The Atlanta University Publications, No. 14
EFFORTS FOR
SOCIAL BETTERMENT
AMONG
NEGRO AMERICANS
A Social Study made by Atlanta
University, under the patronage
of the Trustees of the John F.
Slater Fund
Price, 75 Cents
The Atlanta University Press
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
1909
Manuscript, Archives,
and Rare cook Library
Cedric Dover Library
EMORY UNIVERSITY
an that now
int had but a
eeming share
dly=pampered
ps upon some
few with vast excess, Nature's
full blessings would be well=
dispensed in superfluous even
proportion.
Milton.
The Atlanta University Publications, No. 14
Efforts for
Social Betterment
among
Negro Americans
Report of a Social Study made by Atlanta University
under the patronage of the Trustees of the John F.
Slater Fund; together with, the Proceedings of the
14th Annual Conference for the Study of the Negro
Problems, held at Atlanta University on Tuesday,
May the 24th, 1909
Edited by
W. E. Burghardt Du Bois
Corresponding Secretary of the Conference
The Atlanta University Press
ATLANTA, GA.
1909
|S he not sailing,
Lost like thyself
on an ocean unknown,
and is he not guided
By the same star that
guides thee?
Why should'^ thou
hate, then, thy
brother?
Bishop Tegner.
Copyright, 1910, by Atlanta University
Efforts for Social Betterment among
Negro Americans
Contents
PAGE
Program of the Fourteenth Annual Conference .... 4
Preface 5
Bibliography 7
1. Scope of the Inquiry 9
2. The African Background 10
3. Slavery 10
4. The Present Economic Basis 12
,5. The Church 16
6. The School 29
7. Miscellaneous General Efforts 35
8. Negro Philanthropists 37
9. General Charity 42
10. Women's Clubs 47
11. Old Folk's Homes 65
12. Orphanages 77
13. Hospitals 87
14. Y. M. C. Associations and Y. W. C. Associations ... 95
15. Refuges and Homes for Women and Children . . . 100
16. Social, Literary and Art Clubs 104
17. Literature and Newspapers 109
18. Libraries 117
19. Day Nurseries 119
20. Social Settlements 121
21. Kindergartens 126
22. Civic Reform 127
23. Miscellaneous 130
24. Conclusion 133
Index 134
The Fourteenth Annual Conference
Efforts for Social Betterment among Negro Americans
PROGRAMME
First Session, 10:00 a. m.
President E. T. Ware presiding.
Subject: "Local Charities."
Address: Mr. William A. Rogers, '99, of the State Normal School, Peters¬
burg, Ya.
Explanation of Charts: Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, Secretary of the Conference.
Second Session, 11:30 a. m.
Subject: "Health and Social Betterment."
Special Talk to Men: Dr. Stephen A. Peters,'97 (Room 16).
Special Talk to Women: Miss Anna Knight, Medical Missionary in India
(Chapel).
Third Session, 3:00 p. m.
Twelfth Annual Mothers' Meeting. (In charge of the Gate City Free Kin¬
dergarten.) Mrs. David T. Howard presiding.
Subiect: "The Children and Health."
1. Kindergarten songs, games and exercises by 150 children of the five free
kindergartens:
East Cain Street—Miss Ola Perry.
Bradley Street—Miss Hattie Sims.
Martin Street—Mrs. John Rush.
Dover Street—Miss Leila Golden.
Leonard Street—Miss Nannie Nichols.
2. Address: Miss Cornelia Bowen, president of the Alabama State Federa¬
tion of Colored Women's Clubs.
8. Address: Mrs. J. W. E. Bowen.
4. Explanation of Kindergarten Exhibit—Miss Gertrude Ware.
5. Report of Treasurer: Mrs. Lizzie Burch.
6. Collection.
Fourth Session, 8:00 p. m.
President E. T. Ware presiding.
Subject: "Efforts for Social Betterment."
Address: "The Social Betterment of the Russian Peasant": Mr. I. M.
Rubinow, Special Agent, Bureau of Labor, Washington. D. C., formerly
of the Imperial Russian Civil Service.
Stereopticon Exhibit of various current methods of Social Uplift.
Errata
On page 113 insert after "Dunbar, Paul Lawrence," and before "The
Sport of the Gods":
Lyrics of Lowly Life. Folks from Dixie.
Lvrics of the Hearth Side. The Uncalled.
Candle-lightin' time. The Strength of Gideon.
Lyrics of Love and Laughter. The Love of Landry.
Poems of Cabin and Field. The Fanatics.
Preface
In 1898 the Atlanta University Negro Conference made an investi¬
gation into "Efforts of American Negroes for their own Social Better¬
ment." As was explained in the report of that study: "To be of the
highest value such an investigation should be exhaustive, covering
the whole country and recording all species of effort. Funds were not
available for such an inquiry. The method followed, therefore, was to
choose nine Southern cities of varying size and to have selected in
them such organizations of Negroes as were engaged in benevolent
and reformatory work. The cities from which returns were obtained
were: Washington, D. C., Petersburg, Va., Augusta, Ga., Atlanta, Ga.,
Mobile, Ala., BowlingGreen, Ky., Clarkesville,Tenn., Fort Smith, Ark.'
and Galveston, Tex. Graduates of Atlanta University, Fisk Univer¬
sity, Howard University, the Meharry Medical College, and other
Negro institutions co-operated in gathering the information desired.
"No attempt was made to catalogue all charitable and reformatory
efforts, but rather to illustrate the character of the work being done
by typical examples. In one case, Petersburg, Va., nearly all efforts
of all kinds were reported, in order to illustrate the full activity of
one group. The report for one large city, Washington, was pretty full
although not exhaustive. In all of the other localities only selected
organizations were reported. The returns being for the most part direct
and reduced to a basis of actual figures seem to be reliable."
Eleven years later the Atlanta Conference returns to the study of
this subject, aided by an appropriation of $1,000 from the Trustees of
the John F. Slater Fund. It is, however, again not possible to make
an exhaustive study of Social Betterment among the ten million peo¬
ple of Negro descent in the United States. An attempt has-been made,
however, to secure in all parts of the country a fairly representative
list of typical efforts and institutions, and the resulting picture while
incomplete is nevertheless instructive.
This study is, therefore, a further carrying out of the Atlanta Uni¬
versity plan of social study of the Negro American, by means of an
annual series of decennially recurring subjects covering, so far as is
practicable, every phase of human life. The object of these studies is
primarily scientific—a careful research for truth, conducted as thor¬
oughly, broadly and honestly as the material resources and mental
equipment at command will allow. It must be remembered that math¬
ematical accuracy in these studies is impossible; the sources of infor¬
mation are of varying degrees of accuracy and the pictures are wofully
incomplete. There is necessarily much repetition in the successive
studies, and some contradiction of previous reports by later ones as new
material comes to hand. All we claim is that the work is as thorough
6
Efforts for Social Betterment
as circumstances permit and that with all its obvious limitations it is
well worth the doing. Our object is not simply to serve Science. We
wish not only to make the Truth clear but to present it in such.shape
as will encourage and help social reform.
Our financial resources are unfortunately meager: Atlanta University
is primarily a school and most of its funds and energy go to teaching.
It is, however, also a seat of learning and as such it has endeavored to
advance knowledge, particularly in matters of racial contact and
development, which seem obviously its nearest field. In this work
it has received unusual encouragement from the scientific world, and
the published results of these studies are used in America, Europe, Asia
and Africa. Very few books on the Negro problem, or any phase of it,
have been published in the last decade which have not acknowledged
their indebtedness to our work.
On the other hand, the financial support given this work has been
very small. The total cost of the fourteen publications has been about
$16,000, or a little over $1,000 a year. The growing demands of the work,
the vast field to be covered and the delicacy and equipment needed in
such work, call for far greater resources. We need, for workers, labora¬
tory and publications, a fund of $6,000 a year, if this work is going ade¬
quately to fulfill its promise. Two years ago a small temporary grant
from the Carnegie Institution of Washington, D. C., greatly helped usr
and for two years our work has been saved from suspension by an
appropriation from the John F. Slater Fund.
In past years we have been enabled to serve the United States Bureau
of Labor, the United States Census, the Board of Education of the Eng¬
lish Government, many scientific associations, professors in nearly all
the leading universities, and many periodicals and reviews. May we
not hope in the future for such increased financial resources as will
enable us to study adequately this the greatest group of social problems
that ever faced America ?
A Select Bibliography of Efforts for Social Betterment among
Negro Americans
Books
Annual Report of the Home Mission Board (Baptists). 14 reports.
Annual Report of the National Baptist Young People's Union Board. 10 reports.
Annual Reports of the Executive Board and Corresponding Secretary of the Wom¬
an's Convention Auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention. 9 reports.
1900(?)-1909.
Annual Reports: Published by the various institutions noted within.
Atlanta University Publications:
No. 3. Some Efforts of Negroes for Social Betterment; 66 pp.
No. 6. r,'he Negro Common School; 120 pp., 1901.
No. 8. The Negro Church; 212 pp., 1903.
No. 11. Health and Physique of the Negro American; 112 pp.
No. 12. Economic Co-operation among Negro Americans; 184 pp., 1907.
No. 13. The Negro American Family; 152 pp., 1908.
Arnett, Bishop B. B. The Budget. 7 vols. 1881,1882, 1883, 1884, 1885-6,1887-8, 1904.
Bruce, Roscoe Conkling. Service by the educated Negro. Tuskegee, 1903; 17 pp., 12mo.
Cincinnati convention of colored freedmen of Ohio. Proceedings. January 14-19,1852.
Cincinnati, 1852. 8vo.
Cleveland national emigration convention of colored people. Proceedings, August
22-24, 1854. Pittsburg, 1854. 8vo.
Cromwell, John W. The early Negro convention movement. Washington, 1904.
(The American Negro Acad.) 23 pp., 8vo.
Delaware association for the moral improvement and education of the colored peo¬
ple. An. Reps., 1868, 1869,1870. Wilmington, Del.
Eaton, J. Grant, Lincoln and the freemen. $2.00. 1907. Longmans.
Freedmen, Annual reports of the Presbyterian Committee of Missions for 1871-1882.
(Committee incorporated under the name of Presbyterian Board of Missions
for Freedmen.) An. Reps., 1883-1909. Pittsburgh. 8vo.
Freedmen's Bureau:
Annual report of Adjutant-General's Branch of Freedmen for 1873-1877.
Annual report of Superintendent of North Carolina for 1864, 1867; of Louisiana
for 1865; of Alabama for 1867; of the District of Columbia and West Virginia
for 1867.
Report of the General Superintendent of Freedmen. Department of the States
• of Tennessee and Arkansas, for 1864-5.
Report of Commissioner of Bureau of refugees, freedmen, and abandoned lands,
for 1865-1871.
Report of the Secretary of War for 1867, containing a synopsis of the report of
the Commissioners of the Bureau of refugees, freedmen, and abandoned lands,
for the same year.
Griggs, Sutton E. Imperium in imperio. Cincinnati, 1899 ; 265 pp, 8vo.
Helm, Mary. The Upward Path, the Evolution of a Race. New York, 1909. 333 pp.
Illinois State Convention of colored men. Proceedings at Galesburg, October 16,17,
18. Chicago, 1867. 37 pp, 8vo.
Johnson, Edward A. Light ahead for the Negro. New York. 1904. 132 pp. 12mo.
Jones, C. C. The religious instruction of the Negroes in the United States. Savan¬
nah, 1842. 277 pp. 12mo.
Joyner, E. M. Missions to the colored people in the South. Hartford, 1893. 18 pp.
12mo.
Leaflets, reports, etc., Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, A. M. E. Z.
Church.
Mayo, Amory Dwight. The opportunity and obligation of the educated class of the
colored people in the Southern States. N.p. 1899(?). 32 pp. 8vo.
Minutes of the first annual convention of the people of color. Philadelphia, 1831.
Pamphlet.
8
Efforts for Social Betterment
Minutes of the third annual convention of the free Negroes. Phila., 1833.
Minutes of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. 6 reports. 1897-19
National convention of colored men and their friends. Troy, N. Y., 1847. 88 pp- 8vo.
National convention of colored men. Syracuse, N. Y., October 4-7,1864. Boston, 1864.
62 pp. 8vo.
National convention of colored men of America. 1869. Proceedings. "Washington,
1869. 42 pp. 8vo.
Needles, Edward. Ten years' progress, or a comparison of the state and condition
of the colored people in the city and county of Philadelphia from 1837 to 1847.
Phila., 1849.
Negroes, Charities for. Home for destitute colored children, Marylandville, Pa.
Annual reports, lst-21st. Philadelphia, 1856-76. 2 vols. 8vo.
Negro young people's Christian and educational congress. Atlanta, 1902. The United
Negro. 600 pp. 8vo.
Penn, Irvine Garland. The Afro-American press and its editors. Springfield, 1891.
565 pp. 12mo. )
Proceedings of State Federations of Colored Women's Clubs. Texas, West Virginia,
Iowa, Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minne¬
sota, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, California, Mississippi, Pennsylvania,
Illinois, Florida, Virginia.
Quadrennial conference of the Women's Parent Mite Missionary Society of the A.
M. E. Church. 4 reports.
Richings, G. F. Evidences of progress among colored people. 12th ed. $1.00. 1905.
G. F. Richings, Ashland, Ohio.
Rudd, L. E. Catholic Afro-American congresses. Cincinnati, 1893.
Smith, Mrs. Amanda. Autobiography of Amanda Smith. Chicago, 1893.
Periodicals
Appeal for hospital endowment. 68:903. Outlook.
Atlanta University conference. W. E. B. DuBois. Charities.
Conference of Negroes at Tuskegee, Ala. 1892. R.C.Bedford. 8:251. Lend a Hand.
Elevation of Tropical Races. B. Kidd. 57:545-50. Independent.
Ex-Governor Northen's work in Georgia. Independent. June 13, 1907.
Evolution of a Kentucky Negro Mission. L. J. Speed. Charities. September 21,1907.
Fresh air work among colored children in New York. M. W. Ovington. Charities.
October 13,1906.
Lifting of Negroes. G.Bradford. 39:462. Nation.
Negroes: What they are doing for themselves. S. J. Barrows. Atlantic. 67:805.
Negroes: how we can help them. C.A.Oliver. 42:85. Catholic World.
Negro Building and exhibit at the Jamestown Exposition. 1907. H. A. Tucker.
Charities. September 21,1907.
Negro's up-hill climb. R. R. Moton. World's Work. April, May, August, 1907.
Progress among Negroes. E. P. Clark. 48:461. Nation.
Progress of the Negro in one county in the South. B. T. Washington. Outlook.
December 9,1905.
Progress of the Negro. A.Walters. 53:651-2. Independent.
Race question solved in Buxton. G. L. McNutt. Independent. May 30, 1907.
Savings of black Georgia. W. E. B. DuBois. 69:128-30. Outlook.
Settlement idea in the cotton belt. P.Dillingham. 70:920-2. Outlook.
Social condition of the Negro. H. L. Phillips. 9:575. Charities.
Training of Negroes for social power. W. E. B. DuBois. 75-409-14. Outlook.
Village improvement among the Negroes. R.L.Smith. 64:733-6. Outlook.
Washington's colored population. S. O. Fernandis. Charities. September 14 lqrw
Washington's colored settlement. R. W. Buell. World To-day. August, 1906 '
What the North and South have done for the Negro. 21:606. DeBow's Review'
Washington, B. T. The Free Negro. Outlook. September 18, 1909.
Washington, B. T. Law and order and the Negro. Outlook. November 6,1009
Work, M. W. Self-help among the Negroes. Survey. Vol. 22, No. 9.
Efforts for Social Betterment among
Negro Americans
Section 1. Scope and Method of the Study. This monograph is an
attempt to study efforts for social betterment among Negro Americans.
By efforts for social betterment is meant mainly benevolent efforts;
i. e., efforts not designed to secure direct economic return. Such ac¬
tivities as are usually called charitable and reformatory are the ones
mainly noticed. The efforts noted are mainly those of colored people
themselves directed toward their own social uplift, but some notice
has also been taken of the charitable work of whites for Negroes and
of the general charities of Negroes not confined to their race. The
investigation was conducted as follows: In all the chief centers of Ne¬
gro population the addresses of a number of persons of standing were
obtained and the following letter sent them:
My dear Sir:
I want to get a list of all charitable institutions, clubs, or organizations
of any kind conducted wholly or mainly by Negroes which are doing phil¬
anthropic work among colored people. I want to omit purely business enter¬
prises, but to include everything that can reasonably be called an effort for
social betterment. Will you kindly send me such a list for , so far as
you know, and the addresses of persons who can give me further information ?
I shall thank you very much.
To the addresses thus obtained was sent the following letter:
My dear Sir:
I am trying to get a list of all charitable institutions, clubs, or organiza¬
tions of any kind conducted wholly or mainly by Negroes, which are doing
philanthropic work among colored people. The name of the has
been handed me. I should like to know its history and all the material facts
about this , together with a picture of the building and members,
and also the figures showing the growth and present activities, and amount
of property owned. I shall thank you very much.
In this way a large number of reports were obtained, and sometimes
several reports of the same club or institution. For the most part,
however, the only proof of the work reported was: (a) the word of a
reliable resident that the institution existed and was doing some work
of the kind indicated; (b) the report of the directors of the work. There
is here room for some exaggeration and coloring. Some of the insti¬
tutions reported may go out of existence before the report is in print
and others may be started. The report is not complete or exhaus¬
tive in any sense of the word. It does, however, cover most of the
larger efforts and many of the more typical ones and some of the
minor ones.
10 Efforts for Social Betterment
Section 2. The African Background. If there is one thing in
the life of barbarians shows a decided superiority to that of civiiiz
people it is in its solution of the problem of poverty. Under tu a
communism no individual can be poorer than the tribe. This, to e
sure, makes all suffer for the laziness of a few and to a degree pena
izes individual thrift. It is doubtful, however, if this explains alto¬
gether the lack of accumulated wealth. At any rate it is no little
thing to avoid the fearful paradox of modern life—abounding wealth
and stinging poverty in the same group, with the necessity of personal
charity to ward off the extremes of death and suffering. Of charity,
as such, there was no need among Africans, since all shared the com¬
mon fund of land and food. In the care of the old and young there
was a chance for benevolence. The young were adopted bjT law, into
the brother's family if the father died, into the care of another wife
of the father if the mother died. The old did not fare so well. If the
tribe was nomadic they were killed to keep them from falling into
the hands of the enemy or from baser motives. Gradually the perma¬
nently si ttled tribes began to hold their elders in more veneration and
look up to them for advice and tradition. Outside of these funda¬
mental matters there was nothing in African life corresponding to
modern benevolence.
Section 3. Slavery. No generalization is safe touching the condi¬
tion of slaves in America. The plantations were self-sufficient oligar¬
chies or monarchies, little interfered with by State or municipal law.
On some of them there was severe child labor, no care in sickness, and
neglect or sale of the old. On other plantations the children were well
cared for, the sick nursed and the old protected. Two abstracts will
illustrate these things. Frances Kemble writes:
The Infirmary is a large two-story building, terminating the broad orange-
planted space between the two rows of houses which form the first settle¬
ment; it is built of whitewashed wood, and contains four large-sized rooms.
But how shall I describe to you the spectacle which was presented to me on
entering the first of these? But half the casements, of which there were
six, were glazed and these were obscured with dirt, almost as much as the
other windowless ones were darkened by the dingy shutters, which the
shivering inmates had fastened to in order to protect themselves from the
cold. In the enormous chimney glimmered the powerless embers of a few
sticks of wood, round which, however, as many of the sick women as could
approach were cowering, some on wooden settles, most of them on the
ground, excluding those who were too ill to rise; and these last poor
wretches lay prostrate on the floor, without bed, mattress, or pillow, buried
in tattered and filthy blankets, which, huddled round them as they lay
strewed about, left hardly space to move upon the floor. And here, in their
hour of sickness and suffering, lay those whose health and strength are sd
in unrequited labor for us—those who, perhaps even yesterday, were be'
urged on to their unpaid task—those whose husbands, fathers, brothers H
sons were even at that hour sweating over the earth, whose produce was't
buy for us all the luxuries which health can revel in, all the comforts wlr h
can alleviate sickness. I stood in the midst of them, perfectly unable t
Slavery
11
speak, the tears pouring from my eyes at this sad spectacle of their misery,
myself and my emotion alike strange and incomprehensible to them. Here
lay women expecting every hour the terrors and agonies of childbirth, others
who had just brought their doomed offspring into the world, others who were
groaning over the anguish and bitter disappointment of miscarriages—here
lay some burning with fever, others chilled with cold and aching with rheu¬
matism,upon the hard cold ground, the draughts and dampness of the atmos¬
phere increasing their sufferings, and dirt, noise and stench, and every aggra¬
vation of which sickness is capable, combined in their condition—here they
lay like brute beasts, absorbed in physical suffering; unvisited by any of
those Divine influences which may ennoble the dispensations of pain and ill¬
ness, forsaken, as it seemed to me, of all good; and yet, O God, Thou surely
hadst not forsaken them ! Now pray take notice that this is the hospital of
an estate where the owners are supposed to be humane, the overseer efficient
and kind, and the negroes remarkably well cared for and comfortable.
On the other hand B.vron Tyson declares:
"Thus, of the three stages, youth, maturity, and old age, through which the
servants pass, there is but one in which they are relied on as regular labor¬
ers. In childhood and in old age they are well taken care of, and thus the
whole slave population is rendered self-supporting. So, of the 3,953,760 slaves
that were in the United States in 1860, there was not one supported by a pub¬
lic tax. Such an instance, I presume, is unknown among an equal number
of the industrial classes, anywhere in the civilized world. I will ask where
else on the face of the globe could you go to find, in a population of nearly
four millions, no paupers ? i
That slaves were often neglected is shown bylaws like the following
law of Georgia:
"Section]. From and after the passing of this act (December 12,1815), it
shall be the duty of the inferior courts of the several counties in this State,on
receiving information, on oath, of any infirm slave or slaves being in a suf¬
fering situation, from the neglect of the owner or owners of such slave or
slaves, to make particular inquiries into the situation of such slave or slaves,
and render such relief as they in their discretion may think proper.
"Section 2. The said courts may, and they are hereby authorized, to sue
for and recover from the owner or owners of such slave or slaves, the amount
that may be appropriated for the relief of such slave or slaves, in any court
having jurisdiction of the same; any law, usage or custom to the contrary
notwithstanding."—Prince's Digest, 460.
Relief of suffering among slaves depended entirely on the character
of the masters. That there was a great deal of relief work there can
be no doubt. Indeed, the habit of direct relief to Negroes which thus
grew up in slavery is now a great hindrance to organized and scientific
charity in the South. Among the slaves the charitable work was
chiefly in the line of adopting children and caring for the sick. The
habit of adoption is still wide-spread and beneficent.
i Pamphlet on the Institution of Slavery, etc., by Byron Tyson, p. 8-9.
12
Efforts for Social Betterment
Section 4. The Present Economic Basis. How far is the Negro
American to-day economically able to maintain a system of chari¬
table relief for his own people ? We can perhaps best realize these con¬
ditions by picturing a single community: Jacksonville, Florida, for in¬
stance, had 16,000 Negroes in 1900. To-day it has nine colored lawyers,
eighteen colored physicians, ten colored drug stores, two sanitariums,
one bank, one livery sale and feed stable, two garages, ten real estate
dealers, three undertaking establishments, three denominational
schools and a school for girls only, one old folks' home, one orphan¬
age, one industrial school, one institutional church which operates a
sewing class, dressmaking, bookkeeping, kindergarten, cooking, gym¬
nasium, music—instrumental and vocal; has two paid missionaries, an
assistant pastor. The church owns a full city block in the heart of
the city, valued at $125,000. There are two dentists, a colored board
of trade, the first and only one in the South; three cigar factories,
three wholesale fish and poultry dealers; four hotels, containing
twenty-five to one hundred rooms each; three weekly newspapers;
one Odd Fellows Temple, valued at $100,000, and one K. of P. Temple,
both paid for; several Masonic Temples of less value; one large jew¬
elry store; one curio store; ten public school buildings; twenty-six
letter carriers and postal clerks; three deputy collectors of customs;
numbers of railway mail clerks; one shoe store; two industrial insur¬
ance companies that own their buildings, one valued at $35,000.
To this may be added the following general facts: a committee of
the American Economic Association reported :
The evidence in hand leads your committee to the conclusion that the
accumulated wealth of the Negro race in the United States in 1900 was ap¬
proximately $300,000,000, and probably neither less than $250,000,000 nor more
than $350,000,000.
Since 1900 the increase of Negro property holdings has been very
rapid, as the records in three States show:
North Carolina—Property listed by Negro citizens
Year Total
1900 $ 9,478.399
9,765,986
11,173,227
12,108,576
14,339,402
15,046,6(55
17,434,844
1907 17,945,109
1908 21,253,581
1902
1803
1904
1905
1906
Total Value of Real Estate and Personal Property Owned by Negroes in Virginia
1891
Real estate $ 8,995,514
Personal property 3,094,451
Total $12,089,965
Present Economic Basis
1900
Real estate $12,033,988
Personal property 3,822,582
Total $15,856,570
1905
Real estate $16,599,152
Personal property 5,384,116
Total $21,983,268
1908
Real estate $18,807,889
Personal property 6,920,447
Total $25,628,336
Total Assessed Wealth of Georgia Negroes
$ 6,157,
5,893,
5,488,
5,430,
5,124,
5,182,
5,764,
6,478,
6,589,
7.582,
8,021.
8,153!
8,655:
8,936.
9,63i:
10,415,
12,322.
14,ltJ6.
,798
,885
,867
,844
,875
,3V,8
,293
,951
,876
,395
,525
,310
,298
,479
,271
,330
,003
,735
1892
1893
1894
18u5
1896
18.»7
1898
18H9
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1105
1906
1907
1908
Property per Capita for Georgia Negroes
Property
per capita
Year
Property
per capita
$ 9.98
1892
$16.63
8.49
1893
16.41
8.44
1894
15.48
8.09
1895
13.67
7.44
1896
13 78
7.33
1897
13.87
7.95
1898
13.72
8.77
1899
13 22
8.77
1900
13 64
9.91
1901
14.85
10.30
1902
14.19
10.21
1903
15.37
10.75
1904
16.28
10.92
1905
18.37
11.57
1906 -
20.82
12.32
1907
22.37
14.35
1908
23.003
16 20
16 Efforts for Social Betterment
From these figures we may deduce this simpler table:
Assessed Value of Property
moo
1908
Georgia
$14,118,720
$27,042,672
Virginia
15,856,570
25,628,336
North Carolina..
9,478,399
21,253,581
Total
$39,453,689
$73,924,589
Actual increase, $34,470,£00
Increase per cent., .87%.
Judging from these figures and the report of the American Economic
Association quoted above it would seem fair to infer that the total
property of Negro Americans aggregated $560,000,000 in 1908.
Section 5. The Church. As was said in the study of 1898: It is nat¬
ural that to-day the bulk of organized efforts of Negroes in any direc¬
tion should center in the Church. ''The Negro Church is the only
social institution of the Negroes which started in the forest and sur¬
vived slavery; under the leadership of the priest and medicine man,
afterward of the Christian pastor, the Church preserved in itself the
remnants of African tribal life and became after emancipation the
center of Negro social life. So that to-day the Negro population of
the United States is virtually divided into Church congregations,
which are the real units of the race life. It is natural, therefore, that
charitable and rescue work among Negroes should first be found in the
churches and reach there its greatest development."
The statistics for Negro churches in 1906 according to the United
States Census was as follows: "The total number of communicants or
members, as reported by 36,563 organizations, is 3,685,097; of these, as
shown by the returns for 34,648 organizations, 37.5 per cent are males
and 62.5 per cent females."
According to the statistics, these organizations have 35,160 church
edifices; a seating capacity for church edifices of 10,481,738, as reported
by 33,091 organizations; church property valued at $56,636,159, against
which there appears an indebtedness of $5,005,905; halls, etc., used for
worship by 1,261 organizations; and parsonages valued at $3,727,884. The
number of Sunday-shools, as reported by 33,538 organizations is 34 681
with 210,148 officers and teachers and 1,740,099 scholars.
As compared with the report for 1890, these figures show increases of
13,308 in the number of colored organizations, 1,011,120 in the number of
communicants or members, 11,390 in the number of church edifices and
$30,009,711 in the value of church property.
Denomination
Number of colored
organizations
1906
1890
Number of commu¬
nicants or mem¬
bers reported
1890
Value of
Church Property
Reported
1890
All denominations consisting in whole or in part of colored
organizations
Denominations consisting wholly of colored organizations.
Baptist bodies:
Baptists—National Convention
Colored Primitive Baptists in America
United American Freewill Baptists
Church of God and Saints of Christ
3
JS
o
o
Churches of the Living God:
Church of the Living God (Christian "Workers for Friendship).
Church of the Living God (Apostolic Church)
Church of Christ in God
Evangelistic associations:
Voluntary Missionary Society of America.
Free Christian Zion Church of Christ
Methodist bodies:
Union American Methodist Episcopal Church.
African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Union Methodist Protestant Church..
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Chux'ch
Congregational Methodist
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church
Reformed Zion Union Episcopal Church
Reformed Methodist Union Episcopal Church.
Evangelist Missionary Church
Presbyterian bodies:
Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Denominations consisting in part of colored organizations.
36,770
31,893
18,534
797
251
48
15
77
6,647
69
2,204
2,881
45
58
196
5,377
23,462
3,685,097
2,673,977
$56,636,159
19,158
3,207,307
2,321,313
44,673,049
12,533
823
42
2,481
40
1.704
9
1,759
32
11
224
4,304
2,261,607
35,076
14,489
1,823
2,676
752
848
425
1,835
4,347
494,777
5,592
184,542
172,996
3,059
4,397
18,066
477,790
1,348,989
18,162
2,279
452,725
3,415
849,788
319
129,383
2,346
951
12,956
852,664
24,437,272
296,539
79,278
6,000
23,175
25,700
9,700
2,400
5,957
170,150
11,303,489
183,6..t7
4,883,207
' 8,017,849'
37,875
36,965
203,778
11,963,110
6,626,448
20,525,141
9,088,549
135,427
187,600
6,468,280
54,440
2,714,128
525
2,713,366
15,000
2,000
195,826
6,101,307
18 Efforts for Social Betterment
It was estimated in 1907 that these churches raised seven and a half
million dollars a year. Most of the half million goes probably to pay
high interest on a debt of five millions. The remaining seven millions
goes chiefly to the support of the pastor, the maintenance of the plant
and general church purposes. A large and growing share, however,
goes to "mission" work. Part of this is proselyting, but the larger part
of it is distinctly benevolence and work for social betterment. No
complete record of this work can be obtained. Outside of these money
contributions by far the larger part of the benevolent work of Negroes
is the unorganized personal work of church members among the congre¬
gations. This consists of donations, visits, care of the sick, adoption of
children, etc.
The missionary money raised by the churches is shown by the fol¬
lowing figures:
A. M. E. Missionary Dept.—Total collection, April 23, 1P04, to April 4, 1908, inclusive
Easter Collections:
Received by Missionary Depart¬
ment, 75 per cent
Received and disbursed by Con¬
ferences, ^5 per cent
Total Easter Collections, 4 years
P. H. & F. M. Society:
Received by Missionary Depart¬
ment, 40 per cent
Received and disbursed by Con¬
ferences, 60 per cent
Total P. H. & F. M. Society Col-
1905
1906
1907
1908
Total
$13,020.41
4,340.14
$18,310.00
6,103.33
$15,340.27
5,113.42
$4,922.iil
1,640.87
$ 68,791.05
$ 18,483.42
$ 9,797.30
$ 25,963.94
$123,035.71
$17,360.55
$24,413.33
§20,453.69
$5,563.48
$ 1,464.15
2,196.18
$ 3,660.33
$ 1,762.05
2,643.06
$ 1,943,03
2,914.56
$ 2,224.15
3,336.24
$ 4,405.11
$ 4,857.59
$ 5,560.39
W. H. & F. M. Society:
Received by Missionary Depart¬
ment, 50 per cent
Received and disbursed by Con¬
ferences, 50 per cent
Total W. H. & F. M. Society Ool-
$ 573.67
$ 573.67
$ 1,101.40
$ 1,101.40
$ 1,292.23
$ 1,292.23
$ 1,931.35
$ 1,931.35
$ 1,147.34
$ 2,202.80
$ 2,584.46
$ 3,862.70
1903-1904
1904-1905
1905-1906
1906-11.07
VV. P. M. M. Society:
Received by Woman's Parent
Mite Missionary Society, 40
per cent
Received and disbursed by Con¬
ferences, 60 per cent *
Woman's Parent Mite Missionary
Society, 4 years
$ 2,016.91
3,025.38
$ 1,972.13
2,958.18
$ 3,202.24
4,803.36
$ 3,194.31
4,791.43
$ 5,042.29
$ 4,930.31
$ 8,005.60
$ 7,985.74
Total collections for Missions,
4 years
The Church
19
A. M. E. Church, 1864=1903
Home and Foreign Missionary Department
1864-1868...
1808-1872...
1872-1880...
1880-1884.. .
1884-1888. ..
1888-1892.. .
1892-1896...
18116-1900...
1900-1903...
Total..
Raised
; 5,4-25 65
9,317.32
12,504.22
34,811.83
19,001.09
25,675.47
66,819.27
58,876.36
80,815.66
Received from
dollar money
$ 27,913.56
54,510.51
73,227.18
187,772.45
146,050.24
145,226.71
136,805.15
$313,246.87 $771,505.80
Total
expended
$ 5,425.65
9,317.32
40,417.78
89,322.34
92,228.27
213,447.92
212,869,51
204,103.07
217,620.81
$1,084,752.67
Seven per cent of the income of the African Methodists goes for
missionary and charitabie purposes. If this is true of all Negro
church bodies, then their expenditure for such purposes is over half
a million a year. The expenditures of the Baptists are reported as
follows:
Negro Baptists, 1897=1909
Year For Missions
1897 $ 1,000 00
1898 2,557 41
1899 4,352 25
1900 8,920 40
1901 10,997 17
1902 15,741 26
1903 19,824 49
1904 27,520 13
1905 33,227 76
1906 49,621 90
1908 44,295 94
1909 43,396 42
Total $261,565 44
The figures for Negro Baptist foreign mission work for 1907 were:
Summary by Months
September $ 1,853 50
October 634 10
November 3,014 77
December 553 37
January 634 74
February 1,589 78
March 436 79
April 4,197 69
May 1,671 73
June 736 26
July 1,151 33
August 2,273 60
Total $ 18,727 96
The report of activities for 1908 and 1909 follows:
20
Efforts for Social Betterment
Colored Baptist Missionary Work
Number of missionaries, colporters, Sunday-school and Bible
workers working in co-operation with our Board during
the year
Days of service reported
Sermons preached
Sunday-schools addressed
Prayer-meetings attended
B. Y. P. TJ. Societies addressed
Missionary Societies addressed
Other addresses and public talks delivered
Total number of sermons, addresses and public talks deliv¬
ered
Homes visited for Bible reading and prayer
Homes found without Bibles
Number of churches visited
Number of churches helped to organize
New Sunday-schools organized
Missionary societies formed or organized
Number of persons baptized by request of churches '
Number of conventions, associations and other State and Dis¬
trict meetings attended
Missionary and Bible conferences held
Letters and postal cards written — • •
Number of religious tracts, pamphlets and booklets distrib¬
uted
Miles traveled to perform this labor
1908
43
8,678
3,582
1,345
2,369
395
397
2,141
10,229
5,853
507
3,221
38
42
58
1,260
1,970
1,970
10,265
12,569
157,363
1909
65
8.812
3,702
1,441
2,765
563
481
2,859
9,046
9,410
1,788
4,755
21
39
37
841
1,542
1,597
14,847
18,569
270,639
Money collected and applied to missionary work in commu¬
nities where collected
Value of tracts, pamphlets and booklets distributed free......
Money collected by missionaries and colporters and applied
to their salaries . . ••
Money donated by Home Mission Board of Southern Baptist
Convention on salaries of missionaries
Money collected by missionaries aDd applied to their travel¬
ing expenses
Salaries of female missionaries working in co-operation with
our Board ; ■
Cash, commission, and books supplemented on missionaries'
salaries working in co-operation with our Board
Salary, traveling, office rent, and other expenses of Field Sec¬
retary paid by Publishing Board
Total
1908
1909
$14,686 11
585 46
$16,027 24
599 46
5,521 57
5,937 37
7,262 50
9,250 00
3,076 34
5,082 35
980 00
950 00
9,783 96
3,850 00
2,400 00
1,700 00
$44,295 94
$43,396 42
"The Home Mission Board, in its general organization, is made up of fifty-
three members appointed from the same number of State and Territorial con¬
ventions by your body. We have a general organization. This organization
holds annually two sessions when at the sitting of the convention, for the rea¬
son that it is a financial impossibility to bring these members from the vari¬
ous parts of the United States and its insular possessions oftener than once a
year. However, we, by the provision of the Constitution, have an Executive
Board of the National Baptist Publishing Board, located at Nashville, Tenn.
We co-operate with them both in the employment of a missionary or corre¬
sponding secretary, and in performing missionary work; by this method we
are attempting to economize as much as possible, and use all the available
means on purely missionary work. This method of operation has proven bene¬
ficial to the field and satisfactory to both boards."
The Church 21
One of the agencies of uplift among the Baptists is the Baptist Young-
People's Union. The department has in ten years accomplished the
following work:
State B. Y. P. U. Conventions 38
District B. Y. P. U. Conventions 320
County B. Y. P. U. Conventions 510
City Conquest organizations 380
Local B. Y. P. IT. Societies 7,600
Converts joined the churches 19,850
Number taking Bible Reader's Course 78,250
Number taking Baptist History 71,310
Number taking Baptist Doctrines 68,240
Moneys Contributed
For Christian Education $68,200 00
" Home Missions 46,500 00
" Foreign Missions 33,460 00
" State Missions 28,210 00
" Church Repairs 69,340 00
Most of the local benevolence of Baptist churches is not reported
and can be ascertained only in local associations. For instance, a West
Virginia association (New River Valley) reports, July, 1908:
Fifty-eight churches gave in one year for:
State Missions $ 31 35
Home Missions 11 87
Foreign Missions 6 45
Benevolence 1,043 80
The Baptist convention of the State of Texas reported under church
support in 1903: Five schools, a chautauqua, an orphanage and an "Old
Folk's" home.
The convention has raised the following sums of money:
State Mission Money
Raised by the Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, commenc¬
ing with the year 1883:
1883 $ 2,390 60
1884 116 30
1885 2,168 11
1886 3,135 82
1887 2,674 30
1888 2,588 15
1889 10,266 97
1890 13,486 71
1891 2,569 84
1891 13,085 91
1892 18,381 76
1893 6,955 63
1894 2,614 43
1895 3,721 02
1896 2,260 5e
1887 1,644 79
1898 2,125 61
1899 1,059 68
1900
1901 2,272 50
1902 1,286 17
1903 3,&35 64
1904 3,782 45
1905 2,363 54
1906 3,218 52
Total 1109,554 27
Most of this money was raised among Negroes, but there were some
contributions from whites. From Arkansas it is reported:
22 Efforts for Social Betterment
In our State (Arkansas) the Baptists support four general missionaries and
a Superintendent of Missions; one college located at Little Rock, Ark., eig
academies at other points in the State.
The actual amount of money raised and expended in missionary and educa¬
tional work by the colored Baptists in Arkansas ranges from $45,000.00 to
$50,000.00 a year—$50,000.00 for present year.
It is the women that do the larger part of the benevolent work in
Negro churches.
In Mott's Sketches there is the narration of the work of a colored woman
in New York city, who conceived the notion of child instruction and who
carried it out under the most adverse circumstances. In the church econ¬
omy of that day the child life was unconsidered, until this woman had
planned and set in motion this very work. This was not long after the Rev¬
olutionary period.
In the early days of the Nineteenth Century another figure came into
view—Jarena Lee. She was born in Cape May county, New Jersey, and
attended school with the whites, getting the best there was to be had at
that time. She was an ardent student, both of the Bible and in a general
way, and possessed the gift of expression in an uncommon degree. Churches
were widely scattered, and as a rule her kind, through prejudice, were with¬
out minis.try or church. The need was paramount, and this woman with a
will meant to fill it. She opened a Sunday-school in a private house, and the
children for miles around came of a Sunday to be catechised and indoctrin¬
ated into the Bible lore. Jarena Lee had persistency, was possessed of a
splendid memory and was naturally a voluble talker, and these with thorough
goodness, unselfishness and large personal magnetism,made her the very one
for such a crusade.
That was in South Jersey, and not only the fame but the work spread, and
soon Philadelphia felt the force of her influence. Later on we find her in
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and even as far as Ohio. She first
taught a secular school in Southern Jersey, but after awhile gave it up for
mission effort in behalf of the church of her intelligent choice—the A. M. E.
Church.
The gift of prodigious work was hers, and with the mental strength pos¬
sessed by her there was a singular sweetness attached. This was attested by
all the early fathers of the church, and proved how a woman could be strong
in mind and action without losing the spell of her sex. The consensus of
opinion from those contemporaneous with her gave her a position, for
good, in the A. M. E. Church advancement, unmatched by any man of her
day.
Her autobiography is a master bit of reason, and apart from its personal
flavor throws much light upon the days wherein she figured, for the good of
her kind, and especially for the church of her own communion.
Although the work of Mary Lewton, of Philadelphia, was more circum¬
scribed than that of Jarena Lee, it was a valuable one. She taught the
children of her neighborhood, near Fourth and Fairmount avenues at her
home, and from her endeavors the Sunday-school of Union A. M. E. Church
was begotten.1
i Christian Recorder, 100'.).
The Church
23
The Ninth Annual Report of the Baptist Woman's Convention shows
the following cash account:
Receipts Expenses
Balance, September 1, 1908
13
05
241
18
167
15
26
25
29
62
40
95
163
41
180
11
143
56
310
54
1
45
103
15
158
61
139
62
39
66
17
45
347
25
oOO
62
OD
01
13
70
26
55
314
35
234
10
216
00
87
75
168
75
1
45
165
15
227
55
893
40
55
44
167
99
825
34
707
10
>,756 00
Foreign Missions $1,145 50
Home Missions and Education... 141 55
National Bapt. Pub. Board 11 25
National Bapt. Union 8 25
Field Missionaries, salaries 839 59
Field Missionaries, traveling 624 77
Printing 458 25
Postage 276 88
Office 52 40
Supplies 749 74
Salaries 1,419 67
Traveling 131 22
Field 28 05
Stamp Day 141 18
Expense of Officers 389 45
Expressage and Drayage 49 24
Total $6,717 70
Reported by local
societies and State
organizations $6,782 09
Total received by Con¬
vention 6,756 00
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
National Convention—Sales
Miss C. G. Ewen
Pennsylvania
Rhod*- Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Borrowed Training School Fund.
