Equality for Colored Persons.

New York, 1895

Governor Morton has signed Assemblyman Malby's bill to provide perfect equality for colored persons. The law not only makes it a misdemeanor to discriminate against colored persons in the matter of service at hotels, restaurants, theatres, and Turkish baths, but permits the complainant to recover from $100 to $500 from the offender. Not only the hotel waiter is liable, but the proprietor if he directs the waiter to make the discrimination. The bill provides that all persons within the jurisdiction of this state shall be entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of inns, restaurants, hotels, eating houses, bath houses, barber shops, theatres, music halls, public conveyances on land and water, and all other places of public accommodation or amusement, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all citizens.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

The Military Salute

1895

The military salute required in almost all civilized countries is nearly the same. Perhaps in Germany, however, the regulations are somewhat more stringent. A soldier on meeting the emperor has to stand still, face about and remain with hand raised for from 12 to 20 paces before his majesty approaches and for the same distance after he has passed. In Belgium an officer has to do the same thing for the king and subalterns for generals, though ten paces only are required for the latter case. Soldiers carrying anything so that their hands are quite occupied salute with their eyes — that is, they turn their heads in the direction of the person coming and going. French officers raise their caps to each other, but the privates do as the privates in other armies do. — London Standard.


Costly Business

"Looked here, mister, kin yo' tell me whar dey git marriage sustificates?" inquired an old colored individual of one of the bailiffs at the city hall the other day. The bailiff steered him toward the clerk's office. When he appeared before one of the gentlemen who issue the small slip of paper so requisite to the eternal happiness of a pair whom Cupid has visited, he repeated his request.

"Yes, sah; she hab a funny name; but, Lor, I don' know how she spells it," he said in answer to the clerk's question. "I alwa' jes' call her Luc fo' short. Do yo' wan' to know her age? She's jes' 25. I'm 65. Dat's a little discrepshon in our ages, but it don' matter. What money I makes I get at de top o' telegraph poles — dat is, I'm a lineman."

After venturing these remarks the old man stopped a minute to renew his supply of oxygen and then inquired the fee.

"Dat's purty strong, mistar. It's a purty costly bizness, dis her' gettin married, even when I'ze gwine to git a young an han'som' bride," said the old man as he fumbled in an aged purse and laid three quarters, two dimes and a nickel before the clerk. — Nashville Times.

Color Line in the Schools

New York, 1895

The Board of Education has decided that it will be unable to admit the children of the colored parents to the new school-house at Amityville without the consent of the citizens. Charles Devine Brewster, a wealthy colored man, sent his son to the new school when it opened last Monday. The child was refused admission and sent to the colored school.


They Want Higher Pay

A strike among the riveters and rivet heaters on the big gasometer of the East River gas company, in Ravenswood, is in progress. The strikers number about seventy. The riveters were receiving $2.50 a day and asked $2.75. The heaters got $1.50 and want $1.75. The men are required to work at a height of 205 feet and claim that the demand is justified on account of the extra risk to life and limb.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 8, 1895, p. 1.

Went Gunning After the Negro

New York, 1895

Monday evening Cornelius Walker, colored, recently employed by Louis Pearsall at Rockaway Beach, perpetrated an outrageous assault on the eight year old daughter of Herman Schemeclk, an oysterman residing at Hammil's station. Two of the girl's brothers and her father went in search of Walker with shot guns, and as the fact became known the entire village was aroused. Tuesday evening Walker was arrested in Jamaica by Constable Ashmead. Last October Walker committed an assault upon the eight year old daughter of James Johnson, of South street, Jamaica. He was arraigned before Justice Hendrickson yesterday and pleaded guilty and was held for the grand jury.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 8, 1895, p. 8.

Too Poor to Buy Clothes

New York, 1895

Professor Chickening, superintendent of the Flushing schools, says that a large number of colored children have been unable to attend school during the past two months on account of insufficient clothing.


