone from this school to the Univer- sities of this and other States, have kept their places in the grades they left in our school.
We have three lady teachers, with Mrs. A. A. McCalloway as principal and Miss M. L. Harrison and Miss A. B. Coates assistants. Mrs. McCalloway was for some time principal of the ]»ublic school and is known to be thoroughly capable. The school has a hundred and fifty or more i)U|)jls. The girls are taught sewing and the boys are taught to make themselves handy about the grounds. We hope in time to have a board- ing school with other industries for the bovs and girls.
J no T. Spencer is Supreme Treasurer of the Knights of Honor of the World.
You should join the Knights of Canaan.
LODCxES AND SOCIETIES.
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GRAND LODGE F. & A. M.
HE :\I()ST WORSHIPFUL STRINGER GRAND LODGE -L Avas organized in the eitv of Yicksburg, Miss., July 3rd, 1S7(). The first Grand ^Master was Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, through whose efforts Masonry was introduced into the State to negroes in 1867. The Fraternal Life Insurance lienefit was created by the M. ^^^ Stringer Grand Lodge, which pays a death benefit of |700 to its beneficiaries. The Grand Lodge has a membership of nearly 14,000 members and owns timber lands along the line of the Y. & M. V. R. R. of 1,000 acres for which they have refused an offer of |15.00 per acre for the timber alone. They paid to widows and orphans in 1907 1110,000.
The present Grand Master is Dr. E. W. Lam])ton, of Greenville, Miss., who is serving his fourteenth year as Grand Master. Under the direction of this financier and matchless leader the Stringer Grand Lodge is easily the most foremost Grand Lodge in the world operated by negroes. The annual communication is looked forward to with much pleasure by the craftsmen. Instead of ancient stove-pipe hats and short- tailed coats. Dr. Lampton's representatives, who are medical doctors, lawyers, professors, merchants, preachers, brick-layers, etc., appear in Prince Albert coats and latest style silk hats. The greatest desire of Dr. Lampton is to advance the interests of the craftsmen generally, and the young men among them especially. He is the idol of his fellows. A large percentage of the lodges own their own halls, etc., a movement advanced and personally looked into by the Grand INIaster.
The negro Free Masons stand head and shoulders above all other fraternal organizations in the state.
INDEPENDENT ORDER ODD FELLOWS.
VICKSBURG is the liome of the Grand Lodg(\ Tnde])eudent Order of Odd T'ellows. The Odd Fellows is one of the oldest colored lodges in the state and also the wealtliiest. In the city of Yicksburg there are twelve subordinate lodges, four Households of Ruth and two Patriarch Councils.
Edw. J'. -loiK^s is (Jraiid .Master of the (irand Lodue.
THE COLORED WOODMEN.
THE colored i>eo|)le have so many fraternal orders with high sonnding names, and so many of them have lived their brief hour and disappeared or died, that the pnblic has tired of learning new names and titles, A few have survived the period of infancy; some have dragged out a miserable existence and some have died of starvation.
No institution is any stronger than its membership and the integrity of its oflBcers, No fraternal order can boast of any millions of assets. It must have the determined effort of the members of the order to continue the good work, and the energy, intelligence and integrity of its officers to wisely direct and honestly manage the affairs of the order.
The Colored Woodmen was born less than three years ago. It had a large and powerful body of persons well directed who imagined themselves injured by its existence and pros- perity. The public was told that it had no charter and when that was shown to be false, they fell back on the charge that it was not licensed ; then that it was not paying enough ben- efits. Its splendid record has contradicted all these slanders. The shafts and arrows of malice have fallen harmless at its feet. It is the young giant among the fraternities. In its Supreme and Grand Encampments will be found the flower of the youth and vigor as well as the intelligence and character of the colored people of Mississip])i. It has no a])ology to make for its being. Its success and good works are sufficient answer to the slanderous tongue and the records of fraternal orders will l)e s(^ai'ched in vain for one which has ]>assed the five hundred dollar mark of death payment within two years after the grant of the first license.