Treas. Finance Committee
Total, September 1,1909 $6,756 00
Besides this, $5,594.97 was raised for a girls' training school. The
convention reported 826 societies and 107 children's bands. They have
distributed 200,000 tracts in ten years. One tract is "The Traveler's
Friend." Some of its paragraphs are:
If possible, always purchase your ticket the day before you contemplate
going on a trip. If this can not be done, leave home in ample time to avoid
the rush that is usual at the ticket window a few minutes before the train
leaves.
If the ticket must be shown at the gate, have it in your hand, where it can
be displayed when called for. Do not wait until you get up to the gate and
then hunt for your ticket in your pocket-book and grip, and thus delay the
other passengers.
We notice so many people paying their fares on the train. This is a very
bad policy, when it is possible to secure a ticket either at the city office or at
the station before train time. Then, too, the company charges more for tick¬
ets on the train. Save money by getting your ticket beforehand.
Grand total receipts $13,538 09
Total expenses Na¬
tional Auxiliary $6,717 70
Total expenses local
and State organiza¬
tions 6,782 09
Grand total expenses 13,499 79
Balance on hand Sept. 1, 1909... $ 38 30
24
Efforts for Social Betterment
Don't stick your head out of the window at every station and hollo at some¬
body a block away, and don't talk so loud to your friends who may be on the
platform that a person a block away may hear you. If they are not close
enough for a conversation call them to you, and then talk to them, and not to
everybody on the train and everybody around the waiting-room.
In States where the separate-car law is in operation we find the "crew" tak¬
ing all kinds of liberties—converting the little apartment pet aside for the
colored passengers into a dressing-room, boot-black stand, a dump for dust¬
pans, pillows, lanterns, clothing to change in at the end of the journey, and
indeed anything. On many of the trains baggage-men, mail-clerks, conduc¬
tors, brakemen, porters—all come in to arrange their toilets in the morning;
and if there is a towel provided for the colored passengers it is so thoroughly
used by the "gang" that it is not fit to wipe out the basin with. Sometimes
the fruit-venders, conductors and brakemen whistle and sing, and "cut shines"
of all kinds in the colored-passenger cars. Always enter a respectful protest
and don't forget to write the operating officials.
And now a word to those travelers who never get hungry until they see
the "butcher" with his basketful of stale candies, peanuts, crackerjack, bana¬
nas, oranges, etc. There are some people who can not let the boy pass with¬
out making a purchase. These boys are generally very disrespectful to col¬
ored passengers. We have seen them uncork a bottle of smelling-salts and
thrust it into the face of nearly everybody in the car. These boys have a lot
of smart sayings and are a source of annoyance to respectable people. If
they find that there are children on the car who will cry for fruit, or can¬
dies, they proceed to tempt them in order to force the parents to purchase
something to satisfy their little ones. Those old lanterns, and pistols, full
of cheap stale candy, are not worth buying, and just why so many of our
people will waste their money buying circus food from these railway venders
is a question.
These boys have learned that most negro passengers would rather feed
their stomachs than their minds. They offer the white passengers newspapers
and magazines, and offer negroes peanuts and crackerjack, candy and bana¬
nas. So many negroes eat that trash, that whenever you want to read it is
necessary to make a special request of the boy to bring you a paper or a maga¬
zine. Certainly some of us have a magazine or paper at home that we could
take along with us to read, and we would not have to patronize the frisky ig¬
norant "butcher." It is certainly cheaper to "purchase lunches as far from the
train and railroad station as you possibly can, for the nearer you get to the
station the less fruit and candy you get for your money, and these delicacies
sell at a premium on a railroad train.
The writer of these pages has traveled extensively and has had many ex¬
periences with passengers, "the road gang," conductors and porters. She has
suffered much because of unequal accommodation for colored passengers, and
has "begged" operating officials to give Negroes who pay first-class fare first-
class accommodations. Many promises have been made, but no improvement.
She has also urged her own people to be careful of their deportment, look neat
and clean, and thus demand what they can not hope to demand if they are
boisterous and unclean.
Other activities include the donation of postage stamps, giving of
Christmas boxes, the sending out of field missionaries, etc. One of the
missionaries reports: Homes visited, 1,341; mothers' meetings held, 14;
The Church
25
churches, associations, etc.,visited, 262; money collected, not including
month of August, $944.57.
The Baptist Women's Missionary Convention, which met in Har-
rodsburg, Ky., July 2-5, published a report of the work accomplished
for the year: Pages of tracts distributed, 3,141; religious visits made,
6,597; children induced to attend Sunday-school, 1,805; sick visited,
4,052; poor and suffering aided, 1,047; garments distributed, 704; money
collected, $1,981.01, of this amount $780.40 was given for local work; for
State missions, $38.06; Foreign missions, $26.57.
In the A. M. E. Church the Woman's Parent Mite Missionary Society
reports these sums for the four years 1903-07:
Members
Collected
First District
Philadelphia
1,400
$3,080 26
New Jersey
946
1,019 43
New York
200
936 00
New England
245
711 00
Second District
Baltimore, Md
1,378
6,148 66
Virginia
2,896
2,764 10
Third District
Pittsburgh
1,100
4,615 15
Ohio
600
1,672 03
North Ohio
' 1,300
4,712 00
Fourth District
Indiana
727
1,509 52
Kentucky
310
524 00
Fifth District
Kansas
210
987 83
Missouri
110
171 00
Twelfth District
Michigan
200
480 00
Ontario
75
231 00
Total
11,697
$30,361 98
Number of Branches, 20.
The accompanying report says:
In the early days of the start of Allen's work, God directed the hearts of
Bishops Campbell, Payne, Shorter, Wayman and Brown to urge the women
of the A. M. E. Conference to organize. Not because there had been no effort
in this direction previously, for in the early century of African Methodism
women helpers were known'. We find on the records Dorcas societies, women,
the effect of whose unselfish labors extended broadly to alleviate the suffer¬
ings and wants of those in our immediate vicinity; also such societies as
Daughters of Conference, whose interest extended over the whole of the con¬
ference and for over a quarter of a century aided the traveling ministers of
the gospel. But the honored fathers, now sainted bishops, saw the necessity
of not only broadening the Home work, but that the sympathies should ac¬
cord with the cry of the heathen in the foreign lands and that the women
of the A. M. E. Conference would push the cause to success, and that they
would take great interest in the financial needs of the foreign work, and with
26 Efforts for Social Betterment
zeal and activity at heart unite forces and willingly respond to the call which
was made.
After being organized at Washington, D. C., the next meeting was called
at Bethel Church, Philadelphia, Pa., at which time there was a large gath¬
ering, many of which enrolled themselves as members of the Parent Mite
Missionary Society.
But it is not only in the streets of our cities of America that we see the need
of this Home Missionary work, for in the streets of Cape Town, Africa, I found
the need of the same practical Christian, service.
From August, 1874, the organization of the Parent Society, the bishops'
wives were made vice-presidents of the organization and this gave them the
right, wherever they were, to organize societies and push on the work
through the whole connection. I, therefore, formed in Africa four societies—
the Sarah Allen, Eliza Turner, Florida Grant, and the Mary A. Campbell.
With the simplest kind of constitution these societies went to work and God
blessed their endeavors from the very beginning. Right in the streets of
Cape Town I found my work and they found theirs. Young men that I spoke
to on the streets were quite willing to go with me, and I was very glad to be
able to take them to the schoolroom of the Institute, for the Temperance Soci¬
ety was permitted to hold its meetings there. The Colored Women's Christian
Association also held its meetings there under the fostering care of the A.
M. E. Church.
Therefore, we need the extended appliances of Christian Association
rooms. We must take these young people while their lives are yet before
them, and bring them within the protecting walls of our A. M. E. Christian
Association buildings, and not wait until they have learned from bad com¬
pany to become lawless and wicked, and then run after them and bring them
into thee church and try to wash them with floods of heavenly grace.
Tears ago poor mothers who had to go out to work by the day had to leave
their children at home to fall into all kinds of danger, and even wickedness;
but now, thank God, by the establishment of the Day Nurseries the young are
protected from these dangers, and I think the very smile of Heaven must rest
upon these establishments where the innocence of the young is guarded from
the snares of evil, and mothers' hearts are no longer tortured by anxiety as to
what their little ones are doing while they are out striving to earn their daily
bread.
Now, whether it is the Association Buildings or the Day Nurseries, God
speed the day when their numbers shall increase and their wise, practical
sound sense mission service shall be acknowledged by the Church of Christ
the world over.
Missionary work is not alone confined to financial reports; we go a step or
two farther and encourage Temperance, Mothers' Meeting, Juvenile Work,
Deaconess Work, etc.
The missionary spirit, as obtained in our beloved Zion, assumed definite,
tangible shape and character when, in 1824, its first missionaries laid them¬
selves upon the altar for service in the persons of Scipio Beans and Robin¬
son, and both of them came from the Baltimore Annual Conference.
These results have been obtained through the vim and earnestness put
forth by those having charge of the different departments of our work, name¬
ly : the Temperance Department, the Mothers' Meeting Department, Prayer
and Praise Department, seconded by our Field Organizer and Lecturer. In
this connection must be mentioned the Ladies' Alliance, composed of the
ministers' wives, organized for the purpose of cultivating closer social inter-
The Church
27
course between us, amounting in reality to a Round Table Circle.
There are many factors constantly at work in drawing large numbers of
non-church-going laborers and their families from Georgia, Alabama and the
Carolinas, and from Middle and West Tennessee, to Chattanooga and coal
mines west and east therefrom. The great attraction in Chattanooga is facil¬
ity with which our people obtain positions as skilled and unskilled laborers
in the large number of furnaces, foundries, pipe works, and other factories in
which iron, from ore to "pig," is converted into every form in which that
mineral is commercially used. In these svorks the wages earned by our
people run from $7.50 to $21.00, and in a few instances more, per week, and are
paid weekly, with a constant demand for more labor. The raw material
daily worked is enormous. As a result, miners for coal, hands for the coke
ovens, quarrymen for rock, miners for ore and railroad hands for freight
handling, find ready employment at good wages, and in great numbers. In
consequence, the rush from lands and from congested cities is very great, and
brings a large number of the uncultured, low moraled aud vicious with it.
These must be met and must have the Gospel preached unto them.
Not only do their brethren, through the ties of race, see this necessity and
recognize its importance, but the corporations, so generally considered heart¬
less, also recognize the necessity of the Gospel for these men and, therefore,gen¬
erally at each mine and oven plant outside of the corporate limits of cities, the
company has erected a church and sometimes a schoolhouse, to accommodate
the preacher, but provides no funds from which to pay him for his labor. He
must subsist on capricious bounty, occasional charity and meager support
from Mission funds, and that, too, as a rule, which has been gathered, mite by
mite andpenny by penny, through the energetic solicitations of you ladies and
the worthy co-laborers whom you have the honor to represent.
In the A. M. E. Zion Church is the Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society, which was organized in Montgomery, Ala., 1880,
during the sitting of the General Conference of that year.
At first and for a long time we worked under the direction of the Mission
Board of the Church. About three years ago we were set apart as one of the
Church Departments. We are now putting forth every effort to get a society
in every church in the congregation. We find that those women who are
organized are becoming more intelligent—they have Mothers' Meeting, dis¬
cuss topics on the home life, do all manner of charity work and church work.
Two-thirds of the money raised by the Society is sent to the General Treas¬
urer for Foreign work; they retain one-third for their own use and do all the
local work they wish. I have no record of the local work; that is sent to the
Corresponding Secretary. We are increasing every year in the two-thirds
sent to me. Several years ago we only raised seven or eight hundred dollars;
last year we raised over $1,200; and this year—and the year is not out until
July—we have raised $1,500. We are helping two schools and five missions
in Africa. One of our teachers is an African who was brought to this coun¬
try and educated at Livingstone College. We have a fund in reserve to edu¬
cate African girls, to return as missionaries. It is not an easy matter to get
the girls, it seems, but we have almost secured one. We hope to have two
come at once.
Our work is divided into districts, so that we can have meetings and help
the rural districts.
In widely separated localities church work in Benevolence is men¬
tioned, as, e. g.:
28 Efforts for Social Betterment
"Metropolitan Baptist Church Bureau of Information regarding respectable
boarding houses, Twentieth and Tasker streets, Philadelphia."
"Church League for Work amongst Colored People, Twelfth and Walnut
streets; under Episcopal Church. Organized 1897."
"All the Negro churches of any importance have their auxiliary societies,
in the form of missionary societies, Epworth leagues, B. Y. P. IJ.'s, or C. E. s.
Dallas, Texas.
"There are numerous efforts being made by Negroes in Virginia for their
social betterment in their churches and other organizations."
"The work of our own society here is to care for the sick and needy of the
town, and it also contributes toward work in foreign mission fields."—Mission
Society, Henderson, N. C.
"In addition to these, there are connected with the Zion Baptist Church two
boys' clubs, classified as to age; a night school with classes in gymnastics and
physical culture, aside from the ordinary routine."—Phoebus, Ya.
"There are also connected with nearly every church some local society
which would mean at least twelve or thirteen more than the above named."—
Charlotte, N. C.
"Of course I don't mention the list of organizations that are auxiliary to the
churches, such as 'Willing Workers,' 'Sunshine Club,' and 'The Whatsoever
Club.' Their object generally is to raise money for the churches, though they
often do charitable work."—Kansas City, Mo.
We can best realize the extent of church work by considering the
churches in one community—Atlanta, Georgia:
Church Denomination
Mt. Zion
Prospect Baptist
Providence
St. Luke
Salem
Shiloh
Springfield
Tillman
Trinity Tabernacle
Trinity
Willow Tree
Tabernacle
Zion Hill
Wheat Street
Fair Haven Tabernacle
Mission Ohurch
Marietta Street
First Congregational
St. Paul's
St. Gabriel's Missions
Butler Street Mission
Radclift'e Memorial
Fraser Street Mission
Antioch
Bethlehem
Beulah
Central
Ebenezer
Friendship
Horton Street Chapel
Kelsey Tabernacle
Kennesaw
Love Street
Macedonia
Magnolia Street
New Hope
Chureh Denomination
McKinley Temple Baptist
Mt. Calvary "
Mt. Moriah "
Mt. Hermon "
Frasier Street "
Mt. Olive "
Mt. Olive "
Mt. Pisgah "
Mt. Gilead "
Mt. Pleasant "
Allen Temple Methodist
Ariel Bowen Memorial "
Bethel "
Bridgeport "
Butler Street "
Holsey's Temple "
Mt. Oarmel "
Shiloh "
Central Avenue "
Cosmopolitan "
Pleasant Valley "
St. Luke's "
St. Matthew's "
St. Paul's "•
West Mitchell "
St. Phillip's
Holsey Chapel "
Fort Street "
St. James Mission "
St. Mark's "
Wanen's Chapel "
Turner's Chapel, "
Turner Monumental »
Zion "
Swedenborgian Swedenborgian
Baptist
Christian
Congregational
Presbyterian
Baptist
One correspondent writes:
The School
29
"I am not able to see myself (perhaps others smarter can) how we can ever
hope to do much good for ourselves, in any way, so loBg as we foster so many
different religious opinions; for doubtless you well know that nine-tenths
of our differences come from our different religious opinions, which is bound
to keep us divided and weak, and so long as this state of affairs continues so
long will we continue to be helpless in a manner and continue to howl about
the white man not giving us a chance. 1 believe in making our own chances,
but we'll never do it until we realize the folly of trying to ape the white man
in everything he does. In my mind our greatest blunder is in the fostering
of the multiplicity of churches of different faiths and our fraternal organiza¬
tions. We should study to have but one church, that would be adaptable
to our circumstances, and but one fraternal organization likewise. Under
such conditions our interests would become more mutual, and like our
brother Irishman we would be united all along the line and could help our¬
selves."
Section 6. The School. Three questions arise in regard to Negro
efforts for social betterment through schools: 1. What Negroes pay
for their schools. 2. What benevolent efforts they make to improve
schools. 3. What the benevolence of whites has done for Negro
schools. Only the two last questions fall strictly within the scope
of this report. It is, however, interesting to quote from a paper
read before the twelfth annual Conference for Education in the
South by a southern white man. From his tables we take the fol¬
lowing figures:
Virginia
N. Carolina
Georgia
Date
1907
1908
1907
Total cost of schools
$3,308,086 00
$2,958,160 00
$2,850,211 00
Cost of Negro schools
489,228 00
402,658 00
506,170 00
Per cent, of total cost going to Negro
schools
14.7
13.6
17.7
Per cent, of Negroes in population
35.7
33.3
46.7
Amount of public school funds not con¬
tributed by white tax-payers; i. e.,
contributed by Negroes, public util¬
ity corporations, endowments, etc...
$507,305 00
$429,197 00
$617,852 54
"What is true of the school funds of the three States considered
above is probably true of all the others" (i. e., Southern States).1
The following facts are taken mainly from R. R.Wright, Jr., "Self-
Help in Negro Education":
The African Methodist Episcopal Church supports twenty schools
with 202 teachers and 5,700 pupils. The school property is valued at
l Public Taxation and Negro Schools, by Charles L. Coon, Atlanta University
Publications, No. 6.
30
Efforts for Social Betterment
$1,132,000. The annual income of these schools is $150,000, con¬
tributed by 300,000 people. Since 1844 they have raised $3,000,000 for
education.
The A. M. E. Zion has twelve schools with. 150 teachers, 3,000 students.
Value of their school property is $300,000 and they raise $100,000. In all
they have raised $1,100,000 for education.
The C. M. E. Church has six schools, and the A. M. TJ. Protestant
Church three.
The Baptists have 120 schools run entirely by Negroes and worth at
least $700,000. They have 613 teachers, 8,644 students. The churches
raise about $150,000 a year for their schools, and the total money raised
for these schools is $343,000 a year.
Negroes also raise $700,000 for their schools which are supported by
white Baptist churches. During the past forty years Negro Baptists
have contributed $6,000,000 to their own education. Negro members
of the M. E. Church have contributed in forty years $3,143,000 for their
own education. Negroes own 43x9xr per cent, of their schoolhouses in
155 Southern counties. Besides this,many of those owned by the county
were deeded to the county by Negroes.
In Macon county, Alabama, Negro patrons of six large schools added
2073^ months to the school term and raised $6,532.44 in 1906 and 1907.
Negro students have paid in nine years $5,187,269 in cash and work to
74 Negro institutions, or 44.6 per cent of the entire running expenses.
Besides this they have raised money in other ways. For instance, the
$100,000 which built Jubilee Hall at Fisk University.
"The history of civilization does not show one other instance of a
wholly illiterate race or nation reducing its illiteracy by half in a single
generation.
"It is probably true that the Negroes pay possibly a larger percent¬
age of the cost of their schools than any other group of poor people in
America.
"The Negroes have paid in direct property and poll taxes more than
$45,000,000 during the past forty years.
"The Negroes have contributed at least $15,000,000 to education
through their churches.
"The Negro student possibly pays a larger percentage of the running
expenses of the institutions which he attends than any other student in
the land."
A report from Virginia says:
There is in Virginia an organization known as The Co-operative Education
Commission. This is an organization for the white people. I want to briefly
mention the work of this organization because of its influence in arousing a
desire for social betterment not only among the white people but also
among the colored people. In accordance with the suggestion coming from
the commission, leagues were formed throughout the State known as School
Improvement Leagues. The first business of each member of the league was
to interest every one in the school district, both rich and poor, high and low in
the work.
The School
31
The general object of a league is to unite the friends of public schools, pu¬
pils, teachers, school officers and other citizens in an effort to secure school
improvements. The specific objects include the entire circle of school in¬
terests as providing for the social, civic, and literary training of the chil¬
dren.
The president of this commission at that time was Dr. S. C. Mitchell, Pro¬
fessor of Economics and History in Richmond College. He was also Rector
of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute,
Petersburg, Va. On one occasion when addressing the student body he men¬
tioned the possibilities of the School Improvement League among the colored
people. It was at his suggestion that there was finally organized a Negro
School Improvement League. There are now local organizations in nearly
every school district in the State. The money that is raised by each local
organization is used as the local league may suggest. One league may raise
money to lengthen the school term; another to make some improvement on
their building, grounds, etc. During the school year of 1907-08 the total
amount raised by the local leagues throughout the State was $7,000. During
the school year of 1908-09 new leagues were organized to the number of 320.
Out of this number 275 raised money for local purposes. In Farmville one
school raised $180. The total amount raised by the local leagues throughout
the State for 1908-09 is $15,000.
This organization is only a few years old. Its officers are in most of the
large schools throughout the State. The influence of this organization is
ever spreading, and plans are now on foot to make it even more influential.
Nearly all the graduates of the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
teach school, and one of the first things they are advised to do is to organize
in the community where they locate a school improvement league.
To me this is the strongest organization of its kind in the State. None of
the officers receive any pay, but each local league uses the money it raises
for school improvement.
Mr. W. T. B. Williams, field agent of the Slater Fund, writes:
The work which these schools are doing for their communities falls gen¬
erally under four or five heads: Religious work of the Y. M. C. A.; Sunday-
school work and preaching in the churches; social work, such as is done
by women's clubs, the visiting of homes, almshouses, jails, etc.; educational
work, such as making addresses, conducting teachers' institutes, organizing
school improvement leagues, holding night schools for training working girls
in the line of their employment; helping farmers by means of farmers' con¬
ferences, demonstration farm work, monthly institutes, etc.; and contributing
to and directing the amusements of their communities.—Southern Workman,
Oct. and Nov., 1909.
The following sorts of social work are reported in different schools:
Atlanta University, Georgia,.—The annual conference for the study of the
Negro problems; fourteen reports published; University extension lectures;
headquarters of a free kindergarten association, with five kindergartens for
Negro children; fifty traveling libraries.
Hampton Institute,Virginia.—Cabin visits, jail work, poor-house work, three
night schools, two settlements, song service, home garden work, annual farm¬
ers' conference, annual Negro conference, rural improvement.
Penn School, South Carolina.—Home visits, trained nurse, monthly teach¬
ers' institute, temperance work, amusements, woman's meeting, annual
farmers' fair.
Clark University, Georgia—Farmers' institutes.
Atlanta Baptist College, Georgia.—Neighborhood settlement work.
32 Efforts for Social Betterment
Florida Baptist Academy, Florida.—Public song service, lectures, woman's
improvement association.
Americus Institute, Georgia.—Sunday-school teaching, rural visiting, teach¬
ers' institutes.
Manassas Industrial School,Virginia.—Quarterly farmers' institutes, annual
teachers' institutes, summer school.
Kowaliga Institute, Alabama.—Industrial improvement, amusements.
Calhoun School, Alabama.—Mothers' meetings (semi-monthly), home visit¬
ing, dispensary, charity for the sick, amusements, lectures, annual agricul¬
tural fair, annual teachers' institute, land buying.
St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, Brunswick county, Virginia.—
Farmers' conference, land buying.
St. Paul School, Lawrenceville, Va.—Tncrease of rural schools.
Tuskegee Institute,—Negro conferei.ee, farmers' institutes, demonstration
farming, conference agent, Negro Business League, county fair, county news¬
paper, model village, rural school extension.
Public School, Indianapolis, Ind.—Parents' clubs, a Christmas dinner for
poor pupils,Civics and Hygiene, lunches, school gardening, truant visitor, night
schools and playgrounds.1
There are many clubs like the following:
Three Times Ten Club, Tuscaloosa, Ala.—"We meet fortnightly at the
homes of club members (alphabetically), when we attend to business and a
literary and musical programme is had. As our club is federated with the
Alabama Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, we of course help to sustain
the Colored Boys' Reformatory at Mt. Meigs; and we assist charitably those
in Tuscaloosa who are deserving.
"Our main object (locally) is to establish what we sorely need and have
been striving to establish—a High School. With that purpose in view we
purchased a plot of land for $200, but have never been able to build. A few
months ago a Tuscaloosa Educational Association, composed of citizens of
the county, was formed; to which organization we have donated the plot of
land, with the understanding that they are to erect a High School.
"We have about $200 in our treasury now, and as soon as a building is
assured we will no doubt make a further donation, and shall continue to
contribute."
Many local alumni clubs help their colleges by scholarships, funds,
etc. At Fisk and Atlanta the alumni are endowing a chair by annual
gifts. Other clubs like the "Eurydice Club," of Marion, Ind., the pri¬
mary purpose of which is "to assist a worthy boy or girl to obtain a
higher education, the secondary charity."
In some places, like Lynchburg, Va., the industrial work "in the
public school is semi-philanthropic in that teachers do much extra
work to make the innovations successful. Through the influence of
our women this feature has been added, and the articles made go to the
poor and unfortunate."
Teachers' associations are means of help. Among these are The
National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools (founded 1903),
B. R. Wright, president. The strongest of the State organizations are:
Kentucky State Colored Teachers' Association.
Tennessee State Colored Teachers' Association.
icf. W. T. B. Williams in Southern Workman, Oct. and Nov., 1909.
The School
33
Alabama State Colored Teachers' Association.
Texas State Colored Teachers' Association.
West Virginia State Colored Teachers' Association.
Nearly all of the Southern States have some such organization. The
preamble of the West Virginia Association states that its object is "to
elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of
teaching, and to promote the cause of popular education in the State
of West Virginia."
That the Negroes are bearing an increasing part of the cost of their
own children's education is shown by the following table:
Income of Atlanta University, together with the Amount Raised by Tuition; the Amount
Received from the State of Georgia, and the Value of Student Labor
N. B.—The amount of tuition is included in the total amount raised; the value
of student labor is not thus included.
1871
1871-2....
1872-8....
1873-4....
1874-5....
1875-6....
1876-7....
1877-8....
1878-9....
1879-80...
1880-81...
1881-2....
1882-3....
1883-4....
1884-5....
1885-6....
1886-7....
1887-8....
1888-9....
1889-90...
1890-91...
1891-2....
1892-3....
1893-4....
1894-5....
1895-6....
1896-7....
1897-8....
1898-9....
1899-1900.
1900-1901.
1901-02...
1902-03..
1903-04...
1904-05..
1905-06..
1096-07..
1907-08..
1908-09..
From
Tuition
From
Stale of
Georgia
$ 6,187 95
5,697 15
6,968 95
7,600 26
7,554 75
8,483 60
6,808 75
6,663 70
7,769 45
7,619 60
10,014 30
9,982 75
11,274 85
9,365 70
9,034 96
7,965 41
8,572 60
10,318 75
8,709 37
13,685 85
16,202 26
15,650 63
13,824 99
10,279 94
6,569 77
8,061 06
8,216 55
8,113 59
8,140 12
8,212 47
8,835 30
8,324 46
8,974 04
7,250 07
9,119 91
11,241 08
12,137 80
12,554 97
13,567 20
$ 8,000
8,000
4,000
8,000
4,000
12,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
$373,702 70
$132,000
The total donations from colored people are unknown. The following, however,
are the largest single items:
For memorial windows $ 260 00
For bell and clock 600 00
For Alumni Fund 2,067 79
34 Efforts for Social Betterment
According to the Twelfth Bulletin of the Atlanta University, Negro
students in nine years, or from 1898 to 1907, paid in cash to 74 Ne¬
gro institutions $3,358,667, and in work $1,828,602, a total of $5,187,269;
which was 44.6 per cent of the entire running expenses of these insti¬
tutions. In some of them Negro students paid as much as three-
fourths and in 24 of them they paid more than half of the total ex¬
pense of operating the schools. In twelve institutions the average
received from Negro students was more than $10,000 per year, as the
following table will show:
Institution
Cash Paid
by
Students
Cash Value
of
Students' Work
Total
Tuskegee Institute ...
Hampton Institute...
Fisk University
Wiley University
Shaw U niver sity
Knoxville College
Clark University
Straight University..
Scotia Seminary
Bishop College
Atlanta University...
$217,798
91,228
261,576
211,988
168,241
109,450
116,757
110,702
64,588
81,793
82,487
$707,285
549,618
22,500
15,927
5,161
24,000
7,084
4,916
48,300
12,587
16,362
$925,083
640,846
284,076
227,915
173,402
133,450
123,841
115,618
112,888
94,380
98,849
The amount given by white people for Negro education has been
enormous. The Freedman's Bureau made this report for the years
1866-70:
Expenditures for Schools
YEAR
Expended by
Total
Freedman's
Bureau
Benevolent
Associations
The
Freedmen
1866
$123,655 39
531,345 48
965,806 67
924,182 16
976,853 29
$ 82,200 00
65,087 01
700,000 00
865,000 00
360,000 00
$ 18,500 00
17,200 00
360,000 00
190,000 00
200,000 00
$ 224,359 39
613,632 49
2,025,896 67
1,479,182 16
1,536,853 29
1867
1868
1869
1870
Total
$785,700 00 '
$5,879,924 00
Dr. A. G. Hay good made this estimate in 1890:
Freedmen's Aid, M. E. Church $ 2,225,000
Baptist Home Missionary 2,000,000
Presbyterian Home Mission 1,542,746
A. M. Association, Congregational 6,000,000
The different Women's Societies 500 000
John F. Slater Fund 1 000 000
Daniel Hand Fund 1,000 000
Individual gifts 1,000,000
Quakers and other religious bodies 500 qqo
Total gifts $15,767,746
The larger funds are:
The School
35
1. The Peabody Fund of $2,000,000 given in 1867 and 1869. The income of this
fund has gone principally to the education of the whites, but a small part has
provided teachers' institutes and schools for Negroes.
2. The John F. Slater Fund of $1,000,000 given in 1882. The income of this
fund has been given exclusively to Negro schools and more especially to
Industrial schools.
3. The Daniel Hand Fund of $1,500,894.25 given to the American Missionary
Association in 1888 for educating needy Negro students.
4. The Negro Rural School Fund, Anna T. Jeanes Foundation, is a fund of
$1,000,000 given by Miss Anna T. Jeanes, of Philadelphia, The interest is to be
used to help rural education among Negroes.
To this must be added the recent Stokes Fund, which is partly for
Negroes.
The American Baptist Home Mission Society has spent four millions in
forty years. In thirty-nine years the M. E. Church has spent $7,819,397.46,
mostly from whites.
The Bureau of Education reports these receipts of Negro schools. Of
the figures in the second column it is said: ''Presumably the greater
part of this amount should have been included under benefactions."
Probably Negro schools have received over $12,000,000 from whites in
the twelve years 1896 to 1908:
Negro Schools
YEAR
Benefactions
" Receipts
from
Other Sources "
1896
$328,718
$610,946
1897
305,050
540,097
1898
399,392
476,560
1899
433,014
625,966
1900
661,486
677,977
1901
505,244
599,602
1902
440,253
562,258
1903
446,477
814,044
1904
133,294
840,305
1905
397,289
962,127
1906
304,610
734,479
1907
470,994
1,046,872
1908
555,856
1,129,263
$5,376,677
$9,620,496
Section 7. Miscellaneous- General Efforts.—Under this head may be
mentioned various national organizations:
The Niagara Movement.—Founded 1905. Organized for political rights,
legal defense, publication tracts, annual Chautauqua, etc.
The Negro Business League— Founded 1900. Organized to encourage busi¬
ness enterprise.
National Political League.—Founded 1907. Organized for political rights.
The Committee of Twelve— Founded in 1904. Published pamphlets and
tracts.
American Negro Academy.—Founded 1897, to promote literature, science
and art.
36
Efforts for Social Betterment
These are general organizations, the survivors of a long line of simi¬
lar societies, like the Afro-American League, the Afro-American Coun¬
cil, and a score of general conventions and local associations. To these
must be added two organizations of whites and Negroes:
The Constitution League.—Founded in , to agitate the enforcement of
the Constitution of the United States and particularly the 13th, 14th and 15th
amendments.
The National Negro Conference.—Founded in 1909; designed to unite all
efforts in a general movement toward securing lor the Negroes all their
rights as American citizens.
Beside these there are a number of conferences:
The Atlanta Negro Conference, to study the Negro problems. Founded in
1896. Has published fourteen annual reports.
The Tuskegee Negro Conference.—Founded in 1891. Devoted to farmers and
teachers.
The Hampton Negro Conference.—Founded in 1896. Devoted to general
discussion and study of the Negro.
To these must be added the work of the chief Negro secret and in¬
surance societies, like the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias,
etc. These are more than social and business organizations. A few
quotations from local reports illustrate their benevolent work :
Our city, as you may know, is small. We have about seven or eight hun¬
dred colored families, Two secret societies: Masons and K. of P., with
women auxiliaries. These organizations are a wonderful help to our city.
They have done and are still doing much good work, socially and finan¬
cially, for the betterment of our people. We also have three women's clubs
that are engaged in a good work. They have proven themselves to be phil¬
anthropic to the letter. We have no charitable institutions as yet, to boast
of, but are planning for something of that nature. The Negro Masons here
are preparing a building to be used by our organizations in the near future.—
South Bend, Ind.
. . . We have a K. of P. Lodge. All of these organizations have done much
for the social betterment of this small city.—Johnstown, Pa.
Aside from the secret organizations here in Texarkana among Negroes, all
of which care for their members in sickness and death, paying sick benefits
and a small death claim, there are no organizations here doing a strictly phil¬
anthropic work. These secret organizations, however, are very much in
evidence and withal quite popular.—Texarkana, Tex.
The Woman's Burial Association is conducted entirely by Negroes. We
have as many men in our association as women. But its name originated
from a woman being the founder of it. We were organized the last Friday
in August, 1902, with six societies and about 300 members. Now we number
forty-one societies-with 1,900 members. We pay out death-claim per member
$90. We hope to pay, after our annual sitting the third week in August, $100.
Our last associational year we paid out for death claims $1,876.56. This year
up to the present time we have paid out $1,378, and we have four more to pay
next month. It has been said by members of the other race that it is among
the best steps the colored people have ever taken in this community —En¬
field, N. C.
We have any number of insurance organizations which give sick bene¬
fits, run wholly by the colored people, at least five or six operating here in
Negro Philanthropists
37
the city. All of the above mentioned, in some way, do a little charity and
social work for the uplift of our people.—Charlotte, N. C.
The following societies in Washington, D. C., united to celebrate the
centenary of Lincoln's birth:
Crispus Attucks Relief Association.
Young Men's Protective League.
Young Men's Immediate Relief.
District Lodge No. 20, Gr. U. O. of O. F.
Waiters' and Ex-Waiters' Mutual Relief Association.
Bannaker Relief Association.
United Aid No. 1.
Elder Men's Relief Association.
Douglass Relief Association.
Section 8. Negro Philanthropists. Few races are more instinctively
philanthropic than the Negro. It is shown in everyday life and in their
group history. Some few of their larger philanthropies in America in
early days have been recorded.1
Jasmin Thoumazeau
Was born in Africa in 1714, brought to St. Domingo and sold for a slave
when he was twenty-two years of age, but afterwards, obtaining his freedom
he married, and in the year 1756 established a hospital at the Cape for poor
Negroes and mulattoes.
More than forty years were devoted by him and his wife to this benevolent
institution, and his fortune was subservient to their wants. The only regret
they felt, while their time and substance was devoted to these destitute ob¬
jects, arose from a fear that after they were gone the hospital might be
abandoned.
The Philadelphian Society at the Cape and the Agricultural Society at Paris
decreed medals to Jasmin, who died near the close of the century.
Joseph Rachel
Joseph Rachel, a respectable Negro, resided in the island of Barbadoes. He
was a trader, and dealt chiefly in the retail way. In his business he con¬
ducted himself so fairly and complaisantly that, in a town filled with little
peddling shops, his doors were thronged with customers. Almost all dealt
with him, and ever found him remarkably honest and obliging.
The philanthropists of England take pleasure in speaking of him: "Having
become rich by commerce, he consecrated all his fortune to acts of benevo¬
lence. The unfortunate, without distinction of color, had a claim on his affec¬
tions. He gave to the indigent, lent to those who could not make a return;
visited prisoners, gave them good advice; and endeavored to bring back the
guilty to virtue. He died at Bridgetown, on that island, in 1758, equally
lamented by blacks and whites, for he was a friend to all."
John Mosely
Died—In this city, John Mosely, an aged colored man, well known from his
industry, prudence, and integrity. Having no relations, he devoted his prop¬
erty to charitable objects. By his will he gave to the Hartford Beneficent
i From Mott's Biographical Sketches.
38
Efforts for Social Betterment
Society, one hundred dollars; to the American Colonization Society, two hun¬
dred dollars; to the Connecticut Bible Society, one hundred dollars; to the
American Education Society, one hundred dollars; and after other legacies,
the residue of his estate to the Domestic Missionary Society of Connecticut.
Hartford Courant.
Nancy Pitchford
A woman of color, died in 1824 at Hartford, Connecticut, aged 67 years. For
the first forty years of her life she was a slave. She sustained an excellent
character, was for many years a professor of religion, and gave satisfactory
evidence of sincere and lively piety. At the time of her death she had ac¬
quired, by her industry and care, more than four hundred dollars; the whole
of which, after paying the expenses of her last sickness and funeral, she left
by will to charitable purposes.
The chief Negro philanthropists of our time may be noted as fol¬
lows :
Primus Parsons Mason
Mr. Mason founded the Springfield (Mass.) Home for Aged Men. The first
annual report says:
That the foundation for a charity like this has been laid by one man, de¬
mands that some notice of his life be placed among our records. According
to the family Bible, Primus Parsons was born February 5,1817, the youngest
of seven children. His parents at that time resided in a remote part of Mon-
son. They died when he was quite young, so that he was early thrown upon
his own resources. He worked for farmers in Suffield and Monson until he
had nearly attained his majority, and then came to Springfield while yet a
minor. On April 21, 1837, he purchased a house on the north side of the
Boston road, borrowing fifty dollars on a mortgage to the seller, Daniel Char¬
ter. Engaging in very menial occupations, he accumulated some money and
started to try his fortune in California in the decade before the Civil War.
This was an unprofitable venture, and he soon returned to Springfield, with¬
out money but with a decided experience in favor of consecutive enter¬
prises, and his business life thenceforward illustrated what can be achieved
by industry, prudence, foresight, and judicious investment in real estate. As
a trader he was shrewd but honest, and bought where he expected a rise in
values. Until the end of his life he continued to improve his estate by the
construction of new houses, as his means enabled him. In these days of thrift
he felt himself alone among most of his companions, and on his death-bed
lamented the improvidence that, in his opinion, characterized most of his
race. Not till mature life did he learn to write his name, and this was the
limit of his skill in chirography; but he supplied many deficiencies of educa¬
tion by a well-trained memory and a keen observation. He was thrice mar¬
ried, and the loss of all his family, including his daughter, perhaps turned
his thoughts to the charity which he has founded. Upon this he had pon¬
dered long before he embodied the plan in his will, and had advised with
several practical men upon its wisdom. Throughout his life, without race
prejudice of any kind, the only limitations upon the charity suggested by
him to the writer are contained in the phrase that he wanted to provide " a
place where old men that are worthy may feel at home." He died January
12,1892, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
His bequest was:
Negro Philanthropists
39
Real estate valued at
First mortgage, P. H. Potter...
Second mortgage, P. H. Potter
Oash
$23,400 00
3,100 00
1,151 95
3,800 00
Total
$31,451 95
Deduct from this, mortgage on house, 830 State street.. 2,000 00
Net value
$29,451 95
Colonel John McKee
Mr. McKee, of Philadelphia, left an estate in 1896 of upwards of one
million dollars in real estate, under the following conditions:
(1) None of his real estate is to be sold, nor any of his personalty disposed
of, but whole estate is to be kept intact. (2) After making provision for small
annuities for children, and grand-children being children of his deceased chil¬
dren, all to be paid out of income, the rest of income is to accumulate until
enough has been provided to (a) change certain city properties from dwell¬
ings into stores and dwellings, and otherwise to improve eertain city prop¬
erties; (6) to construct houses on a certain large plat of city ground and
improve same. Then (3) all the net income of his estate is to accumulate
until after the death of all his children and grand-children, when the residue
is disposed of under the following clause and in manner following:
In order that such a number of poor colored male orphan children and
poor white male orphan children born in Philadelphia County as can be
trained in one institution, may receive a better education, as well as more
comfortable maintenance than they usually receive from application of
public funds, I order and direct that after the death of all my children and
grand-children, my Trustees to devote my entire residuary estate to the
erection of a college with other necessary buildings, ample and complete, to
accommodate at least 200 children, to cost not over $1,000,000, on a tract of my
land in Bucks County, to be called "The Colonel John McKee College," which
name shall be inscribed on a large marble slab in front of the building, and in
frontof the building there shall be a statue of myself; all buildings and grounds
to be surrounded by a stone wall. The college to supply all pupils with books
and appliances. All pupils to be given a thorough naval education, similar to
that given at Annapolis, my desire being that the pupils shall be equipped for
service in war on sea.
In further detail, school is to have a band and the whole school turn out on
the 30th of May and march to Lebanon and the Catholic Cemeteries and deco-x
rate the graves of the colored and white soldiers and sailors. All pupils to
wear uniform, and the whole, in short, to be supported and carried on out of
the income from his estate. Children to be between the ages of 12 and 21. The
whole management is left in hands of the Archbishop of Catholic Church
of Philadelphia, until after the death of children, etc. (he mentions his attor¬
ney as co-trustee), after which the school and all its affairs, being all the
affairs of his estate, are to be managed by ten trustees to be appointed or
elected from among the Catholic pastors in Philadelphia.
The George Washington Educational Fund is a fund held in trust by six
trustees appointed by the Circuit Court of Jersey County, Illinois, under a
decree of court which established in chancery the nuncupative will of George
Washington, a Negro slave who died at Otterville, a small village in Jersey
county, in 1868.
George Washington
40
Efforts for Social Betterment
This fund, after peculations of white trustees and endless litigation, now
amounts to about $22,000, and under the terms of the decree above mentioned
the trustees are required to use the interest arising from this fund for the
purpose of educating young colored men and women of the State of Illinois.
The trustees of this fund hold examinations from time to time in the city
of Jerseyville. At these examinations the applicants are required to fur¬
nish satisfactory evidence to the trustees that they are residents of the State
of Illinois, are of good moral character, and that they seek higher education
for the purpose of fitting themselves for teachers of their race.
Another requirement is, that they shall have proceeded in their studies as
far as possible in their home town.
This fund is now maintaining five students in Fisk University in Nash¬
ville, Tenn., and has educated twenty young men and women.
Thorny Lafon
The baptismal records in the archives of the Catholic Cathedral of New
Orleans, at that time written in Spanish, attest that the late Mr. Thorny Lafon
was born in this city on December 28th, 1810. He died at his home, corner
Ursulines and Robertson streets, on December 23d, 1893, at the ripe age of
eighty-three years. His body rests in the St. Louis Cemetery, on Esplanade
avenue. He was a man of dignified appearance and affable manners. In
early life he taught school; later he operated a small dry goods store in
Orleans street, until near 1850. He was never married. Some time be¬
fore the War of Secession he had started his vast fortune by loaning money
at advantageous rates of interest and by the accumulating of his savings.
Toward the close of his career he became attached to the lamented Arch¬
bishop Jansens, and began his philanthropies. By the terms of his will, dated
April 3, 1890, he provided amply for his aged sister and some friends, and
wisely distributed the bulk of his estate among charitable institutions of
New Orleans. His estate was appraised at $413,000, divided in securities and
realty.