Refuses to Pay the Tax

August Johnson, of Patchogue, has refused to pay his village taxes, claiming that the incorporation of the village was illegal. He has been sued for the amount and will contest the case in court. His bill is only $6.


Plenty of Free Coal

Great quantities of coal are being washed up on the beach at Amityville from the wreak of the barge Seth Low, which went ashore at that place some weeks ago. The life savers of Zach's inlet station have gathered several tons.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 8, 1895, p. 1.

Bound to Behave Now

New York, 1895

Emma Steele and George Wilkenson, colored, who were arrested for disorderly conduct on South street, were arraigned before Justice Faber on Saturday and sent to the county jail, Wilkensen for 90 days, and Emma for 30 days.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 22, 1895, p. 12.

Just Short of Success

1895

A Lazy Inventor's Experiment With a Wonderful Alligator Engine.

"My boy once had a pet alligator that was pretty fierce," observed Meekin, the lazy inventor. "When he teased this young saurian, the beast would swipe out with its powerful tail in an amazing fashion, without doing itself or anybody else any good. It occurred to me that here was a splendid example of wasted energy, and I set out to devise a means of conserving it and turning it to some useful purpose.

"I spent a winter in Florida, and after I had experimented with some of the small 'gators that are supplied to tourists for a consideration I ordered some big fellows. After some little trouble I secured ten 'gators, each about four feet in length and of about ten horsepower tail capacity. My scheme for utilizing their tail power was this: The 'gators were placed side by side in stalls which left their tails free to wag. I had upright beams set like pendulums, the swinging ends of the beams coming close enough to the 'gators' tails to be in a good position for action. Then I built a tank over the stalls and filled it with thundering big cannon balls. There was an inclined chute running from the tank to a power wheel made with hollow places in the rim, something like a water wheel. In the chute I had a valve to regulate the flow of cannon balls. Half the 'gators used to work the cannon ball part of the machine and the other half to run a conveyor contrivance to lift the balls back into the tank after they had done their work in turning the wheel. I connected a small dynamo by a belt to a pulley wheel on the power wheel shaft. My main circuit ran from the dynamo to a bank of incandescent lamps which were to be used in the test.

"When everything was ready, the wheels oiled up, main switch closed and the 'gators pretty mad, I hired four little colored boys to go in front of the stalls and crack the 'gators on the head with short clubs. This made 'em awful mad, and so they struck out with their tails. Then the old shebang commenced to run. A little coon would hit a 'gator on the head, he'd let out with his tail, strike a beam, open the valve, let out a cannon ball, which rolled down the chute and onto the wheel, turning it around. Then the ball rolled back to the conveyor and was hoisted up by one of the other 'gators. She was humming beautifully, but I had forgotten one thing — that was a governor. The little coons liked their work and lambasted the 'gators unmercifully. I stopped 'em, but the wild animals were beyond control. They lashed around until the speed got so high that the armature of the dynamo burned out with a flash. The 'gators running the conveyor got into a race with the other fellows and hoisted up cannon balls so fast that the tank got overweighted and broke down. The cannon balls fell on the 'gators' heads and killed every one of 'em. Fact, I assure you." — Electrical Review.

Forged Dr. Bates' Name

New York, 1895

George Carl, colored, of Hempstead, who is Dr. Bates' coachman, has been arrested for forging the doctor's name to a check for $25. Mrs. Silberg sold Carl $9 worth of clothes, accepted the check, and gave him $16 in change.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 1, 1895, p. 12.

Kissed Her Lover in Court

New York, 1895

The scene was affecting in the court room Thursday afternoon when the jury returned a verdict of not guilty in the case of John Alt, a farmer of Bayside, who had been on trial for his life for three days for the killing of Warren Frost, a colored farmhand, near Obermeyer's hotel, Creedmoor, on July 29 last. Alt seemed dazed for a moment. In an instant his eyes filled with tears and he was embraced by Miss Della Wench, his sweetheart, who attended court faithfully and sat by her lover's side during his long suspense. Justice Bartlett immediately discharged Alt from custody. Henry A. Monfort, who defended Alt, occupied nearly two hours in addressing the jury. The defense admitted the killing and contended that the shooting was justifiable.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 12.