This Order has had a i)henoinenal growth. It started in November. !!)().") with practically no membership. It was char- tered and licensed and commenced business January, l!l()(>. It is now licensed and authorized, under a ten thousand dollar bond to do business in the State of Arkansas, where it has nearly twenty-five working Camits and Circles. It is author- ized and is woi-king in the State of Alabama. Avhere it has four hundred and fifty members in good standing. In ^lis- sissi])]n it has nearly one hundred and fifty ('am]»s and Cir- cles. The payment of death benefits now reaches the princely sum of |(i(M).(l(l. It has collected no assessement in excess of 7") cents in any one month. Its i)romises are as good in the market as gold bonds, its otticers are all under bond; are all new men; are fi-esli from the peojile. and are vigorous in
tlie proyeention of the work. It lias no lai-fje inimber of old iiieiiibers ; its growth is from the growing and vigorous oak and cypress and cedar. It is destined to a great and pros- perous future.
The Supreme Governor is W. E. ^lollison, l*resident of the Lincoln Savings liank. and an active practicing attorney at Vicksburg. He has just been honored by election as Delegate from the State at large to the Chicago National l\e])ublican Convention. The comjtlimentary notices in the jtress about his election show the high regard of the i)eoi»le of Mississippi for him. The Supreme Banker is Benjamin F. Lacey, of Shiloh. Mississip})!, a ])lanter of large means and influence. He is Grand Senior ^^'arden of the ^lasons of Mississippi, which in itself is an assurance of his ]»oi)ularity and ability. The Su- preme Secretary is Miss M. E. (Tunstall) Ingram, of the town of Byhalia. She has recently completed a course of shorthand and typewriting at Rust University and is thoroughly fitted for the work before her. She has the regard and esteem of all the people in her section of the State. She makes a model.
The State of Mississippi is under the immediate jurisdic- tion of J. E. Walker, Grand Governor, a man of large i)rop- erty holding in the town of Gunnison, Mississi]»pi, a prac- ticing lawyer, and an ardent and enthusiastic worker in wood- craft. Its Grand Banker is W. M. Foote, who is known as the watch dog of the Treasury. He lives at New Albany, and his bond is signed by all the leading bankers and mer- chants of the town. The Grand Secretary is R. M. Boyce, of Byhalia, whose ability and integrity won for him a reputa- tion under the former management of the Woodmen. S. Wat- son, A. B. Andrews, It. A. Armstrong, W. G. Johnson, Wm. Atkinson, G. L. Yates and G. I*. Gordon are some of the men who have contributed to the great success of this giant young order. They are the oaks, cedar:< and cypresses upon which the structure of woodcraft rests in Mississi]»pi.
The Su})reme Officers are: W. E. Mollison, Supreme Gov- ernor, Vicksburg, Miss. ; B. F. Lacey, Supreme Banker, Shiloh, Miss.; M. E. (Tunstall) Ingram, Holly S])rings, Miss.; W. C Atkinson. Sui)i-eiiie Oi-ator, GoHeevilie, Miss.
The (iiand Officers are: J. K. Walker, (Jrand Governor; Gunnison, Miss.; R. M. Boyce, (Jrand Secretary, Byhalia, ^liss., Wm. M. Foote, (Jrand P»anker, New Albany, ^Nliss. ; S. Watson, (Jrand Lecturer, New Albanv, Miss.
You should join (he Colored Woodmen.
STATE GOLDEN RULE vSOClETY.
AMONG the many Societies wliicli liave done and are still doing a great work for the unfortnnates of its nieinber- shi}) may be mentioned the t^^tate Golden Rnle Society. Its charities have not been confined to its mend)ership, bnt to the deserving withont restriction.
The Society was organized in the early seventies by Rev. Chas. H. Smith, a man of much influence among his people, and its growth in a short time was Avonderfnl. Its members took a leading part in The yellow fever fight of '78, being identified with the Howard Association, and did much to re- lieve suffering humanity.
In 1882 the State Golden Rule Society was chartered by a sjjecial act of the Legislature. J)uring its existence it has distributed upwards of fifty thousand dollars in sick benefits and other chanties, and has given decent burial to more than one hundred of its dead.
Under the leadership of H. L. Slaughter, which covers a period of twenty-two years, it has been identified with every movement looking to the betterment of it members in par- ticular and the negro race generally.
The State Golden Rule Society teaches, as a part of its obligations, respect for the hnv of the land, and that it is a crime to protect a criminal.
During the overHow of 18!)T it thi-ew oi»en its headquarters to those who had not food or shelter and also contributed liberally to the fund raised in their behalf.
Lodge No. 1 owns valuable ])roperty in the city and is a large holder of stock in several enterj»rises.