In recognition of his charity the City of New Orleans named after him one
of its public schools.
Before his death he had established an asylum for orphan boys called the
Lafon Asylum, situated in St. Peter street, between Claiborne avenue and
North Darbigny street. To this asylum he bequeathed the sum of $2,000, and
the revenues, amounting to $275 per month, of a large property situated cor¬
ner Royal and Iberville streets.
Other legacies were to the:
Charity Hospital of New Orleans $10,000 00
Charity Hospital, Ambulance Department 3,000 00
Lafon's Old Folks Home 5,000 00
Little Sisters of the Poor 5,000 00
Shakespeare Alms House 3,000 00
Catholic Institution for Indigent Orphans 2,000 00
And the following properties:
1st. St. Claude street, between St. Philip and Ursulines
streets, valued at $1,500 00
2nd. Robertson street, between St. Philip and Ursulines
streets, valued at 2,000 00
3rd. Burgundy street, between Hospital and Barrack,
valued at 2,000 00
4th. Union street, between Royal and Dauphine streets,
valued at 2,000 00
St. John Berchman Asylum for Girls under the care of
the Holy Family $2,000 00
Negro Philanthropists
41
THOMY LAFON
Negro Philanthropist of New Orleans
1810-1893
And the following property:
1st. Burgundy street, No. 528, worth about $1,500 00
2nd. Dumaine street, Nos. 2129-31, worth about 2,500 00
3rd. Galvez street, No. 828, worth about 1,800 00
4th. Toulouse street, Nos. 726-28, worth about 2,500 00
6th. Tulane avenue, No. 1402, worth about 4,000 00
Asylum for Old Indigents, cor.Tonti and Hospital streets 15,000 00
And the following property:
1st. St. Andrew street, Nos. 1536-38, valued at $6,000 00
2nd. Baronne street, No. 722, valued at 4,000 00
3rd. Baronne street, Nos. 732-36, valued at 8,000 00
4th. Canal and Villere streets, valued at 30,000 00
And another cash gift 2,000 00
Society of the Holy Family, Orleans street 10,000 00
Straight University, of New Orleans, La 3,000 00
Southern University, of New Orleans, La 3,000 00
New Orleans University, of New Orleans, La 3,000 00
Society of Jeunes Amis, of New Orleans 3,000 00
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital 3,000 00
Mother St. Olair of the Convent of the Good Shepherd... 20,000 00
Mr. Lafon, in his will, underestimated the value of his estate, and
after an appraisement was made it was found that his estate was worth
twice as much as he valued it, and consequently all his bequests were
doubled by his executors. 1
iThese data were collected and furnished by Mr. J. F. Guillaume, of Straight Uni¬
versity, New Orleans, La.
42
Efforts for Social Betterment
Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith (1795-1873) was a Negro lumber merchant of Phila¬
delphia, who left nearly $100,000 to found the Home for Aged and In¬
firm Colored Persons.
A few other Negro donors follow:1
D. A. Payne to Wilberforce University (?)$10,000 00
W. Gant to Wilberforce University 5,000 00
J. P. Campbell to Wilberforce University 1,000 00
J. A. Shorter to Wilberforce University 2,000 00
H. S. Gordon to Wilberforce University 2,100 00
F. Grey to Dooley N. & I. School 2,000 00
I. Lane to Lane College 1,000 00
G.A. and M. Walker to Straight University 1,000 00
L. Bedford to Fisk University 1,000 00
S. B. Morse to Atlanta University 5,000 00
R. F. Baptists to Tuskegee 1,000 00
Mary Shaw to Tuskegee 38,000 00
A. Mary to Orphans' Institute, New Orleans 8,000 00
Mrs. B. Convent to Orphans' Institute, New Orleans, "bequest.''
Dr. Augustus to Oblate Sisters, Baltimore "large bequest."
Nancy Addison to Oblate Sisters, Baltimore $15,000 00
Louis Bode to Oblate Sisters, Baltimore 30,000 00
J. Parker to State College, Delaware 6,000 00
Section 9. Types of Benevolence.—Charity. Coming now to the more
strictly benevolent work of Negroes we may distinguish the following
types:
(a) General Charity.
This is the most usual form of help, and being largely unorganized
is difficult to measure. It is carried on by churches, clubs and indi¬
viduals.
(b) Women's Clubs.
There are thousands of these for all purposes—social and benevolent.
(c) Old Folk's Homes, and Orphanages.
These represent the first and best institutional work.
(d) Hospitals.
These are never philanthropies, and are usually supported by whites
and Negroes and often receive State aid.
(e) Young Men's Christian Association.
The colored branch has been developed recently, and Negroes have
been refused admission to the white branches, even in many Northern
cities.
(f) Social Literary and Art Clubs.
These include philanthropy as a by-product, or encourage directly
literature and art.
(g) Libraries.
Public and private Negro libraries are beginning to be started, and
traveling libraries.
(h) Day Nurseries, Settlements, Kindergartens, Civic Work, etc.
iTaken in part from Wright: Self-Help in Negro Education.
Charity
43
These forms of specialized and scientific philanthropy are just begin¬
ning to appear among colored people.
Let us now consider a series of local reports on each of these types.
First we select at random local reports on charity:
There have been other bodies organized about in the city to supply the
public schools with such needs as have been omitted by the Board of Educa¬
tion. Very often small bodies organize temporarily to do charitable work.—
Mobile, Ala.
There is a society called the Young Women's Christian Club which make it
their business to look after the poor and needy in the way of clothes.—Los
Angeles, Cal.
We have two charity clubs which work independently of any church.
They are doing a great deal toward caring for the sick and relieving the wants
of the destitute.—Dallas, Tex.
Preparing to do substantial work.—Galveston, Texas.
The Galveston Relief Association, an incorporated body, has for its object
the building of a Home for Aged Colored People, at a cost of $15,000. Looking
to this end the association purchased and paid for ten acres of land, and has
to its credit a small bank account.
The location is on the main land thirteen miles from Galveston, hard by
the little town of Lamarque, a quarter of a mile from the station of the Gal¬
veston, Houston & Henderson Railroad, and in the county of Galveston. The
altitude of this plot of land is much higher than that of Galveston. This
gives to it a beautiful view of several miles; the climate is genial and health¬
ful, the soil is rich enough, by proper management, to make the Home almost
self-supporting. The neighbors are generous and kind; in all, it is one of the
best locations in Texas for an institution of this kind.
We believe there are three sources of moral elevation, absolutely neces¬
sary, yet to be opened to the Negro, without which we must still have the5
very bed of crime among us; viz.: 1. Home for the aged. 2. Industrial homes
for the orphans. 3. Reform school for the incorrigible. For the aged there
have been no home provisions made through private means, through denomi¬
nations, or by county infirmaries, hence theee people are a burden to them¬
selves and to those who feel deeply for them.—Galveston, Tex.
One missionary or home improvement club, whose work is largely devoted
to local charity.—Phoebus, Va.
One sewing-circle composed of ladies who sell their products and apply the
returns to the relief of the destitute, mainly the aged.—Phoebus, "Va.
Social Helpers' Club to benefit the indigent sick—Phoebus, Va.
This mission was organized by some women and men who desired to help
the unfortunate. Its work is as follows:
1. Making garments for the poor and unfortunate.
2. Making garments and other articles for sale to the general public, the
proceeds to go to buy articles for the support of the mission and the purchase
of material.
3. Instruction is given to such children, youth and older persons as can at¬
tend and give time to study.
It is purely an effort for social betterment, and no profits accrue to indi¬
viduals from any of these ventures. Many of the most prominent people in
the city are members.—Lynchburg, Va.
44
Efforts for Social Betterment
When our members are sick we donate them fifty cents and go and tidy up
their room. To-day we have in the sick treasury $25. We have in the bank $200.
Since we have organized we have banked $1,579.69. We have a Christian
president. She is a woman that has her race at heart, and is always ready to
help those that need help. Sometimes we are called on to go to the homes of
the poor and sick. We take sheets and pillow-cases and tidy up their room.
Prudence Crandall Society provides poor children with shoes, that they may
attend school.—Washington, D. C.
In the early part of 1900, noticing the destitute condition of some of our
people and especially among the children, the question arose in my mind, what
could be done to help them to better their condition ? In looking through
Harper's Bazaar I saw an account of the needle-work guild of America con¬
ducted by our white sisters, and being impressed with the work I opened
correspondence with them. In the meantime I called some of our women
together to confer with them. One day my bell rang; on answering it I
found myself face to face with the president of one of the branches of the
needle-work guild of America. Asking her in she inquired if this was
Mrs. . I said it was. She said she was glad to know that I had become
interested in the work, as it was "so much needed among your people," as she
termed it. She said we could not have a Branch president, but might have
a Section president under a white Branch. Of course you know that was
not very pleasant to me. She informed me that the national president would
be in Washington in a few days, and I would get all the necessary informa¬
tion from her. In the meantime there were about twenty-five of us meeting
and planning an organization. A few weeks passed, and to my surprise
who should call but the National President, a lady of refinement and cul¬
ture; she expressed herself as being pleased at my efforts "to help your
people," and also informed me that we could not have a Branch president
of our women. After her visit we concluded to form an organization of
our own.
April 20,1900, we organized the First Branch of the National Sewing Coun¬
cil of the United States of America (incorporated). The first object of which
is to collect new plain garments and to distribute them to men, women and
children (who are needy). Men, women and children may become members
by contributing two new plain garments each year or a donation of money.
We also have a Board of Directors engaged in Sabbath work, who seek and
interest children in the attendance of Sabbath-schools of their denomination,
in which they have been very successful. An auxiliary board was set apart
April 20,1908, to raise a fund for the establishment of a non-sectarian Old
Folk's Home, which is so much needed in the District of Columbia for our
people. The Council have found it very helping in distributing provisions
and fuel when needed. We also organized a sewing-school for small girls.—
Washington, D. C.
The Dorcas Home Missionary Society, which is connected with the Concord
Baptist Church of Christ, at Brooklyn, is one of the oldest and probably the
most widely known charitable organizations conducted by the women of
any church among Afro-Americans in the North. During the year 1908 the
society gave:
To benevolent objects
For the use of the Baptist Temple
For hall rent and bills
For groceries for the poor
$102 00
50 00
43 50
25 00
Charity
45
For silverware $ 88 00
For printing, etc 10 50
For delegates' fare to convention 20 00
For foreign mission work 45 00
Donated to Concord Baptist Church of Christ 100 00
For entertaining the National Association of Colored
Women's Clubs 439 95
For miscellaneous items 32 34
Amount in bank and on hand 498 50
Four years ago the Dorcas Society began the observance of Woman's Day
on the second Sunday in March. On such occasions, by consent of the
church, all the services are conducted by women. These special days have
been a great blessing to the church, as well as to the women that conduct
them. The collections are given to the church and have amounted to nearly
$500.—Brooklyn, N. Y.
The Benevolent Society was organized in 1879. Its present aim is the
care for the sick and to assist in burying its dead. Also those who may
need help. Organized with ten members to aid in caring for strangers who
were sick and dying. At one time there was an enrollment of one hundred
and twenty-five. The present enrollment is fifty. Supported a student at
Wayland Seminary. Has a bank deposit, but does not own any personal prop¬
erty or real estate. It is the oldest society of colored women in the State.—
Detroit, Mich.
The Willing Workers Society of Detroit was organized twenty-one years
ago, and is the oldest organization for charitable work among colored people
in the State. The membership is limited and consists of fifty active mem¬
bers. The meetings are held weekly at the homes of the members, com¬
mencing on the first Thursday in October and continuing until the first
Thursday in April. Although organized for work among colored people no
line has been drawn, and in some instances relief has been given to worthy
white people. The work of the society is carried on by various committees,
who visit the sick, investigate calls for assistance, and give relief whenever
possible. Food, fuel, clothing and money are distributed to persons seeking
temporary relief, and regular weekly contributions are given to four persons
who are worthy.
The dues consist of five cents weekly with an annual contribution of one
dollar per member. Other funds are raised by making and selling quilts and
other small articles which are contributed by members.
The society celebrated its twentieth anniversary last year.—Detroit, Mich.
Cornell Charity Club was organized eight years ago and had twelve mem¬
bers who lived in the same neighborhood, but later on this club branched out
and now has sixty members living in all parts of the city. We have limited
our membership to sixty. We meet every Friday and do all kinds of good
work, visiting the hospitals, jails, and institutions. Also doing charity work.
We assist the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People, also Amanda Smith
Home.—Chicago, 111.
The Willing Workers Club was organized in the year 1901 for the purpose
of doing philanthrophical work. The membership of the club is about
twenty-five women. It has done some very good work since its organiza¬
tion. It has given over two thousand dollars to needy causes, including
churches, out-door poor, and other purposes, until 1907, when the club decided
to work up a Rescue Home for girls and a day nursery, which we hope to open
in the fall.—Stamford, Conn.
46
Efforts for Social Betterment
We do charity work. We have sent a barrel of clothing to Sanford, N. C.
One last year to New Port station. Had a rummage sale to help the Union
Baptist Church of Maiden, and this year we are donating fruit to the sick.
Sending Easter likes to the shut-in. Our club is over ten years old, but like
all clubs, they are very apt to lose interest if they do not get an active head.
I have done the work for the club very faithfully, and am now acting on the
sick committee. We are getting ready now to meet the necessary funds for
our yearly convention which meets in Springfield.—Maiden, Mass.
I suppose you understand that we are in the federation of clubs. We, of
course, take care of our own sick and help bury the dead. In fact, we try to
help all humanity that comes within our reach.—Boston, Mass.
The club has stood for missionary work ever since its beginning. Many
families in reduced circumstances have realized the goodness of the Lucy
Stone Club. One of the most important committees connected with the club
is the Flower Committee. If any member hears of any of our race who is
sick at one of the hospitals, or at home, they report it to the society, and then
the Flower Committee goes and carries flowers or fruit to them at the hospital
or home. Not only flowers and fruit, but money and provisions are often car¬
ried to the sick. At the present time the club is working hard to get enough
money together to start a Home for Working Girls. It is our intention, as
soon as able, to rent a house and hire a matron, and let rooms out to the
young women in our city who have no home except where they work.—Wor¬
cester, Mass.
The Cambridge Charity Club is purely philanthropic and the only organiza¬
tion of which I know that is not in some way beneficiary.
This club originated from a Mothers' Club with a small membership. About
three years ago it was reorganized and renamed, and admitted into the Fed¬
eration. The work is divided between a committee of four, who look up
needy cases in a quiet way, in the locality in which each lives, and report to
the club. I think it unique among colored clubs, in that the work is done so
unostentatiously. Names are not necessarily given in any public way to
offend or humiliate, and yet many needy and worthy people are temporarily
relieved. Another splendid thing they have been doing, and are still doing, is
aiding a young girl to get her education at Wellesley College.
Their membership is now over a hundred. Entrance fee is fifty cents and
monthly dues ten cents. It has already expended between $150 and $200 in its
three years of practical helpfulness.—Cambi'idge, Mass.
Some general criticism is as follows:
I can say for the people out here they are trying in every possible way to
help our people better their condition.—Los Angeles, Cal.
There are five Federation clubs in our city which do limited charity work;
this being a small city and a thrifty people, there is little demand ordinarily
of charity; however, as a secondary purpose, when needed they all work.—
Marion, Ind.
Richmond, as might be naturally expected, takes the lead in the number of
institutions for social betterment among the Negroes. But as was said by
one of her leading citizens, "The people are not doing what they should do. I
fear they are so engrossed in money-making that they have forgotten that
there are some things better than money-making."—Richmond, Va.
As a rule the Negroes of this community accept charity with reluctance.
A large number may be improvident, but by some means they manage to
Women's Clubs
47
make both ends meet and only accept assistance in this connection in the last
extremity.—Louisville, Ky.
In such charity Southern white people are especially willing and
prominent:
There are a number of institutions of this nature in Louisville supported
largely by Negroes, but not one that I know of supported entirely by them.
The white people in this community are very friendly, and give very gener¬
ously to charity, regardless of race or creed.—Louisville, Ky.
These organizations are doing much good, and while maintained and man¬
aged by colored people are largely and generously supported by white people.
—Louisville, Ky.
Section 10. Women's Clubs. Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre Buffin, of
Boston, and Mrs. John T. Cook, of Washington, D. C., were the pio¬
neers in the club movement among colored women, although single
clubs had long existed here and there. Mrs. Josephine S. Mates,
Honorary President of the National Association of Colored Women's
Clubs, writes:
That organization is the first step in nation-making, and that a nation can
rise in the scale no higher than its womanhood, are principles which have
come to be looked upon by the sociologist and all students of the development
of humanity as self-evident truth; hence it seems quite natural to speak of one
in connection with the other, i. e., organization and woman.
An inquiry into existing organizations among our women reveals the fact
that most of these are auxiliary societies founded and controlled by men, or
by the combined efforts of men and women; also, that usually they are secret
orders, or connected with various church denominations; and, furthermore,
that in their respective fields much work of high order has been accom¬
plished.
There is, however, one notable exception to the rule stated in the previous
paragraph relative to organizations of women, and this is to be found in the
"National Association of Colored Women," an organization founded and con¬
trolled entirely by women; and, within the scope of an article as limited as
this must be, we shall confine ourselves to a synopsis of the work of this
organization, composed exclusively of women, believing it to be the oldest,
most completely organized, etc.; hence, affording the best test of the effective¬
ness of organization among our women.
The National Association of Colored Women was founded in 1896.
The object, as well stated in Article II of its constitution, is, "To
secure harmony of action and co-operation among all women in
rising to the highest plane."
The organization has been well systematized and now contains at least
fourteen well-developed departments, each under the supervision of a care¬
fully selected superintendent. Among these departments one finds social
science, domestic science, temperance, juvenile court, music, literature,Young
Women's Christian Association, etc. Affiliated clubs may be found in forty or
more of the States, and such clubs are rapidly increasing, as also the number
of State and city federations.
The value and extent of the local work speaks for itself in the number of
hospitals, homes for orphans and the aged, reformatories, kindergartens, day
48
Efforts for Social Betterment
nurseries, and other much-needed institutions, which, through the heroic
efforts of the noble and self-sacrificing women that constitute these clubs, have
been established.
Illustrations of these institutions, in good working order, may be found in
New Bedford, New York, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis,
Washington, Charleston, New Orleans, and probably in many other cities
and towns of which we have not positive knowledge at this moment; but
a glance at the work in the cities mentioned serves to demonstrate what
organization in the hands of the Afro-American woman is doing, not by
fine-spun theories, but by actual work; and, if matters do not miscarry, the
National Association—incorporated in 1904—financially speaking, eventually
will be in position to purchase land sufficient to carry out certain plans that
originated with its founders and that by no means have been cast aside.
Every well-organized body has its period of growth and development, as
well as of fruitage; and, with State work well under way, we may confidently
look forward to the time when the National body will be "bringing in its
sheaves;" meanwhile, through its State and city federations and individual
clubs, it furnishes a most forcible demonstration of the value of organization
among women, in the development of self-reliance, self-help and other ele¬
ments so necessary to the advancement of a primitive people.
The preamble of the Association's constitution says:
We, the colored women of the United States of America, feeling the need
of united and systematic effort, and hoping to furnish evidence of moral, men¬
tal and material progress made by our people, do hereby unite in a National
Association.
The National Association has met as follows:
Washington, D. C., 1896—Founding.
Nashville, Tenn., 1897—First convention.
Chicago, 111., 1899—Second convention.
Buffalo, N. Y., 1901—Third convention.
St. Louis, Mo., 1904—Fourth convention.
Detroit,, Mich., 1906—Fifth convention.
Brooklyn, N. Y., 1908—Sixth convention.
The attendance at these conventions has been as follows:
States Olubs Delegates
represented represented represented
St. Louis 22 167 301
Brooklyn 28 128 176
Of the Chicago meeting the Daily News said editorially:
Of all the conventions that have met in the country this summer there is
none that has taken hold of the business in hand with more good sense and
judgment than the National Association of Colored Women, now assembled
in this city. The subjects brought up, the manner of their treatment and the
decisions reached exhibit wide and appreciative knowledge of conditions
confronting the colored people.
The present departments of the Association are:
Social Science, Rescue Work, Literature,
Parliamentary Music, Young Women's Work,
Procedure, Kindergarten, Evangelistic Work,
Domestic Science, Woman's Suffrage, Juvenile Court,
Business, Forestry, Humane Work,
Art, Mothers' Clubs, Religious Work.
Church Clubs, Suffrage.
Women's Clubs
49
There is a Southern Federation and a North-Bast Federation and the
twenty State federations:
Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, Florida,
West Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Virginia,
Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Alabama,
Minnesota, Missouri, California, Georgia,
Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois.
Most of the large cities like Cincinnati (twelve clubs), Kansas City,
St. Louis, etc., have city federations.
A report of the clubs of Missouri is as follows:
Clubs in the Missouri Federation:
Kansas City Federation.
St. Louis Federation.
Kensington Art Club, Kansas City, Mo.—Art work and discussion, rules
on parliamentary usages and household hints.
Phyllis Wheatley Club, Kansas City, Mo.
Harper's W. C. T. U. Club, St. Louis, Mo.
The Woman's Musical and Literary Club, Springfield, Mo.—Raising money
for a hospital.
Josephine Silone Yates Art Club, Sedalia, Mo.—Art work, charity work
and raising money for a hospital.
Woman's Club, Jefferson City, Mo.—Charity, literary and civic improve¬
ment.
Kansas City Art Club.—China painting, embroidery and charity work.
Josephine Silone Yates Club, Clay ton, Mo.—Charity and missionary work.
Central Missionary Band, St. Louis, Mo.—Home, foreign and educational
work.
Art Lovers' Club, St. Joseph, Mo.
Ladies' Art Club Club, Armstrong, Mo.—Art work.
Modern Prescilla, Glasgow, Mo.—Art work.
Fulton, Mo., Club.—Charity, and lifting up the fallen.
Phyllis Wheatley, Ironton, Mo.—Literary and art work
St. Paul Missionary.—Missionary work, St. Louis, Mo.
Olive Branch, Lincoln Institute, Jefferson City, Mo.—Literary work.
Young Married Women's Thimble Club, St. Louis, Mo.—Intellectual im¬
provement and charity work.
Reading Circle, Lincoln Institute, Jefferson City, Mo.
Washington Club, Fulton, Mo.—Charity and literary work.
Colored Woman's League, Kansas City, Mo.
Booklovers' Club, Kansas City, Mo.
Home Mission Society, Sedalia, Mo.
Yates Literary and Art Club, Louisiana, Mo.
The Minnesota Clubs send this report:
The Afro-American Women's State Federation of Minnesota is composed
of eighteen clubs from Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Paul, namely:
Adelphai Club, St. Paul.
Arbutus Club, Minneapolis.
Book Club, Duluth.
Dorcas Society, Bethesda Baptist Church, Minneapolis.
Florida Grant Mite Missionary Society, Minneapolis.
Inter-state Club, Duluth.
50
Efforts for Social Betterment
Literary and Social, St. Paul.
Monday Art, St. Paul.
M. T. C. Art, Minneapolis.
Palm Leaf, Minneapolis.
Pastor's Aid, Minneapolis.
Social Improvement, St. Paul.
Tuesday Industrial, Minneapolis.
Grant Mite Missionary Society, Minneapolis.
Sun Beam Club, Minneapolis.
Missionary Society, Minneapolis.
King's Daughters' Charity Club, St. Paul.
Zenith City Art, Duluth.
The Adelphai Club is a literary and philanthropic club. Books of poems
and prose of all the leading authors are read in this club, especially those of
colored authors, or anything of interest to the race is read and discussed. Quo¬
tations are given at every meeting. This club helps to care for two old ladies,
giving a sum of money every month for this purpose. It has a committee to
visit the city hospital every month, taking fruit and magazines for the sick.
It sends one dollar a month to the Mary Miller Earl Kindergarten, at Ander¬
son, S. C.; also sends aprons. It meets annually at Jean Brown Martin Baby
Home and Attucks Home, taking clothing, etc. It gives baskets of food at
Thanksgiving and Easter time. Has started a literary society, It is through
this club that the room was most beautifully furnished at the Jean Brown
Home by the colored citizens of St. Paul.
The Arbutus Club is a philanthropic club. Each Christmas a needy family
is looked after. At different times baskets of food are given to the poor. Last
summer this club took the children of the Attucks' Home to a Sunday-school
picnic. All of their time and money is spent for charity.
The members of the Book Club devote some of their time to social and
domestic work, although it is a literary and philanthropic club. Papers are
prepared by members, and quotations are given at every meeting. The
greater part of the money raised by entertainments and donations is given to
St. Mark's A. M. E. Church, to aid them in erecting a new church, which will
soon be finished.
The Dorcas Society is a church club. Its object is to pay the insurance money
on the church property. They also assist in paying the pastor, sexton, or any¬
thing else that may come up. They aid the poor of the church, giving cloth¬
ing, food and fuel. Annually they hold a sale or fair.
The Florida Grant Missionary Society works along missionary lines.
The Inter-state is a literary and philanthropic club. Papers on all the
leading questions of the day are read. Quotations are given at every meet¬
ing. Some time is given to music and household economy. Each year a
book of historical facts is read in the club. Most all the money they raise is
given to assist in building St. Mark's Church.
The Literary and Social is a church club. Gives weekly socials, with liter¬
ary and musical program, selling refreshments. They papered the basement
of the church and put in new gas-lights, and have aided the church in many
ways.
The Monday Art Club does all kinds of needle-work. Classes in dressmak¬
ing, china-painting and millinery were formed. Anything pertaining to home
life was discussed and demonstrated, such as cooking, table-setting, etc. Have
held art exhibits, entertained many noted Afro-Americans, and have given a
little time to literary work.
Women's Clubs
51
The W. T. C. Art Club does all kinds of needle-work. Have an annual art
exhibit; give many successful entertainments, give aid to the needy, and do a
great deal of literary work. This club presented to the Jean Brown Martin
Home a portrait of Booker T. Washington, the work of a Mr. Stepp (colored).
They make annual visits to the Attucks Home and Jean Brown Home.
The Palm Leaf Club does literary and philanthropic work.
The Pastor's Aid is a church club of St. Peter's Church. They assist the
officers of the church in any way they can, financially and otherwise.
The Bethesday Church contributes to Home and Foreign mission work. It
has paid an apportionment to American Baptist Home Mission Society and
National Training School, at Washington, and made a monthly payment
toward the salary of one native African teacher. Have contributed to a fund
to educate a native African doctor studying in this country. Visit the sick
and help needy in their home town.
The King's Daughters' Charity Club visit the sick, help the needy, and do
all the good they can to up-build God's cause.
The Zenith City Art Club does needle-work and assist in raising money to
build St. Mark's Church.
The Virginia report says:
We have connected with the State Federation of Colored Women of Vir¬
ginia, clubs whose members are actively engaged in home, school, church, vil¬
lage improvement, rescue work, and social settlement, and they are doing
good work. These clubs had been organized and working long before the State
Federation was organized, so that explains how we can do so much work in
so short a time. •
At our Second Annual Meeting, held in Richmond June 17 and 18,1909, forty-
seven clubs, representing 1,200 women, were reported.
We have succeeded in establishing a permanent organization and hope, by
united and systematic effort, to give substantial evidences of the moral, men¬
tal and material progress made by our people.
The Illinois Federation has thirty-one clubs. The president's ad¬
dress of 1908 said:
Our clubs are indispensable factors in our elevation. As women, we must
stand united for God, ourselves and our race. Some opposition has developed
toward club work, someone having said that we were a set of butterflies on
dress parade, but in my opinion the statement is false, for the most of our
club women are the best housekeepers, the best wives and the best cooks; the
most self-sacrificing women, ever on the alert to relieve suffering humanity,
to the support of which they give a part of their small pittance of pin money.
Our visits to the jails and juvenile courts show that many of our women are
doing good work along these lines. Through organized effort, homes for
working-girls, day nurseries and kindergartens are being established. Is not
this progress ? All this the work of our noble women. We would like here
in this connection to mention: The Cairo hospital, fostered and under the
supervision of the Yates Club of Cairo; the Anna Field Home for Girls, Peo¬
ria ; Lincoln Old Folks and Orphans' Home, founded by Mrs. Eva Monroe and
assisted by the Women's Club of Springfield; the Home for Aged and Infirm
Colored People, Chicago, founded by Mrs. Gabrella Smith and others; the
Amanda Smith Orphans' Home, Harvey. The last of which we mention is
the Phillis Wheatley Home for Wage-Earning Girls, of Chicago.
The Colorado Federation reports:
52
Efforts for Social Betterment
At the last annual convention there were twenty-six clubs represented.
They are charity, art and study clubs. All help to support the colored or¬
phanage at Pueblo. One is raising means to build a home for girls and
another to build a club house. Neither of these buildings is a certainty. The
list is as follows:
Denver:
Life Line Club.
Sunshine Club.
Self-improvement and Social Club.
Pond-Lily Art Club.
Taka Art Club.
Coleridge Taylor Study Club.
Lucy Thurman W. C. T. IT.
City Federation.
The League.
Colorado Springs:
DuBois Reading Club.
Twentieth Century Reading Club.
Silver Leaf Art Club.
Libby C. Anthonv Club.
Harper W. C. T. TJ.
City Federation.
Dahalia Art Club.
Pond-Lily Club.
Treble Clef Music Club.
Pueblo:
Modeste Art Club.
Carnation Art Club.
Loyal Temperance Legion.
The Mothers' Club.
Dorcas Watson W. C. T. U.
City Federation.
La Junta:
N. U. G. Club.
Cheyenne, Wyo.:
Searchlight Club.
The Women's Clubs of Arkansas report:
The first woman's club was organized February 11,1897; first city federa¬
tion June 7, 1905. The State was federated through the activities of Mrs.
B. T. Washington and Mrs. Hunton, now national organizer; two State
meetings since 1905, one in June, 1908, the other in June, 1909. In 1909 the
clubs reported twenty-five clubs with a membership of five hundred, repre¬
sented by forty-four delegates at State meeting.
The city federations at Little Rock and Hot Springs are flourishing. At
Hot Springs there is an Old Ladies' Home of seven rooms costing $1,500. At
Little Rock there is an Old Ladies' Home of ten rooms costing $2,500, and
at Fort Smith one costing $1,400. There is now being planned at Little
Rock a Working Girls' Home under the auspices of the city federation. A
Reform School for Colored Youth under the auspices of the State federa¬
tion has been planned, and is now being prosecuted to arouse sentiment,
influence State legislature and State officers, collect money, etc. There
are School Improvement Associations throughout the State. These assist
teachers and scholars in beautifying the grounds and school rooms, and in
Women's Clubs
53
systems of rewards and incentives for better school work. These clubs do
philanthropic and literary work.
Some thirty clubs belong to the Ohio Federation.
Ten of them report $500 raised during the year 1908-09. They also report the
following statistics:
Number of members 165
Number married 125
Number who assist in support of family 45
Graduates from college 7
Graduates from Normal or High School 39
Finished Fifth Grade 42
Can not read 0
Aggregate number of children 180
Members' children graduated from college 8
Members' children finished Normal or High School 31
Members' children still in school 74
Number of children under school age 18
Pianos 67
Organs 18
Aggregate amount of real estate $282,000
Aggregate value of libraries 6,975
Life Insurance carried 86,049
One of the most successful State Federations is that of Alabama. It
has forty-five clubs. Of its last session it was reported:
The State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, which began its ninth
annual session in this city last Monday, came to a close yesterday afternoon.
The Federation has established and is supporting a reformatory at Mt. Meigs
for Negro boys. The organization is composed of representatives from the
various Negro women's clubs throughout the State, and the Negro women
are very enthusiastic over the work they are doing to reform wayward Negro
boys. The meeting in 1907 was held in Selma.
Since that meeting the clubs have raised and reported to the officers $2,283.72
and expended $2,236.97. At the meeting that has just closed the Federation
raised cash to the amount of $1,068.92. After paying up all debts, they have
now on hand $593.39.
The State Federation of Mississippi has seventeen clubs.
We have done much work toward elevating the home life among the
masses by paying especial attention to plantation club work and establish¬
ing community clubs where possible.
One particular club—the Woman's Progressive Club of Alcorn College—the
oldest club in the State, and the one with which I was connected for eleven
years, has done much along this line, holding club meetings right in the
plantation homes, showing the women of these homes how to improve them¬
selves and their homes. We have seen many evidences of good results from
this kind of work.
The Woman's Christian Union of Yicksburg and the State Federation have
adopted this work as State work, and now all of the clubs are bending their
energies toward its support.
The Phillis Wheatley Club of this town—a club of forty-six members—has
furnished a reading-room known as the Phillis Wheatley Reading-Room.
Many clubs do literary work, studying both literature and art. At the last
State Fair several pieces of work from club women took first premiums. All
54
Efforts for Social Betterment
of our clubs do some charity work. We hold our next annual meeting at
Mound Bayou—the Negro town.
Some reports from typical women's clubs throughout the country fol¬
low:
The Women's Home Progressive Club was organized October 19,1902, with
a membership of seventeen. Club work in this locality was a new feature
and therefore met with considerable criticism, but, nevertheless, we went on.
During the year 1903 we gave twelve dollars on a piano for the city schools
besides helping a number of sick and destitute ones during the winter months.
In 1905 the Club donated ten dollars to F. I. S. College. The following depart¬
ments were organized: Educational, Business, Charity, and Industrial. Al¬
though our club is composed mainly of teachers or those capable of teaching,
only the last three have claimed our attention so far. In our Educational
Department we have only had a literary program once a month but planned
to take up a regular reading course later. In the Business Department we
have a saving department where each one deposits at each meeting any
amount she may see fit, usually twenty-five cents. Last year our savings ran
up to nearly fifty dollars.
In the Charitable Department for this year we helped to put fountains in
the public schools.
Our Industrial work for this year was basketry. We made a number of
beautiful baskets and hand-bags with raffia.—Paris, Tex.
E. W. Bailey, Principal of the school, in a brief talk stated that the colored
women's clubs had been working for a year in order to raise $125 with which
to aid the city in putting water fountains on the campus of the colored school
ground. As a result of their efforts, the representatives of the federation then
present had in their hands more than $100 to present to the board of education
for the laudable cause. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. Hannah
Simms, president of the City Federation of Colored Women. In her talk she
assured the superintendent and all present that the colored women have it in
their hearts to do something themselves to aid in educating the children of
their race while the white people are taking such deep interest in providing
the necessary facilities for their education. She further stated that the
superintendent of city schools had asked for $125 and that they were ready to
place with him $126. Prof. Wooten in pointed remarks accepted the contribu¬
tion and he gave assurance that the amount given would be highly appreciated
and that he is ever ready to help those who struggle to do something for
themselves.—Paris, Tex.
There are at least ten women's clubs that are devoted to social betterment.
One of these the oldest, "The Women's League" is purely charitable. They
are buying a home for working girls, strangers who come to town, etc. They
have paid about $700 on it so far. One club is purely literary, "The Booklov-
er's." The others are:
Progressive Study Club.
Kensington Art Club.
Phyllis Wheatley Club.
The Hiawatha Club.
The Crescent Club.
The Carrie Steele Club.
The Clionian Club.
The Arena Club.
The last eight named do several kinds of work: some charitable, some lit¬
erary, some art needlework, china painting, etc. All do some charitable work.
Women's Clubs
55
Nine of the ten are in an organization called the City Federation of Clubs
which meets monthly, and is a sort of club clearing-house. There are over
three hundred women in these clubs.—Kansas City, Mo.
Woman's Twentieth Century League—main object to support Reformatory.
Captain W. D. Hargwood, superintendent of the Boys' Reformatory at Mount
Meigs, Ala., was in the city Tuesday, and returned the same night with a
youthful criminal that had been turned over by the court to the custody of
the reform school.
The transportation expenses of the superintendent and boy were paid by
the Woman's Twentieth Century League.
When it was learned that the little unfortunate was very scantily clad, and
had neither shoes nor stockings on, a christian-hearted mother donated a
complete outfit of good clothing and underwear, besides shoes and stockings.
—Mobile, Ala.
Our Woman's Club of this city is not yet able to give full support to any
particular work. We care for a few old and sick people. Our plan is to have
a reading-room and to look after the young children of the laboring class of
women during the day while they are away from home at work.—Gaines¬
ville, Fla.
The City Federation of Colored Women care for the sick and needy and are
trying to raise funds to build an Orphans' Home and an Old Folk's Home.—
Pensacola, Fla.
Sojourner Truth Club aims to build a Home for Working Women and Girls.
They have succeeded in raising money enough to purchase a lot upon which
to erect a building.—Los Angeles, Cal.
The Woman's Loyal Union owes its formation to an unusually large meet¬
ing held in New York city, in aid of Miss Ida B. Wells, now Mrs. Barnett, at
that time editor and publisher of a paper in Memphis, Tenn., whose press on
account of her fearless utterances had been destroyed and her life threat¬
ened. At this gathering a generous purse was secured for Miss Wells. The
meeting proved such a success, and the enthusiasm aroused among the peo¬
ple was so great, that it was considered wise and fitting to found a permanent
organization embodying the sentiments elicited by the meeting.
The Woman's Loyal Union was therefore organized December 5,1892. The
motto of the club is, "Vigilant, Patriotic, Steadfast." This association, whose
initial effort was the defense of the oppressed, continued to work along race'
lines. In accordance with the clause of the constitution, "The object of this
Union shall be the diffusion of accurate and extensive information relative
to the civil and social status of that class of American citizens of African
descent—i. e., Afro-Americans—that they may be led to an intelligent asser¬
tion of their rights," etc., a circular letter containing questions for informa¬
tion respecting the condition of the people was widely distributed throughout
the South. Toward the dissemination of race literature Congressman White's
speech delivered in the House of Representatives was sent to the celebrated
Union League of Manhattan, to the Christian League, and to other prominent
parties; and leaflets issued by the Afro-American Council were also sent to
white clubs and to liberal-minded people.
Also when the mentioned Council was soliciting funds to try a test case in
the courts of the South, the sum of $10 was given by the club to assist this
worthy cause, and a like amount to the Citizens' League to protect the suf¬
ferers in the race riots which took place in New York city in 1900. An ac¬
count of these riots, issued in pamphlet form, was circulated in the convention
56
Efforts for Social Betterment
of the Northeastern Federation of Women's Clubs, held in Brooklyn in the
summer of 1902.
When refugees from Oklahoma, the unfortunate victims of a Liberian
scheme, in a destitute and helpless condition, were stranded in cars in Jersey
City, the Women's Loyal Union came to their relief, placing the matter in the
hands of the Ways and Means Committee of the association. The amount of
$20 was furnished this cause and the needy ones were supplied with temporary
homes and otherwise succored in the hour of their great distress.
In relation to further financial assistance rendered by this club, a sum of
money was given to the school at Manassas managed by Miss Deans, and
$10 to the Waller Fund created by the New York Press toward the relief
of Ex-Consul Waller, then confined in a French prison on the island of Mau¬
ritius.
From a feeling of reverence and affection for the memory of John Brown,
money was also, at one time, sent to his daughter, then in dire need. The
club gave a substantial amount toward the purchase of the Northfield Home,
a building at Northfield, Mass., which the Northeastern Federation had
agreed to secure as a center of rest and recreation for club members during
the summer.
In the line of educational work two children were supported for several
years in a kindergarten in Florida, and money contributed toward the main¬
tenance of a school in Georgia.
Emphasizing the desire to keep in memory the heroes of the race, the death
of Frederick Douglass was observed by appropriate exercises, including a
memorial poem written by the recording secretary.
Under the third section of article two of the constitution of the Union, in
the autumn of 1905, a Protective and Industrial Home for Working Girls was
established by the club, and continued for nearly two years with a reason¬
able degree of success; its object was to shelter and protect girls who come
North to secure employment, and to aid them in the accomplishment of their
plans. The Home was suitably equipped, provided with a competent matron
and managed by an efficient House Committee; and effective work was ac¬
complished during the period of its activity; but it has been temporarily
suspended on account of changes made by the owner in the premises where
it was located. The aim of the association, however, is to re-open the Home
as soon as sufficient funds can be obtained and proper accommodations se¬
cured, when the work can be developed on a larger scale and with greater
facilities for usefulness.
The membership of the Woman's Loyal Union is not as large as it has been
on account of various changes made in the community where the club has
worked since its organization. The present enrollment is twenty-five.—
New York.
The Semper Fidelis is a club composed of twenty-five married ladies. It
was organized about ten years ago, mainly as a literary club, but added the
charitable feature at once. Some years it has given scholarships to deserving
pupils in the Negro High School. It has also made large donations to the
Industrial Department of the High School. Each year it makes donations
of money, clothing, and other necessities to the Old Folks and Orphans'
Home of this city, besides helping other needy persons in the city. Since
the beginning of the State Reformatory for Negro Boys, several years ago—
and which does not receive any State aid as yet—it has taken a very active
part in helping to establish and maintain the same.—Birmingham, Ala.
The Anna M. Duncan Club was organized in September, 1898. The first
Women's Clubs
57
work they did was to issue a call for the organization of a State Federation
of clubs, which was effected December 26,1898. After this organization was
perfected, the clubs seeing the need of a city federation, they organized
one. They took as their work the building of a State Reformatory. Each
Sunday afternoon different members would visit the jail, and seeing how our
young men and boys were being sent to the chain-gang and farms for the
least offense, they determined if possible to save our boys from being placed
in prison cells with hardened criminals, and by this means coming from
prison much worse than when put in; in fact, becoming full-fledged crimi¬
nals. They worked at this for two years, until they finally interested the
State Federation to adopt the work. Of this State Federation Miss Anna M.
Duncan was the first president. She was also president of the club until her
death. Her undying devotion to the work of saving the boys, and her un¬
timely death, caused the club in honor of her memory to adopt the name
of the Anna M. Duncan Club. At first the number of members was unlim¬
ited and the club met from church to church; then the number was limited.
We have now thirty active members. Our special work is the Reformatory
that has been established in this city by the State. We have one building, a
cottage of about eight rooms, and a farm of twenty acres that has all been
paid for by the Federation. The cottage cost something over twelve hundred
dollars. This club is an important factor in the running of the Reforma¬
tory, the president of the club being chairman of the Board of Managers and
its corresponding secretary being a member of the Committee.
These women are untiring in their efforts to make the Reformatory work
a success. While the Reformatory is their chief work, other objects of
charity have not been neglected. A child has been kept in the kinder¬
garten, another in the Normal School of this city by the paying of tuition
and furnishing books; another has been sent to and from Talladega College,
she having a scholarship but unable to pay the railroad fare to and from
school.
In this city is the Hale Infirmary, a large and commodious building built
by Mrs. Ann Hale in memory of her husband and children. While Mrs. Hale
gave the building, the running of the house depends upon the donations given
it. To this object the clubs give thirty dollars a year. Clothing, food and
fuel have been given to the needy poor during the year to the amount of
thirty or forty dollars.
During last year the Club collected three ^hundred and sixty dollars. Of this
amount two hundred and fifty was given to the Reformatory. The Club hopes
to be able to double this amount during the present year.