Peggy Young's Real Estate

New York, 1895

A sheriff's jury Tuesday morning decided that Peggy Young, of Quogue, was incompetent to manage her business. She is an old colored woman who owns considerable real estate which has lately become valuable. Last November, it is alleged that Isaac Arch, also colored, prevailed on Aunt Peggy to dispose of a $500 lot for a handful of change amounting to $2.64.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 1.

Harry Potter, Colored Loiterer, Still in Jail

Excerpt from court news, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1916

The drunks let go this morning were Walter Kelsey, Dan McMuller and John Starr, the latter claiming to have been robbed of $45. Duke Bransirattor will be up again on Feb. 7. James Moran, a vag, and Harry Potter, a colored loiterer, were ordered hold until Feb. 12.

—Fort Wayne News, Feb. 5, 1916, p. 4.


Siloam Fight Monday

Siloam Springs, Ark., May 27. - A group of Tulsa amateur boxers will meet mittmen from Tahlequah, Okla. and Siloam here Monday night, May 29. Harry Potter, Tulsa, and Philip Bluebird, Tahlequah, and Jack Sikes, Tulsa, and Hoss Glory, Tahlequah, head the card.

—Fayetteville Daily Democrat, Fayetteville, Arkansas, May 27, 1933, p. 3.


El Paso, Texas, 1937

Mrs. Harry Potter has returned from a visit of several months in the East.


Salem, Ohio, 1894

Harry Potter, who has been visiting friends here, left last Saturday for Mansfield.


New Castle, Pennsylvania, 1940

Harry Potter, of East Washington street, who has been ill at his home, is somewhat improved.

Blow-Line Fishing

1900

Advantages Not Possessed by "Invisible" Line Methods

"Some fishermen dislike a heavy line," says an old fisherman, "believing that it is more easily seen, and consequently alarming to the fish. I am convinced that this is an erroneous impression, however, as if a proper length of leader be used and the fly correctly handled it is impossible for the fish to see the line, not to mention the enormous advantage in accuracy and distance obtainable in the cast, particularly in a wind.

"A line which has never to my knowledge been used locally is known as the blow-line. I should have tried it long since for lake fishing were it not for the difficulty in obtaining one and my failing to remember this fact until too late each year. The line is constructed of very loosely woven silk, and is very light and porous. The fisherman proceeds to that shore of the lake from which the wind blows, armed with a very long, stiff pole (not rod), some live grasshoppers, willow or May flies and a small hook attached to a long gossamer leader. The bait is impaled on the hook and the pole given a quick jerk upward, throwing the line directly overhead, where the wind catches it and blows line, bait and all well out into the lake, where the bait struggles in an enticing manner. I believe the method to be a deadly one, and hope to try it some day, if my memory improves."


Dyed Birds

A resident of Presourg, Austria, after years of experimenting, has succeeded in coloring the plumage of birds by the administration of food mixed with aniline dyes. In this way he has produced red and blue pigeons, and has imparted to canaries all the tints of the rainbow.


Only Half?

Half the suicides in France are caused by losses at horse races.

Funnygraphs — "He Fell Unconscientious"

1900

McAisy — I do be seein' that Misther Hardin' has quit findin' out things. O'Deer — But whin did he ever begin?

It was the colored pugilist who said: "It on'y lasted one roun'. I landed on he chin and he fell unconscientious."

"What's the difference between wrath and a woman who wants you to subscribe for something?" "I dunno." "A soft answer turneth away wrath."

"Would you call a cat herbivorous, carnivorous or ominvorous?" asked the man who is learned, but tedious. "Neither," answered the man who yawns; "merely vociferous."