So well has the State Golden Rule Society succeeded, that in 1S!)S it voted to extend its field of usefulness, and accord- ingly an endowment de]»artnient was established and the So- ciety extended to other towns. They have at this time forty lodges in Mississijijii with a large niend)ership.
The dealings of the Society have been strictly upon the principle of the (Jolden Rule. No high-sounding i)r()niises are made to catch the unthinking, the jterformance of which would be im])()ssible. On the other hand tlie Society ]»romises to conduct its affairs in a business-like way at the smallest cost jM'r capita of jierhaps any SocictN in the South.
H. L. Slaughter is Snitrenic President, an<l IM'of. J. F. (Jayden, of Kculah, is Sujn-enie Secretary-Treasurei*.
The Stale Golden Rule Society is licejisfMl under the sujter-
vision of the State Insui-aiice I)ei>ai-tment, and stands well with tlie Department.
The Snprenie Presiik'nt has )»een a citizen of Yicksburg for many yeai-s, and has earned an excellent repntation for reliability and integrity, and possesses the esteem of the people of both races.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAvS.
VICKSBURG is the birth-place of the Order of Colored Knights of Pythias of Mississippi. It was organized April 17th, 1880, by Thomas W. Stringer, T. M. Broadwater, E. A. Lightfoot, A. S. l^arnes and others.
Like many fraternal orders, it suffered many obstacles before it had a financial footing. The founders of this order never dreamed when they launched it under such adverse cir- cumstances, it would ever rise to such ])rominence in the world that it has. It drifted with the "tide'' with a few- lodges, here and there, for several years. New life was injected into the order in 1899, when that untiring leader. Major W. T. Jones, became Grand Chancellor by reason of the death of Hon. G. F. Bolds, then the Grand Chancellor of the order. Under his administration the order progressed as never be- fore. When he entered upon his duty as Grand Chancellor, his native city, Yicksburg, had four subordinate lodges. At present it has fifteen financial lodges whose postoftice is Yicks- burg. Of the ninety -eight thousand dollars paid into the En- dowment Department annually, the lodges at Yicksburg and its vicinity i)ay 25 per cent. Yicksburg and its vicinity have thirty-three financial lodges. Their names are as follows:
Pride of the West No. 33— J. A. Freeman, C. C.
Progress No 35 — A. J. Lindsey, C. C.
Belmont No. 51— John Whitney, C. C.
Golden Leaf No. 100— F. S. :M()rris. C. C.
AVillow Glenn No 112— A. R. Davis, C. C.
Bright Crown No. 116— R. D. Dewberry, C. C .
Pride of the South No. 117— G. Brown,^C. C.
Signal No. 124— Jerry Carter, C. C.
Magnolia No. 126— S. G. Johnson, C. C.
I'ride of the East No. 133— J. B. Robinson, C. C.
Forest Home No. 136 — Geo. Jinkins, C. C.
Golden Grain No. 170 — B. G. Yernon, C. (.'.
Golden (Jem No. 181 — E. G. Flowers, C. C.
Southern lieautv No. 192 — J. J. Price, C. C.
Mornin<i Star No. 221 — Win. Jolinson, C. C.
Golden Crown No. 245— W. I'. I?ortei% C. C.
Silver Moon No. 247 — Monroe Pilort, C. C.
Center Beauty No. 252— W. S. Hargrove, C. C.
Valley I'ark No. 278— J. W. Young, C. C.
Mt. ()live No. 280— H. R. Burns, (\ C.
Hickory Tree No. 319— Wni. Walker, C. C.
American Beauty No. 320 — Boss Eastman, 0. C.
C. Henry Woode No. 363 — Simon Nathan, C. C.
Huntsville No. 371— J. C. Tate, (\ C
T. W. Stringer No. 103 — Louis Jinkins, C. 0.
T^nion Square No. 415 — Juo. M. Williams, C. C.
Chickasaw No. 435— C. R. Custard, C. C.
Mount A'ernon No. 438 — Jesse Drayton. C. C.
Greenwood No. 441 — E. C. Brown, C. C.
J. C. Ross No. 471— J. W. Seals, C. C.
Silver Leaf No. 475— L. A. Hindricks, C. C.
Sir A. J. Lindsey, C. C. of Pride of I'rogress Lodge No. 35; Secretary of Grand Trustee Board and City Deputy.
Sir J. W. English, C. C. of Bride of Onward Lodge No. 23 and a member of the Grand Trustee Board.
Sir 1*. C. Downs. Grand Lecturer.