We study different authors for our own improvement. Papers are read and
events of interest to the race are discussed. At different times we have had
men of note to lecture for us, and the money so raised has gone into our Re¬
formatory Fund.—Montgomery, Ala.
The Woman's Club of Marietta was organized in September, 1900, with
eleven members. One of the objects of the club is to help the needy in and
about Marietta. For several years the charity of this club was shown by
donations of raw food, wood, bed-clothing, garments and medicine to the poor
and needy. In very rare instances money was given, with which to buy a
needed article. Many yards of cloth have been bought and made into gar¬
ments by the ladies for orphans and sick people. Once we gave a Christmas
tree for orphan children. About twenty-five children received two and three
presents each. A neat little program was rendered by the children and
added much interest to the occasion. But we have stopped this promiscuous
58
Efforts for Social Betterment
giving. We help an individual now, only when he is in extreme need and
applies to us. We are keeping our pennies together for the purpose of estab¬
lishing a "Home." At first we thought an Orphanage, but now we think a
Home for the Friendless, orphans included.
We have in the bank about eighty dollars and it is drawing interest. We
have just decided to buy a two-acre tract of woodland in a good Negro set¬
tlement three miles from the center of town. Before thirty days I think it
will be in our possession. Then we shall go to work to build on it.
Our membership is small, never having been more than twenty at any one
time. Being purely philanthropic, women are not very anxious to join.—Ma¬
rietta, Ga.
The Woman's Club was organized with ten members. The number has
grown to thirty. There are various departments: the Child Culture Depart¬
ment, the Juvenile Department, the Domestic Science Department, the Prison
Department, the Sick and Aged Committee and the Orphan Committee. All
of the departments and committees are active except the Domestic Science
Department which has been closed for some time on account of lack of funds.
Through these various committees we are brought in touch with all classes.
Mothers' Meetings are held from time to time in the different churches some
time during the week, also sometimes on Sunday afternoons. They are held
to suit the convenience of the people.
Many are the needy ones who have been relieved at the hands of the
Woman's Club.
To help us in our charitable work twenty members have taken stock in a
millinery project. The value of each share is five dollars. Some have taken
half of a share. Ten per cent of the undivided profits will be given to the
club to further its work of charity. The little millinery store was opened last
month and we are praying for success.—Athens, Ga.
The St. Pierre Ruffln Club, the oldest club here, is composed of twenty-five
married ladies, who are engaged in the work of social and benevolent uplift.
We feel that the social side of life has been greatly improved through this
agency.—South Bend, Ind.
The Daisy D.Walker Club is composed of twelve young ladies. They make
a specialty of supplying the sick with milk and fruit and giving of flowers to
the dead. They are also engaged in literary work.—South Bend, Ind.
The Mothers' Society studies and discusses home-making, the rearing of
children, etc. They have in hand the building of a hospital for Negroes, and
have collected a considerable amount. They are receiving generous support
from the race.—Frankfort, Ky.
The Francis E. W, Harper Club of Portland, Me., was organized in 1902 as a
literary club. It has fourteen active members and one honorary member.
Since its organization the club has been engaged in philanthropic work.
< >ur object is to build a home for women—a place where the aged may pass
their last days in comfort and where young women may find a home for small
compensation.
Although the field here is very small we find plenty of work at hand, and
in many cases co-operate with one of the ladies connected with the Associated
< 'liarities of this city.
We have a small bank account which is increasing gradually. I am also
pleased to add that this year the club has been unusually prosperous.—Port¬
land, Me.
Women's Clubs
59
The New Bedford Mothers' Club is carrying on work for neglected and home¬
less children. This work was started in 1004. We are doing a good work
which is limited only by our means. We have a sum of money in the bank
which is known as the Children's Home Fund, and will be used when the work
warrants it in building a home for these waifs. This work appeals especially
to a mother's heart.—New Bedford, Mass.
The Ann Arbor Women's Club was organized in 1898 with ten members.
From the first we have felt that there was need of an organization to help
over the rough places, and we ten went to work. We have given nearly $700
to aid the needy, possibly not all in ready cash—although much of it has been
cash—but we have given clothes, food, fuel, bedding and flowers to the poor
of our own city, to say nothing of having sent quilts, rugs, food (including
canned goods, fruit, vegetables, sugar, etc.), clothing and money to the Phil-
lis Wheatley Home in Detroit. We also placed an inmate at the Home for
which we paid $200. Each year we give to each of the two churches, besides
when we have our annual sermon preached in October we give a special col¬
lection to every church. Our club now numbers twenty active and two hon¬
orary members, and as we are making up our report for the State Convention
we feel proud of the work done this year, as it has been the most successful
one during our existence. We are contemplating having a flag day. We have
not purchased any real estate yet, but that is the point that we are aiming
for, and hope before long to make the first payment on a piece of property. We
also contribute toward the support of a district nurse in our city. At the
Christmas Tide we send dinners to the poor that we know of and fruit to the
sick.—Ann Arbor, Mich.
The women of Vicksburg, after several attempts, succeeded in 1905 in effect¬
ing a permanent organization. These club women were banded together to
do charity work, but for a long time could not decide what work was most
necessary. They finally concluded that some provision for caring for the old
folks and orphans should be made. This work was immediately undertaken
by them. They began at once to solicit funds from the people of this imme¬
diate vicinity for the purpose. They had to overcome the difficulties common
to all incipient work. Many felt that nothing would ever come of the move¬
ment and refrained from taking a part.
Notwithstanding this, they selected a suitable lot about a mile from Vicks¬
burg, containing a large ante bellum residence, and contracted to buy the
same for $1,200.
They have now paid for the place. They have bought also two smaller lots
in the same locality, and are now collecting funds to repair the Home, after
which they intend to open it for the reception of the aged poor.
They have no permanent source of support. Their collections have been
made solely in this community.—Vicksburg, Miss.
In January, 1903, having for some time seen the necessity for a club in our
city whose object would be the help and uplift of the women and girls of our
race along many lines of usefulness, I asked a number of women to meet at
my residence to organize such a club. Nine responded and we formed what
is known as the Afro-American Woman's Industrial Club. We decided to
meet twice a month, the first meeting being a strictly business meeting and
the second a social meeting to which our friends are invited; the meetings
being held at the different members' homes.
During the first year of our organization we joined the Northeastern Fed¬
eration of Women's Clubs. Last year we were incorporated under the laws
60
Efforts for Social Betterment
of New Jersey and in May, 1908, we purchased a small house situated at 104
Harrison avenue, the lot being 25 feet by 108 feet. Our very efficient treas¬
urer, who is a widow with her aged mother to care for, was installed as house¬
keeper. The house is a modest one, having only six rooms; these have been
occupied ever since we opened. We hope to be able to enlarge the building
soon, as we desire to be able to care for all or at least a large part of the girls
and women who come to our city from various parts of the country seeking
employment and often, unfortuuately, falling into bad hands.
From a membership of nine we have steadily grown until we number forty
earnest workes.—Jersey City, N. J.
We have the E. Jj. Davis Club, which is a part of the Pennsylvania State
Federation of Negro Women's Clubs. We have raised over two hundred dol¬
lars in the last two years for the Home for Destitute Negro Children, located
at New Castle. We have assisted in paying the funeral expenses of a poor
woman, given clothes to the poor, flowers to the hospital. We send three
dollars each month to the home at New Castle towards the maintenance of
the Home.—Johnstown, Pa.
The Mothers' Club was organized September, 1903, for the purpose of aiding
struggling mothers. In May, 1904, we opened a day nursery—a small place of
four rooms, for we were poor and few in number. We saw the great need for
such a place for mothers—those who must go out to work—to leave their little
ones to be cared for, instead of having them roam the streets uncared for. We
have struggled hard to carry on the work. The meetings are very helpful to
all. We have very often a program, and topics for discussion which are usu¬
ally Child Training, Housekeeping, Village Improvement, or some race sub¬
ject, or temperance.—Providence, R. I.
We have been organized four years. During this time we have made dona¬
tions to any and every needy person, regardless of denomination. We are
laboring now to raise means to establish an Old Folk's Home, which we hope
to be able to do in the near future. Our membership is fifty-nine, with seven
officers. We meet twice during the month. Our treasury is maintained by
the monthly dues paid by each member, together with donations given at the
different mass meetings held by the club.
The preamble of the constitution is as follows:
"Whereas, a nation's standard is measured by that of its women, and seeing
great need of improvement in the race in general: we the women of Jack¬
son, State of Tennessee, being sensible of the great responsibility resting
upon us as women, have organized ourselves under the name of a Woman's
Club.
"We believe that in union or friendly co-operation in the work of 'lifting as
we climb,' we can best elevate our homes and the race by developing our¬
selves along various lines, we do hereby adopt the following Constitution and
By-Laws for the Woman's Club of Jackson, Tennessee."—Jackson, Tenn.
Different men, lawyers, doctors, ministers, also visiting men of note, address
the club at each meeting; dues and other moneys are turned over to the church;
we have sent barrels to different industrial schools in the South, and also make
up baskets and boxes for one or two orphan asylums and Old Folk's Homes.—
St. Paul, Minn.
The first summer or vacation school to be maintained by any Woman's
Club in the State was organized by the Koffee Klatsch in 1906. The children
received instruction in sewing, picture-framing and cooking. The smaller
ones were kept interested in blackboard work, story telling, etc. These
Women's Clubs
61
classes, with an average attendance of eighteen and twenty, were main¬
tained for two years.
Aside from the general relief work, specific attention is given twice yearly
to the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People.- During the early autumn
a special day is given over to the club, at which a good program is
arranged at one of the churches and a collection is lifted solely for the pur¬
pose of buying fuel for-the Home. This is known as "Coal-fund day."
When the fruit season is at its best a day is set apart and known as "Can¬
ning day." The members of the club take the fruit and sugar out to the insti¬
tution and put the fruit up for the winter. Over one hundred and fifty quarts
have been put up by their exertions at different times. At various times
money has been raised to assist in placing an inmate in the Home.
Miscellaneous relief work has included cases like the following: the pur¬
chase of fuel, groceries, and miscellaneous provisions; the distribution of
clothing and shoes and medicine, also services of a physician; helping to pur¬
chase an invalid chair, and occasionally a special church donation.
We feel that we have been wonderfully blessed in our endeavors, as no case
reported to us during our existence has been passed over on account of lack
of funds.
A committee of four ladies are delegated to visit the sick and bring reports
of cases to be looked after.—Chicago, 111.
The College Aid Society of Wilberforce, Ohio, have to their credit thirty
years' support of aiding needy students. The Twentieth Century Club of
Xenia, Ohio, has pursued a course of study of American and English litera¬
ture, and fostered the kindergartens for colored children in Xenia, Ohio.
The women of St. Louis, Missouri, under the leadership of Mrs. M. L. Har¬
rison, have completed seven years of successful work in caring for the
St. Louis Colored Orphans' Home, which they founded May 19,1901, at a cost
of $6,700. Mrs. Susan Paul Vash on, of St. Louis, has been successful in arousing
the interest of a large number of mothers in forming mothers' clubs and hold¬
ing mothers' meetings.
The colored women in Indianapolis have a club which has been interesting
itself to secure opportunity for colored women to get work. Arrangements
have now been made by which more than 150 colored women have secured
work in one of the canning factories of that city, the managers having agreed
to take only women and girls recommended by clubs.
The Harriet Tubman Club, of Boston, Mass., has been successfully conduct¬
ing a Home for Working Grirls on Holyoke street. This property is in a good
part of the city and has sheltered a large number of women, giving them a
good comfortable Christian home. Ruth Circle of King's Daughters of Bos¬
ton has done much to assist in the charitable work of the city. The Woman's
Era Club of the city of Boston has covered a wide field of work along liter¬
ary, musical, and other lines. The Woman's Loyal TJnion, New Bedford, is
engaged in the work of a Home for the Aged, irrespective of race or relig¬
ion (see souvenir program and historical sketch). The Woman's Progressive
Club of Worcestor, Mass., is also the founder of a Home for Aged People in
that city.
Through the efforts of Judge Feagin and the work of an organization com¬
posed of the better class of Negro women in Birmingham, Ala., an industrial
school has been started and to this eighteen little waifs have already been
sent. During the past year these women have raised $2,000, with which they
purchased twenty-five acres of land near Montgomery, Ala. Upon this they
have built a six-room cottage which now serves as a home for these eighteen
62
Efforts for Social Betterment
little waifs. The superintendent chosen for this school is W. B. Tyrrell, a
Negro of unusual ability and peculiar history. After being educated in the
schools of his native State, Virginia, he was sent by a priest to a classical
school in England to be trained for the Catholic priesthood. He was seven
years in England, then was graduated from Bonn University in Germany
and went as a missionary to Abyssinia. Failing health compelled him to re¬
turn to this country. He has taken up the work for colored youth with great
zeal.
The Yates Woman's Club of Cairo, 111., recently purchased land on which
to build a hospital. Within three years the club has raised more than $2,100,
paying in cash $900 for their land and $1,200 on a two-story brick building.
The Phyllis Wheatley Club, Chicago, 111., has a Home for Working Girls
and has been very successful in securing funds for the land and for buiding
and maintaining the work; in fact, all of the clubs in Chicago, as well as in
the State of Illinois, are all well organized and working along many lines for
the uplifting of humanity.
The State of Texas is well organized. At the recent meeting of the State
Federation, "The Mother's Part in Preventing Diseases" was discussed;
also many pertinent ideas concerning the responsibility which rests upon
mothers to train their children in hygienic living; "What the wash¬
women have done for us as a race," was another subject presented.
Special mention was made of the great work and influence of those great
workers who have humbled themselves that their children might rise to
higher plains of usefulness. In fact, the women of Texas are alive to the
demands which the spirit of the times has placed upon colored woman¬
hood.
The Woman's Industrial Club of Louisville, Kentucky, is a business, char¬
itable and industrial club, quartered in a well-equipped twenty-room build¬
ing on one of the most popular thoroughfares of the city. Various industries
are carried on under its roof, and it has given impetus to the business life of
the city of Louisville.
From the millinery department have gone out scores of young women who
are doing high-class work. Louisville has a large number of clubs, and the
next biennial of the National Association of Colored Women is to be in the
city, the guest of forty clubs of that city.
The White Rose Mission of New York city, organized about twelve years ago
byMrs. Victoria Earle Matthews, has done much good work in that city. A
large number of needy ones have found shelter within its doors and have been
able to secure work of all kinds. This club has a committee to meet the in¬
coming steamers from the South and see that young women entering the city
as strangers are directed to proper homes. Mrs. Frances Keyser, who has
charge of the work, is the right woman in the right place.
The Dorcas Home Mission Society of Brooklyn, N. Y., which numbers two
hundred good earnest working women under the leadership of Mrs. Alice
Wiley, has done much to relieve the sick and distressed in that city.
Last year the clubs of Minnesota issued a State Federation calendar, which
was a most beautiful calendar of all the clubs, with the date of their organiza¬
tion, federation days, hours of meetings, their presidents and those in the
National Association of Colored Women. It was a beautiful design and re¬
flected much credit on the women of Minnesota.
A Mothers' Reception was held by the clubs of Colorado, fifty invitations on
postal cards having been issued for the same. "Ventilation and Sanitation,"
also "The Mother's Influence in the Home," were the subjects discussed, each
Women's Clubs
63
telling of some of her experiences in her own home. The key note sounded
by the mothers was, pure mothers for pure children; they advocated patience
for the children, reasoning, and less whipping, thereby gaining their confidence
and making them companionable.
The W. C. T. U. used to be strong among colored women and is still
influential; it is, for instance, "a strong influence for good" in Dallas,
Texas.
The King's Daughters and Sons have many colored circles:
In New York city there is a Circle which has done very earnest work, and
also the Gould Circle, the Rest-Hoom Circle, the Aunt Jane Circle, Home for
Aged Colored People, St. John's Place, Brooklyn, also do splendid work.
In Toledo and in other Ohio cities the colored people have done some very
fine work. In Michigan, also, the colored people have accomplished a great
deal. There is a Circle of colored people in Frankfort, Kentucky.
There are, of course, other Circles, but, as I say, we cannot give you a com¬
plete list and can only indicate here and there some of the better known
workers.
Other reports follow:
Our club, the Faithful Few Circle of the King's Daughters, belongs to the
International Order of the King's Daughters. While we operate under their
constitution and laws and labor for the same cause, we belong to the Missis¬
sippi State Federation of Women's Clubs.
We have a membership of twenty-five persons, with about twelve active
workers. Our work is confined to the unfortunate, "In His name." We use
the Silver Cross Journal and keep in touch with the great Order throughout
the world.
We are now attempting to build an "Old Folk's Home," with a nursery and
a kind of headquarters for working girls, somewhat on the order of a rescue
home.—Natchez, Miss.
We have the King's Daughters Society, which has been organized seven¬
teen years. We have a membership of fity-two, and our work is to care for
old people who can not help themselves. During the past year we gave as
much as $68 in money, and each week we make up baskets of food and cloth¬
ing and send to the needy. We have also helped to bury a number of poor
persons.—Austin, Tex
The following are the kinds of program rendered by these Women's
Clubs:
Ohio State Federation, Dayton, O.
Subject: Light on the Work of the Ohio State Federation.
Program
The Local Clubs.
The Model Club.
The Ohio Federation, its Weak Points and How to Overcome Them.
Helpful Echoes from the World's Fair and Club Life in Missouri.
Hints on Club Literature.
Our Children. Shall the Ohio Federation form Clubs among its Children?
Race Pride as Manifested in Club Life.
The Entertaining Hostess, and Appropriate Decorations and Souvenirs or
Favors.
To What Extent Should our Federation be Public-Spirited ? Have we a Voice
in the School, the Republic, the Nation?
64
Efforts for Social Betterment
The Wheel of Progress, Cincinnati, O.
Philanthropical and Economical Department
SECOND TUESDAY
November 14: Original poem, "The Forest." Music. Discussion, "Misplaced
Charity."
December 12: "What is the Greatest Evil that Retards the Commercial Prog¬
ress of the Negro?" Music. Industrial Work.
January 9: Discussion, "The Best Education for our Girls." Music. Indus¬
trial Work.
February 13: Paper, "Should Social Games be Enconraged in the Home, and
to What Extent? " Music. Industrial Work.
March 13: Discussion, "What Can the Club Woman Do to Raise the Intellectual
Status of our Young Men? " Music. Industrial Work.
April 10: "Influence of Aesthetic Decoration in the Home." Music. Indus¬
trial Work.
May 8: "Reverence for Holy Things." Music. Industrial Work.
June 12: "The Attitude of the Club Woman Toward Her Less Fortunate Sis¬
ters." Music. Industrial Work.
July 10: "Development of Domestic Economy." Music. Industrial Work.
August 14: -'Checks to Evil Influences of Environment." Music. Industrial
Work. "Duties of a Good House-wife." Music. Industrial Work.
September 11: "Economy and Taste in Dress." Music. Industrial Work.
October 9: Annual Reports. Election of Officers.
Literary and Musical Department
FOURTH TUESDAY
November 28: Queries and Current Events. Instrumental Music. Lecture, "A
Trip to Sicily." Song.
December 26: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "Negro Writers and Their
Best Productions." Music.
January 23: Queries and Current Events. Lecture, "Development of Political
Economy." Vocal Music.
February 27: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "Anti-Slavery Heroes of the
Nineteenth Century." Instrumental Music.
March 27: Discussion, "HowCan We Dignify the 'JimCrow' Car? " Paper, "The
Most Potent Influences Tending Toward the Eradication of Color Prejudice." Song.
April 24: Queries and Current Events. Instrumental Music. Paper—Prose Fic¬
tion, "Ramona." Music.
May 22: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "Characteristics of the Poetical
Triad.' Instrumental Music.
June 26: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "The Story of Toussaint L'Ouver-
ture." Music.
July 24: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "Harriet Beecher Stowe and Her
Writings." Music.
August 28: Queries and Current Events. Paper, "Natural Curiosities of Our
Country." Music.
September 25: Cullings from Vacation Experiences. Lecture, "The Great Re¬
ligions of the World." Music.
October 23: Greetings from Distant Members. "The Club Outlook." Song.
Old Folk's Homes
65
Section 11. Old Folk's Homes. The most characteristic Negro
charity is the Home for Old People. Nothing appealed from the
earliest days more strongly to the freedmen than the care for the old
people.
In slavery days the old were, in many cases, carefully taken care of
by the masters, especially in cities and towns and on the home planta¬
tions, but in numberless other cases, particularly on the great absentee
plantations of the Black Belt, the old and decrepit were shamefully
treated and neglected. The breaking up of families in slavery by sale
and during the war and Reconstruction times, greatly aggravated the
sufferings of the old, while the loosened family ties, due to the slave
system, left in post-bellum times numbers of neglected old folk. Even
loose family ties, however, were not able to overcome the native Afri¬
can reverence for parents, and before the war began Old Folk's Homes
for Negroes had begun to be established, some by Negroes themselves,
others by their friends.
The chief Homes now existing are noted below:
The Women's Twentieth Century Club of New Haven, Conn., was organized
March 18,1900, at the residence of Mrs. J.W. Stewart,65 Edgewood, with a mem¬
bership of nineteen.
At first we met for the study of race literature and to become better ac¬
quainted with the history and life-work of our celebrated men and women.
The idea of charitable work was an after consideration.
Some of our members, in making sick calls, had visited the Hannah Gray
Home and our attention had been called to the condition of the same.
Right here it would be well to state that this property, located at 158 Dix-
well avenue, was formerly the home of a colored woman by the name of Miss
Hannah Gray. She died in the early sixties and left the property in the hands
of white trustees for the use of aged colored females. From what we have
been able to learn, it was the first piece of trust property left for a home in
the city. Unfortunately, Miss Gray had little or no money to leave as an
income, to care for the home, and the inmates paid a small sum for the use of
the rooms.
The club in 1903 appointed a committee to wait on Lawyer Henry White, the
only living trustee, and found that the back taxes amounted to two hundred
dollars, and the property would soon be disposed of to pay the same. We
informed Mr. White of our willingness to try to save the property. At our
request three colored trustees were appointed. The back taxes were abated
and by appeals we have been successful in having them abated each year.
Since the club took control we have had the house painted inside and out,
walls and ceilings scraped, wood and coal put in each year, and in many ways
we have been the mainstay of the old ladies.
Since 1903 four of our old friends have died, and the club assumed all respon¬
sibility for burial expenses.
At the present time we have five in the home; two being dependent upon
us. At the holiday season they have been given regular holiday dinners, and
the public schools have at Thanksgiving sent money and vegetables. Through
the kindness of a white friend last year the five enjoyed a Christmas tree and
each received a small gift of money.
For nearly two years we have employed a woman to go to the home daily
and look after things.
66
Efforts for Social Betterment
The club annually elects a board of directors to look after the affairs of the
home and report same to club. Our other officers look after the program, club
business, finances, etc.
We have now a membership of over fifty. We meet weekly and have a
program every Wednesday, except the last in the month; this we devote to
business.
We are now making an appeal for funds for a new building, and have al¬
ready in hand money for a new fence; circulars are out for donation day and
two days' fair, June 2nd and 3rd.—New Haven, Conn.
St. Monica's Home is an old and well-known charity of Boston, Mass., sup¬
ported in part by Negroes.
Home for Aged Men, Springfield, Mass., founded by Primus Mason for all
races (cf. p. 38).
Home of the Aged, New Bedford, Mass.
The idea of having the New Bedford Home for the Aged was planned nearly
twelve years ago by Miss Elizabeth C. Carter, who had been accustomed to
making friendly visits to several aged people in this city, and who was pre¬
viously interested in the Home for Aged People in Brooklyn, N. Y.
In this way she knew many aged ones; knew their needs, sufferings and
joys. Here and there many were being provided for by private bounty. Miss
Carter came in contact with several cases of this kind, and it caused her to
study how something could be done to let the old people really get the benefit
of the money that was being paid regularly for them, yet some of them too
feeble to care for themselves properly.
So, after studying the question from every point of view, she planned the
work, relying upon the co-operation of the persons supporting the old people
to secure a pleasant house, furnish it invitingly, and gather the old people
into it, with the hope of making it in the truest and sweetest sense a home
for them.
The Woman's Loyal Union indorsed the idea and voted to unite their efforts
for the maintenance of the Home. After trying to secure several houses for
the work, the house at the corner of Cedar and Mill streets was secured by
Miss Carter paying one hundred and five dollars of her personal money for
six months' rent in advance, the society at this time having no money in its
treasury.
The members of the union took books and solicited money, furniture and
groceries, with the result that everything in the house was donated.
The Home was opened to the public March 25,1897, and, like all other char¬
itable work, it has had its "toils and conflicts," but by generous contributions
it has continued. In 1898 a building fund committee was formed. After
remaining in the house at the coiner of Mill and Cedar streets nearly two
years the work was moved to 121 Cedar street, which the society has rented
until moving into its present building. January 14, 1902, the organization
was incorporated under the general laws of the State of Massachusetts. In
December of the same year the first large gift—$500, which was continued
until last year—was received from a friend for the current expenses.
In 1904 one thousand dollars was received from the estate of Robert C. Bil¬
lings, of Boston, and the same year land at the corner of Chancery and West
Middle streets purchased. In 1904, by the terms of the will of the late Sarah
E. Potter, ten thousand dollars and a part of the residue of the estate of
Mrs. Potter was left to the Home. It is by this beneficent gift that the pres¬
ent building has been erected. Ground was broken in August, 1907, during
Old Folk's Homes
67
Old Home Week. The estimated cost of the building was $8,625, but with some
necessary additions the building has cost $9,000. It contains twenty-one
rooms. The furnishing cost between one and two thousand dollars, all of
which is paid for at present. They have invested in stock $11,780, in bonds
$12,951.68, cash $8,895.06; total amount, $33,626.74.
The future efforts of the management will be to secure funds for the current
expenses; also an endowment fund, so that the work may become self-sup-
porting.
During the work of eleven years nearly all of the charitable organizations
of the city, also several churches as well as individuals, have assisted in some
way.
Home for Aged Colored Women, Providence, R. I.
The Lincoln Hospital and Home, New York, N. Y., is an old charity sup¬
ported by whites mainly. Cares for old people.
Home for the Aged, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Home for Aged and Incurable, Atlantic City, N. J.
Dr. Fayerman, seeing the need of such an institution occasioned by the
peculiar conditions of Atlantic City, some years ago worked very hard for
the establishment of it. As most of the cottagers there fill their houses with
lodgers, a sick person, or aged one, would necessarily receive scant attention.
Colored Aged Home Association, Irvington, N. J.:
This Home was opened in 1895 at Coe's Place, Newark, where we paid rent
for ten years. The association then thought it time for them to buy a place,
so we moved to Ivington in 1805. We have a nice place which cost $4,500. We
paid down $2,000, and are now in the building and loan association and pay
$32 a month and we are doing the best we can. Since we opened we have had
about 42 inmates, and would have had more if we could have taken them for
nothing, but you know it takes money to run a place of this kind. In such a
work the laborers are few, still we are doing the best we can and at the last
meeting twenty-five names were enrolled, which means something. We have
very little income. There are fifteen inmates now.
Annual Report for Year ending; December 31,1908
RECEIPTS
Agents
Churches
Donations
Admission fees
Societies
Entertainments
Received by the Matron
Joining fees
$ 760 70
104 60
33 75
400 00
40 00
121 49
48 94
15 00
Total
.$1,524 48
Drawn from Bank.
234 00
$1,759 48
68
Efforts for Social Betterment
DISBURSEMENTS
Matrons $ 324 00
Insurance 60 00
Butcher 240 00
Gas 7 82
Water 21 27
Telephone 5 62
Coal 147 50
Extra help ' 21 00
Plumber 37 08
Building and Loan Association 384 00
Dry Goods 8 25
Furniture 15 00
Groceries 211 00
Incidentals 66 16
Percentage to agents 167 25
Stationery and printing 8 00
Doctors 30 00
Total $1,753 90
Balance in hand 5 50
' Balance in Bank to date 234 00
Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Persons, Philadelphia, Pa., was founded
by Stephen Smith and organized September 14,1864. The Home has sheltered
seven hundred and seventy inmates and had, in 1908, one hundred and forty
inmates. The income from the estate of Smith amounts to about $3,760 an¬
nually, representing a capital of nearly $100,000. The total income is $21,000
and the property is worth $400,000. The home is controlled by twenty-eight
trustees, of whom five are colored.
Home for Aged Colored Men and Women, Philadelphia, Pa.
Colored Masonic Home and Orphanage, Linglestown, Pa.
The Grand Lodge of Colored Free and Accepted Masons of this State has
recently formed a corporation known as the "Trustees of the Colored Masonic
Home and Orphanage of Pennsylvania," and has purchased near Lingles¬
town, nine miles from Harrisburg, a farm of some sixty or more acres for
which they paid $4,500.
The purpose of this corporation and the farm which they have purchased, is
to maintain a home for aged and indigent Masons, their widows and orphans.
Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Women, Pittsburgh, Pa., is "said to be
the best in the country conducted entirely by our people."
The Sarah Ann White Home, Wilmington, Del.
The will of Sarah Ann White said:
"I give, devise and bequeath to the Rev. Edward H. Chippey in trust for a
home for the colored aged women, all of my property of whatever kind, real,
or personal, or mixed, wherever it may be found, and that as soon as an insti¬
tution is incorporated that he may make over said property to the incorpo¬
ration to be theirs and their successors so long as they shall continue to carry
out this, my last will and testament.
"It is my desire that the Rev. Edward H. Chippey shall organize an associa¬
tion to be known by the name and title of the Sarah A.White Association, com¬
posed of male members and female members, with a Board of not less than
five Trustees nor more than seven male members of African descent, said
members shall compose the incorporation (corporators)."
Old Folk's Homes
69
The faithful adherence by the executor and the Association to the program
laid down by this public-spirited woman was the occasion of constant remark
on the day the Annex was dedicated. The failure on the part of the heirs
after a long contest to break the will left the executor and his associates free
to develop the provisions of the "trust."
May 4th, 1896, found the institution incorporated under the name of the
Sarah Ann White Home for the Aged and Infirm Colored Persons, and con¬
ducting a Home in the old homestead house, which soon became crowded and
necessitated the building of the annex at a cost of four thousand dollars com¬
pleted with modern improvements.
The corporation is absolutely without endowment, and receiving no aid
from the State; these facts are eloquent evidence of the magnitude of the
struggle which has maintained this institution, housing, feeding, clothing,
nursing, and providing for the many wants of as many as twenty old people
at a time, with recourse to nothing but public charity. It is this condition
of things which impels us to new endeavor to pay off the mortgage and lay
the basis of permanent endowment.
Aged Men and Women's Home (Lee street), Baltimore, Md. Property $3,000.
Inmates, 16. State aid, $250.
Bethel Old Folk's Home, Baltimore, Md. Property, $10,000. Inmates, 16.
The Stoddard Baptist Home, District of Columbia.
Some ten or twelve years ago Mrs. Maria Stoddard, a white woman, saw fit
to set apart a small portion of ground in a very fashionable part of Washing¬
ton, D. C., for a Baptist Home. But the gift was accompanied with conditions
and limitations, which caused it to be of little service for a long while. Then
the city cut off a portion of the lot to widen and improve a public street. This
so reduced the size of the place that it was too small for such a home as the
Baptists of the District of Columbia desired to have. Moreover, the heirs of
Mrs. Stoddard came forward at this juncture and claimed both the money,
which the District was about to pay for what it had taken for public use, and
the remainder of the property. Consequently, the matter was thrown into
court, and the heirs agreed with the trustees of the property, the court con¬
senting, to sell the property, then divide all money coming from the disposi¬
tion of any and all parts of the gift as follows, after deducting all legal and
court expenses: to the heirs of Mrs. Stoddard 40%, to trustees of the Home 60%.
It was further provided, that the trustees of the Home should invest their
portion of the money in property elsewhere, for a Baptist Home, and so carry
out the desire and intention of Mrs. Maria Stoddard in making the gift. Ac¬
cordingly a tract of land, consisting of four and a half acres with a ten-room
house on the same, was purchased about May 20,1901, and a few months later
put in proper condition and opened to Baptist ministers, their widows and
orphans, and such other persons as the trustees see fit to admit. June 15,1901,
five and a half acres more were purchased by the trustees of the Baptist
Home, giving them in all a total of ten acres. For this addition the sum of
$2,750 was paid.
The Home is the property of the Baptist Ministers' Union of the District of
Columbia, and is held in trust for the purpose and persons to which it is set
apart by fifteen trustees who are appointed by the Baptist Ministers' Union
of the District of Columbia.
The institution is situated on Hamilton Road, in the southeastern section of
District of Columbia. At present there are ten inmates in the Home, four men
and six women.
70
Efforts for Social Betterment
The management of the Home is in the hands of a body of women, consist¬
ing of ten delegates from each Baptist church in the District of Columbia and
vicinity.
The property of the Home is free of debt, but the struggle to maintain the
Home in a becoming manner and pay the expenses of every kind arising
from its care, gives the management daily concern. It requires about one
hundred and ten dollars monthly to meet all the requirements of the Home
and its management.
I am not in a position to give you any exact statement as to the amount of
money which has been raised for the Home since it began. The truth is we
are mere learners in the conduct of work of this kind. The churches have
their special work of many kinds, and are slow to take hold of this, but the
future is sure, under God.
Old Folk's Home, Richmond, "Va. Conducted by the Afro-American Eman¬
cipation Association.
Negro Baptists' Old Folk's Home, Richmond, Va.
The Negro Baptist Old Folk's Home, West Baker street, is the property of
the Negro Baptist churches of Richmond and vicinity, and supported by the
same with the aid of white and colored friends. Rev. R. V. Peyton is president
and his church does much for its support.
Old Folk's Home, Westham, "Va.
At Westham, Ya., the True Reformers support not only a home for the aged
but also one for the orphans. This institution is in excellent condition and
the inmates, old and young, are being taken from all parts of the country.
Old Folk's Home, Portsmouth, "Va.
The Old Folk's Home at Portsmouth is about four years old. It is supported
entirely by Negroes. It was their first intention to locate the home in the
suburbs of the city, where they purchased two acres of land. Since then they
purchased a plot in the city at a cost of $4,000. At present there are no in¬
mates, as the promoters want to get the home paid for before they admit any.
Old Folk's Home, Hampton, "Va.
The Old Folk's Home at Hampton is a very interesting institution. It was
organized in May, 1897, under the auspices of a society of women called
"Tents." The head of the Order was the first to suggest that the Order have
a home where the orphan children and the disabled sisters of the Tents might
be cared for. She gave the ground and the sisters gave what they could to
build and furnish the home.
This home is supported by contributions from the sisters, and no sister of
the Order is allowed to solicit aid from the public. Last year it cost a fraction
over $500 to care for the home. Since its organization in 1897 at no time has
anything been bought on credit. This society not only supports its home but
aids in other philanthropic work.
The home is controlled by a board of directors consisting of nine sisters of
the Order. At present there are seven inmates.
Old Folk's Home, Norfolk, "Va.
At Norfolk there is an Old Folk's Home, which was organized in 1894 Up
to the present time it has cared for forty-two persons. Last year the expenses
were $388, one-half of which was contributed by Negroes. At present the
home has but three inmates.
Old Folk's Home, Gloucester, "Va.
There is in Gloucester, "Va., an Old Folk's Home, which was established in
Old Folk's Homes
71
1907. It has twenty acres of land. The main building is not yet completed, but
on June 3,1909, there was a special rally to raise money for its completion. So
far, the home has cofet $890, all of which was raised by the Negro women of
Gloucester county.
Old Folk's Home, Alexandria, Ya.—Non-sectarian and supported by volun¬
tary contributions, with some city aid. There are from six to twelve inmates.
It owns no real estate.
Tent Sisters' Old Folk's Home, Raleigh, N. C.
This is, perhaps, the'.most interesting experiment in the country. The
secretary writes:
A few years ago I opened a school, of .a business nature, but soon realized
the class who really needed aid did not reach that standard. This school 1
closed, and a work has been quietly going on that I know God is well pleased
with, for we daily see His blessings.
By becoming a member of four secret orders—you know the masses like
such—I am in sympathetic touch with a great number, and can visit them
in numbers. Through some of the women's earnest work, about two years
ago we began to fix and fit a home for old people who are in a suffering con¬
dition. Since that time we have had nine inmates. Some of these came from
neighboring towns. We have also had one death. None of these inmates have
given us five cents for expenses.
This work is done through our club known as Tent Sisters in North Carolina.
Two hundred and fifty working women pledge one pound of food a month
and at the least twenty-five cents per year in cash and more when dire neces¬
sity demands.
We borrowed from the building and loan association $200. The donations
to this work are as follows:
Raleigh,N.C.—Furniture, bedding, crockery, clothes, and twenty-five dollars.
Cary, N. C.—Food, clothing, and ten dollars.
Apex, N. C—Food, clothing, and seven dollars.
Holly Spring, N. C.—Food, clothing, and eight dollars.
Willow Spring, N. C.—Food and five dollars.
Durham, N. C.—Nine dollars.
Johnson, N. C.—Three dollars.
Wake Forest, N. C.—Two dollars.
Individuals, thirteen dollars and seventy-five cents; also, we have enter¬
tainments to meet many expenses.
DISBURSEMENTS
Repairs of home
Furniture, etc
Wood for the two years
Heaters
Cook stove
Water, per month
For work in garden
To motherless children
For medicine and burial
Paid on debt of $200
Paid to matron during two years
Paid for washing
Paid for nursing sick
Paid for lights, etc
$300
1300 00
70 00
96 50
4 50
4 00
1 25
1 00
15 00
31 00
113 00
18 50
6 00
4 00
9 60
PRESENT INDEBTEDNESS
On borrowed money
For medicine and burial
$ 87 00
, 20 75
72
Efforts for Social Betterment
The matron has no stated salary, but we are obligated to pay her more for
past services.
Mrs. Lucy Fikes has given her life to this work without a penny from us.
She is a woman who has to earn her bread daily. I, the secretary, being busy
in different working quarters, have no itemized account of everything done
but this will give you an insight of the work.
About one hundred of the two hundred and fifty persons helping are more
than sixty years of age. Some are feeble, yet they help carry on this work
with their means.
One who knows the work but is unconnected with it says:
They are all Negroes. It is run by the poor working class of Negroes; has
no endowment, and the inmates come though they have not a penny to help
them. People make bed clothes for them. They need money to help pay
someone to care for them. They have one wooden building which was once
known as Business School and is owned by Miss Sallie A. Upperman. She
has kindly given it to the people for the purpose of charitable work. She is
trying to help the boys and girls, the women and men, who walk the street
because they do not know how to do what is required of them to make an
honest living. I believe that God will help her. I shall do all I can in this
noble work. She needs encouragement.
The Centenary Church Home of Charleston, S. C., is suppored by a
Negro church.
Ashley River Asylum, Charleston, S. C.:
Is an institution entirely supported by the city government for aged colored
people, male and female. The institution is excellently conducted by very
competent officers (colored) and the inmates receive the best treatment in
food, clothing, and the ordinary comforts of life.
Masonic Home, Columbus, Ga.
Carter's Old Folk's Home, Atlauta, Ga.
Old Folk's Home, Augusta, Ga.
Evergreen Old Folk's Home, Savannah, Ga.:
The Evergreen Old Folk's Home was organized April 7, 1908. I am very
sorry that I am not able to speak of it as I would like, but I am thankful to
the Lord for what He has done and is still doing. It was incorporated May
2,1909.
We have nine inmates and could have had one hundred and nine, but on
account of the way in which we had to provide for them we decided we would
go slowly until we could do better.
Rescue Home for Orphans and Old Folks, Jacksonville, Fla.
The Colored Old Folks and Orphans' Home, of Mobile, Ala., was organized
in 1871. One piece of property was bought and lost, and a second piece bought
for $4,000 cash. It contains two acres of land, wTith fourteen pecan trees. The
college has nine rooms, running water, and $120 a year is earned from pecans
and pears. They have a cow and chickens, and own other real estate.
The Priscilla Brown Mercy Home, Selma, Ala.:
A charitable organization of the city of Selma was organized October
9, 1902, irrespective of denomination. They were at first a committee auxil¬
iary to the U. A. Charity Association which after a few meetings drifted into
obscurity, and the Daughters of Mercy, seeing the good work to be done and
Old Folk's Homes
73
haying already begun, became an incorporated body. The first donation
given was two lots of land nearly paid for by Sister Priscilla Brown, a woman
well known for her good deeds and charitable works, and her devout Chris¬
tian spirit, and for whom our home is named. This band begun by seven
women afterward grew to nine and now to forty-five, all mostly volunteers.
Our meeting days are the second and fourth Thursdays in each month, at
the home of the president. We have now an honorary board of trustees com¬
posed of all of the ministers of the different denominations, and their suc¬
cessors, with Principal R. B. Hudson as chairman. We have not space to
place before the public the many needy poor we have relieved with cloth¬
ing, food, medicine, coal, shoes, books and tuition for orphans, during our
organization. Each year at Thanksgiving the city school children give to us a
great amount of food to be distributed among the poor.
The Priscilla Brown Mercy Home was opened and dedicated last October.
We now have a matron and four inmates in the home. We are, however, pre¬
pared to accommodate comfortably about twelve. Our means are limited, and
one of our rules for entrance is that all persons coming to us must be recom¬
mended by the pastor and officers of some church or officers of some soci¬
ety. Those organizations sending to us inmates partially support them. Our
standard age for receiving persons is sixty years of age and upward.
The house is furnished throughout with single iron beds. The sanitary
conditions are good. The property is valued at $2,500.
Old Folk's Home, Birmingham, Ala.
The Lafon's Home of the Holy Family, New Orleans, La.
The Lafon's Home of the Holy Family, corner Tonti and Hospital streets,
is largely the gift of the late Thorny Lafon, who left over $100,000 for this insti¬
tution. Before he died he also gave them their chapel. This home has 71
inmates and is the home for the old indigents. The city contributes $30 per
month to this home.
The Lafon's Old Folk's Home, New Orleans, La.
The Lafon's Old Folk's Home is operated by the Protestant people. The
late Thorny Lafon left $11,000 and Aristide Marie left $1,000 for this home. The
city contributes $120 towards the support of this institution. For maintenance
the institution depends almost wholly upon the colored Methodist and Con¬
gregational churches of this city. It has on an average about 25 to 30 inmates,
both male and female, old indigents.
The Widow's Faith Home for Colored Destitutes, New Orleans, La.
The Faith Home, corner Robert and Pitt streets, is maintained and oper¬
ated by the colored Baptist churches of this city, and is also aided to a small
extent by the city. It is now taking care of 18 colored women, some of whom
are over a hundred years old.
The Liner's Harvest Home, New Orleans, La.
The Liner's Harvest Home is for men, women and children. It was estab¬
lished over twenty years ago by the late Edward Liner, who gave the lots
and building. The institution is in charge of Mrs. Fanny Taylor, who is aided
by an organization of charitably disposed colored persons. There are now 16
inmates, five of whom are men, six women and five children. It depends
entirely upon subscriptions for its maintenance and support. The property is
valued at $6,000.