"You've got your linen suit on a trifle early, Hopkins," "Yes; but my folks are interested in a rummage sale; and when I carry my clothes around with me I know where they are."

A man smoking a cigarette boarded a Union traction car, and a woman handed him an anti-cigarette tract. "Thank you, ma'am," said he. "I'll take it home to my son." — Muncie Star.

He — A live donkey, you know, is better than a dead lion. She — Yes. He — Why are you looking around in that way? She — I'm looking for the dead lion that made the comparison pop into your mind.

Thompson — Jones was around early this morning to borrow my snow shovel. Robinson — Great Scott! What does he want with it this time of the year? Thompson — He doesn't want to use it now. Brown borrowed it last fall, and Jones didn't get a shot at it the whole winter, and he is determined Brown should not get ahead of him this year.

Bulldog Takes a Bite Out of Crime

1922

DOG BITES CHIEF DETECTIVE

Walter Anderson Attacked by Bulldog When Making a Liquor Raid on North Fifteenth.

Walter Anderson, captain of Lincoln detectives, was bitten rather badly at 6 p. m. Friday by a large bulldog when he and other officers made a liquor raid on the house of Mrs. Ethel Brown, colored, 935 North Fifteenth street. Mrs. Brown was in the yard when an automobile carrying the police drove up, and she ran into the house. Detective Anderson ran after her, caught her and attempted to hold her. At that moment the bull dog rushed in and grabbed the calf of his leg. He pulled the dog off. Later the dog-catcher took it to the pound. One gallon of whiskey was secured.

In March another raid had been attempted on the same place. The dog was tied under a porch at the time and would let no one approach him.

Dr. R. L. Bentley, who dressed Anderson's wound, states that it will not be serious if infection does not set in.

—The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Nebraska, June 18, 1922, page 2.

Intermarriage in 1909, Black and White Together Poses Problems

WHITE AND BLACK.

Not Permitted to Mix In South Dakota —Go to Sioux City to Evade the Law.

Sioux City, Ia., Aug. 9.—In order to escape the penalty of the South Dakota law which prohibits inter-marriage and cohabitation between whites and negroes, James T. Watson, colored, and Miss Marie Dickman, white of Yankton, S. D., came to Sioux City on August 2, secured a license here and were married by Rev. M. G. Newman, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal church.

On their return to Yankton, however the two were arrested on the charge of illicit cohabitation and August 10 has been set as the day for the hearing. A letter has been received at the office of the clerk of the district court from Joseph Janousek, county attorney of Yankton county, asking if such parties had secured a license and whether they had been married here. Although no return has been filed on the marriage license it has been found that they were married in Sioux City.

The statute under which the arrest was made is a new one and the case has attracted considerable attention at Yankton. The county attorney in his letter requested that some one in the office of the clerk be sent to identify the parties at the trial.

Miss Dickman goes by the name of Goodwin also.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 7.

Divine Healer Stops Flow of Blood Following Fight

Indianapolis, 1917
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A divine healer demonstrated to Sergt. Thomas and a squad of police Saturday night his power when he stopped the flow of blood from a number of stab wounds which Mattie Brown, colored, 715 West Thirteenth street, suffered. It is said the stabbing was done by Grant Lightfoot, colored, of the same address, who alleged the woman owed him 50 cents. The Brown woman ran to 416 Cora street where the police were called. Lightfoot escaped.

The woman was lying on a bed bleeding profusely from the wounds. The police said a young negro approached and asked to be permitted to see her. The crowd that had gathered around the woman was ordered back by the police and the negro approached and waved his hands over the wounded woman while he mumbled strange words. The police said the bleeding stopped in about a minute. When questioned by the police all the man would say was that he was a "divine healer." The woman was sent to the City Hospital, where it is said her condition is serious.

--The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, November 12, 1917, page 8.