Sir S. H. Highland, G. K. of R. & S.
Sir L. D. Hendricks, D. D. G. C. of the Northern Division of Warren County.
J. M. Head and G. Brown, D. D. G. C. of the Southern Division.
Hs management is in the hands of a good and efficient cori)s of bonded officials, which insures the safety of all its members.
KNIGHTS OF CANAAN.
THE Order of the Knights of Canaan was founded by Prof. Wm. H. Spriggs, a native of Warren ("ounty. .Miss. The Order was organized under great difficulties, having as a neuclus only about half a dozen jkm-sous, and these at times were ready to faint and fall by the way. On June 22, 1883, a Charter of Incorporation was ai>i)lied for and obtained and after that time W. 11. Spriggs, in person and at a great sacri- fice <»r time and money, traveled over four States, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama, lecturing and rei)resenting the cause of Canaan. To him the cost of establishing the Order of the Knights of Canaan was great in every way. It
cost him the accniiinhition of inaiiv veai's of toil. From a tinaiK'ial viewpoint it cost liiiii his baiikiiiy account of .ft, 000. 00. But beiug the undauuted leader that he is. he did not give up the struggle until the Canaan banner floated in the breeze over the hund)le cabins of the dwellers in four states. The founder of the Order not only intended that the Knights of Canaan should be what any other secret organization is, but more; and in carrying out this idea, he has been called the ''record-breaker," and so he is, for while other fraternal or- ganizations look only after the sick and dead, the Canaans in addition to this pays its members for living. Its member- sliip is made up of all classes and professions: Lawyers, Doctors, Preachers, Teachers and Farmers, aggregating in numbers many thousands. As a charitable institution it has but few equals. It does not content itself with giving its members their weekly sick benefits, but goes farther and fur- nishes them medicine and pays their physician's bill, aids its members when in distress, helps to secure them employment and helps them in all possible ways. One of the prime objects of the Order is to inculcate and propagate the teachings of Christ and to promote peace, good-will, benevolence and charity among its members; to help the sick and feed the hungry, and to do all such works of kindness and humanity as will develop among its members a proper appreciation of the prin- ciples of the Christian religion The Knights of Canaan takes rank easy as one of the greatest negro organizations in Amer- ica. It redeems all of its pledges, both with the states and the people. Many a widow and orphan has been saved from destitution by the benevolent hand of the Knights of Canaan. And men and woman of color throughout this broad land are singing its praises.
THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR OF AMERICA.
WAS organized July, 11)07, its founders being 1*>. C. AVrnon and K. B. Johnson. During its short period of existence it has made wonderful ])i'ogress and now numbers one hundred and fifty subordinale lodges and over four thousand menil>ers. Since its organization it has ]>aid out over .f;i,000.
The object of this order is to relieve the distress of widows and orphans. The as])iration of the order is for the ameliora- tion of humanity; for drawing men together by the gentle
79
cords of love and mutual sympathy; for imitiug them niioii one common platform; for enlisting- them in one common cause against one common enemy; honesty, love and truth, its paramount idea — this comprehends the elevation of man in the moral, social and intellectual scale. Veneration for pure religion; a just deference for laAV and order; the, promotion of free education; general moral culture; the suppression of vice, and the earnest advocacy of such relation as tend to aAvaken the sympathy and generous feeling. Its desires in membership only those of good moral character who are will- ing to subscribe unreservedly to a submission to its laws and usages and pledge fidelity to its principles. It will give them Avork to do, for so long as there are sorrows to soothe, bleeding heart-strings to tie up, desolate widows to help and cheer, orphan children to feed and educate; until there are no more cesspools of slander and calumny to mildew a fair repu- tation or destroy a priceless character; until all men shall be fraternal and tolerant, will it find labor to be done. Its divine mission is to hasten the period when man shall hail his brother man with fraternal greetings; when wickedness and falsehood shall be drawn from the earth and the race of Adam form a universal family, acknoAvledging the Ood of the universe as their father and every child of man as a brother; when, in short, one law shall bind all nations, races and tongues of the earth and that law the law of universal broth- erhood. Thus will it strive until the shout of the archangel and the trumphet of God shall announce the end of time and the great clock of nature shall i)eal out its last note on the stag- nant air, its wasted machinery run down and its sluggish pendulum stand still.
Vicksburg is soon to have a bottling works owned and manaued bv negroes.
MISSISSIPPI PRINTING CO , VICKSBURG.
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