Woman's Home Mission Society Home, Baton Rouge, La. Con¬
ducted by Baptist women.
74
Efforts for Social Betterment
M. W. Gibbs Colored Old Ladies' Home, Little Rock, Ark.
Our work at present is the furnishing of one room at the Old Ladies' Home.
A new building is being erected by the citizens of our city, and the different
clubs are furnishing it. The site for the building was given by Judge M. W.
Gibbs, and the home is named for him.
St. James Old Folk's Home, Louisville, Ky.
The St. James Old Folk's Home was founded in 1887, or thereabouts; flour¬
ished a few years, got on the toboggan and. went to the bottom in 1893. A
younger set, together with two or three of the old managers, reorganized the
Society of St. James and under the leadership of Miss N. L. Frye undertook
the purchase of the present $10,000 property at a set-up price of $3,500 on a five
years' basis at six per cent. By paying in advance and saving, or discounting
the interest, we bought it for a little more than $2,900. The lot is 200 feet by
200 feet, with a seven-room frame dwelling. We have erected a handsome
little chapel seating about 150 comfortably. There are all necessary out¬
buildings—stables, chicken-houses, etc.
The institution is owned and controlled exclusively by colored people, and
we owe not a cent on it. It is the only institution of its kind in the city that
is strictly and unconditionally owned by colored people.
Widows and Orphans' Home, Jackson, Miss.
Old Ladies and Orphans' Home, Memphis, Tenn.
Old Folks and Orphans' Home, Memphis, Tenn. Property, $15,000.
Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home, Nashville, Tenn.; property,
$7,000.
Old Folks and Orphans' Home, Kansas City, Mo.
About fifteen years ago a colored man, Samuel Eason, undertook to care for
a number of aged people in a frame dwelling at 1308 Vine street. This was
the beginning of what is now known as the Old Folks and Orphans' Home in
Kansas City, Mo.
Mr. Eason was soon assisted by some good women from the different
churches, a number joining them after a charter was obtained in 1896.
As time went on Mr. Eason withdrew from the association, which was com¬
posed of women assisted by seven trustees.
A building with a lot of fifty feet was purchased at 2446 Michigan avenue
where the present home is yet located. The cost, which was $2,500, was paid
by the efforts of the association and the Codaya Circle (a literary club).
A building permit has just been granted to the association to erect a $4,000
home on the present site. The association has been enabled to do this by the
generosity of Mr. T. Benoist, who left to the Old Folk's Home Association
$4,000 in his will.
The old building will be pushed to the rear of the lot and the new home of
brick will be erected in front.
The Home is supported entirely by voluntary subscriptions. During the
past two years over forty old people and children have been cared for. Good
homes are obtained for the children as fast as possible. Over one thousand
dollars were given to maintain the Home during the past year.
The association is composed of fifty influential women and seven men
trustees.
The erection of the new Home will double the capacity of the present quar¬
ters.
Old Folk's Homes
75
Old Folk's Home, St. Louis, Mo. Maintained by the Central Baptist
Church.
Old Folk's Home, St. Louis, Mo. Maintained by the Wednesday Af¬
ternoon Serving Club.
Taborian Home for Aged and Indigent Members, Topeka, Kan. For
members of the Knights of Tabor, a secret organization.
Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People, Chicago, 111.
Probably no institution in Chicago is more entitled to the consideration of
the charitably inclined than is the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Peo¬
ple, now located at No. 610 Garfield Boulevard (West Fifty-Fifth street).
These old people, from no fault of their own, were forced to spend the best
years of their lives in the service of others, deprived of the right to make a
home for themselves, or to provide for the coming of old age and infirmities.
Bred in ignorance and reared in oppression, it is but a common act of human¬
ity that they be allowed to spend their declining years in an atmosphere more
hospitable and congenial than is usually accorded in a county alms-house.
Several years ago the present superintendent, Mrs. Gabriella Smith, gath¬
ered together several of these homeless old people and, at great personal sac¬
rifice, cared for them as best she could. She succeeded in interesting a number
of her race in the work to the end that on the second day of April, 1898, an
association bearing the name as above was incorporated and the home per¬
manently established.
The first to come to the assistance of the Home in a substantial way was
Mrs. Bena Morrison, to whose splendid philanthropy the organization is
indebted for the gift of the property now occupied as a home, together with
its furnishings; also the piece of property known as No. 620 Fifty-seventh
street, as the nucleus of an endowment fund. She has also made donations
of cash which more fully appear in the treasurer's report. This gracious act
on the part of Mrs. Morrison has made it possible to comfortably house and
provide for fifteen old men and women during the past pear.
The secretary's report gives a list of other donations received by the home
for which the board of directors desire to make acknowledgement.
Too much can not be said concerning the economical management of the
Home during the recent year. The report of the treasurer shows that $1,147.95
passed through his hands and that the deficit for the year amounts to $61.52.
While this does not include donations of food, etc., yet it is remarkable that
so much could be done for so little money.
The superintendent, Mrs. Gabriella Smith, served the year without any
compensation whatever; such heroic self-sacrifice is rare, and while the
board of directors make grateful acknowledgement, they can but feel humil¬
iated ; such sacrifices should not be demanded of her, nor is it fair to accept
them. She is a working-woman, with no means other than what she daily
earns.
The Volunteer Workers for this home were organized in 1904 and give
an annual bazaar. They have installed a steam-heating plant, and
raised $1,000 in 1909.
Lincoln Old Folks and Orphans' Home, Springfield, 111.
Green Memorial Home for the Aged and Infirm, Evansville, Ind.
It is yet in its infancy, but promises to be of much benefit to those whom it
is intended to help.
76
Efforts for Social Betterment
Alpha Home Association, Indianapolis, Ind. For aged colored people.
Phillis Wheatley Home, Detroit, Mich.
The Labor of Love Circle was organized on February 26,1907, and confirmed
March 5,1907. Its main work is in the interests of a charity and maintenance
of the inmates of The Phillis Wheatley Home, an organization for old and
infirm colored ladies.
The value of real estate on which the Phillis Wheatley Home is located is
estimated at $7,000, and accommodates twelve inmates, and is always taxed to
its capacity.
Home for Aged Colored People, Cleveland, O.
Mrs. Eliza Bryant, one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens
(now deceased), was impressed with the thought of establishing a home for
worthy aged colored people of this city. In July, 1893, Mrs. Bryant expressed
the thought to a few friends, and this led to a call through the colored churches
to women to meet for the purpose of forming an organization to devise plans
for the accomplishment of the work. At a preliminary meeting nothing
more was done than to get the work before the people. After a few meetings
the women formed themselves into a permanent organization, the condition
of membership being the payment of one dollar each year.
The work moved on encouragingly the first year, and at the expiration of
two years, by means of membership fees, socials and entertainments the
faithful few in the organization had in the bank $407.85. A constitution
and by-laws were adopted and the home was incorporated under the name
of "The Cleveland Home for Aged Colored People," September 1,1896.
After these two years of earnest work and much sacrifice on the part of the
few that faithfully stood by the work of establishing the home, a small but
comfortable structure was opened for inspection and reception September 2,
1897, at 284 Giddings avenue. The attendance was large and the daily papers
commented favorably upon the project. The original cost of the Giddings
avenue home was $2,000. September 9, 1896, the first payment of $400 was
made, leaving a balance of $1,600 to be paid in five notes.
Through the efforts of Mr. Welcome T. Blue, the property at 186 Osborn
street, containing eleven rooms and all improvements, was purchased. One
thousand dollars was paid on this property as a down payment and the house
thoroughly renovated in hope that the inmates might eat their Thanksgiving
dinner at their new home. But this was not to be, for on Monday morning,
November 25,1901, the house was burned by an incendiary. This was a dread¬
ful blow, but the earnest workers had the Home rebuilt and in such a manner
as to make it more suitable for an institution of its kind, and the inmates were
moved into it the first week of March, 1902.
Mrs. Mina Harris, present secretary of the Home, gives the following
statement of the year ending 1907. Total money received from the Men's
Auxiliary, Board of Lady Managers, donation, entertainments and dues
$759.44, from Admission Committee $450.00, making a total of $1,209.44. Total
expenditures $844.57, leaving a balance at the beginning of 1908, $364.87. The
report for 1908 up to September 1st, is as follows: Received from all sources
$768.74, total amount on hand $1,133.61; total expenditures $969.92, leaving a
balance in treasury September 1,1908, of $163.69.
Old Folk's Home, Columbus, O.
Crawford's Old Folk's Home, Cincinnati, O. Property, $25,000.
Home for Aged Colored Women, Cincinnati, O.
Orphanages
77
Iowa Home for Aged and Orphans, Des Moines, la.
Home for Destitute Children and Aged Persons, San Antonio, Texas.
Beside the 61 homes mentioned above there are many others, while
numbers are being started, as, e. g., in Anniston, Ala. :
The colored women have started a fund to build a home for old women and
orphaned children. Quite a good deal has been collected. They hope to start
this home very soon.
These efforts are of all degrees of efficiency and betterment, and
receive considerable contribution from whites.
Section 12. Orphanages. Next to homes for the aged the Negroes
have felt the need of orphanages and refuges for children. Of the
homes mentioned above many also receive children, notably those
at New Orleans, La., Kansas City, Mo., Springfield, 111., Des Moines, la.,
San Antonio, Tex., Jackson, Miss., Memphis, Tenn., Jacksonville, Fla.,
and Linglestown, Pa.
The care of destitute children of freedmen and refugees especially
appeals to the white friends of the Negroes. In cities like New York
and Philadelphia there were, before the war, many such charities.
Numbers of these still survive, especially in Philadelphia.
The Home for Destitute Colored Children, 541 Berks street, was
founded in 1855 and has forty young children.
The Shelter for Colored Orphans, Forty-fourth and Wallace streets,
was founded about 1836 and has eighty-four children.
Each institution appears very cold and business-like, and seems to
regard their chief function to be the training of servants. One report
says:
Besides our usual visiting we have full written reports during the winter
from the families in which our children are placed and thus keep in touch
at all times with their welfare. It is always interesting to watch the devel¬
opment of the children, and we are often surprised to see how useful and
dependable they become. There is an old saying: "Good mistress—good
maid," and it is often so with these children, when they have conscien¬
tious, painstaking caretakers the children grow naturally into good
habits.
Other institutions, like the House of the Holy Child, seem a little
more human:
The object of this House is to provide a happy Christian home, permanent
or temporary, for Colored Children of any age, who have been deprived by
death, sickness or other adversity of a home with their relations. The House
has the sanction of the Bishop of the Diocese, but has no connection with
any parish, no endowment, no wealthy patron, and therefore asks for gifts,
large or small, from any one who pities little children suffering for want
of care.
Next come a class of orphanages supported by the devotion of single
individuals who conduct them and solicit funds. One such institution
is the Leonard Street Home, Atlanta, Ga., conducted by one frail
78
Efforts for Social Betterment
English woman, and conducted not like a charity but like a loving
human home.
The Home was founded in April, 1890, and chartered September, 1890.
Our three buildings were once used as barracks for soldiers, later for dor¬
mitories at Spelman Seminary. For the last nineteen years they have served
as a home for needy children.
As our work is undenominational and without the help of any organiza¬
tion, we are dependent on donations from Christian people. Last year $1,596.18
was received in this way, the rest of the support coming from the relatives
of the children who, when it is possible, pay four and a half dollars per month
for board, but of our present family of fifty-five (55), ten (10) are paying this
full amount. Fifteen are paying half, and twenty-four (24) are entirely
dependent on the home, while six (6) large girls are working full time for
board and tuition. We are very anxious to increase the spirit of "self-help,"
and therefore do not wish to relieve any relative of responsibility by having
them legally bind their children to the Home, though the Home does have
legal claim to deserted children.
Colored workers took up such homes first as agents of philanthro¬
pists, as are these two cases:
Laing Orphans' Home for Colored Children is located at Mt. Pleasant, S. C.
(a suburban town of Charleston). This institution is under the charge of
Miss A. Munes, who also has charge of the public school of the town. This
institution is supported largely by a Society of Friends in the North.
In Richmond, Va.:
The Friends' Orphan Asylum was a gift of the Friends to the colored
people. Some money was left to it by a white friend and it is in very good
condition. It is supported by the colored churches here, aided by the gen¬
erous gifts of white merchants and friends.
Gradually there has arisen with the Negro race the call and work
of this sort. The woman who founded the Tent Sisters' Home in
Raleigh, N. C., writes:
A place is needed to protect the children. Oh, that you could see the con¬
dition of social affairs here in the State.
I am in close touch with four little girls, ages from ten to thirteen, from
homes where the helping hand is necessary. I have them interested in
music, so they gladly come within my reach, and I have been repaid for my
effort.
Another girl about eighteen is living in our home as one of our family, and
her interest is now aroused for an education.
Somebody must do this great work. The respect and confidence of the
street urchins and of individuals of the different classes have been gained, but
some place to gather them in and with interesting work lead them to be true
and honest men and women should be provided.
I have not yet been permitted to personally speak with those who can and
will do great things for us financially, "But think on me when it shall be well
with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me and make mention of me
unto Pharaoh [your wealthy and generous friends] and bring me out of this
house."
Some of the promoters entering the field to do this work have been
doubtful characters. In one Western city, for instance, is "another
Orphanages
79
small orphans' home, managed by a man named . It is small—
has about a dozen children—is supported by 'prayers and subscrip¬
tions.' Through the efforts of this man (many have no confidence in
his honesty) the condition of the little waifs that he finds is improved,
even if he does get his own living by the subscriptions.,,?
Other men succeed in getting State aid, and develop great executive
ability. For instance, in Charleston:
The Orphan Aid Society was organized by Rev. D. J. Jenkins, December
16,1891, for the purpose of establishing an orphan house for colored orphan
children. However, this was the first step in the great philanthropic work
to be organized and operated by individual efforts of the African race. The
object is to maintain and educate the orphan and destitute children of the
coloied race. This work began with four children. From January 4,1892, to
May 1, 1896, we had on the roll five hundred and thirty-six children, eight
teachers and two laborers. A farm of one hundred acres of land was given
to the society by Deacon JosephWild, of the Greenwood Baptist Church,Brook¬
lyn, N.Y., for the purpose of training the children in the industrial line as well
as educational.
The gift brought to the mind of the Orphanage Man the idea of establishing
a reformatory for little orphan and destitute boys who are convicted in the
Police Court for menial offences. The work has grown rapidly. The Judge
of the Recorder's Court has been very favorably impressed with the work
and has been a very staunch friend to it from its incipiency. The City Council
has been very much impressed with the work of the Jenkins' Orphanage and
Industrial School for Colored Children; their interest is manifested by what
they appropriate annually. They appropriated $200 in 1897; $250 in 1898; $300
in 1899; $300 in 1900; $300 in 1901; $500 in 1902; $500 in 1903; $500 in 1904; $1,000 in
1905; $1,000 in 1906; $1,000 in 1907.
A similar case is that of Amanda Smith, a notable character.
The Amanda Smith Industrial Orphan Home.
The 4above named industrial home has been founded by Mrs. Amada Smith
for the purpose of caring for colored children who, by death of parents, or
otherwise, have been left without homes or natural protectors.
Her plan is to keep the children in this Home only until they can be suit¬
ably provided for in permanent homes elsewhere.
There are at the present time thirty-one boys and girls in the Home, and
since it was opened in 1899 sixty have been received and cared for. Several
of those who have been trained here are now employed in household work.
The Home is located at Harvey, about twenty miles south of Chicago, on the
line of the Illinois Central Railroad.
The property consists of eight lots of ground, 25 by 100 feet each, in Har¬
vey, on which the buildings stand, leaving sufficient space for playground,
garden, etc.
The founder, Mrs. Amanda Smith, is a widely-known colored evangelist
whose history is, in several respects, remarkable.
She was born in slavery but, while she was yet a young girl, her father by
hard work and self-denying economy was able to purchase his own freedom
and that of his wife and children. Amanda's educational advantages were
very meager, consisting of only three months' schooling. She was converted
in 1856 and some twelve years later she began work as an evangelist. Her
success from the beginning was marvelous. Everywhere crowds attended
80
Efforts for Social Betterment
her services, sinners were converted and believers were led into a deeper
experience of the things of God.
Her labors were not confined to America, but extended to England, India
and Africa. Wherever she went God signally blessed her work, as thousands
of witnesses can testify.
She is now sixty-six years of age and can not reasonably expect to continue
many years more in active service. This Home is the object to which she is
devoting the closing years of her unselfish life. It is her ambition and earnest
desire to place it on a permanent basis of support before she dies.
Pinanclal Statement
ENDOWMENT FUND
Amount received to May 1, 1903 $8,140 77
Lot, gift of McFadden 400 00
Rent of house on Desplaines street. 72 00
$3,612 77
EXPENDITURES
Cost of lots 17,18,19 and 24 $ 699 63
Cost of two Homes 1,800 00
Assessments, insurance, etc 325 10
Total expenditures $2,824 73
Balance on hand $ 788 04
Current Expense Account
RECEIPTS EXPENSES
Cash donations from July, 1901, Printing to June, 1903 $ 988 68
to June, 1903 $2,993 92 Postage (domestic and foreign). 134 05
From the "Helper" to June, 1903. 1,298 50 Publishing book 378 39
" Children's board 454 75 Repairs on property 1,608 84
" Sale of book 132 39 Furnace, etc 82 75
„ . , , . . House exp., fuel, laundry, etc 1,624 95
Total cash receipts $4,879 56 J' ' J' '
Shoes and dry goods 68 64
Incidentals—express, freight,etc. 657 88
Deficit $ 664 12 Total expenses $5,543 68
Another case is the Louise Juvenile Home of Chicago. Its founder
and manager, Elizabeth McDonald, writes:
For fifteen years I have been engaged in the rescue work, in this State and
in other States. In the North as far as Minnesota, west as far as Omaha,
Neb., and east as far as New York, and to the southern extremity of Illinois.
Seeing that in the prisons the larger majority were colored according to
population; knowing that we have always had prisons and dungeons, and
people have been burned at the stake and have been hanged by the neck and
nothing seemingly to have done any good in regards to reforming one that
has fallen, experience in my rescue work has taught me that it would be
easier to prevent crime than it is to reform hardened criminals. So after
serious and prayerful study to Almighty God I was convinced that a Chris¬
tian Home for the training, both spiritually and temporally, was needed. So
on October 3, 1907, we established the Louise Juvenile Home for dependent
and neglected children in my own private home, in which we care for fifty-six
children and two mothers, through the assistance of a very grand young
woman by the name of Miss Elizabeth Scott, a student of Walden Univer¬
sity, giving her entire assistance as matron free. She has really been the
Orphanages
81
only help that we have had. She also taught school in the common schools
of Kentucky and is worthy of support, but our institution being a charitable
one we are unable to give her any salary.
Our first anniversary was held last October, and then we were able to show
to our friends what we had accomplished in one year's time. This is what we
had done: purchased an eleven-room house costing $2,400, and by renting the
upper flat we were able to occupy the lower flat and furnish it up nicely for
our work.
Our Home is industrial. The children are taught washing, ironing, cook¬
ing, sewing (such as plain sewing), embroidering, hemstitching, etc.
The children attend the public school, which is two blocks from the Home.
We hope to have very soon all the material that it takes to train the chil¬
dren. We have girls and boys. The boys are not over twelve years of age.
I am a member of the Institutional Church, and have been a probation
officer of the Juvenile Court ten years; giving my time and labor free of
charge among my people; also Evangelist of the A. M. E. Church and of the
Iowa Conference for the past eleven years.
Our work was supposed to be supported by charitable donations, but we
have failed absolutely along that line, and the most support we have is my
lecturing and evangelistic work, with a few exceptions; the parents pay $1.00
to $1.50 and $2.00 for their children, sometimes.
The North Georgia Industrial Orphanage has this story; the
founder says:
I came here from Atlanta as pastor of the B Street Baptist Church June
1,1907, and being insisted on by some of our members who had tried, we set
to work, and on September 19, 1907, effected an organization in an old two-
room house which the city had used for a schoolhouse which we secured free
of charge. We soon found a larger house of nine rooms at 303 Blossom Hill.
Here we had a fire which did us thirty or forty dollars damage. Finding that
we did not have room enough we bought two acres out near the Calhoun
road, and are now erecting a cottage where we hope the Lord will help us to
finish our work. The best colored people are with us, and our property will
aggregate when finished about eight hundred dollars. Our work is strictly
industrial.
We moved into the new home on the 22d of March, 1909, and although we
have had some very rough nights the Lord has helped us. We depend abso¬
lutely on charity. We are still in need, but believe and trust help will come
to us.
Mrs. gave us a goat, and we have a pig and some chickens.
We hope to teach cooking, sewing, and other things that will be necessary
for life, that they m#y be the people sought after, and we anticipate a splen¬
did future.
The Weaver Orphan Home for Colored Children, at Hampton,Va.:
Was opened for the reception of children in June, 1904. It is managed and
controlled by Mr. W. B. Weaver, his wife and another helper. At present
there are thirty-nine children in the home. It costs $1,500 a year to support
the home, including clothing. The colored people give two-thirds of the
money and about nine-tenths of the donated groceries.
82
Efforts for Social Betterment
dash receipts for 1905..
Donations for 1906
Received from parents.
Sales of articles
Miscellaneous
$ 947 50
$ 643 14
287 00
14 12
28 50 952 76
Total
$1,900 26
Perhaps the most interesting of all this class of orphanages is the
Reed Home and School, Covington, Ga.:
I was among the first pupils at Knox Institute. As soon as I was old enough
to know and understand what slavery meant to my people it was a great
grievance to me. The non-freedom of speech was one of the first awakenings
of my mind to the fetters of bondage. My mother and her sister were owned
by different masters, and when they visited each other I noticed they con¬
versed in whispered tones; and even after the war-whoop was hushed, "the
river crossed" (meaning freedom in their unwritten language), the sunlight
of liberty shone in our home, around our own fireside, the two devoted sisters
still whispered; the habit had become so fixed that it was as unbreakable as
a cable, and I often wept when I heard them, for I knew that freedom in its
true sense could never be realized by them. In 1868 we moved to Atlanta, Ga,
I attended Storr's School. From there I went to Atlanta University and
graduated from the normal course in 1883. While a student at Atlanta Uni¬
versity I taught school during my vacation, in the rural districts, and there
got an insight of the general needs of my people. These experiences I re¬
ceived while teaching helped much in fixing my purpose in life. 1 grew more
anxious to finish my course in school that I might go out and be of some serv¬
ice to my people. The thing that most inclined my heart and made me more
determined than ever before was something that I saw while a student at
Atlanta University. I could not, if I should try to, explain this scene, for
there are no words to express my sad feeling that day.
There is a street cut through the campus of the Atlanta University and a
bridge across this street was being dug out by chain-gang hands. One cold, icy
morning I was crossing the bridge and heard a pitiful scream below. I looked
down and there stood a poor little boy of about nine or ten years old, with the
lash being applied to his back. There was no one to say a word of comfort to
this dear little fellow. It pressed my heart and caused me to weep bitterly
in classroom. When school was dismissed I hastened to my room, for I didn't
want to see any one. I at once pleaded with the Lord and asked him for
strength to complete my course, that I might go out to save at least one boy
from the chain-gang. I soon felt the comforter and went about my school
duties as before.
In July, 1883,1 began teaching school in Covington, Ga. The school term
at that time was only three months, from July to October. I closed school
the last week in September, as most of the children had to help pick cotton.
The first of November I opened private school and taught through the win¬
ter. In June, 1884,1 set up housekeeping for the purpose of caring for one
little girl. I made most of my furniture of dry goods boxes, and now and
then a friend gave me a plate, a cup and saucer or some little piece necessary
for housekeeping, and we did our cooking in ovens and frying-pans on the
fireplace, as we had no stove. I set up housekeeping in one room, and lived
in this room until there were five little ones in the family. I then moved
where we could have two rooms and lived there until there were eleven in
the family. I then bought a place in 1887 on which stood an old log cabin of
84
Efforts for Social Betterment
three rooms. In 1891 the family numbered fifteen and a friend, Mrs. H. C.
Reed, from whom comes the name of the Home, gave a thousand dollars.
This, with the aid of others, enabled us to have a building of ten rooms. This
building is now so crowded that we haven't a spare room for the sick when
such is our lot. My salary for teaching was not sufficient to support the
work, so I had a farmer to teach me how to hoe cotton, so that I could have
something for the children to do to help themselves, and at the same time
have them do the kind of work so that I could be with them while at work.
In the spring we all went out to work in the field and earned all we could
toward our own support; in the fall we picked cotton. This, with the aid of
friends, helped much. Three years ago we finished paying for a hundred
acres of land. On this place we hope to permanently settle the home.
At the beginning I only took girls, but now I have a large number of boys
as well as girls. It makes the work doubly hard, but the boys must be cared
for. We need men in the race, and it is very necessary that we take greater
interest in the boys than we have before, so that there shall be better homes
and better citizens. When I took the first boy into the family I felt now I had
kept my agreement with the Lord. The boys are a great help, too, for they
do all of the farm work.
Our school is not kept up by the county, State, or any educational fund, and
we have to depend on our farm for our main support. We also help other
planters gather in their crops, and during the months of September and Octo¬
ber we are more than busy in this way, picking cotton and doing other things
every day except Saturday, when we work for ourselves. The children seem
to realize that this outside work is teaching them how to do for themselves
hence they are very diligent little workers.
Since 1905, however, we have purchased 75 acres of land, four mules, two
oxen, a brick machine, and we are buying a sawmill, paying for it with money
we earn by sawing timber. We make brick, saw lumber from our land, and
farm.
The Home owns at present:
175 acres of land $6,125 00
Four mules 475 00
Two oxen 80 00
Three wagons.. 115 00
Farming implements 75 00
House and lot in town 2,000 00
Library 500 00
Household furniture 500 00
Total $9,870 00
At presient there are forty children in the Home.
In case a strong character like this dies the work is apt to suffer, as
in the case of the Garred Orphanage, Columbia, S. C.
The Orphanage is a poor, struggling institution. During the life of its
founder it did very well; but since her death it has been in very bad shape.
Out of these which we might call personal homes have grown the
institutional orphanages conducted by boards, trustees, etc. One of
the best is in Lexington, Ky. This institution is sixteen years old and
shelters thirty to forty inmates. The children attend school and are
taught sewing, cooking, blacksmithing, shoemaking, laundering, chair-
bottoming, etc. Their income in 1908 was $7,826.
Orphanages
85
In New Castle, Pa., is a Home for Destitute Negro Children supported
by the State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
The Colored Orphan Home of Western North Carolina has thirty-five
children, and is controlled by eight colored directors.
The Dickson Colored Orphanage of Gilmer, Texas, is partly a State
institution and partly supported by colored people. It is said to be
doing an "admirable work."
In New Orleans are several Shelters, mostly due to the munificence
of the Negro philanthropist, Lafon.
The Waifs' Home.—The Waifs' Home is located on City Park avenue and
Conti street. It has been in operation for about seven years. It is under the
general supervision of the Louisiana Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Chil¬
dren ; and the City of New Orleans, through the above-named organization,
maintains it. This Home is for boys only, who are sent here by the Juvenile
Court for petty offenses. The institution is in charge of Mr. and Mrs. J. G.
Jones, two very estimable Christian persons, who are doing their best to
reform the boys in their charge. The City of New Orleans also provides the
Home with a competent teacher, and Sunday-school instruction is given by
the Catholics as well as the Protestants. At the time I visited the Home there
were 63 boys who were committed therein.
House of Good Shepherd.—The House of Good Shepherd Convent, located
at corner of Bienville and Broad, has 78 girls, nearly two-thirds of whom are
colored. This is a Catholic institution and is in charge of Catholic sisters. The
main buildings were provided for by the Catholic church of this city. How¬
ever, the late Thorny Lafon in his will left $20,000 which was used for the
erection of the Lafon Memorial Building, at a cost of $37,000. The City of New
Orleans contributes $400 a month towards the current expenses. Two hours
are devoted each day to class instruction, and quite a good deal of industrial
work is given. The convent gets its inmates from the Juvenile Court, which
sends the girls here for reformation.
The Frances Joseph Gaudet Home.—The Frances Joseph Gaudet Home is
located out on Gentilly Road, a few miles out in the suburbs of the city. This
reformatory is the result of the self-sacrificing efforts of Mrs. Frances Joseph
Gaudet, our most notable social worker. The property and buildings are the
gifts of philanthropic white citizens of this city. It has a farm and derives
quite a good deal of support in this way. The inmates are both boys and
girls, quite a number of whom are sent here by the Juvenile Court of this
city.
The Lafon's Boys' Asylum—The Lafon's Boys' Asylum was founded by the
late Thorny Lafon, who made several gifts to it during his life. In his will
he left $10,000,which later was increased approximately to $20,000 by Mr. Lafon's
executor. It is located on Gentilly Road on the outskirts of the city, and has
quite a number of inmates, both boys and girls, a large number of whom are
mere babies. It, too, is aided by the city, to a small amount.
St. John Berehmann Asylum for Girls.—The St. John Berchmann Asylum
for Girls is under the care of the Holy Family. It is maintained and operated
by the Catholic Church. The late Thorny Lafon gave over $25,000 to this
asylum. It is located at 717 Orleans street.
Other Negro Orphanages are:
Colored Orphan Asylum, Oxford, N. C.
Masonic Orphans' Home, Bennettsville, N. C.
86
Efforts for Social Betterment
St. Francis Orphan Asylum, Baltimore, Md. Property, $60,000; inmates, 94.
Friends' Orphan Asylum, Richmond, Va.
Georgia Colored Industrial and Orphans' Home, Macon, Ga. Iilmates, 35;
income, $4,350; property, $10,000. New building nearly ready.
General State Reformatory, Macon, Ga.:
RECEIPTS, 1906
Balance $ 291 60
Cash donations from the public 3,425 70
Other donations, value 399 30
Amount of produce raised on farm by in¬
mates 415 00
Total $4,531 60
Masonic Home, Rock Island, 111. Income, $960.
Orphans'Home, Huntington, W. Va. Inmates, 65. The State has been pay¬
ing two teachers. Ten years.
Jenkins Orphanage, Courtland, Va. Seven years.
Shiloh Orphanage, Augusta, Ga.
Orphanage, Austin, Tex.
Colored Orphans' Asylum, Cincinnati, Ohio. Property, $100,000; endowment
fund, $25,000; income, $2,010; inmates, 72; receipts, $3,123.45.
INMATES
Males Females Total
Number remaining May 1,1906...
... 19
16
35
Admitted
... 19
18
37
Placed in homes
5
13
18
2
2
Cared for during year
... 38
34
72
Remaining
... 33
19
52
Total income from Negroes about $300.
Universal Progressive School for Orphans, Baltimore, Md. Property, $1,950;
inmates, 35.
Children's Orphans' Home, Kansas City, Mo. Inmates, 100; expenditures,
$65 per month.
Rescue Home, Kansas City, Mo.
Baptist Orphanage, Baltimore, Md. Inmates, 25.
Orphanage, Richmond, Va.
Gad. S. Johnson's Orphanage, Macon, Ga. Inmates, 25; income, $1,500.
Home for Parentless Children, Petersburg, Va.
Maryland Home for Friendless Children, Baltimore, Md. Property, $2,000;
inmates, 52; State aid, $250.
RECEIPTS
Brought forward from the year 1905 $ 269 47
Loans 850 00
Mortgage 1,950 00
City aid 826 20
State aid 500 00
Sale of property 1,000 00
Legacy ; 97 50
General contributions, etc 648 71
Total $6,141 88
St. Louis Colored Orphans' Home, St. Louis, Mo.
Carrie Steele Orphanage, Atlanta, Ga. Inmates, 97; income, $2,200 ($100 from
Negroes directly; the balance from taxes on both races).
Hospitals
87
Bridges Orphanage, Macon, Ga.
State Protective Home and Mitchell Hospital, Leavenworth, Kansas. In¬
come, $2,320.60 during 1883.
Home for Destitute Children and Aged Persons, San Antonio, Texas.
Inmates, 18.
TWO TEAKS' INCOME
Total amount collected by subscription $ 114 45
Total amount of special donations 120 82
Total amount collected for building purposes 68 55
Total amount from Bexar county and Board of Children. 794 20
Total amount from tables and entertainments 173 16
Total amount collected from railway employees 85 65
Total amount collected from churches 1 19
Total collected for two years $1,564 22
There are other orphanages in Pensacola, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla.,
Bellevue, Fla., Topeka, Kan., St. Louis, Mo. (two), Baltimore, Md.
(three), Louisville, Ky., beside other places.
Section 13. Hospitals. The old folk's homes are mainly and the
orphanages are largely supported by Negroes themselves. The hos¬
pitals, on the other hand, being newer enterprises and appealing to
the educated few, are usually promoted and conducted by Negroes, but
get their main support from the State or from whites.
The hospitals are the result of two impulses: the philanthropic
desire to help the sick, which arose especially after the Civil War, and
the scientific efforts of the new Negro physicians,who found themselves
cut off from all clinical advantages.
The older type of hospital is represented by the Freedmen's Hospital
of Washington, D. C. This is supported by the United States Govern¬
ment, but is otherwise a Negro institution. The Lincoln Hospital and
Home, of New York, an old and well-endowed institution, takes Negro
patients and trains Negro nurses, but admits no Negro physicians.
Another type of hospital has arisen out of the colored wards of South¬
ern city institutions. Colored associations are often formed to help
these wards:
The Charity Organization is engaged in helping the colored department of
the hospitals.—Frankfort, Ky.
The Colored Women's Hospital Aid Society was organized in last January.
We have thirty active members. The object of the society is to assist in the
maintenance of the colored ward of the John Sealy Hospital. At each monthly
meeting of the society the small sum of ten cents is collected from each mem¬
ber. It is the custom to disband in June for the summer, beginning work
again in October. During this interval dues are paid as if in session. Since
our organization we have supplied the hospital with six sanitary beds at
twelve dollars apiece; and the women with nineteen garments. The interest
has never lagged, and as the society grows older we hope to accomplish much
more.—Galveston, Tex.
88
Efforts for Social Betterment
In Jersey City, N. J.:
The Charity Club is composed of fifty ladies. The club was organized three
years ago for the purpose of assisting Christ Hospital, a charitable institution
which admits colored patients without any discrimination. Since our organ¬
ization three years ago we have given the hospital $850. This money is raised
by an annual charity entertainment which is heartily supported by all our
people.
In the Galveston Colored High School are two hospital clubs.
Often such wards are erected into separate hospitals and given city
aid or subscriptions. In some cases such hospitals have been endowed.
Specimens of such hospitals are:
Good Samaritan Hospital, Charlotte, N. C.
The Roper Hospital, supported partly by the Roper Fund and an annual
appropriation from the city government, has ample accommodations for the
colored pauper patients but has no accommodations for colored people who
wish a private room.—Charleston, S. C.
Lincoln Hospital, Durham, N. C.
Lamar Hospital, Augusta, Ga.
The most interesting hospitals have come from the efforts of phy¬
sicians and nurses:
Dr. Matilda A. Evans, of Columbia, S. C., has the distinction of being the
first licensed woman physician in that State. She is a Negro and the founder
of a hospital and nurses' training school for colored people in Columbia. She
was graduated from the Woman's medical college in Philadelphia.
The undersigned physicians respectfully announce that on and after Sep¬
tember 20,1909, Fair Haven Infirmary, 197 West Mitchell street, Atlanta, Ga.'
will be open for the reception of medical and surgical patients. We sincerely
solicit your patronage. Drs. A. D. Jones, H. R. Butler,
W. F. Penn, T. H. Slater,
L. P. Walton, L. B. Palmer.
McKane's Hospital, Savannah, Ga., is supported by Negro physicians.
The Richmond Hospital is a child of a number of the colored physicians. It
is located at 409 E. Baker street. It gets some help ($150 a year) from the city.
The other support comes from charity. Dr. M. B. Jones is chief surgeon and
Dr. D. A. Ferguson is secretary of the Board.—Richmond, Va.
The Woman's Central League Hospital is run at 414 N. Third street by Dr.
R. E. Jones. For its support it depends largely upon the colored churches and
societies.—Richmond, Va.
Such hospitals have a hard struggle to live, but on the whole are
succeeding and multiplying.
The Red Cross Sanatarium operates a nurse training department which
might be called strictly charitable, as it is not operated for private gain. The
Red Cross Sanitarium owed one thousand dollars several months ago on the
purchase debt, but the leading white women of the city (representing its cul¬
ture and aristocracy) came together, and a public appeal to the citizens with
their signatures attached quickly raised the amount and settled the incum¬
brance.—Louisville, Ky.
Hospitals
89
Charity Hospital of Savannah, Ga., was organized by several practicing
physicians, and chartered June 1, 1896, by a few hard-working, energetic
women anxious to take up and learn nurse training, that they might assist
others of the less fortunate with whom they come in contact to better living
and conditions of health.
Assisted by their friends in soliciting donations by personal appeal to the
public, and through entertainments, sufficient funds were raised by Decem¬
ber, 1896, to make the first payment on the purchase price of a two-story
dwelling of five rooms in the southwest portion of the city. About five years
later, through means from the same sources and the free services of Negro
mechanics, an annex was made to the building, giving two large wards accom¬
modating about twelve patients each. A year later we sought and were suc¬
cessful in getting a monthly appropriation from the city of $25 per month for
taking care of their pauper patients, which amount was increased some years
later to $75, but not before a thorough inspection and investigation of our
work.
The county a year later, after an investigation, made an appropriation of
$25 per month by our taking care of their pauper patients.
In 1906 one of our founders and charter members donated a two-story build¬
ing, which we rolled up to and joined to our building, forming an "L." This
we repaired, and fitted up for five private rooms and four nurses' rooms. We
have accommodations for eight nurses for the training school, governed and
controlled by a head nurse who is also matron.
We have graduated through a two years' course some twenty-five well-
trained nurses, who are sought by white families and physicians as well as
by those of their own color.
A regular course of lectures is given by our physicians, who compose the
medical staff.
For the past two or three years our people, who have always had a horror
for hospitals, are waking up to the fact that it is the best place for them when
sick, and the demand for applications for admittance to private as well as
ward room is more than we have accommodation for.
It has also come directly under our notice that the time spent in the hos¬
pital has taught them that fresh air and sunshine instead of keeping them
sick with colds, etc., helps and benefits them in every way, and they return
home with some ideas of simple sanitary measures which should be in all
homes.
While soliciting donations for this work from our own people is in itself
uphill work, we have found it much harder to get them to give any amount
promised with any degree of system and regularity.
As our building is not so well constructed, a certain temperature can be
maintained in the wards only at a very large cost for fuel, and we need more
room for private as well as pauper patients. Several lots adjoining us have
been secured at the cost of $2,000, and we are now planning a campaign for
soliciting this from our churches and organizations, as we wish to get the
ground paid for, at least, before starting the building.
Our own people, generally very superstitious and especially so of hospitals
and what they call the '• Black Bottle" used there, are becoming more and
more enthused over their hospital and the work it is doing, and have no
hesitancy as heretofore in coming, and in fact request it of their attending
physician.
Below is our report to the city for the year 1908.
90
Efforts for Social Betterment
Charity Patients
Pat Patients
o*3
"3 ?
™ 5?
Number
Hospital days
Number
Hospital days
o?
o 03
eh-o
January
12
208
7
73
19
281
February
16
284
10
120
26
404
March
22
288
25
175
47
463
April
22
269
20
169
42
438
May
32
336
15
153
47
489
June
19
308
19
149
38
457
July
17
192
13
151
30
843
August
17
215
8
52
25
267
September
22
833
21
157
43
490
October
24
262
20
163
44
425
November
18
199
18
239
36
428
December
22
303
28
234
50
637
Total
243
3197
204
1825
447
5022
Patients In hospital January 1, 1908 9
Number of patients admitted during year 1908 447
Number of patients discharged during year 1908 402
Number of patients died during year 1908 54
Number of patients remaining January 1,1909 17
Number of births 5
Total number of days, charity patients 3197
Total number of days, pay patients 1825
Total number of days, all patients 5022
Total expenses $2,960.91
receipts
Appropriation from the city $ 900 00
Appropriation from the county 300 00
From pay patients 1,563 96
Donations—Churches, societies, individuals 472 09
expenses
$ 549
00
495
61
294
97
00
70
740
06
47
96
158
05
200
72
$3,236 05
Meats, vegetables, milk, etc
House supplies
Medical and surgical supplies
Undertakers
Fuel
Insurance, telephone, and printing
Repairs and improvements
$2,960 01
Deficit January 1, 1908 372 04
$3,832 95
Deficit January 1,1909 $ 96 90
One of the most interesting buildings in Charleston, S. C., is:
The Hospital and. Training School for Nurses, an institution devoted to the
preparation of colored women for the profession of trained nurses.
The building itself is an old residence erected in the year 1800. Its solid
walls, despite wars, storms and earthquakes, are as firm to-day as when first
erected more than a century ago. In the year 1897, Dr. A. C. McClennan saw
that trained nurses were needed in Charleston and that it would be well to
establish a training school. After consultation with some of the other col-
Hospitals
91
ored practitioners a course of lectures was arranged and, a room haying been
secured, the school was opened.
The large attendance showed that the school was destined to fill a long-felt
want, but it soon became apparent that didactic instruction alone could not
accomplish the desired end. The nurses needed practical instruction in a
hospital ward. An attempt was made to arrange for such instruction in one
of the public charitable institutions of the city; but after conferense with
the various boards haying these institutions in charge, it became clear that
nothing could be accomplished along that line, and that the school must have
a hospital of its own. A meeting of citizens was called and an association was
formed and incorporated.
The building which the school now occupies was for sale, the price being
$4,500. By means of entertainments and subscriptions $500 was raised, and
upon this small margin the building was purchased. Ten years have worked
a wonderful change. The building, old and dilapidated, has been repaired and
remodeled, and equipped to meet the needs of the work; the grounds have
been leveled and drained, and outside and inside both buildings and grounds
are in keeping with the character of the work. Meanwhile the debt upon the
property has been reduced from $4,000 to $500.
Forty-five trained nurses, representing ten graduating classes, have been
sent out and all of them have found employment and have given satisfactory
service. Thirteen are residing and working in Charleston; the others are
widely scattered, one of them being in northern New York, one in Florida, one
in Ohio and one in California.
One of the most noteworthy cases treated at this institution was that of the
family of Fraser Baker, postmaster at Lake City, S. C. Baker was killed and
the members of his family seriously wounded by a mob, who set fire to their
home and fired on them as they were making their escape from the burning
building. These people were brought to Charleston and treated at the hos¬
pital free of charge. The expense of caring for them was considerable, and
the institution could ill afford such a drain upon its resources, but it was done
nevertheless. They were all discharged cured, and afterwards removed to
Boston, Mass.
The hospital has been of great benefit to the people living in the country
districts near Charleston, where it is difficult and at times impossible to
obtain medical treatment. The charge made for patients in the hospital is
very small,barely enough to cover the cost of food and medicines. There is a
constant demand for the services of the nurses connected with the training
school, and the fees paid for their services constitute the principal source of
income for the institution. The great need of the work is money to erect
additional buildings. A nurse dormitory is especially needed. There are
always a large number of applicants for admission for nurse-training, but
owing to the limited space only a small number can be accommodated. Yet
with all the disadvantages the work still grows; those in charge of it are
doing the best they can with the limited means at their command, and
hoping that the time may come when some wealthy philanthropist may
become interested in the work and supply the funds needed to enlarge the
building.
In Pittsburgh:
The B. T. Washington Hospital and Nurse - Training School was
organized October 30, 1907, by a few women.
In July, 1908, we purchased a twelve-room building located on La Place
92
Efforts for Social Betterment
street at the cost of $7,000. We have two wards fitted up for male and female
ready for operation. We have a head chief nurse, the staff and resident phy¬
sician.
In Dallas, Tex.:
The Wright Cuney Memorial Nurse-Training School is an association of
the best element among the Negroes of this city for the purpose of conducting
a school for the training of sick nurses.
In Kansas City, Kan.:
The Douglass Hospital is kept up largely by the citizens and church of this
city and Kansas City, Mo. The organization has been taken in charge by the
A. M. E. Church.
In Houston, Tex.:
The Feagan Hospital is a new enterprise, but within the past year it has
done a vast amount of good for our people. Patients are received at a very
small cost, by week or month. Medical services are given free and Mrs. Fea¬
gan, a trained nurse, is in constant attendance.
Frierson & Co.'s ambulance conveys patients to and from the hospital, free
of cost.
In Greenville, Miss.:
There is one Circle of the King's Daughters in Greenville, Miss., and they
together with the white Circles of that city have built and operate a hospital.
Out of such beginnings have grown several large well-equipped hos¬
pitals; perhaps the best in the country is the Provident Hospital and
Training School of Chicago:
Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses has been in successful
operation more than ten years. It was founded through the united efforts of
a few earnest colored men. A building at the corner of Dearborn and 29th
streets was rented, 14 beds were installed and its mission of caring for the sick
poor regardless of race or creed was inaugurated.
In its early days it passed through gloomy and anxious periods. Several
times it looked as though the door3 would have to be closed, but renewed and
sustained efforts on the part of the trustees averted the calamity.
The men who founded the institution were poor. The race it most sought
to benefit is the humblest and most ostracized of races, yet the earnest and
heroic struggles to maintain the institution won the confidence of many of
Chicago's foremost men. The splendid generosity of Philip D. Armour,
Nathan M. Freer, Herman H. Kohlsaat, George M. Pullman, George H.Web¬
ster and others made it possible to build and maintain a hospital which in
administration, method, equipment, appointments and convenience is equal
to the best in Chicago. Here over 3,000 sick persons mostly among the poor
have already been scientifically cared for.
Five of the" hospital staff of physicians and surgeons are colored men of
education and attainments. To the hospital every year or two is admitted as
an interne a bright colored doctor just graduated from one of the medical
schools. These men otherwise could not secure the benefit of a hospital con¬
nection or experience. And in this hospital, although 65 per cent of the patients
are white, a colored man can at all times be sure of advanced medical skill and
sympathetic trained nursing.
The hospital and its allied charities is incorporated and is managed by a
board of eighteen trustees of different creeds. Six only of the trustees are
Hospitals
93
white. As the result of ten years of effort the association has accumulated
property worth $100,000 upon which there is no encumbrance whatever. Not¬
withstanding the most rigid economy, there is, however, an annual deficit of
about $3,500 which is made up by voluntary contributions and the revenues
from associate memberships which call for the payment of ten dollars on the
first of May in each year. These memberships are open to all and the aim is
by this means to secure the interest of a great number of men and women
who feel that they should be doing something for a people who are as yet
financially unable to extricate themselves from conditions which have been
imposed upon them by others.
When Provident Hospital was opened but one training school in America
would receive colored women as students. With this exception it was then
impossible for these women to be trained in the art of scientific nursing. This
condition produced the training school, the hospital being in fact a means to
this end. Colored nurses only are admitted. It has been in successful opera¬
tion since the founding of the hospital. For the first five years the school
suffered for lack of proper accommodations and equipment,but the few nurses
the institution was able to accommodate, by their great patience, self-denying
interest and earnest work, fixed the future not only of the training school but
of the hospital. Now the early prejudice against the colored nurse has almost
entirely disappeared. Patients are sent to the hospital by eighty physicians
in addition to those of the staff, many of them believing that here more
uniform and intelligent attention is given than can be secured elsewhere.
The term is two years of actual service; the requirements for admission, good
health, good moral character, and a high-school education or its equivalent.
The selection of nurses is made after careful investigation, only one out of
twenty applicants on the average being received and then upon three months
probation.
Forty-one nurses have graduated. They have come from all parts of the
United States, thus making the training school national in character. How¬
ever, a majority of them have been from the South where their advancement
would be especially difficult, and, in accordance with the wish of the trus¬
tees, they have returned to that part of the country as helpers and workers in
the perplexing problem of uplifting the downtrodden of their people. Earnest¬
ness, intelligence, patience and sympathy must be combined in the nurse who
would graduate from this school.
"Esther Freer Home," the dormitory for the nurses, is probably the most
complete and artistic of its kind to be found anywhere and the young colored
women, always poor, who are admitted feel during life the refining influence
of this comfortable home with its atmosphere of benevolence.
When Armour Mission was founded, among its other activities was a free
dispensary. This was transferred to Provident Hospital and became one of
its departments. The aim has been to charge each patient ten cents for a
prescription, a nominal payment being thought consistent with the wisest
charity. None, however,who cannot pay is refused attention or medicine. More
than 25,000 persons have been treated.
District visiting is an interesting feature of the training-school work. Into
the more neglected sections of the city Provident nurses go daily, ministering
to the poor and sick of both races. This service is attended with most grati¬
fying results. i?he influence for good which these young women carry into
many homes cannot be calculated. Practical instruction is given in the care
of the sick in house ventilation, in the preparation of food, in cleanliness of
home and body, all in a gentle and effective manner. The work is of the
94
Efforts for Social Betterment
utmost importance and when sufficient funds are available will be widely
extended.
Provident Hospital was founded with a subscription of $350.
We may judge the results from the following figures:
Number of patients in the wards and private rooms in 10years. 3,000
Number of homes visited by the nurses in 5 years 679
Number of visits made in 5 years 2,927
Amount of property accumulated $100,000
Donations received for operating expenses 83,147
Amount collected from patients for hospital service 52,524
Total revenue for operating expenses 85,672
These figures are gratifying. They show the peculiar merit of the institu¬
tion in accomplishing so much with comparatively small means. They indi¬
cate how much more might be accomplished with ample means. They mean
that there is maintained among the 35,000 colored people of Chicago a perma¬
nent object lesson to all who are struggling upward, teaching that the best
hope of rising lies in doing a thing well.
The Frederick Douglass Hospital of Philadelphia:
Was founded in 1895 and incorporated the following year under a charter by
the legislature of Pennsylvania. It has done and is still doing a much-needed
work in the care and treatment of the humble and indigent sick, especially of
the colored race, and also in the training and equipment of colored young
women for the important functions of the professional nurse, and also giving
a large field of practical service and usefulness especially to the thirty-five
colored physicians of Philadelphia.
A post-graduate course is planned for doctors of medicine.
The hospital, while largely under colored control, has leading white and
colored physicians on its staff, and its doors are open to all, without discrim¬
ination either of race or religion. The young women in its training school
for nurses have been drawn from States North and South, and they are prov¬
ing themselves evangels of mercy and helpfulness in the homes of the afflicted
in various parts of the country.
Since its founation the hospital has treated nearly 2400 in-patients and
upwards of 30,000 out-patients. Such work as this must command the confi¬
dence of any community.
Some hospitals are connected with schools, as those at Hampton,
Spelman Seminary, and especially the one at Louisville connected with
the Colored Medical School:
The Citizens' National Hospital is a part of the Louisville National Medical
College. It was first organized in conformity to the laws governing medical
schools. In 1904 we moved into our present quarters. The new home was
given the present name.
The hospital is supported by board money from patients and tuition from
medical students.
We have a training class for nurses (girls only), seven in class.
We do all the charity work our friends will permit. This is not much.
Hospital on grounds with College, combined value about $8,000.
We receive no help from the city and a very little from the public, per¬
haps about three hundred dollars from all sources in the last five years.
Capacity, twelve beds.
Other Negro hospitals are said to exist as follows:
Hospitals
95
Mercy Hospital and Nurse Training School, Ocala, Fla.
Mercy Hospital and School for Nurses, Philadelphia, Pa. Total in¬
come to November, 1907, $6,474.02; patients, $4,232.00; received from
Negroes, $4,390.69, and from the State $5,000 every two years.
Mitchell Hospital, Leavenworth, Kansas. Income, $2,320.60.
Taylor Lane Hospital, Columbia, S. C.
Mercy Hospital, Nashville, Tenn. Patients, 394; total income, $1,873,
all from Negroes.
Harris Sanitorium, Mobile, Ala. Patients, 25.
Colored Hospital, Petersburg, Va.
Provident Hospital, Baltimore, Md. Property, $15,000.
Burrus Sanitorium, Augusta, Ga.
Colored Hospital, Evansville, Ind.
Provident Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
State's Hospital, Winston, N. C.
Colley's Hospital, Cincinnati, O.
Hairston Infirmary, Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. J. T. Wilson's Infirmary, Nashville, Tenn.
Colored Hospital, Dallas, Tex.
Woman's Central League Hospital, Richmond, Va.
Slater Hospital, Winston-Salem, N. C.
Hale Infirmary, Montgomery, Ala.
One interesting work is the Dispensary connected with the First Bap¬
tist Church of West Washington, D. C.
We have treated about one hundred and fifty persons at theDispensary. We
have not been open for business quite three months, yet the work is grow¬
ing, however, and we feel that much more will be accomplished as the com¬
munity becomes acquainted with the work.
Section 14. Young Men's Christian Association and Young Women's
Christian Association.—These Christian Associations reveal in their
history the curious complications of the Negro problem in America. In
the South there is, in the recent abolition of slavery, an historical if
not a logical excuse which lets the color separate Christians.
In the North there is no such excuse, and yet Negroes have been
gradually excluded from Young Men's Christian Association buildings
in New York, New Haven, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other large
cities and segregated in separate bodies, while from the first they were
in nearly all cases refused admittance to Young Women's Christian
Associations. These separate Negro bodies are now growing and
flourishing, but they are and are felt to be monuments to a miserable
unchristian and unmanly prejudice. Of course if they represented
voluntary segregation like the German associations or the Railroad
men the case would be different; but this separation is compulsory and
humiliating. The colored bodies have flourished because earnest and
self-sacrificing secretaries have urged them on and counseled them to
96
Efforts for Social Betterment
ignore the stigma. In this way they have done great good. But the
good accomplished is no excuse for the insult offered.
Figures for the Colored Young Men's Christian Associations follow:
The Colored Men's Department now has 136 associations—96 in educational
institutions and 40 in cities—with an aggregate membership exceeding 11,000
young men. Notwithstanding the financial stringency of the past year, two
new city associations and six new student associations were added to the
list, a new building was dedicated at New Orleans, and the corner-stone of
the $100,000 building for Washington, D. C., was laid by President Roosevelt.
The year was specially characterized by the splendid advances made in night-
school work and by the increased attendance upon religious meetings. Ten
colored student associations sent delegates to the first International Student
Bible Conference at Columbus, Ohio.
Colored Young: Men's Christian Associations
A labama.—Mobile.
California.—Los Angeles.
Connecticut.—New Haven.
District of Columbia.—Washington: real estate, $52,000; debt on same, $2,000.
Georgia.—Americus. Atlanta: real estate, $4,500. Augusta. Columbus:
value of real estate, $26,600.
Illinois.—Normal.
Indiana.—Indianapolis.
Iowa.—Buxton: Colored population, 5500; value of building and lot, $23,500;
other real estate, $500; value of boys' building and lot, $10,000.
Kansas.—Topeka.
Kentucky.—Louisville: value of building and lot, $10,000; debt on same, $2,750.
Louisiana.—New Orleans: value of building and lot, $6,400; debt on same,
$1,200.
Maryland.—Baltimore: value of building and lot, $3,000.
Missouri.—Kansas City: value of real estate, $7,200; debt on same, $6,000.
St. Louis: value of building and lot, $5,500; debt on same, $2,000.
New Jersey.—Atlantic City. Montclair. Orange.
New York.—Brooklyn: value of building and lot, $6,400. Elmira. New York
city: value of building and lot, $32,000.
North Carolina.—Asheville: value of building and lot, $35,000; debt on
same. $4,580. Charlotte. Winston-Salem.
Ohio.—Springfield: building, $5,000; debt on same, $1,200.
South Carolina.—Charleston. Columbia.
Tennessee.—Chattanooga: building and lot, $8,800; debt on same, $4,175.
Knoxville: building and lot, $2,000. Nashville.
Texas.—Dallas. Fort Worth.
Virginia.—Charlottesville. Norfolk: value of building and lot, $16,000, debt
on same, $1,600. Portsmouth: funds paid in, $1,070; pledged in addition, $10,930.
Richmond: value of building and lot, $7,000; funds paid in, $175; pledged, $730.
West Virginia.—Bluefield. Wheeling.
Colored City Associations
39 colored city associations exist.
28 of these report officers or statistics.
28 report 5,379 members.
26 report 2,836 active members.
24 report 1,300 serving on committees.
Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A.
97
24 report a total amount paid out for current expenses, $41,947.
22 report a total average daily attendance at rooms of 1,070.
22 report 211 socials and receptions.
20 report 103 paid lectures and entertainments.
16 report 373 situations secured.
13 report gymnasiums, with 512 using same.
15 report 68 athletic teams or clubs, with 589 members.
7 report 289 enrolled in gymnasium classes, and 47 in leaders' corps.
7 report 56 matched games with outside teams.
EDUCATIONAL
22 associations report some educational information.
20 report reading-rooms with 499 periodicals on file.
16 report 188 educational lectures and practical talks (not including popular
courses).
9 report 22 educational clubs, with 489 members.
16 report 49 educational classes, attended by 391 different students.
12 report 22 paid teachers.
19 report $1,322 total expenses of all educational work.
10 report $597 total receipts from class tuition fees.
BIBLE STUDY
18 associations report Bible study statistics.
18 report 708 different students in Bible classes: men, 523; boys, 185.
16 report 22 miscellaneous Bible classes of men, with 394 students.
1 reports 1 evangelistic Bible class, with 8 students.
6 report 8 Bible training classes, with 113 students.
7 report 11 boys' Bible classes, with 220 students.
14 report a total Bible-class attendance for the year of 13,922.
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS
24 associations report statistics of religious meetings, etc.
20 report 355 men serving on religious-work committees or doing personal
religious work.
16 report $963 paid out for religious work.
3 report 192 shop meetings with a total attendanceof 4,452.
22 report 808 evangelistic meetings for men, with a total attendance of 68,111.
22 report 1,121 all meetings for men, with a total attendance of 84,292.
4 report 148 meetings for boys, with a total attendance of 3,425.
22 report 1,620 average per week at all-men's meetings.
4 report 67 average per week at all-boys' meetings.
17 report 283 total professed conversions: men, 245; boys, 38.
10 report 156 of the above united with churches as a result of the work:
men, 120; boys, 36.
24 report 102,784 a total attendance at all religious meetings and Bible classes.
Student Associations
91 associations in colored institutions are in existence.
2 have been organized this year.
72 report statistics of their work.
62 report 11,360 young men, students in their institutions.
61 report 7,821 young men, students in their institutions, members of evan¬
gelical churches.
68 report a total membership of 5,081.
66 report an active membership of 3,795.
66 report 1,389 men serving on committees.
98
Efforts for Social Betterment
30 report $1,650 paid out last year for current expenses.
46 report 1,595 young men's meetings, with a total attendance of 94,225.
25 report 1,234 Bible-class sessions, with a total attendance of 28,000.
26 report 188 missionary meetings; 6 report 361 men in mission study.
43 report 253 lectures.
15 report 545 volumes in libraries.
Items Common to City and Student Sections
130 colored associations are in existence; 100 send in reports.
96 report a total membership of 10,460.
92 report an active membership of 6,631.
90 report working committees, with a membership of 2,689.
54 report cash paid out for current expenses, $43,597.
37 report libraries, containing 6,281 volumes.
28 associations employ 29 secretaries.
16 associations own buildings, valued at $201,700.
As to the individual Young Men's Christian Associations, the follow¬
ing facts may be noted:
Kansas City, Mo., is arranging to put up a $10,000 building.
The Association in Louisville, Ky., has a handsome building which
cost $10,000; of this the whites gave $7,000 and the colored people $3,000.
The Baltimore Association sold the old building for $3,500 in October,
1908, and is now in rented quarters with $3,000 in bank toward a build¬
ing fund. They spend $1,800 a year and have a gymnasium, shooting
gallery, pool table, etc.
The St. Louis Association has a building worth $5,000. They raised
$2,100 last year; almost entirely among Negroes.
The Chattanooga Association raised $2,600 in 1907; over half of this
came from Negroes.
The Knoxville Association has property valued at $3,000 and raises
$800 a year.
Among the most interesting associations is that at Buxton, la. Bux¬
ton is a colored mining town of five thousand; three-fourths of the
population being colored. This is the largest association for col¬
ored people in the world and has a building for men and one for
boys. They have Sunday services, Bible class, night schools, reading-
room, and theatrical entertainments in a hall which seats six hundred;
about 150 men and boys use the gymnasium. At night after working
hours from 150 to 200 men can be found in the buildings. The total
membership is 369 and the buildings and furniture are worth $40,000.
The New Orleans Association has property worth $10,0000.
The association at Portsmouth, Va., has property worth about $5,000.
The association in Richmond, Va., has property worth $6,000 and a
membership of 275; a good library of 1600 volumes; visits are made to
the penitentiary and the sick, and there is a night school.
&t Asheville, N. C., Mr. George W. Vanderbilt put up a building at
a cost of $32,000. It contains four storerooms, three sleeping-rooms, a
hall seating 600, four office-rooms, a parlor, reading-room, and a large
room for night school, with baths in the basement. This pro.ved to be
Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A.
99
too heavy a burden for the colored people to support, but when Mr.
Vanderbilt threatened to foreclose the mortgage on the property and
meet no more deficits coming from expenditures, the colored people
rallied and bought the place by paying $2,400 in cash and securing a
loan of $8,000. It then became a regular Young Men's Christian Asso¬
ciation, and now has the debt down to $6,000. There is a membership
of 200 and a night-school, also a library of 500 volumes and gymnasium
work.
The Young Women's Christian Association has never flourished so
well among the colored people, on account of social prejudice; but sepa¬
rate associations are beginning to be formed now.
There is an association in St. Paul, two sectional conferences in
South Carolina and Alabama, and there are the following other asso¬
ciations :
Alabama, seven: Talladega College, Tuskegee Institute, Selma Univer¬
sity, State Normal School, Miles Memorial College, A. & M. College.
Georgia, three; Spelman Seminary, Paine College, Haines Institute.
Kansas, two: The Western College, The Topeka N. & I. Institute.
Louisiana, one: Straight University.
Mississippi, four: Southern Christian Institute, Tougaloo University, Jack¬
son College, Alcorn A. & M. College.
Missouri, three: Western College<fe Ind.Institute, Lincoln Institute,George
R. Smith College.
Arkansas, three: Philander Smith College, Branch Normal College, Arkan¬
sas Baptist College.
District of Columbia, one: Howard University.
North Carolina, one: Bennett College.
Ohio, one: Wilberforce University.
Oklahoma, one: A. & N. University.
South Carolina, three: Claflin University, Benedict College, Allen Univer¬
sity.
Tennessee, four: Walden University, Roger Williams University, Lane Col¬
lege, Knoxville College.
Virginia, one: V. N. & I. Institute.
Pennsylvania, one: The Philadelphia Association.
New York, two: The Fifty-third Street Branch, New York city, The Lexing¬
ton Avenue Branch, Brooklyn.
Minnesota, one: The St. Paul Branch.
District of Columbia, one: The Washington Association.
The branch in New York, Fifty-third Street, has a dormitory, par¬
lors, reading-room, library, an employment bureau, and serves meals.
There is also instruction in sewing, millinery, cooking, physical culture
and elocution.
The branch in Brooklyn has a regular night-school with instruction
in 21 industries.
The association in Washington raises about $700 a year and has a
building fund.
100
Efforts for Social Betterment
Section 15. Refuges and Rescue Homes for Women. These institu¬
tions fall into two classes: those that seek to protect decent girls and
those that try to reform fallen women. Among the first are a series of
homes for servant girls, supported mainly by colored people.
The Phyllis Wheatley Home of Chicago reports:
The home is established to solve the problem of befriending the colored
girls and women who come into this great city seeking work, often without
relatives, friends or money.
1st. By providing a comfortable home surrounded by Christian influences.
2nd. To elevate the standard of domestic service; to provide a social center
for homeless girls and women, where they can improve their opportunities, be
assisted in securing employment,and feel sure at all times of friendly help, mu¬
tual help and encouragement.
The home is open for the reception of visitors daily from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Terms: $1.25 per week for lodging. Transient, 25 cents per night.
The winter has been one long struggle to keep things going and to help
the many girls an«d women who come to us. We feel that our work is one of
practical value to any community, especially one like this great cosmopolitan
city where our people come in on every train and among them many women
and girls seeking to better themselves in various ways. Of the hundred or
more homes established here for working girls, not one of them offers a
shelter to our girls except the Beulah Home and the Erring Girl's Refuge;
both of them open their doors after the first false step has been taken.
Many of our girls coming from small towns and the Southland are unused
to life in a great city and find themselves stranded and helpless, ready to fall
an easy prey to the human vultures ever ready to destroy young woman¬
hood.
Again, conditions in domestic service are vastly different from those they
were familiar with in their homes, and they are labeled incompetent when
often they are willing but "green," and ignorant of the ways of service in
city homes.
The Phyllis Wheatley Woman's Club, organized thirteen years ago, has
always felt the importance of its mission to better community conditions. We
have during those years supported a sewing-school, a day nursery in a much-
needed district, etc. Three years ago we determined to do something toward
helping the stranger girl and woman especially, as well as those in our midst
who needed it, to a standard of higher womanhood and usefulness.
We began the purchase of the Home at3530Forest avenue at a cost of thirty-
four hundred dollars, with an incumbrance of twenty-five hundred dollars.
We kept it rented until May 1st, 1908, turned the rentals over to the payment
of the property until we had paid $2,029, which includes the equity, interest on
mortgage, taxes, insurance, and reduction of mortgage by $500.
We opened the Home May 31st, 1908, and have never been without an
inmate a single day. We have housed thirty girls, have secured employment
for over one hundred, and have given encouragement, sympathy, and in a few
cases financial aid, to many more. We have done very little soliciting. We
have a membership of forty earnest Christian women.
A Home of this kind ought to be in every large city, and notices of the same
given wide publicity in every town and city throughout the country, in order
to safeguard our women and girls.
In Indianapolis, Ind., there is a Young Colored Women's Protective
Association.
Refuges and Rescue Homes for Women
101
Something had to be done. There was a Young Men's Christian Association
for the white boys, there was one for the colored boys; there was a Young
Women's Christian Association for white girls, but there was none for the
colored girls.
The work started in a four-room cottage and now they have bought a
three thousand dollar house.
But the most hopeful feature of all, the most encouraging sign of the times,
is that the responsibility and the burdens of the work have been borne by
young women for their future development and for the benefit of other young
women who might wish to share the privileges of upbuilding which this asso¬
ciation has planned to provide. It was pioneer work, and all the hardships
incident to pioneer work they have endured bravely and wonderfully. No pen
can do justice to the loyalty, to the sacrifice, to the real heroism that has been
manifested by the young women interested in the support and management
of this work.
It has over one hundred members, and is designed among other
things:
To provide literary, musical, social and industrial centers for the pleasure
and improvement of young women.
To establish training-schools in domestic science for the improvement of
conditions in the home, and from which young women who prefer house¬
keeping or cooking may graduate.
To recognize with respect, intelligent, moral, competent, cultured workers
in whatever honorable avocation engaged.
To secure for working women better hours and bring before their employ¬
ers the desirability of giving their woman employes half-holidays at least
during the summer months.
To maintain an employment committee, which shall assist in procuring de¬
sirable positions for women who are out of employment.
To become acquainted with other women who are strangers in our city and
to be helpful to them in any way possible.
To assist women desiring an education to find help along the particular lines
in which they are interested.
To encourage commercial enterprise among Negroes by patronizing the
same and thus to help make opportunities for other girls.
A Negro Working-Girls' Home will soon be opened in Springfield,
Mass.
One in Boston, called the Harriet Tubman House, at 37 Holyoke St.,
Was established by a number of colored women of the W. C. T. U. of
Boston, who have made many sacrifices for its maintenance during the
past three years. On November 10th, 1904, the house was open to the
public for inspection. It is designed to furnish protection and home com¬
forts to young colored women who come to our city from various parts of the
country and at a nominal cost to them. It is the only one of this kind in our
city. At present the house has accommodation for twelve young women.
There is a lecture-room, parlor, sleeping-rooms, dining-room, kitchen and
laundry. This work is carried on by voluntary contributions, and it is not
connected with any denomination or religious sect. It is the purpose of the
management to open classes in the domestic arts, such as cooking, sewing,
laundering, etc., as soon as sufficient funds are in hand to carry on the work.
102
Efforts for Social Betterment
The immediate need of the House is $10,000 for the purpose of paying for and
equipping a permanent building:
The House takes respectable working girls and gives them a home.
It has sheltered 77 girls last year, and raises about $1,000 a year for its
support.
There are two such homes in Michigan: one in Grand Rapids which,
with the aid of white friends, purchased a small building for $1,600,
partially paid for. The other, in Detroit, was organized in April, 1906:
We have for the past two years been very successful in having millinery,
dressmaking, and embroidery classes. We employed one of our race to in¬
struct us in each class. We give ten lessons for $1.00 in advance. Our expenses
for the millinery class has been about $90.00 or more, and dressmaking class
expenses $50.00.
This year they are trying to buy property.
One of the most extensive efforts to help colored girls is the National
Association for the Protection of Colored Women, started by the white
women of New York. There are local associations in NewYork, Phil¬
adelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and Washington. The local work is
largely or wholly in the hands of colored people and supported by con¬
tributions from both races.
The Philadelphia association is perhaps the most active. Its object
is to provide a settlement and protection for migrating colored women,
to study conditions and disseminate information.
Mrs. H. F. Lanning, our dock worker, daily meets the boats at the Ericsson
Line (Baltimore Boat Company) and the Merchants' and Miners' Line (Charles¬
ton andGeorgia boats) bringing passengers from the Southern States. The
courtesy of the boat companies is yet accorded to our worker. Following is a
report of the total number of persons met during the year:
Virginia 458
Maryland 368
West Virginia 213
New Jersey 47
South Carolina 46
Pennsylvania 60
Delaware 59
Georgia 55
North Carolina 45
Total 1351
Employment agencies are looked after, and there is a working-girls'
home established in Philadelphia.
There are also working-girls' homes in Lynchburg, Va., and Rich¬
mond, Va., and a movement for one in Columbia, S. C.
Next to this work comes attempts to rescue girls who are already
fallen into vice, or liable to. There is, for instance, an industrial home
for colored girls at Pittsburgh, Pa., now three years old. It raises
$3,350 a year, of which $2,250 comes from the State of Pennsylvania.
The Dorcas Home Society of Yonkers, N. Y., is doing reformatory
work among Negro women, and maintains a home and an employment
office.
Refuges and Rescue Homes for Women
103
The White Rose Mission in New York has done considerable rescue
work.
In Topeka,Kan., is a rescue home for fallen women and girls, and the
Colored Hebron Rescue Association maintains a home in St. Louis.
In Kansas City, Mo., the legislature failed to decide on an industrial
reform home for girls, and the Federation of Women's Clubs took up
the matter and established a home in 1908, known as the Jackson County
Home for Negro Girls.
Forty girls have been sent by the Court to the Home, of whom seven have
been sent to homes out of the city, six paroled by the Court, nine discharged,
and sixteen are now in the Home. We feel proud of the fact that not one has
attempted to escape, and at no time has it been necessary to call an officer to
quiet any disturbance.
The girls are taught cooking and laundry work, the latter bringing in quite
a deal of revenue to the Home. We have also tried to improve them morally
and religiously, sixteen having been induced to join the church. All attend
church and Sunday-school regularly. Besides this influence, the Board of
Education provides us a half-day school, conducted by Miss Doshia Johnson, a
very kind and earnest young woman, who has done much good toward the
progress of the girls.
We feel grateful to Mr. Lee and Mr. Ross, our probation officers, for their
untiring efforts for the success of the Home, and to the public for its generous
support of our work. Our board of managers meets monthly to settle the
accounts of the Home, and its secretary is able at a moment's notice to give a
complete and accurate statement of the financial condition of the institution
and its working throughout.
The income of the Home has been as follows:
In Philadelphia there is a Home for the Homeless where any woman
may apply for temporary aid.
In Los Angeles, Cal., there is a Sheltering Arms Home:
Its doors are open night and day to any homeless woman, girl or child in
need of shelter. We are renting, as yet, and caring for twelve persons at the
present. We have sheltered fifty-six since opening, October 28, 1907. The
growth has been slow because the people have not felt the real need of such
an institution. We are beginning to awaken now, and are looking forward to
great progress in the near future. We have donated five lots and a small
three-room house which we hope to improve this fall.
In Washington there is a Home for Friendless, and also a National
Association for the Relief of Destitute Women and Children supported
"by the Government at the cost of $10,000 a year, but conducted entirely
by colored women. It had 103 women and children in 1907.
One woman, Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald, has been probation officer in
Chicago, and does considerable lecturing on the subject of rescue work
among women and children.
County Court ($10 per month for each inmate. .$ 826 78
Juvenile Improvement Association
Board of Education
Laundry Work of Girls
Subscriptions
240 00
75 33
135 53
556 61
$1,834 25
104
Efforts for Social Betterment
Section 16. Social, Literary and Art Clubs. All over the country
there are a number ol private and some public clubs among the col¬
ored people devoted primarily to literature or some form of art work.
They are the remains of the more flourishing literary societies of ante
bellum days in the free Negro settlements, but have changed consid¬
erably in character and kind of work.
The Friday Afternoon Study Club of Cleveland, O., consists of women
who assemble once in two weeks to listen to papers and the discussions
of general subjects. As, for instance, in 1905-06 they took the history
of the United States and discussed different periods in sixteen different
meetings, taking up not simply the formal history but the rise and fall
of slave power, the development of American literature and art, the
development of education, etc.
The Booklovers' Club of Washington, D. C., discussed the same year
the principal religions of the earth and their effect on civilization.
They held two meetings a month for seven months and took up the
religion of Egypt and other ancient places, including Brahminism,
Buddhism, Judaism, including a comparison of Jews and Negroes,
Mohammedanism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, with discus¬
sions of the Negro and the Catholic Church and of American Negro
religion.
Nearly all the larger churches throughout the United States have
one or more literary societies connected with them; perhaps the most
noted of these church literary societies is the Bethel Literary and His¬
torical Association of Washington, D. C., organized in 1881 and com¬
manding large audiences. Probably few organizations have had a
more distinguished list of speakers, including Frederick Douglass,
J. C. Price, John M. Langston, Alexander Crummell, Dr. E. W.
Blyden, George W. Williams, Senator Blair, Richard T. Greener, and
others.
Examples of some of the present societies follow:
The Dunbar Reading Circle of Newport News, Va., studies Negro
history.
The Bowen Reading Circle of Washington, D.C., meets twice a month
to read different authors.
The Royal Club of Houston, Tex., has a literary programme once a
month and spends the rest of their time in charity work.
The Ladies' Reading Circle of Dallas, Tex., pursues certain lines of
reading from year to year.
The Ladies' Literary Digest Club of Danville, Ky., is to encourage
the reading of race literature and current events, and contribute to
good causes.
The Macon Art and Social Club of Macon, Ga., consists of married
women organized to do fancy work, and does some charity work also.
The West Indian Literary Club of Cambridge, Mass., does both liter¬
ary and charitable work.
The Union of Haverhill, Mass., conducts a literary course.
Social, Literary and Art Clubs
105
The Detroit Study Club of Michigan is studying the lives of English
and American poets.
The Scotia Reading Club of Jersey City, N. J., encourages the study
of literature and maintains a scholarship at Scotia Seminary.
The Minervia Club of Cleveland, Ohio, is literary and musical, with
some charitable work.
The American Girls' Culture Club of Newport, R. I., writes:
The American Girl's Culture Club was organized January 13,1905, by Mrs.
Bessie Jamison. There are at present twenty-two members. Our object is
to work along various lines of charity and to help the Colored Old Folk's
Home and the Working-Girls' Home in Providence. The first week in June
the club is planning to give a star concert and the proceeds will be sent to a
young colored man who is working his way through Brown University in
Providence. Nearly all the girls in our club are talented, and very often the
churches call upon us to help them out in their entertainments. We send
flowers, fruits and other delicacies to the sick. We have made a number of
visits to the hospital. We go and see the blind, and read to them. Easter-
time we took several potted plants to a number of old ladies. In the last two
or three weeks we have sent two large baskets of groceries to two poor old
women. The club has given several dramas and concerts, and all proved to
be successful. The ministers and all the churches seem to take a great inter¬
est in us. We have been very lucky in not losing any members by death.
Nearly all of the girls attend the High School; some have graduated and are
away to college.
In several cities there are organizations which maintain lectures and
discussions on Sunday afternoon specially for men. Among these are
the Men's Forum of Cambridge, Mass., the Sunday Forum of Minne¬
apolis, Minn., and the Young Men's Christian Sunday Club, of Savan¬
nah, Ga. This latter club reports:
Its purpose is for the economic and hygienic development of Negroes. They
do their work: (a) by having Sunday meetings at which men of ability give
lectures; (b) they issue literature on hygiene to afflicted sections of the city;
they make contributions to the poor, sometimes to the colored hospital. Any
one willing to take part may become a member; no monthly fees required. Its
finances come from collections from those who attend.
Various cities maintain regular lecture bureaus. One of the most
successful of these is the People's Lecture Association of Little Rock,
Ark. The following is a report of this organization:
Organization effected November 11, 1903, with about twenty-five members;
seventy members in 1909.
Dues, one dollar per year, in quarterly payments.
During six years of its existence it has had forty-two lectures, two concerts
by local talent, two concerts by professional talent, and one stereopticon lec¬
ture.
We have raised about $500.
Our earlier lecturers were colored college presidents of the city; later, white
ministers of the city, politicians, teachers, educators of standing, not forget¬
ting two lectures by Father Lucy, of Pinp Bluff (white Catholic priest and
writer of newspaper articles in State papers, advocating better treatment of
Negroes), nor omiting Rabbi Wolsey (Jewish Priest, travelling orator; now
106
Efforts for Social Betterment
of Cincinnati), nor Professor Dayne, State Superintendent of Public Instruc¬
tion.
Our colored lecturers embrace names widely known and appreciated. Of
these are Prof. W. E. Burghardt DuBois, Atlanta University; Prof. Wm. Pick¬
ens, Talladega College; Mrs. Mary C. Terrell, Hon. Edward Morris, of Chicago;
Hon. J. T. Settles, lawyer of Memphis, Tenn., Archdeacon G. Alexander
McGuire, of Cambridge, Mass.; Rev. Maximo Duty, of Memphis, Tenn.; Rev.
D. LeRoy Ferguson, of Louisville, Ky.; Prof. Kelley Miller,Washington, D. C.
There are a' number of small men's clubs like the Monday Club of
Atlanta, Ga., and Advance Club of Birmingham, Ala. These are chiefly
social clubs, but are also places of discussion and centers of various
civic movements. For instance, members of the Atlanta Monday Club
were; largely called upon in the Atlanta riot to join with the whites in
reconstruction.
Many social clubs are formed with the distinct purpose of beautify¬
ing and bettering social life. The Owl Club of Little Rock, Ark., con¬
sisting of nineteen married couples, was organized in 1894. Its object
is to "uplift our race socially, and we have succeeded in bettering it
morally as well."
There are a number of so-called art clubs whose object is chiefly
social, and who do some drawing and painting and embroidery. They
are chiefly valuable in keeping alive and encouraging the love for
beautiful things; although the actual work accomplished is usually
small and unimportant.
Silver Spray Art Club of Houston, Tex., is trying to beautify the
homes of its members and also do some charitable work.
The most important developments in the line of art have been natu¬
rally toward music. Nearly all the large churches have organized
choirs, and there are numbers of amateur musical associations, instru¬
mental and vocal.
The work of Mr. Coleridge-Taylor, of England, led to the establish¬
ment of the Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society, in Washington, D.C. This
society had a chorus of 200; among its patrons were Reginal DeKoven,
Eugene E. Stephens, Henry Handzer, Lieutenant Santelmann.
It was organized in 1901 (incorporated 1903), under the stimulus of a pro¬
posed visit to Washington of the eminent composer. In a conference of our
more prominent musicians, which met at the home of Mrs. A.F. Hilyer, it
was discovered that the formation of a choral society among the colored
singers of Washington had long been in the minds of many of them, and only
needed the stimulus of the proposed visit of the composer and the opportu¬
nity to sing "Hiawatha" to give it tangible shape and permanent form. Its
object is to develop a wider interest in the masterpieces of the great com¬
posers and especially to diffuse among the masses a higher musical culture
and appreciation of works that tend to refine and elevate.
Since its organization the society has rendered "Hiawatha" on seven differ¬
ent occasions—four times in Washington, twice in Baltimore, and once in
Philadelphia at the Academy of Music. It has also rendered Mr. S. Coleridge-
Taylor's "Atonement" and the Choral Ballads (the latter having been dedi¬
cated to the society by the composer) and other compositions.
Social, Literary and Art Clubs
107
In November, 1904, the society had Mr. S. Coleridge-Taylor as its special
guest, when it gave a Musical Festival consisting of three great concerts—two
in Washington and one in Baltimore—rendering Hiawatha and the Choral
Ballads under the direction of the composer, with the U. S. Marine Band Or¬
chestra of 52 pieces accompanying, and other selections directed by Prof. John
T. Lay ton. These concerts were attended by prominent musicians (white and
colored)not only from this city, but from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Balt¬
imore, Chicago, Richmond, and other cities.
The most remarkable effort, perhaps, is the ForeigYi Scholarship
Association established by Mme. E. Azalia Hackley. Mrs. Hackley,
who herself has an unusual voice and was trained abroad, said in
taking up her work in 1907:
I thoroughly believe that there is a future for colored musicians abroad,pro¬
viding they take rank with white artists. I may not live to see it, but even in
ten years, if something is done to encourage such a condition, I believe that
several first-class companies—not coon shows—could have seasons in various
countries. I also believe that white managers will engage colored artists, pro¬
viding they can sing in foreign languages. I believe that there could even be
colored managers abroad within the next ten years, but they would be obliged
to offer real attractions.
If we encourage our young people generally throughout the country, every
five or six years, some one of them will leap out of the circle of mediocrity and
push his way to the front, and perhaps represent us musically as we have
never been represented.
If the colored musicians in each place would unite as enthusiastically as
people do to start a new church, or establish a lodge, there could be some one
helped each year.
Who is doing anything for a colored genius? Well, of course, the race is
comparatively poor, but there are some wealthy ones, and we could help a
couple a year, at least, if we tried.
I heard abroad of about six students whom Mr. Schwab, the steel mag¬
nate, is helping. He does not even know the beneficiaries. Mr. Rockefeller
and Mrs. Vanderbilt are educating several each, and many others are helping
talented people.
Thereupon Mrs. Hackley established what she called the Foreign
Scholarship, and induced two hundred or more colored people to con¬
tribute a scholarship of two or three hundred dollars a year. She then
took a trip through the South, and reported an orchestra of thirty mem¬
bers in Richmond,Va., and a festival; a remarkable soprano at Atlanta
University, and a good violinist; fine choral work at Tuskegee; a very
competent piano teacher at Montgomery; an amateur cornetist at
Mobile; a chorister in New Orleans and four exceptional voices, and
a tenor soloist at Jacksonville. In the West she found a good soprano
at Harrisburg, chorister in Pittsburgh, three violinists in Detroit and
Chicago, a good soprano voice in Chicago together with a musical-
study club, a good musical director in Kansas City, a rare contralto in
Omaha, a chorus of thirty-five voices in Denver, a good baritone in Col¬
orado Springs, a pianist in Oakland, Cal., and a study club in Dos
Angeles.
108
Efforts for Social Betterment
In the pursuance of this plan Mrs. Haekley has sent her first bene¬
ficiary abroad during 1908-9 in the person of Clarence C. White, a
violinist of rare ability; the next beneficiary is to be Carl R. Diton;
three hundred dollars is to be raised for him.
In her last report Mrs. Haekley says:
In June I finished the last payment of the five hundred dollars I had prom¬
ised to Mr. Clarence Cameron White, to assist him in his studies abroad for
one year. Mr. White sailed for London in June, 1908.
It has been a difficult task to collect this amount, but it has been accom¬
plished, and the scholarship establishes a precedent. I am highly gratified
with all results. If those who have contributed could understand how ard¬
uously Mr. White has worked, and how much he has improved in his play¬
ing, they would be as pleased as I am. If he had to return at this date, he
will have profited to a remarkable extent, and the money has been well
spent.
To have one colored artist presented abroad every five years would cost
less than $5,000, an average of $1,000 a year. What a pittance this is if it scores
one point in favor of ten millions of people. One department store in any
large city expends that much in less than a week for advertising, because the
results of advertisement are evident.
How can the race expect the world to believe that it has rare musical tal¬
ent, the one line in which it can excel if given opportunity, if the fact is not
continually advertised and evidence produced ? Must there be no change of
opinion because of a few dollars that might be easily given?
Another interesting musical association is the Viotti Association of
Boston. Its founder says:
I went from house to house one day and saw as many mothers as I possibly
could find at home, told them what my object was, that 1 wanted them to
help me in getting the boys and girls off the streets at night and give them
something to do at home, something all colored people, as a rule, are very
fond of, and that is music. I started out with five other women and we
organized a club called the Yiotti Club of Boston. For one year it grew to
fifteen, then I entered the club into the Northeastern Federation of Women's
Clubs of New England, and we now number twenty-five. The club was named
for Henry Viotti, of London, a professor of music. We have a Junior Depart¬
ment of twenty boys, who are organized into a brass band and orchestra.
They are doing nicely. It is conducted by a colored woman of my club. Last
year we raised one hundred and twenty-nine dollars from concerts given by
the boys. I paid $150 for the instruments. We give the instruments to the
poorer boys who are not able to pay for them.
There is one National Association which seeks to encourage litera¬
ture and art among Negroes. This is the American Negro Academy,
founded by Alexander Crummell in 1897. Its objects are ' 'the promotion
of literature, science and art; the culture of a form of Intellectual
Taste; the fostering of Higher Education ; the publication of scholarly
work; the defense of the Negro against vicious assaults,"
It has a limited number of selected members and has published thir¬
teen pamphlets on Sociological and Historical subjects.
Literature and Newspapers
10P
Section 17. Literature and Newspapers. Only a brief sketch of the
attempt to better social conditions by means of newspapers, books and
periodicals can here be attempted.
As early as the eighteenth century, and even before the Revolution¬
ary War, the first voices of Negro authors were heard in the United
States.
Phyllis Wheatley, the black poetess, was easily the pioneer, her first
poems appearing in 1773, and other editions in 1784 and 1793. Her
earliest poem was in memory of George Whitefield. She was followed
by the Negro, Olaudah Equiano—known by his English name of Gus-
tavus Vassa—whose autobiography of 350 pages, published in 1787, was
the beginning of that long series of personal appeals of which Booker T.
Washington's Up From Slavery is the latest.
Benjamin Banneker's almanacs represented the first scientific work
of American Negroes, and began to be issued in 1792.
Coming now to the first decades of the nineteenth century we find
some essays on Freedom by the African Society of Boston, and an
apology for the new Negro church formed in Philadelphia. Paul Cuffe
disgusted with America wrote an early account of Sierra Leone, while
the celebrated Lemuel Haynes ignoring the race question dipped
deeply into the New England theological controversy about 1815. In
1829 came the first full-voiced, almost hysterical, protest against slavery
and the color line in David Walker's Appeal, which aroused Southern
legislatures to action. This was followed by the earliest Negro conven¬
tions which issued interesting minutes, and a strong appeal against
disfranchisement in Pennsylvania.
In 1840 some strong writers began to appear. Henry Highland Gar¬
net and J. W. C. Pennington preached powerful sermons and gave
some attention to Negro history in their pamphlets; R. B. Lewis made
a more elaborate attempt at Negro history. Whitfield's poems ap¬
peared in 1846, and William Wells Brown began a career of writing
which lasted from 1847 until after the war. In 1845 Douglass's Auto¬
biography made its first appearance, destined to run through endless
editions up until the last in 1893. Moreover it was in 1841 that the first
Negro magazine appeared in America, edited by George Hogarth and
published by the A. M. E. Church.
In the fifties William Wells Brown published his "Three Years in
Europe"; James Whitfield published further poems, and a new poet
arose in the person of Frances E. W. Harper, a woman of no little
ability who is still alive; Martin R. Delaney and William Nell wrote
further of Negro history, Nell especially making valuable contributions
to the history of the Negro soldiers. Three interesting biographies
were added in this decade to the growing number: Josiah Henson,
Samuel G. Ward and Samuel Northrop; while Catto leaving general
history came down to the better known history of the Negro church.
In the sixties slave narratives multiplied, like that of Linda Brent,
while two studies of Africa based on actual visits were made by Robert
Campbell and the revered Alexander Crummell; William Douglass
110
Efforts for Social Betterment
and Bishop Daniel Payne continued the history of the Negro church,
while William Wells Brown carried forward his work in general Negro
history. In this decade, too, Bishop Tanner began his work in Negro
theology.
Most of the Negro talent in the seventies was taken up in politics;
the older men like Bishop Wayman wrote of their experiences. Wil¬
liam Wells Brown wrote the Rising Son, and Sojourner Truth added
her story to the slave narratives. A new poet arose in the person
of A. A. Whitman, while James M. Trotter was the first to take
literary note of the musical ability of his race. Indeed, this section
might have been begun by some reference to the music and folk¬
lore of the Negro race; the music contained much primitive poetry
and the folklore being one of the great contributions to American
civilization.
In the eighties there are signs of unrest and different conflicting
streams of thought. On the one hand the rapid growth of the Negro
church is shown by the writers on church subjects like Moore and
Wayman. The historical spirit was especially strong. Still wrote of
the Underground Railroad; Simmons issued his interesting biograph¬
ical dictionary, and the greatest historian of the race appeared when
George W. Williams issued his two-volume history of the Negro race
in America. The political turmoil was reflected in Langston's Free¬
dom and Citizenship, Fortum's Black and White, and Straker's New
South, and found its bitterest arraignment in Turner's pamphlets; but
with all this went other thought: a black man published his first Greek
lessons, Bishop Payne issued his Treatise on Domestic Education, and
Stewart studied Liberia.
In the nineties came histories, essays, novels and poems, together
with biography and social studies. The history was represented by
Payne's History of the A. M. E. Church, Hood's History of the
A. M. E. Zion Church, Anderson's sketch of Negro Presbyterianism
and Hagood's Colored Man in the M. E. Church; general his¬
tory of the older type by R. L. Perry's Cushite, and the newer type in
Johnson's History and DuBois's Suppression of the Slave Trade, while
one of the secret societies found their historian in Brooks; Cro^man's
essays appeared and Archibald Grimke's biographies. The race ques¬
tion was discussed in Frank Grimke's published Sermons, while social
studies were made by Penn, Wright, Mossell, Crummell, DuBois,
Majors, and others. Most notable, however, was the rise of the Negro
novelist and poet with national recognition; Frances Harper was still
writing and Griggs began his racial novels, but both of these spoke pri¬
marily to the Negro race; on the other hand, Chesnutt's six novels and
Dunbar's inimitable works spoke to the whole nation.
Since 1900 the stream of Negro writing has continued: Dunbar has
found a worthy successor in the less-known but more carefully cul¬
tured Braithwaite; Booker T. Washington has given us his biography
and Story of the Negro; Kelly Miller's trenchant essays have appeared
in book form and DuBois's Souls of Black Folk and John Brown; Sin-
Literature and Newspapers
111
clair s Aftermath of Slavery has attracted attention, as have the studies
made by Atlanta University. The forward movement iti Negro music,
is represented by Frederick J. Work in one direction and Rosamond
Johnson in another.
On the whole the literary output of the American Negro has been
both large and creditable, although, of course, comparatively little
known; few great names have appeared and little work that could
be called first-class, but this, of course, is not a peculiarity of Negro
literature.
A Chronological List of Some Notable Works in Negro Literature
Phyllis Wheatley—Poems oil various subjects, religious and moral. 1773. 8vo.
Equiano, Olaudah (.Gustavus Vassa)—Autobiography. 1787. 350 pp.
Benjamin Banneker—Almanacs, 1792-1806.
African Society. Essay on Freedom. Boston, 22 pp. 1808.
Act of Incorporation, Causes and Motives of the African Episcopal Ohurch. Phila¬
delphia, 1810.
Paul Cuffe—Brief Account of Sierra Leone. New York. 12 pp. 1812.
Lemuel Haynes—Sermons. 1815(?).
Walker, David—Appeal, in four articles, together with a Preamble to the Colored
Citizens of the World, etc. 66 pp. Boston, Mass. 1829.
Minutes of the First Annual Convention of the People of Color Philadelphia. 1831.
Pamphlet.
Appeal of forty thousand colored citizens threatened with disfranchisement to the
people of Pennsylvania. Phila., 1838. 18 pp. 8vo.
Lee, Jarena—Journal. Cincinnati, 1839. 24 pp. 12mo.
J. W. C. Pennington—Origin and History of the Colored People. 1841. 100 pp.
African M. E. Church Magazine. (George Hogarth.) 1841.
Lewis, Robert Benjamin—Light and Truth, etc. Boston, 1844. 400 pp. 16mo.
Douglass—Autobiography, 1845.
Whitfield's Poems, 1846.
Brown, William Wells—Narrative of a fugutive. Boston, 1847. 110 pp. 16mo.
Garnet, Henry Highland—The Past and Present Condition and the Destiny of the
Colored Race. Troy, 1848. 29 pp. 8vo. Plates.
W. W. Brown—Three Years in Europe. London, 1852.
W. W. Brown—Sketches of Places and People Abroad. New York, 1855.
Martin R. Delaney—Condition, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored
People of the United States. Phila., 1852. 215 pp. 12mo.
James M. Whitfield—Poems. America, and other poems. Buffalo, 1853.
Harper, Frances E. W.—Miscellaneous poems. Boston, 1854.
William Cooper Nell—The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution. Intro, by
H. B. Stowe. Boston, 1855. 396 pp. 12mo.
Ward, S. G.—Autobiography of a Fugitive Negro. London, 1855.
Catto, W. T.—History of the Presbyterian Movement. Phila., 1857. 8vo. A semi-
centenary discourse and history of the first African Presbyterian church,
Phila., May, 1857, from its organization, including a notice of its first pastor,
John Gloucester; also appendix containing sketches of all the colored churches
in Philadelphia.
Henson, Josiah (Uncle Tom)—Father Henson's story. Boston, 1858.
Twenty Years a Slave. Northrup. 1859.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Linda Brent). 1861.
Robert Campbell—A Pilgrimage to my Motherland. Phila., 1861.
Crummell, Alexander—The Future of Africa. 1862.
Douglass, William—Annals of St. Thomas's First African Church. Philadelphia,
1862.' 172 pp. 8vo. ,
Brown William Wells—The Black Man, his Antecedents, etc. New York, 1863.
288 pp. 12mo.
Payne D A—The Semi-Centenary and the Retrospection of the A. M. E. Church.
1866.
112
Efforts for Social Betterment
Brown, William Wells—The Negro in the American Rebellion. Boston, 1867.
380 pp. 8vo.
Tanner, Bishop Benjamin T.—An Apology for African Methodism. Baltimore, 1867.
468 pp. 8vo.
Cyclopedia of African Methodism. Bishop Wayman.
Brown, William Wells—The Rising Son. Boston, 1874 (1878). 12mo. Portrait.
Truth, Sojourner—Narrative. Boston, 1875.
Whitman, A. A.—Not a Man and Yet a Man. Springfield, O., 1877.
Trotter, James M.—Music and some highly musical people. Boston, 1878. 353, (1)
152 pp. 12mo.
Moore, J. J.—History of the A. M. E. Zion Church. York, Pa., 1880.
Williams. Geo. W.— History of the Negro race in America from 1619 to 1880. New
York, 1883. 2 vols. 8vo.
Wayman, A. W.-My recollections of A. M. E. Ministers. Philadelphia, 1881. 250 pp.
8vo.
Scarborough, W. S.—First Greek Lessons. New York, 1881. 150 pp.
Langston, J. M.—Freedom and Citizenship, 1882. 286 pp.
Still, Wm.—The Underground Railroad. Phila., 1883.
Fortune, T. Thomas—Black and White. New York, 1884.
Turner. H. M.—The Black Man's Doom. 1884,1896. 90 pp.
Turner, H. M.—Methodist Polity, or the Genius and Theory of Methodism. Phila¬
delphia, 1885.
Payne, Daniel A.—A Treatise on Domestic Education. Cincinnati, 1885.
Scarborough—The Birds of Aristophanes. 1886. 36 pp.
Stewart, T. Mc.— Liberia, the Americo-African Republic. New York, 1886.
Simmons,Wm. Johnson—Men of Mark: eminent,progressive, rising. Cleveland,1887
1141pp. 8vo.
Straker, D. Augustus—The New South Investigated. Detroit, 1888.
Hagood, L. M.—The Colored Man in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1890. Cin¬
cinnati.
Gaines, W. J.—African Methodism in the South. Atlanta, 1890.
Recollections of Seventy Years—Bishop D. A. Payne.
Jamieson, Dr.—Minden Armais, the man of the new race. Phila., 1890. 110 pp.
Crummell, Alexander—Africa and America. Springfield, 1891. 466 pp. 8vo.
"Aunt Lindy"—Victoria Earle.
Penn, Irvine Garland—The Afro-American Press and its Editors. Springfield, 1811.
565 pp. 12mo.
Johnson, Edward A.—A School History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to
1890, with a short introduction as to the origin of the race; also a short sketch
of Liberia. Raleigh, 1891,
Payne, Daniel A.—History of the A. M. E. Church. Nashville, 1891. 498 pp.
Grimke, Archibald H.—William Lloyd Garrison. New York, 1891.
Grimke, Archibald H.—Charles Sumner. New York, 1892. 515 pp. 8vo.
Harper, Frances E. W.—Iola Leroy: a novel. 3d ed. Phila., 1892. 281 pp.
Perry, Rufus L.—The Cushite. . Springfield, 1893.
Majors, M. A.—Noted Negro Women. Chicago, 1893.
Brooks, 0. H.—Manual and History of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
Philadelphia, 1893. 260 pp. 8vo.
Smith, Mrs. Amanda—Autobiography of Amanda Smith. Chicago, 1893,
Mossell, Mrs. N. F.—The Work of Afro-American Women. Phila., 1894.
Jones, Robert—Fifty Years in the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church.
Philadelphia, 1894.
Wright, Richard R.—Brief Historical Sketch of Negro Education in Georgia. Sa¬
vannah, 1894.
Hood, W. J.—History of the A. M. E. Zion Church. New York, 1895.
W. H. Crogman—Talks for the Times. Atlanta, 1896.
DuBois, W. E. B.—Suppression of the Slave Trade. New York, 1896.
Anderson, Matthew— Presbyterianism and its relation to the Negro. Phila., 1897.
Griggs, Sutton E.—Imperium in Imperio. Cincinnati, 1899.
Literature and Newspapers
113
Chesnutt, Charles "W.—
The Conjure Woman. Boston, 1899.
Frederick Douglass. Boston, 1899.
The House Behind the Cedars. Boston, 1900.
The Marrow of Tradition. Boston, 1901.
The Wife of his Youth. Boston, 1899.
Grimke, Francis J.—The Lynching of Negroes In the South. Washington, 1899.
DuBois, W. E. B.—The Philadelphia Negro. Phila., 1899. 520 pp.
Dunbar, Paul Lawrence—The Sport of the Gods. New York, 1901.
Atlanta University Publications—The College-bred Negro. Atlanta, 1900.
Atlanta University Publications—The Negro Artisan. Atlanta, 1902.
Washington, B. T.—Up from Slavery. New York, 1901.
Penn, I. G.,and J. W. B. Bowen, Editors—The United Negro; His Problems and His
Progress. Containing the Addresses and Proceedings of the Negro Young Peo¬
ple's Christian and Educational Congress, held August 6-11,1902. Atlanta, 1902.
Gibbs, M. W.—Shadow and Light. Washington, 1902.
Wright, R. R.—Negro Companions of the Spanish Explorers. From "American
Anthropologist," vol. 8. 1902.
Work, Frederick J.—New Jubilee Songs, as sung by the Jubilee Singers of Fisk Uni¬
versity. 1902.
DuBois, W. E. B.—The Souls of Black Folk. Chicago, 1903.
Atlanta University Publications—The Negro Church. Atlanta, 1903.
The Negro Problem—A series of articles by representative Negroes of to-day. New
York, 1903.
Braithwaite—Poems and Anthologies.
Grimshaw, Wm. H.—Official History of Freemasonry, etc. New York, 1903.
Cromwell, John W.—The Early Negro Convention Movement. "Washington, 1904.
(The American Negro Academy.)
Sinclair, "William A.—The Aftermath of Slavery, etc., with an introduction by T. "W-
Higginson. Boston, 1905.
Miller, Kelly—Race Adjustment. 1908.
Washington, B. T.—Story of the Negro. 1910.
Turning now to the newspapers we quote from L. M. Hershaw:
Negro journalism in the United States had its origin in the aspiration for
freedom. The first Negro newspaper in the United States was begun in New
Tork city, March 80, 1827, and was called The Journal of Freedom. Its editor
was John B. Russworm, a graduate of Dartmouth College of the class of 1826'
perhaps the first Negro to receive a degree from an American institution of
learning. Associated with him in the editing was the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish,
a controversialist of no mean powers.
This journal had an existence of but three years, and other attempts by
Negroes to publish newspapers failed of notable success until Frederick
Douglass started The North Star at Rochester, N. Y., in 1847. The name was
subsequently changed to Frederick Douglass's paper, and Mr. Douglass
continued it up to the opening of the Civil War. For length of life, extent
of circulation, ability of matter contributed and commanding talents of its
editor, the publication was one which occupies a conspicuous chapter in the
history of Negro journalism.
From these beginnings the Negro newspaper has grown until to-day
there are over three hundred periodicals published, most of which are
in the form of weekly papers. Since the establishment of the Journal
of Freedom in 1827 thousands of Negro journals have lived and died.
114
Efforts for Social Betterment
Among these papers the most notable was the Voice of the Negro, an
excellent magazine which lasted several years. At different times
small Negro daily papers have been started. The only surviving one
at present seems to be the Daily Metropolitan of Dallas, Tex. At pres¬
ent there have been received in this office specimen copies of 185 papers
and 9 magazines. Besides these we have the names of 76 other weekly
papers which either are being published or have been until quite re¬
cently.
The 185 papers actually received have been tabulated according to
the year of founding, the number of pages, the size of the page and the
number of columns of "live matter," i. e., of matter actually set up
in type by the paper each week and not received in printed form from
some printing or advertising agency:
Name
Published
Year
Pp.
L.M.
Size
Christian Recorder
Philadelphia
1852
8
36
15x22
Southwestern Christian Advocate
New Orleans, La.
1866
16
42
11x15
Christian Index
Jackson, Tenn.
1870
16
82
9x13
Star of Zion
Charlotte, N. C.
1877
8
27
12x21
Afro-American Presbyterian
Charlotte, N. C.
1878
4
11
16x22
The Washington Bee
Washington, D. C.
1879
8
W
15x22
Georgia Baptist
Augusta, Ga.
1879
8
23
13x20
Western Star
Houston, Dallas, Tex.
1881
8
10
15x22
Baptist Vanguard
Little Rock, Ark.
1881
8
19
13x20
The World
Indianapolis, Ind.
1881
8
11
15x22
Pioneer Press
Martinsburg, W.Va.
1882
4
11H
11x20
Gazette
Cleveland, 0.
1883
4
10
18x24
Normal Index
Normal, Ala.
1883
4
13
11x16
Appeal
St. Paul, Minn.
1884
4
8
18x24
Southern Letter
Tuskegee, Ala.
1884
4
7
9x12
Savannah Tribune
Savannah, Ga.
1885
8
13
15x22
Philadelphia Tribune
Philadelphia
1885
8
24
15x24
Brotherhood
Cincinnati, O.
1886
8
m
15x22
Crusader
Baltimore, Md.
1886
8
5%
15x22
Florida Sentinel
Pensacola, Fla.
1886
8
15
15x22
New York Age
New York
1887
8
33 1
(5x20%
The Light
Vicksburg, Miss.
1887
4
7
18x24
The Freeman
Indianapolis, Ind.
1887
8
23
15x22
Steelton Press
Steelton, Pa.
1888
4
2
18x24
Tuskegee Student
Tuskegee, Ala.
1888
4
9V2
11x16
New Light
Edwards, Miss.
1888
8
m
15x22
Statesman
Denver, Col.
1888
16
25
11x15
Southern Christian Recorder
Columbus, Ga.
1889
4
22
18x23
Baptist Leader
Birmingham, Ala.
1889
4
15x22
Christian Banner
Philadelphia
1889
4
20
18x24
The Christian Hope
Demopolis, Ala.
1891
4
6
15x22
Dallas Express
Dallas, Tex.
1892
8
18
18x24
Griffin Echo
Griffln, Ga.
1892
4
2^
18x24
Oklahoma Guide
Guthrie, Okla
1892
4
4
18x24
People's Recorder
Orangeburg, S. 0.
1892
4
20
15x22
Oklahoma Safeguard
Guthrie, Okla.
1893
4
12
18x24
Iowa Bystander
Des Moines, la.
1893
4
15
18x24
Baptist Truth
Cairo, 111.
1894
4
VA
18x24
Plaindealer
Palestine, Tex.
1894
8
6
15x21
Weekly Express
Mobile, Ala.
1894
6
11
15x22
Charleston Messenger
Charleston, S. 0.
1894
4
13
18x24
The Standard
Lexington, Ky.
1894
4
9
18x24
The Journal
Huntsville, Ala.
1894
4
12
15x22
Seattle Republican
Seattle, Wash.
1894
8
8
11x16
Western Outlook
San Francisco, Los An¬
geles and Oakland, Cal.
1894
4
10
18x24
Literature and Newspapers
Name
Rock Hill Messenger
Colored Citizen
Advance Citizen
Detroit Reformer
The Reformer
Broad Ax
Odd Fellows' Journal
The Advance
Recorder
The Educator
Taborian Visitor
Enterprise
The Helping Hand
Louisiana Baptist,
Informer
Oakland Sunshine
N ews-Enterprise
Nashville Clarion
Weekly Gazette
City Times
Mission Herald
National Protest
Texas Freeman
Western Enterprise,
Plaindealer
Baptist Seutinel
Durham Reformer
Kentucky Standard
Missionary Seer
Independent
Southern Reporter
Kentucky Reporter
Advocate,
Western Messenger
The Demonstrator
St. Luke Herald
Florida Reporter
American Star
National Star
Pythian Monitor
Bluff City News
Friendship Banner
Wilkes-Barre Advocate
The Star
The Courant
Professional World
The Guardian
The Torchlight
Florida Labor Temple
Baptist Rival
Industrial Era
Seattle Searchlight
The Truth
Missionary Presbyterian
Portland Advocate
Vox Populi
Fisherman's Net,
The Forum
Cleveland Journal
Southern Age
The Echo
The Signal
Birmingham Reporter
Illinois Idea
National Watchman
The Defender
The Advocate
Springfield Leader
Interstate Reporter
Staunton Reporter
Beaufort County News
Boley Progress
Florida Standard
Negro Fortune Teller
Atlanta Justice
Colorado Times
The Messenger
Published
Rock Hill, S. C.
Memphis, Tenn.
Springfield, 111.
Detroit, Mich.
Richmond, Va.
Chicago, 111.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Jamestown, N. O.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Huntsville, Ala.
Little Rock, Ark.
Omaha, Neb.
Paris, Tex.
Alexandria, La.
Urbana, O.
Oakland, Cal.
Shreveport, La.
Nashville, Tenn.
Metropolis, 111.
Galveston, Tex.
Louisville, Ky.
St. Joseph, Mo.
Houston, Tex.
ColoradoftSprings
Topeka, Kan.
Raleigh, N. C.
Durham, N. C.
Louisville, Ky.
Philadelphia.
Savannah, Ga.
Charleston, S. 0.
Owensboro, Ky.
Charleston, W. Va.
Macon, Jefferson City
and St. Louis, Mo.
Mound Bayou, Miss.
Richmond, Va.
Tampa, Fla.
Tuscumbia, Ala.
Vicksburg, Miss.
Cincinnati, 0.
Memphis, Tenn.
Rock Hill, S. C.
Wilkesbarre, Pa.
Newport News, Va.
Philadelphia.
Columbia, Mo.
Boston, Mass.
Danville, Ky.
Jacksonville.
Ardmore, Okla.
Beaumont, Tex.
Seattle, Wash.
Birmingham, Ala.
Washington, Ga.
Portland, Ore.
Albany, Ga.
Hampton, Va.
Springfield, 111.
Cleveland, O.
New Orleans
Red Bank, N. .J.
Memphis, Tenn.
Birmingham, Ala.
Chicago
Topeka, Kan.
Sumter, S. C.
Portland, Ore.
Springfield, 111.
Helena, Ark.
Staunton, Va.
Beaufort, S. C.
Boley, Okla.
Jacksonville
Huntsville, Ala.
Atlanta, Ga.
Pueblo, Col.
Tuskegee, Ala.
115
Year
Pp. L.M.
Size
1895
4
5 %
18x24
1895
8
10
15x22
1895
4
5
15x22
1895
4
11
18x24
1895
4
18%
20x26
1895
4
9
16x22
1896
8
15
13x20
1896
4
1
15x22
1896
4
12
18x24
1896
8
8
11x16
1895
8
40
15x22
1896
8
10
15x22
1896
8
27
15x22
1897
9
22%
13x20
1897
4
10
15x22
1897
4
13%
18x24
1897
8
13
15x19
1897
4
10
13x19
1897
8
14%
13x20
1897
4
4%
18x24
1897
4
19
12x19
1897
8
16%
15x22
1898
-
18x24
1898
8
13
15x22
1898
8
13
12x20
1898
8
13
11x16
1898
8
15
15x22
1898
4
6
18x24
1898
8
14
9x12
1899
8
8
15x22
1899
4
14%
8
15x21
1899
4
15x22
1900
8
31%
18x22
1900
4
15
15x22
1900
4
7%
18x24
1900
4
9
13x21
1900
8
10
13x20
1900
8
6
11x15
1900
4
6
18x24
1901
8
30
15x24
1901
12
12
17x22
(?)
4
10
11x17
1901
4
11%
15x22
1901
8
18%
15x22
1901
4
9
15x22
1901
8
22
15x22
1901
8
35
18x24
1901
4
10%
15x22
1901
8
12
18x24
1901
8
11
13x20
1902
4
4%
16x22
1902
4
17
16x22
1902
4
3
12x18
1902
4
6
13x20
1902
4
12
18x24
1902
8
8
13x20
1903
4
10
15x22
1903
8
7
12x16
1903
8
14
15x22
1903
4
8%
18x22
1903
4
7%
15x22
1903
4
1
15x22
1903
8
12
15x22
1903
4
7
18x24
1903
8
9
15x22
1903
8
9
15x22
1903
4
15
18x24
1904
8
11
15x22
1904
4
7
15x22
1904
4
8
11x15
1904
4
3%
8
13x20
1904
4
15x22
1904
4
6
15x22
1904
4
11%
11x16
1904
6
9 9%xl2%
1904
4
7
18x24
1905
4
10
11x16
116
Efforts for Social Betterment
Name
American Problem
Nashville Globe
Light of the Race
Farmers' Courier
Southern Plowman
The Messenger
Chicago Defender
Richomnd Planet
Mid-weekly Progress
Colored Alabamian
Waycross News
Wisconsin Weekly Defender
The Advance
Saturday Evening News
The Union
Union Messenger
Macon Dispatch
The Daily Metropolitan
San Antonio Inquirer
National Industrial Enterprise
The American Citizen
Kansas City Son
Yonkers Standard
Fessenden Academy Herald
New York Eye
Union Ledger
The Light
Mississippi Odd Fellow
Southern Indicator
The Advocate
The Plaindealer
Muskogee Cimeter
Conservative Counselor
The New Century
Spokane Citizen
Atlantic City Weekly Topic
Washington American
Allen Student
Wagoner Lantern
Supreme Circle News
Bath Times
The New Age
The Sentinel
The College Journal
Baltimore Times
Appreciator Union
Negro Leader
St. John Herald
Baptist Herald
Ethiopian Phalanx
The Caret
The U. B. F. Searchlight
Fort Valley Uplift
New York Defender
The Forum
Wadesboro Enterprise
Indiana Register
Zanesville Advocate
National Aspect
Jackson Gazette
The Enterprise
Illinois Chronicle
Pittsburgh Courier
A. M. E. Church Review
A. M. E. Z. Quarterly
Gazetteer and Guide
Business League Herald
The Horizon
McGirt's Magazine
The Liberator
Negro World Echo
The Sixth Race Magazine
Published
Newport News, Va.
Nashville, Tenn.
Newport News, Va.
Darlington, 8. C.
Columbia, S. C.
Atlantic City, N. J.
Chicago, 111.
Richmond, Va.
Memphis, Tenn.
Montgomery, Ala.
Waycross, Ga.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Providence, R. I.
Columbus, O.
Cincinnati, O.
Dothan, Ala.
Macon, Ga.
Dallas, Tex.
San Antonio, Tex.
Washington, D. C.
Atlanta, Ga.
Kansas City, Mo.
Yonkers, N. Y.
Fessenden, Ala.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Anniston, Ala.
Columbia, S. C.
Holly Springs, Miss.
Spartanburg, S. C.
Boston, Mass.
Helena, Mont.
Muskogee, Okla.
Gonzales, Tex.
Norfolk, Va.
Spokane, Wash.
Atlantic City, N. J.
Washington, D.C.
Columbia, S. 0.
Wagoner, Okla.
Albany, Ga.
Hot Springs and Cov¬
ington, Va.
Los Angeles, Cal.
Richmond, Ky.
Savannah, Ga.
Baltimore, Md.
Ft. Smith.
Uniontown, Ala.
Montgomery, Ala.
Lynchburg, Va.
Covington, Ga.
Philadelphia.
Sedalia, Mo.
Ft. Valley, Ga.
New York
Spokane, Wash.
Wadesboro, N. C.
Richmond, Ind.
Zanesville, O.
Chicago, 111.
Jackson, Tenn.
Muskogee, Okla.
Chicago, 111.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Magazines
Nashville, Tenn.
Charlotte, N. 0.
St. Paul, Detroit, Rich¬
mond,Va., and Mon¬
treal.
Washington, D. 0.
Washington, D. 0.
Philadelphia.
St. Louis.
Hot Springs, Ark.
Orlando, Fla.
Year Pp.
L.M.
Size
1905
4
4K
15x22
1905
8
27
13x18
1905
4
15
15x22
1905
4
4%
15x22
1905
4
22
8
15x22
1905
4
15x22
1905
4
14
18x24
1905
8
12
18x24
1905
4
6
15x22
1906
4
10
11x16
1906
4
8
15x22
1906
4
15x22
1906
4
7%
15x22
1906
4
14
11x14
1906
8
6
15x22
1906
4
8
15x22
1906
8
8
15x22
1906
4
9 UMxlOV,
1906
4
3
15x22
1906
8
15x22
1907
8
13x20
1907
8
7 ^
15x22
1907
4
11
15x22
1907
8
11
9x12
1907
8
13x20
1907
4
13x20
1907
8
9
15x22
1907
4
13
15x22
1907
8
15
13x22
1907
8
19
15x22
1907
4
16
15x22
1907
8
11
15x22
1907
4
5
15x22
1908
4
7
15x22
1908
8
15
11x16
1908
4
8
15x22
1908
4
10
18x24
1908
4
15
16x22
1908
4
3
13x20
1908
4
15
15x22
1908
4
83*
18x24
1908
4
10
15x22
1908
6
15
11X17
1908
4
16
11x17
1909
8
14
15x22
1909
4
12
13x20
1909
4
6\i 8VoXl4
1909
4
9
8^X12
1909
8
10
13x20
1909
4
6%
8
15x22
1909
4
15x22
1909
4
13
15x22
1909
4
5V2 9^x12
1909
—
—
1909
4
11
16x22
1909
4
10
18x24
1909
4
12
15x22
1909
8
8
15x22
1910
4
12
18x24
1910
4
8
15x22
1910
8
12 X
18x24
1910
4
15 U
15x24
1910
8
18
16x22
1882
100
99
6x9
1889
91
182
6x9
1900
24
Wi
11x16
1908
12
9x12
1907
12
24
10i-2x8
(?)
40
60
6x9
m
96
145 7^X91 /
1910
64
36
6f^xl0
1910
20
19
6x8%
Papers Not Received, but
The Tribune, Bessemer, Ala.
The Selma News, Selma, Ala.
Voice of the 20th Century, Argenta, Ark
Union Trumpet, Montrose, Ark.
Reporter, Little Rock, Ark.
Fraternal Union, Fort Smith, Ark.
Echo, Hot Springs, Ark.
Eagle, Los Angeles, Oal.
The Forum, San Jose, Oal.
The Light, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Delaware Advocate, Wilmington, Del.
Afro-American Ledger,Wilmington,Del.
Masonic Forum, Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida Tribune, Marianna, Fla.
Christian Recorder, Orlando, Fla.
Advocate, Covington, Ga.
Baptist Truth, Macon, Ga.
Enterprise, Pulaski, Ga.
Standard World, Columbus, O.
Ohio Standard, Xenia, O.
Republican, Muskogee, Okla.
Sun, Ardmore, Okla.
The Western Age, Langston, Okla.
The Gazette, Buxton, la.
The Enterprise, Salina, Kan.
The Searchlight, Wichita, Kan.
American Baptist, Louisville, Ky.
Blue Grass Bugle, Frankfort, Ky.
Reporter, Mt. Sterling, Ky.
The Watchman, Shreveport, La.
Republican Liberator, New Orleans, La.
Louisiana Searchlight, Shreveport, La.
The Guide, Evansville, Ind.
The Sun, Columbia, S.O.
The Monitor, Greenville, S. C.
The Blade, Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Conservator, Memphis, Tenn.
The Signal, Memphis, Tenn.
The Paul Quin Weekly, Waco, Tex.
117
Reported as Being Published
The Wiley Reporter, Marshall, Tex.
The Witness, Houston, Tex.
The Watchman, Austin, Tex.
Texas Pythian Journal, Waco, Tex.
The Searchlight, Austin, Tex.
The New Idea, Galveston, Tex.
The Item, Fort Worth, Tex.
The Louisiana Record, New Orleans, La.
The Advocate, Baltimore, Md.
The Appeal, Meridian, Miss.
The Baptist Reporter, Jackson, Miss.
The Herald, Natchez, Miss.
The News Journal, Laurel, Miss.
Delta Light House. Greenville, Miss.
The National Mirror, Kansas City, Mo.
The Western Christian Recorder, Kan¬
sas City, Mo.
The Sentinel, East St. Louis, 111.
The Signal, Kansas City, Mo.
The Palladium, St. Louis, Mo.
The American Citizen, Kansas City, Mo.
The Advance, St. Louis, Mo.
The Appeal, Jersey City, N. J.
The IndustrialWatchman, Paterson,N.J.
Voice of Missions, New York.
The Statesman, New York.
The National Review, New York.
The Gazette, Charlotte, N. 0.
The Piedmont Advocate, Salisburg, N.C.
The True Reformer, Littleton, N. C.
The Bee, San Antonio, Tex.
The Utah Plaindealer, Salt Lake City, U.
The National Pilot, Petersburg, "Va.
The Virginia Baptist, Richmond, Va.
The Colored Union, Clifton Forge, Va.
The Westerner, Spokane, Wash.
Fair Play, Parkersburg, W. Va.
The Wisconsin Advocate, Milwaukee,
Wis.
Section 18. Libraries. Most of the public libraries of the South
exclude Negroes, even though they pay taxes; for instance, in Atlanta
there is a Carnegie public library and a branch library supported by
public taxation, to which Negroes have no access. This and the
natural desire for books have led to movements for Negro libraries.
In Montgomery, Ala., the Sojourner Truth Club was organized about
twelve years ago by a number of young women.
It has always stood for personal improvement and for social service. It
meets twice a month, having one meeting devoted to business and the other
to a literary program. For a number of years its benevolences were of a
general character. For the past five years the strength of the club has been
given mainly to the maintenance of a Free Reading-Room and Library. The
establishment of the Reading-Room grew out of the fact that our people here
were refused admission to the Carnegie Library. Appeals were made, in the
churches and to the citizens in general, and about three hundred dollars
collected to be used for furnishings. The present rooms were rented and
the doors thrown open. At first the public was invited simply to come and
read • later, as books were accumulated, books were loaned for use in the
home. The expense of maintaining this work is between twenty and twenty-
five dollars a month. It would be more, but the rooms are open for six hours
118
Efforts for Social Betterment
daily instead of all day. There are about five hundred volumes of good
literature.
The Sojourner Truth Club also gives an annual prize for the best paper
written by a student of our Junior or Senior class on a subject connected with
the history of the development of the race.
Our money is raised by entertainments and contributions. In having
entertainments to raise money for even so laudable an undertaking as the
Reading-Room and Library, we are scrupulous as to the character of these
entertainments. We seek to have them at all times uplifting and elevating.
Many of the most distinguished persons of the race have come to Montgom¬
ery under the auspices of this club. Among them are Prof. Kelly Miller,
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Dr. Booker T. Washington,
Mr. Joseph Douglass, Mr. Clarence White and Madame Anita Patti Brown
of Chicago.
Only thirty women compose this faithful little band. They have always
stood for the highest and best things in club life, and have never shirked
duties because they were hard.
From Guthrie, Okla., we learn:
The colored people of Guthrie have an organization known as the Excelsior
Club, which is conducting a library for the Negroes. The city has appro¬
priated a part of the taxes for its maintenance, but since it is conducted
wholly and partially supported by Negroes, it ought to be counted. It is called
the Excelsior Club Library.
There is also a colored library in Dallas, Tex., and one has just been
incorporated in Jacksonville, Fla.; besides this, Jacksonville has a
colored department to her public library.
The number of books loaned from the colored department has increased
from 5,031 in 1907 to 7,182 in 1908, an increase of 2,151. The registration has
nearly doubled, being 121 in 1907 and 234 in 1908. Even with this increase,
however, the use of the department is still very small when the large colored
population of the city is considered. If the time should come when a sepa¬
rate branch library for the colored people could be conducted, we are con¬
vinced that the registration and circulation could quickly be very greatly
increased. For the present, however, the finances of the library forbid this
important step. In November the librarian gave an address at the Florida
Baptist Academy, a colored school, on the subject "What Books are For."
The Colored Branch of the Louisville, Ky., public library says:
In outlining the library system for Louisville the Trustees wisely planned
a special library for the 40,000 colored citizens. After the opening of the main
library the Colored Branch came next on September 23,1905, in temporary
quarters. At the same time the Board purchased a site at Tenth and Chestnut
streets, where one of the Carnegie branch buildings was erected, and opened
October 29,1908.
The new building is 77 feet long and 45 feet wide, two stories high, built of
brick with some trimmings and tile roof. On the main floor near the entrance
is the delivery desk and back of it are large tables with abundant space for
reading and reference; to the left on entering is a newspaper alcove, an office
and the special children's room; to the right is a magazine alcove, a special
room for adults and a small study-room. The ground floor contains a large
lecture-room, two class-rooms, and supply and boiler rooms.
Day Nurseries
119
cost of plant
Site
Improving grounds
$ 3,180 00
1,048 68
Building proper,
Light fixtures..
Furniture
$ 4,228 68
27,511 74
438 55
3,395 34
Books and periodicals
Total
31,340 63
6,139 71
$41,709 02
circulation
The number of volumes drawn for home use was:
First fiscal year
Second fiscal year
Third fiscal year
September 1, 1908 to May 1,1909
30,259
35,910
39,754
17,838
Total
123,761
The library contains 6,882 volumes of books and 65 current magazines and
periodicals, all of which are free. New books are being added constantly.
The branch serves as a reference library for the colored schools. Books are
distributed free, not only at the branch proper but also at various public
.schools.
The opening of its doors marked an epoch in the development of the race.
It is the only institution of its kind in existence and has been a success from
the beginning. Since its opening 123,761 volumes have been drawn for home
use; of these only 38 per cent were fiction and 67 per cent were children's
books. It is at present in such high favor that the Library Trustees in May
1909 voted to establish a Second Colored Branch in the eastern portion of
the city.
Besides these Hampton Institute sends out Traveling Libraries, and
the number sent from Atlanta University has been increased this year
to twenty-five.
Section 19. Day Nurseries. We now come to a set of specialized
and more scientific charities, and many of which the Negro population
as a whole is just learning. There are, therefore, comparatively few
examples of these among them, but the few that are arising are very
significant.
The Day Nursery is a widespread and crying need among Negroes.
There ought to be not only several in each city and town, but also in
country districts. It is a potent field for philanthropic enterprise.
The Women's Union Day Nursery in Philadelphia is one of the most
successful.
The Women's Union Day Nursery was first opened November, 1898, at 1508
Lombard street, and so is now in its tenth year. It is entirely conducted by
an organization of colored women of every religious denomination. Its sup¬
port has come almost entirely from our own people. The children of parents
whose work calls them from home are taken care of from 6.80 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
for five (5) cents a day. They receive excellent care, and three wholesome
meals are provided. All children of the proper age are sent to the kinder¬
garten or schooL
120
Efforts for Social Betterment
The Nursery is now located at 707 S. 19th street, this property having been
recently secured by the Women's Union Missionary Society as a permanent
home. Since moving into the new location, May 10th, an aggregate number
of three thousand four hundred children have been cared for. The largest
attendance in one day was forty.
This increase in work has made a corresponding increase in expenses, and
we strongly appeal to all, particularly the church, to help to carry on this
most excellent charity.
The society that carries this on has a membership of 200 and has
spent about. $2,000 annually. The property at 707 S. 19th street cost
$4,000, and $1,000 worth of repairs put upon it. The work is purely
charitable and no one in the organization receives any remuneration.
The Day Nursery in Columbus, O., on the other hand, was begun and
is still supported largely by white people.
This institution was inaugurated by the Woman's Educational and Indus¬
trial Union, a corporation of Christian women (white) of this city, February
4th, 1901, in a two-story five-room frame building, at 231 N. Ohio avenue.
At the opening of the Nursery a matron and cook were employed and three
children constituted their first care, which number has gradually increased
until at the present time they number 58.
Realizing the necessity of some assistance from the colored people in car¬
rying on this work, on April 19th, 1901, an auxiliary board of managers was
organized among them, consisting of four members, who worked in conjunc¬
tion with the white board.
Owing to the rapid growth of the institution the auxiliary board was, in
1902, increased to twelve members.
About this time it became apparent that this building was not adequate
for the growth of the Nursery. As the necessity for more room and increased
facilities for doing the work became evident, it was decided by the board to
purchase larger quarters, which they did by securing the present quarters, a
seven-room brick house, modern, with two large lots at 162 N. Ohio avenue, in
the name of The Woman's Educational and Industrial Union.
In Lexington, Ky., tnere is a Day Nursery just beginning:
The Woman's Improvement Club has purchased a four-room cottage with
nice playground, in which to begin this work. The house is now undergoing
repairs, and I was so successful as to solicit the material necessary for said
repairs. Lumber, paint, paper, roofing and guttering have been given. The
workmen readily responded to the request to give a portion of their labor. As
soon as the house is ready for use we have the promise of furniture.
The Nursery in Washington, D. C., at 69 O street, is supported almost
entirely by white people.
The Nursery at Pittsburgh, Pa., reports:
Some ladies of the Baptist church have established a Day Nursery at B211
Penn avenue, which is filling a long-felt want. They also take children
temporarily, which has been a great help to the Juvenile Court work.
The Douglass Club of Austin, Tex., is seeking to establish a nursery
and there are other nurseries established on Rodman street, Philadel¬
phia, and Bainbridge street, in the Lincoln Settlement of Brooklyn,
N. Y., in Richmond, Va., Athens, Ga., Louisville, Ky., and Los An¬
geles, Cal. There are probably a number of others unreported.
Social Settlements
121
Section 20. Social Settlements. There are a few Social settlements
among the Negro city populations, and considerable unorganized slum
work like that of the Women's Twentieth Century League in Mobile,
Ala.
The Presbyterian Colored Missions maintained by the Southern white
Presbyterians of Louisville, Ky., is a specimen of settlement work.
They report as follows:
The Presbyterian Colored Missions celebrated the tenth anniversary of
their organization on April 14,1907, and the work has now passed the experi¬
mental stage and is a firmly established factor for good in this community.
The year which closed on March 31, 1907, was one of marked progress and
some permanent results were achieved. There were more pupils enrolled,
more religious services conducted, and more industrial classes instructed each
week, than ever before in their history.
The average weekly attendance for the year was as follows:
Pupils Teachers
First quarter, April-June, 1906 445 52
Second quarter, July-Sept., 1906 427 25
Third quarter, Oct.-Dec., 1906 539 47
Fourth quarter, Jan.-Mch., 1907 677 54
The average weekly attendance for first three weeks in April, 1907, showed
744 pupils and 54 teachers.
They maintain a cooking-school, carpentry shop, sewing-school and
public playgrounds. This work is supported almost entirely by South¬
ern whites.
On San Juan Hill, New York city, a noted Negro quarter, is a
missionary settlement work supported by the white Episcopalians and
carried on by colored priests and workers, known as St. Cyprian's
Chapel. This settlement ministers to over 1,500 families, and has a
new parish house and four workers.
The new building has made it possible to assemble our congregation under
healthier and more churchly conditions, and so our services have continued
to grow, not only in numbers but in heartiness and reverence. With our new
gymnasium, our shower baths and lockers, we have been enabled to carry out
our long-cherished desire to enlarge the scope of our work among our boys
and girls as well as that with young men and women of the neighborhood.
For six afternoons and evenings of each week, under safe and competent
instruction, our young folks are carried through exercises that will tend to
give them strong and vigorous bodies. In this connection I ought to mention
also the excellent work done by four young women, communicants of St. Cyp¬
rian's, as visitors, nurses, or model home-keepers in our district.
Several doctors, white and colored, meet the mothers in our rooms, and after
examining the infants give talks as to their proper feeding and clothing. The
New York Milk Committee has kindly supplied pure milk to such as were
too poor to buy it. Some 200 children have been handled. Of this number not
six died during the summer.
Four hundred and twenty girls are enrolled in cooking and sewing-schools.
The cooking-school has grown into a lunchroom where poor and hungry
school children and other sick folk are fed.
During the month of October 156 meals were given to the poor, while the
400 sold to school children about covered the total expenses. Once a month
122
Efforts for Social Betterment
our young people have donation parties, at which time they bring gifts of gro¬
ceries, canned goods and vegetables for the lunchroom. In the sewing-school
our girls continue to make underwear and dresses which when finished are
given or sold to them. Out of the sewing-school has come an industrial ex¬
change which gives sewing to worthy women who come to us seeking employ¬
ment. The garments made by these workers are sold through our Clothing
Bureau, as are second-hand shoes and other clothing. We repair our shoes
through our cobbling classes.
Chicago furnishes a settlement of a different type—the Frederick
Douglass Center, on Wabash avenue. This work was founded by Celia
Parker Woolley, and its object is stated to be: to promote a just and
amicable relation between the white and colored people; to remove
the disabilities of which the latter suffer in their civil, political and
industrial life; to encourage equality irrespective of race, color, or other
arbitrary distinction; to establish a settlement of friendly helpfulness
and influence in which to gather useful information, and for mutual
co-operation for the needs of right living and higher citizenship. One
of the reports says:
The Frederick Douglass Center is increasingly busy on old and new lines.
Its work is educational and philanthropic.
The Negro in this country suffers not only those hindrances that spring
from his former enslavement, but he suffers even more from the obstacles
imposed in race and caste feeling. Our treatment of the colored people in this
country constitutes the greatest charge that can be made against our patriot¬
ism, our religion, our humanity. The civilized world stands aghast at the
crimes committed almost daily by race hatred in this country, the most
advanced civilization under the sun.
The darkest spot on our national escutcheon is race prejudice. This feeling
exists in other parts of the world: in Russia against the J ew, in Great Britain
against her Irish, Boer and East Indian subjects, but nowhere does this feeling
find more brutal expression than with us. Nowhere is it a greater travesty
on the general creed and profession than in our free republic.
This attempt to establish a center of friendly influence and co-operation
between the races has met the approval of representative men and women of
highest standing on both sides the color line. Its demand for the colored peo¬
ple is equal opportunity. Its plea to the white is for simple justice, while its
labors for the moral uplift of the people in its vicinity are incessant.
The workers are both colored and white, and the activities consist of
a woman's club, sewing-class, children's singing-class, study-class, an
orchestra, quartette and religious services Sunday afternoon; besides
this there are social meetings of colored and white people with lectures
and talks. A building worth $5,500 has been bought, and no salaries
are paid except to the sewing teacher, the janitor and the housekeeper.
One of the best social settlements along regular lines is the Colored
Social Settlement on M street, Washington, D. C. It is conducted by
colored and white people and is doing an excellent work.
In the year 1902 Mr. Charles F. Weller, former secretary of the Associated
Charities of this city, founded in southwest Washington a colored social set¬
tlement. The object of this organization was to place before the neglected
and unfortunate colored people such principles of industry and right living as
Social Settlements
123
would remove the causes of dependence which exists so prominently among
a great number of the people in southwest Washington.
In two small meanly-provided houses situated at 116-118 M street S.W., this
institution has been located since it was founded. These houses are without
even water. Besides visiting the neglected homes of the unfortunate colored
people of this district, teaching them morality, temperance, religion, and
neatness in domestic life, this settlement maintains a day nursery where the
babies of working mothers are cared for through the day, while the mother
provides for house-rent and other necessities of life. We are also giving in¬
structions in housekeeping, cooking, sewing and drawing. Again, the settle¬
ment has managed a stamp savings bank where, in the year of 1908, over
a thousand dollars, mostly in pennies, were deposited by children and adults
who had probably never saved a cent before : now they were learning their
first lesson in thrift.
The public can little imagine the immense good this work has done for the
colored people of southwest Washington, and little can they imagine the
great work that yet remains to be done. The problem is a difficult one, but if
the generous-hearted and Christian people of this city support us, in time the
desired work will be accomplished.
At present there is under erection a sixteen room building which will bet¬
ter accommodate the work. And there will be carried on in this building in
addition to the industries taught at the present Settlement House, carpentry,
shoe-repairing and chair-caning. A library and gymnasium will also be pro¬
vided. The cost of this building is $6,000, $1,000 of which will go for the equip¬
ment. There must also be raised $200 per month for the running expenses.
As this institution is supported entirely by voluntary contributions, we must
look to the public for the money with which to pay this debt and at the same
time keep the work in progress.
Philadelphia has three colored settlements. The Eighth Ward Social
Settlement has three residents and 22 workers.
The Starr Center, an old wrork, has a branch of the city library and
a coal club of a thousand members who pay in over three thousand
dollars a year; medical visitation, a dispensary, kindergarten, penny
lunches and a savings bank. This is supported vfery largely by white
people and most of the workers are white.
The Spring Street Settlement has both colored and white managers
and workers. It has the following departments of work:
Gymnasium class for large boys, in which wholesome talks are given.
Cobbler class. To teach older boys to mend and to make shoes.
Chair-caning class. To teach younger boys to cane chairs.
Dressmaking class. For older girls.
Domestic science class. To teach girls plain house-keeping duties.
Social evenings for small boys and girls. Some preliminary work is done,
after which games are played, lantern talks given, etc.
Social evenings for large girls. Same as above.
Mothers' meetings. To discuss helpful topics of home-life and care and
training of children.
Savings fund.
Library.
Fuel savings fund.
First-day (Sunday) school.
Colored probation officer.
124
Efforts for Social Betterment
Visiting nurse. Colored trained nurse who calls on families when illness
is reported and sees that medical attendance, medicines and proper diet are
obtainable; also that cleanliness, ventilation, etc., are observed. Visits and
assists daily or when necessary.
The Lincoln Settlement is in Brooklyn, N. Y. It has a kindergarten,
day nursery, visiting-nurse, and physician. It is supported by white
and colored people—the president, Miss Mary W. Ovington, being white
and the head worker being colored.
The eleventh ward of Brooklyn for nearly a century has been the home of
colored people, and it remains so to-day despite the encroachment of busi¬
ness houses. Fleet, Prince, Navy and Fair streets and Hudson avenue are
largely populated by the Negro race.
Poverty dwarfs the life of this ward, and vice and crime thrive on some of
its streets. Myrtle avenue has a crowd of loafers who corrupt its neighboring
boys, and a decent girl avoids Hudson avenue at night. Disease breeds in the
rear tenements and in the frame houses, too dilapidated to be worth repair¬
ing. Sometimes the nights are noisy with carousing, and the worthy families
whom necessity forces to live with the bad, see their children in contact with
much that they can not remedy but deeply deplore.
In this neighborhood, at 105 Fleet place, the Lincoln Settlement was opened
in May, 1908. Its organizers hope that it will stand for a center of social serv¬
ice to the neighborhood, and especially to the colored people who are not
reached by other philanthropic organizations.
The Flanner Guild, of Indianapolis, Ind., is a neighborhood home
established about ten years ago. The properties were given to the
Negroes of Indianapolis by a prominent white undertaker, Frank. W.
Flanner. The first property given had on it a double house of four
rooms, two on a side, which was repaired, furnished and made com¬
fortable for the work and used for twTo years. The work grew so
rapidly that it was necessary to have a. larger building. Mr. Flanner
then gave another piece of property and the building now occupied
was erected. It has an office, reading-room, a large convenient kitchen,
an assembly-hall with a seating capacity of two hundred; joining this
building is a four-room residence.
The Guild is a charitable institution for the moral and industrial uplift of
the Negro boys and girls, and is struggling and striving to do its duty in the
neighborhood. In the office we have a telephone for the accommodation of
the public; an employment agency is managed by the matron. The reading-
room has games and literature for the children and they spend their idle
hours here, and each evening from seven to nine o'clock the room is crowded.
We have a boys' club with a membership of thirty-five. On Wednesday
evening of each week these boys are instructed in military drilling by Cap¬
tain James Anderson.
The kitchen is large and properly equipped for the instruction of cooking
classes, or the preparations of serving clubs, receptions and social gatherings.
The assembly is bright and cheerful, with a large platform and a piano. On
Sunday afternoons during the winter months we have one hour's devotional
service and a short program, which are usually well attended, owing to the
fact that some of the best talent participate from time to time. We know
that great good has been accomplished in the neighborhood. Clubs and
Social Settlements
125
literary societies have the privilege of using the hall at any time, and our
entertainments and social gatherings are held with great satisfaction.
We have an orchestra of nine pieces under the direction and management
of Mr. Smith, with Ruth E. Guthrie, aged fifteen years, as pianist. They re¬
hearse Tuesday and Friday evenings of each week.
Sewing and millinery are taught the girls by the matron and the voluntary
service of women interested in the success of the work.
The day nursery for the little tots adds much to the work; ten cents each
per day furnishes lunch for them. Many mothers are compelled to work
away from home, and the larger children are in school; but their minds can
be at ease, for they know that their little tots are kept warm, have something,
to eat and are out of danger of the evils of the city.
We have a choral society with an enrollment of seventy-five, under the
direction of Professor Robert Anston. This gives those musically inclined a
chance to learn all the rudiments of music and voice culture.
After the present matron had been in the work about a year it was deemed
necessary to open another branch of work that we might have a place to care
for fallen Negro girls; there being no place in the city among the white insti¬
tutions that would accommodate them. March 1,1908, the first cottage men¬
tioned was comfortably fitted and furnished for a maternity home. This has
a sitting-room, dining-room, dormitory and kitchen. Friendless fallen girls
ranging in age from 15 to 21 years are placed in this cottage, nursed and cared
for until they are able to return to work.
Medical assistance is donated by the different physicians of the city. Drs.
A. J. King and A. H. Wilson were the first to serve us. We also accept yoixng
girls with their little ones from the city hospital, as they are discharged in
two weeks after their illness regardless of where they are to go. We encour¬
age the girls to keep their babies, and do everything in our power to find
homes for the girls and their little ones. We endeavor to surround these
girls with Christian and motherly influence, with kindness and sympathy to
make them feel they have friends, and though they have sinned they can be
forgiven and may improve their lives by being honest Christian girls. Ten
girls have been nursed in the Home and ten,from the city hospital with babies
have been cared for.
This work is wholly dependent upon the generosity of the public for main¬
tenance, and so far we have been able to successfully carry it on. There is a
Ladies' Board of Managers who work earnestly to help us.
A nine-room house and lot was given the Guild by Rev. Moses Dixon. This
property was not convenient for the work here, it being in another locality.
The board of trustees decided it best to sell this property and pay off the
indebtedness of the Guild. This was done and the Guild proper is free from
debt.
The county appropriates $500 each year, which is used for current expenses.
Much and lasting good has been accomplished since the establishment of
this institution in this neighborhood; as the time goes on the results become
more evident.
Some of the colored schools are doing settlement work. The Institu¬
tional Church of Atlanta, for instance, with its various settlement
activities, has a membership composed largely of Atlanta University
Graduates. Atlanta Baptist College supports a Neighborhood Guild.
There is a large Baptist church doing institutional work in Jackson¬
ville Fla. There are two settlements at Hampton, Va.
126
Efforts for Social Betterment
The two settlements in which the school takes an active part are located in
the town of Hampton and in the country near-by. Both are in charge of
resident workers who are not directly connected with the school. The former
is the larger. It has a clubhouse and makes use of the home and grounds of
Mrs. Harris Barrett, who founded and still carries on the work. Six girls' and
women's clubs meet here—five every week and one every month. The mem¬
bership is from one hundred twenty-five to one hundred fifty. They meet
"to learn sewing, to do quilting, to talk about the care of the home, to cultivate
the love for flowers, and to do other useful things which make for a better and
happier life." Four boys' clubs with a membership of about sixty-five and
a night-school with an average attendance of twelve also use the Barrett home
regularly. The object of the club is to create a desire for healthful pleasures,
such as singing, reading, table and athletic games. One club has a bank
account of thirty dollars.
In some cases the associated charities have colored auxiliaries or
workers who are doing systematic charitable work; in Harrisburg, Pa.,
for instance, there is a ladies' auxiliary to the Associated Charities,
with 54 members and a bank account. They think of opening a social
settlement.
At Columbus, O., the Associated Charities reported in 1909:
For several years past a full third of all our families, have been colored
families. Believing that a properly-qualified visiting agent of their own race
would be more helpful in tracing out the causes of their distress and stimu¬
lating them to self-help, we secured last fall the services of Miss Bowles, whose
work this past year has proven the truth of our contention beyond a doubt.
We feel that this is one of the most important advances we have made during
the year.
Section 21. Kindergartens. The most elaborate effort at systematic
free kindergartens is that of the Gate City Free Kindergarten Associa¬
tion of Atlanta, Ga. Some years ago some colored people of the city
started a free kindergarten association. It ran a kindergarten for two
years and then getting into financial difficulties suspended. Later, at
one of the Atlanta University Conferences, Miss Gertrude Ware, the
white superintendent of kindergarten methods in the Atlanta Univer¬
sity Training School, suggested a new beginning of the work. The
colored women rallied again, and the result has been five free kinder¬
gartens here in operation; four of them since 1905 and the fifth started
last year. The following are the figures concerning these kinder¬
gartens:
Raised Expended
1905-06 $ 1,043 60 $ 443 19
1906-07 689 63 960 00
1907-08 546 05 921 15
1908-09 1,089 86 1,041 00
Average attendance each kindergarten, 25 In a.m., and 15 In p.m.
Total average attendance 200 children
At such times as Christmas 400 children are reached.
No aid is received from the State, although the white kindergartens
receive such help.
Civic Reform 127
In Columbus, Ga., on the other hand, the colored association began
and supported the kindergartens, but they were eventually taken over
by the city.
In Gainesville, Tex., the Women's Reading Club is about to establish
a free kindergarten.
Many of the settlements, like the Lincoln Settlement, Bi'ooklyn, the
Star Centre, Philadelphia, and the Washington Settlement, have kin¬
dergartens connected with them.
In Anderson, S. C., the only club or institution doing wholly char¬
itable work is the Thurman Kindergarten Club which has established
and maintained a free kindergarten for the past seven months, paying
a teacher forty dollars per month and purchasing material and furni¬
ture. The president of this club is also president of the W. C. T. U., of
which the kindergarten club is an auxiliary.
The colored women of Harrisburg, Pa., are planning to establish a
kindergarten and a day nursery.
It will thus be seen that the kindergarten idea is new and being
developed only in a few centers.
Section 22. Civic Reform. The continued charges of criminality
against the Negroes have aroused sentiment among them in many
places. These charges are known to be exaggerated and unjust, but,
at the same time, it is recognized that by reason of economic transition
and racial prejudice it is much easier for colored boys and girls to fall
into crime than for most white children. Effort, therefore, is being
put forth here and there to reclaim criminals, stop crime, and spread
some knowledge of civic duties. These efforts, however, are dependent
for their successes very largely upon the attitude of the authorities. In
the S^uth, and especially the lower South, the colored people are
almost helpless; they have few or no representatives on the police
force; no influence in the police courts; no control over the jail and
methods of punishment. Personal influence may do something, but,
for the most part, they have to sit by and see children punished unin-
telligently and men and women unjustly. In the Border States and in
some of the large cities of the North, however, constructive work is
being done. In Johnstown, Pa., for instance:
We have a probation officer in the person of your humble servant, ap¬
pointed by a Democrat judge of this county. X am. a member of the Civic
Club (white) and was recommended by the said club. We have several white
probation officers and they wanted someone to look after the dependent col¬
ored children. All children sent by the Cambia Civic Club to the various
schools, our county pays $1.50 for their board.
Pittsburgh, Pa., reports:
Our Juvenile Court Association was formed about three years ago to help
care for the colored Juvenile Court children who were without friends. Here¬
tofore we have been paying for some boys and girls in different institutions
and have found private homes for many others. We have now decided to
pay the salary of a probation officer instead of paying board for children in
128
Efforts for Social Betterment
institutions, thinking that "we can the better serve our race thereby. In Pitts¬
burgh the county does not pay the salaries of probation officers, but they are
paid by private organizations, clubs, etc. The Juvenile Court Association
(white) pay five; the Catholics pay two; the Jews pay one, and the Colored
Association pays one. The legislature now sitting in Harrisburg may pass
a bill providing for the payment of the salaries and this association will pro¬
vide only for the charitable end of the cases, for there is much destitution
attending many cases.
Kansas City, Missouri, has the Negro Civic- League, an organization
composed of about forty of the leading colored men, ministers, teach¬
ers, business men, etc , devoted to the social, moral, physical, political,
economic and intellectual betterment of the race. A part of the work
of this civic league is extremely interesting. It has taken over a sub-
organization called the "Brotherhood."
The society was formed at the request of the Board of Pardons and Paroles,
with which it works as a committee on Negro cases. This Board, at the out¬
set of its work, found it impossible to deal justly and intelligently with
Negroes brought before them, because of a lack of information concerning
their cases. Hence, a few of our prominent public-spirited citizens were
called in and formed into a committee, whose duty should be to examine and
report upon all Negro cases before action by the Board. Our committee felt
a great responsibility resting upon its shoulders, in fact we feel now that we
are on trial, as our attitude toward each case is scrutinized carefully, and
never before has such an opportunity been given to us to protect and encour¬
age our unfortunate masses.
To systematize and make our work efficient, the committee divided the city
into fifteen districts, each having from one to five workers—members of the
Brotherhood—all of whom were selected with special attention to their moral
worth in the comrpunities in which they reside. The duty of these members
is to keep in close touch with the life of their districts and report upon all
cases of crimes and misdemeanors or any irregularity to our executive com¬
mittee of seven—five men and two women—who after due deliberation for¬
wards its result to the Board.
The work of the Brotherhood does not end there. Each person paroled
must report weekly to our secretary and tell us what he is doing, and we are
to encourage him by visits and advice, keeping always in touch with him.
Up to this writing we have secured some fifteen pardons, none of whom
has broken his faith with the Board. But even more, we have been able to
prevent many petty cases from going on record by using our influence for a
good, healthy moral tone in our districts. Disorderly houses, illicit practices
and many other offenses have been checked by bringing quiet but forceful
pressure to bear upon them.
There are no salaried positions and no money is solicited or required by us
whatever. Each worker feels that the opportunity to do something for our
more unfortunate brethren, and the opportunity of coming in contact with
the best element of the white men and women of our city, is ample reward for
our services.
In Baltimore the Colored Law and Order League has been waging a
fight against disreputable saloons, with considerable success.1
l cf. Waring: Work of the Colored Law and Order League, Baltimore, Md. Che¬
ney, Pa., 1910.
Civic Reform
129
Springfield, 111., has a Law and Order League formed since the dis¬
graceful race riot.
In various Southern States there have been efforts to establish re¬
formatories. In Richmond, Va., a colored man, the Hon. John R.
Smythe, formed a Negro Reformatory Association.
He secured subscriptions and laid his plans before the Prison Association
of Virginia and received their endorsement. He then organized and incor¬
porated the Negro Reformatory Association of Virginia, of which he was
president until his death. With the money obtained by his efforts from
philanthropists, north and south, the association purchased 405 acres of the
old plantation known as Broad Neck Farm. The remaining 1,200 acres was
later purchased by Mr. C. P. Huntington and leased to my father for the use
of the school.
In 1898 the school was started with six boys from the penitentiary pardoned
by the Governor, and committed to the institution for the remainder of their
terms. The State then made an appropriation for the support of 100 boys at
83 cents per day for clothing and 25 cents per day for board. Out of this annual
income, together with subscriptions, my father was able to clear up the land*
build dormitories, start farming operations on a large scale, and pay all the
employees, about 14 in number.
The work of the school has been excellent from a moral standpoint. The
percentage of lapses into former errors have been, I believe, less than ten
per cent. These lapses have been mostly among the older boys. The work
carried on at the Reformatory is mostly agricultural. It was my father's
hope to ultimately establish a first-class trades school, but as yet it has been
impossible to start this school with the limited means at the command of the
institution.
In Alabama, as has been noted, the State Federation of Women's
Clubs opened a Negro Reformatory at Mt. Meigs, and has been sup¬
porting it, hoping for eventual State aid.
In Arkansas the Women's Clubs have done a similar piece of work.
In Georgia there have been several small reformatories started. One
in Macon reports:
We are styled the Delaney Mission and Reformatory Club. We were or¬
ganized February 19,1906, with five members, and have now an enrollment
of over sixty. The Reformatory which we help to support is situated three
miles from the city of Macon. It is an institution for wayward boys and
girls. The school is not a denominational school, but its founders and chief
supporters are Baptist ministers and the laymen of their churches. We meet
once a week and put our little mites together, and by that means we have
been able since we were organized to raise in actual cash $375 for the Reform¬
atory, part of which we gave to the Convention to be used for erecting a large
building at the Home and with the other we bought a buggy for them and a
cow and paid for both. We have given them aid aside from the things men¬
tioned above, by way of clothing and food, giving picnics, etc. .
The Johnson's Orphanage of Macon, Ga., and the Carrie Steele Or¬
phanage of Atlanta, Ga., are partially reformatory; the latter is aided
hv the City of Atlanta.
The National Association of Colored Women's Clubs has been inter¬
ested^ juvenile work in various parts of the country.
130
Efforts for Social Betterment
The Unity Political Club of Haverhill, Mass., aims
" to encourage political, economic and educational activity among colored
citizens of Essex county." This club has only been organized nine months.
It is pledged to no one party, but is simply pledged to the good of the city
and State and race.
In Paducah, Ky., there was a movement in this line:
The Forum movement was begun in our town, but everything is dormant
at present. I was connected with a similar movement in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Forum there had an interesting career of four or five years, bringing the
colored people together monthly for the discussion of vital matters incident
to our race life, working up a spirit of racial co-operation, and culminating in
the opening of a grocery which did a creditable business. I should mention
also that through the agency of the Forum the city council abolished certain
nuisances repugnant to the better element of our people.
While I have been active in the above mentioned organizations, yet the
idea came to us (as well as I can remember) from Chicago and Kansas City,
Kan.
The following extract from a set of resolutions show the purpose of tha
Organization:
"Further be it resolved, that we organize ourselves into a body to be styled
"The Forum," which shall meet monthly, on a Sunday afternoon convenient
to the coming together of all the congregations of our city churches, and
whose object shall be to take constant note of the conditions and needs of our
people; to allow opportunity for free and open discussion of these conditions
and needs; and to take such steps and measures, and to initiiate such enter¬
prises and movements, as will promote the religious, moral, educational, civic
and temporal welfare of our people."
In Lynchburg, Va., there is a Civic League, and also one in Wash¬
ington, D. C.:
The Civic Club of Washington, D. C., was organized about five years ago. As
its name implies, its scope is civic rather than charitable. Like all other
organizations among the colored people of whatever kind, it has shown a
lively interest in matters pertaining especially to the race. We have endeav¬
ored to oppose and remedy the discrimination that is shown in nearly all
public places in this city against colored people. We have accomplished very
little on account of the lack of suffrage. We have no building, but meet at
the homes of members.
The Equal Suffrage League of the National Association of Colored
Women has sent out literature and circulated petitions.
Section 23. Miscellaneous. Among miscellaneous efforts which
may be noted are boys' clubs, summer camps, and efforts at securing
work, humane bands and tuberculosis leagues.
There is a Boys' Club in Indianapolis, Ind., and in Louisville, Ky., a
society for the reclamation and improvement of newsboys.
The Boys' Culture Club of St. Paul, Minn., reports:
The Boys' Culture Club of St. Paul, Minn., was organized in January, 1904.
The object of this club is to promote a feeling of brotherhood among its mem¬
bers, to teach them the principles of honest, intelligent self-government, to
encourage good citizenship among them; also to be directed in Physical Cul-
Miscellaneous
131
ture, that they may become strong, mental and physical men. During which
time we have given several literary, gymnastic and athletic entertainments,
among which we have given three annual, gymhastic and athletic exposi¬
tions, in 1907,1908 and 1909, respectively.
We also have baseball, football and basket-ball teams in connection with the
club. Each of the teams have made good records during the four years they
have been playing. Neither team has lost more than two games out of the
season.
The Wissahickon School Club, conducted by white people near
Philadelphia for Negroes, has manual training class, out-door ath¬
letics, lectures and entertainments, and spends over $1,000 a year; some
4,500 boys attend its various functions.
The Empty Stocking and Fresh Air School of Baltimore has a sum¬
mer home for poor colored children.
The Summer Outing Home of Washington, D. C., maintains a camp
of about 1500 children at a cost of $650. This enterprise was supported
by white and colored people.
The Woman's Employment Company of Indianapolis, Ind., maintains
a Summer Camp for the sick, and the Lincoln Settlement of Brooklyn
has summer outings.
In the line of increasing opportunities for employment there are
numbers of benevolent efforts, among which might be mentioned the
Farmer's Conference at Hampton and Tuskegee, the Georgia State
College, Calhoun and other places, and the Farmer's Union at Waugh,
Ala.
There are two or three women's exchanges, one in Richmond, Va.
In New York and Philadelphia, through the Armstrong Association,
there is a special effort to secure opportunities for competent Negro
artisans to work; money and advice for this has been furnished by
white and colored contributors. The actual work has been done by
Negro executive officers. In Philadelphia, for instance, there was
reported in 1908:
SUMMARY OP NINE MONTHS' WORK
Number of jobs given up to date since April, 1908 85
Number of men employed through such jobs 81
Amount of cash of such jobs,material and all, about $ 17,500
Number of jobs estimated on since April, 1908, i.e., over
$500 or in which there was a competitor, or in which
an estimate was especially asked for by patron 46
Amount of cash in such, about $133,000
Jobs given to colored architects 4
Number of meetings held by Carpenters' Association — 20
Number of meetings held by General Association 16
Manual training introduced in three public schools.
Public meetings held in churches 4
The following is an outline of the work of the Armstrong Association
for the colored people of Philadelphia from April, 1908, to January 1,
19Th chief work of the Association has been to secure work for com-
t t colored mechanics, and thus to help them help themselves. Up to
eI1 early $18,000 worth of work has been secured. More than 80 different
132
Efforts for Social Betterment
men have thus been helped. The jobs ranged from 75 cents to $3,000. As a
direct result of the Association's activity, more colored mechanics are at
work this winter than any winter before in this city. For every dollar which
has been spent by the Association for this branch of its activity, twenty dol¬
lars have come to the men whom it is designed to help. Among those from
whom work has been secured are Mr. J. Henry Scattergood, Mr. John T. Emlen,
Miss Ellen Morris, the Octavia Hill Association, the City of Philadelphia, Her¬
man Voigt, Frank I. Wintz, contractors, and others. Many jobs have come
from the colored people themselves. Opportunities to bid have been given by
Savery, Scheetz & Savery, Bailey & Bassett and other architects.
The Association especially urges upon its patrons to assist in this feature
of the work by permitting its mechanics to estimate on their work, thus help¬
ing the colored people to help themselves. The Association has as its members
an ex-foreman on Panama canal work, a half dozen men who worked on the
Rockefeller Hall, Bryn Mawr College, and on the University of Chicago, two
foremen who worked on the well-equipped Rockefeller barn, Long Island; a
former instructor inTuskegee Institute, and another in Clark University; also
graduates from various industrial schools, including Hampton and Tuskegee.
Only first-class mechanics will be recommended.
Equally as good work has been accomplished by the Armstrong Asso¬
ciation of New York.
There has been some effort to organize Humane Bands to teach
children humanity in the care of animals, etc. In New Orleans, for
instance, there are reported 47 such bands with 5,300 children connected
with them.
Encouragement to buy homes is furnished in California by the Home
Promoters' Association.
The recent agitation about tuberculosis has resulted in a number of
anti-tuberculosis societies.
There is an anti-tuberculosis league in Georgia with headquarters at
Savannah, and one in Washington, D. C.:
Our society was organized November 11,1908. A recent report of the Health
Officer of this District contained such appalling figures with regard to the
death-rate among colored people that in the eyes of many it amounted to an
actual stigma on the race. In connection with many other observing per¬
sons, however, Dr. Wilder considers this death-rate due not so much to con¬
stitutional weakness as to unhygienic housing, natural carelessness, and lack
of sanitary information. This he proposed to remedy by the formation of a
society to conduct an educational campaign among the people most in need
of it. Necessarily our work is conducted mostly among colored people; more
than 2,000 having been reached by lectures and house to house visits alone.
We have also very pleasant relations with "The Society for the Prevention
of Tuberculosis," some of its members having visited our society during the
progress of an entertainment and one of whom addressed us.
Our members are: first, honorary, which include all the pastors in the
city who will accept membership, together with such men as Commissioner
McFarland, the late Dr. Reyburn and President Thirkield of Howard Uni¬
versity ; second, any one who will join. The names on the Board of Directors
and Chairmanships show you the class of persons who are doing the work.
We are supported by voluntary contributions and entertainments.
We give a pledge for framing and a neat little button to all who join.
Conclusion
133
Section 24. Conclusion. From this general and very imperfect
review of efforts for social betterment among Negro Americans it is
'•,lear that the evolution is in the right direction and that Colored
people are more and more largely becoming interested in practical
work for their own social uplift and are also to an increasing extent
bearing the cost of this work. The most obvious criticisms and sug¬
gestions would be:
(1) A hope that the Negro church will in the future become more and
more institutional and reformatory, and will call to its aid trained
social workers. There are some small beginnings in this line already
and they need encouragement.
(2) The economic foundation of the Negro school should be changed
and changed quickly. To-day it rests partly on public aid, partly on
the local efforts of Negro patrons, partly on general charity, and to a
very small extent upon endowments. It should rest on general local
taxation, aided by grants of the National Government. Higher cultural
and technical work should be supplied by National and State aid and
endowments. This would free the benevolent public from the burden
of Negro schools and also the Negro churches and organizations, and
would enable the benevolence of black and white alike to be directed
toward the pressing need of social reform in all the various lines indi¬
cated in this study.
(3) The work of women's clubs has been tremendous, both in its
actual accomplishments and in its educational value. These clubs
should be greatly multiplied and especially encouraged to take up local
benevolent work.
(4) Old folk's homes, orphanages and hospitals are greatly needed.
So far as possible orphanages should be made places of temporary
detention only, and homes for the children obtained in good families.
There is a.pressing call for the spread of hospital work in country
districts.
(5) The work of rescue among women and children especially and
also among men and boys is greatly needed, particularly among city
Negroes, and has been neglected too long.
(6) In the direction of art and literature much can be done which
has not been done for Negroes. It is difficult for the people of America
to understand that the Negro is essentially an artistic being, whose
rich emotional nature can be made to contribute much to the world's
enjoyment and appreciation of beauty. To this end greater opportunity
in drawing and music and other art-training should be opened to Negro
children.
(7) Day nurseries, social settlements and kindergartens, together
with other of the newer forms of uplift work, like public play-grounds,
should be furnished for the right training of the black workingman's
children to a much larger extent than now. In fact, in these lines, only
the beginnings of work can be noted.
C8) While something can be accomplished by organizations for civic
reform among Negroes themselves, yet so long as the race is deprived
of the ballot it is impossible to make such organizations of the highest
pffipipncv in any avenue of life, whether it be education, religion,
wnTt nr social reform; the impossibility of the Negro accomplishing
the best work so long as he is kept in political serfdom is manifest even
to the casual student.
rru ^ would seem to be for the philanthropists no more inviting
fl 1/? fnr work than in helping on some of the efforts for social uplift
h h Negroes have instituted and are carrying on.
Efforts for Social Betterment among
Negro Americans
Index
Afro-American Council 86
Afro-American League 36
Alabama
82,43,49,55,56,61,62,72,78,117,118,121,131
American Baptist Home Mission So¬
ciety 85
American Economic Association.. 12,16
A. M. E. Church 25, 26
A. M. E. Missionary Department... 18,19
A. M. E. Zion Church 27
American Negro Academy 85,108
Anti-tuberculosis leagues 132
Arkansas 52,74
Armstrong Association 131,182
Art and literature 133
Assessed value Negro property in
three States (chart) 15,16
Associated Charities 126
Atlanta Baptist College 31
Atlanta, Ga., kindergartens 126
Atlanta Negro Conference 36
Atlanta University 5, 6, 31,82
Authors, Negro 109,110 ,111
Baptists in Arkansas 22
Baptist Women's Missionary Conven¬
tion 25
Baptist Young People's Union 21
Barnet, Mrs. Ida B. Wells 55
Benefactions to Negro schools 35
Benevolence 27, 28, 42, 48, 44, 45, 46, 47
Bethel Church, Philadelphia 26
Bibliography 7, 8
Board of Education of English gov¬
ernment 6
Brunswick county, Virginia 82
Bureau of Education 85
California 43, 46, 49, 65,103
Cape Town 26
Carnegie Institution 6
Cash paid by Negro students 84
Charity 42-47
Chart of Negro churches 17
Church, The Negro 16,109,110,133
Churches 28
City Young Men's Christian Associa¬
tions 96, 97
Civic reform 127, 128, 129,130,133
Clark University 31
Clubs, Boys' 130,131
Clubs, Men's 105,106
Clubs, Miscellaneous 130,131
Clubs, Women's 42,47-64, 133
Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society. .106,107
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel 106,107
Colorado 49,51,52
Colored Boys' Reformatory 32
Colored Women's Christian Associa¬
tion 26
Colored Young Men's Christian Asso¬
ciations by States 96
Committee of Twelve, The 35
Communism among Africans 10
Conference for Education in theSouth 29
Connecticut 45,65
Constitution League, The 36
Contributions of Negro Baptists to
education 80
Contributions of Negro M. E. mem¬
bers to education 30
Coon, Chas. L 29
Co-operative Education Commission,
The 30
Criminality among Negroes 127
Deaconess work 26
Dispensaries 93, 95
District of Columbia
.. 5, 26,37, 44, 48, 69,87,103, 120,122,123,182
Donations of colored people 83
Donors, Negro 42
Douglass Center, Frederick 122
Douglass, Frederick 56
Duncan, Miss Anna M 57
Index
135
Efforts, Miscellaneous ISO
Enterprises, Negro 12
Equal Suffrage League 130
Equiano, Olaudah 109
Expenditures for Baptist missions. 19,20
Expenditures for schools 34
Farmers' Conference 82,181
Federations, State 49
Fisk University 80, 82
Flanner Guild, Indianapolis 124,125
Florida 49, 55, 56, 72,125
Foreign Scholarship Association 107
Forum, The, Paducah, Ky 130
Freedman's Bureau, The 34
Freedmen's Hospital, The 87
Funds, Negro church 18
Georgia = •. ■ 14, 28, 29, 49, 56, 57, 58,
72, 77, 78,81, 82, 88, 84, 86, 88, 89, 90, 129, 182
Hale Infirmary 57
Hampton Institute 31
Hampton Negro Conference 36
Hand fund, Daniel 35
Haygood, Dr. A. G 84
History, Negro 110
Home for the Aged 61
Home for Working Girls 56, 61
Home Mission Board 20
Hospitals 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95
Howard IT niversity 5
Illinois
... 45, 48,49, 51, 60, 61, 75, 79, 80, 81, 122,129
Income of Atlanta University 33
Indiana 82, 36, 46, 49, 58, 61
Institutional Church, Atlanta 125
Iowa 49,77
Jackson County Home for Negro girls. 103
Juvenile courts 128
26
Juvenile work
Lee, Jarena 22
Libraries 117,118
Libraries, Traveling 119
Library, Public 118,119
Lincoln Settlement, Brooklyn 124
Literary societies 104,105
Literature and newspapers 109-117
Louisiana 48,73, 77, 85
Macon county, Ala 39
Magazines 116
Maine 58
Maryland 49
Mason, Primus Parsons 88,39,66
Massachusetts 46,48,56,59,61,66
McKee, Colonel John 39
Meetings, Mothers1 26
Method of the study 9
M. E. Church 30, 35
Michigan 45, 48, 49, 59, 76,102
Minnesota 49, 50, 51, 60
Miscellaneous general efforts 85
Missionaries, African 27
Mississippi 49, 53, 59, 92
Missouri 28, 48, 49, 54, 55, 61, 74, 75
Money, Mission, raised by Baptists
in Texas 21
Mosely, John 37
Music, Negro Ill
National Association of Colored Women
47, 48,130
National Association for Protection
of Colored Women 102
National Baptist Publishing Board... 20
National Negro Conference 36
National Political League 35
Negro Business League 35
Negroes and Christian Associations 95,96
New Jersey 59, 60, 88
Newspapers, Negro 113,114,115,116,117
New York.. 45, 48, 55, 56, 77, 87,121,122,132
Niagara Movement 35
North Carolina 28, 29, 36, 37,71,72, 78
Nurseries, Day 26, 119,120, 133
Kansas
Kemble, Frances.
Kentucky
Kindergartens
47, 49,i
48,49
10,11
3, 74, 94, 120, 121
126,127
40, 41, 85
Lafon, Thorny* • i»q -ioq
Law and Order leagues 128,129
Lecture bureaus
Object of Atlanta University studies 5
Ohio 49, 61, 76, 86, 96,104,120,126
Oklahoma 118
Old Folk's Homes
65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77, 133
Orphanages
77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Ownership of schoolhouses 30
136
Efforts for Social Betterment
Payne, Bishop 25
Peabody fund 35
Perm school 81
Pennsylvania 36, 49
60, 77, 91, 92, 94, 119, 120, 123, 127, 131, 132
Philanthropists, Negro. 37,38,39,40,41,42
Pitchford, Nancy 38
Presbyterian colored missions 121
Probation officers 127
Property of Georgia Negroes (chart).. 14
Property owned by Negroes 12,13
Provident Hospital 92,93,94
Rachel, Joseph 37
Reed Home 82,83,84
Reformatories 32, 57,129
Reformatory Association,Richmond,
Va 129
Refuges and Rescue Homes for
Women 100,101, 102,103
Religious opinions 29
Reports, Missionary 23, 24, 25, 26
Report, Ninth Annual, of Baptist
Woman's Convention 23
Rescue work 133
Rhode Island 60
Ruffin, Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre 47
Rural school fund, Negro 35
Saint Cyprian's Chapel 121,122
School improvement leagues 30, 31
Schools, Negro... 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,133
Scope of the study 9
Secret and insurance societies 36
Self-help in Negro education 29,30, 31
Shorter, Bishop 25
Slater, John F., fund 5, 6, 31, 35
Slavery 10,11
Slaves, Georgia 11
Smith, Mrs. Amanda 79
Smith, Stephen 42
South Carolina 48,72,79, 84, 88, 90, 91
Social, Literary and Art Clubs
104, 105, 106, 107, 108
Social settlements. .121,122,123,124,125,126
Social work 31
Spring Street Settlement, Philadel¬
phia 1^3,124
Starr Center, Philadelphia 123
Statistics of Negro churches 16
Stokes fund 35
Student Young Men's Christian Asso¬
ciations 97,98
Students, Negro 80
Support, Financial 6
Talladega College 57
Teachers' Associations 32, 33
Temperance 26, 63, 127
Tennessee 48, 49,60,74
Texas 28, 36, 43, 49, 54, 87, 88, 92
Texas State Baptist convention 21
Thoumazeau, Jasmin 37
Tubman, Harriet, House, Boston.. 101,102
Tuskegee Negro Conference 36
U. S. Bureau of Labor.
U. S. Census
Virginia 28, 29, 30, 31
32, 43, 46, 49, 51, 78, 81, 82, 125, 126, 130, 131
Washington, George 39, 40
West Virginia 49
Wheatley, Phyllis 109
Wheatley, Phyllis, Home of Chicago 100
White, Sarah Ann 68
Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society 27
Woman's Parent Mite Missionary
Society 25
Wright, R. R., Jr 29, 30
Wyoming 52
Young Colored Women's Protective
Association, Indianapolis 100,101
Young Men's Christian Association..
' 31, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99
Young Women's Christian Associa¬
tion 47, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99
STUDIES OF NEGRO PROBLEMS
The Atlanta University Publications
COPIES FOR SALE
No. 1. Mortality among Negroes in Cities; 51 pp., 1896. Out of .
print.
Mortality among Negroes in Cities; 24 pp., (2nd edition,
abridged, 1903). 169 copies at 25c.
No. 2. Social and Physical Condition of Negroes in Cities; 86
pp., 1897. 823 copies at 25 c.
No. 3. Some Efforts of Negroes for Social Betterment; 66 pp.,
1898. Out of print.
No. 4. The Negro in Business; 78 pp., 1899. Out of print.
No. 5. The College-bred Negro; 115 pp., 1900, Out of print.
The College-bred Negro; 32 pp., (2nd edition, abridged).
1,500 copies at 25c.
No. 6. The Negro Common School; 120 pp., 1901. Out of print.
No. 7. The Negro Artisan; 200 pp., 1902. 590 copies at 75c.
No. 8. The Negro Church; 212 pp., 1903. 292 copies at $1.00.
No. 9. Notes on Negro Crime; 75 pp., 1904. 1,141 copies at 50c.
No. 10. A. Select Bibliography of the Negro American; 72 pp.,
1905. 1,179 copies at 25c.
No. 1 1. Health and Physique of the Negro American; 112 pp.,
1906. 254 copies at $1.00.
No. 12. Economic Co-operation among Negro Americans; 184 pp.,
1907. 1,640 copies at $1.00.
No. 13. The Negro American Family; 152 pp., 1908. 1,500 copies
at 75c.
No. 14. Efforts for Social Betterment among Negro Americans;
136 pp., 1909. 2,000 copies at 75c.
'T^O sin by silence when we should
protest makes cowards out of
men. The human race has climbed
on protest. Had no voice been
raised against injustice, ignorance
and lust, the Inquisition yet would
serve the law, and guillotines decide
our least disputes. The few who
dare must speak and speak again,
to right the wrongs of many.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox.