The source of this uncorrected OCR text may be viewed in the DjVu format at: http://fax.libs.uga.edu/E185x93xG4xC323/ or http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/ugafax/E185x93xG4xC323/ ! THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ^^t^m^ EEV _. K. PAKTKR. THE B AC SIDE •ARTIAL HISTuRV THK BT7SINESP RELIGIOrS .M) EDHCATIOX i-L -"IDE THE NE(rRO [iithor REV. E. R. CARTER, Ou) Pidjjit niuxf.rd.f.p.d," -'Descriptive es of Europe and the Orient." ATLANTA, (fA. 1894. PREFACE. This Book comes to the public from one who has the care of a large pastorate, busy studying and praying in order to find how he may best serve his flock; it comes to a people who are not all prepared to appreciate a work of this kind from one of their own race. The Negro, it seems to the author, is not yet ready to encourage its men of a historical and literary turji of mind—not even those who are in advance of the common people. I have often thought if I was anything else but of the race I am, I might, perhaps, be something and be able to do and also make somebody else something, but as it is, I am doubtful. Yet I feel encouraged enough not to despair, but to push forward under God's help with hope to become something and to yet make my people something. It is universally conceded that my people have accomplished what no other race in the world ever accomplished in KO short a time, and notwith standing I am not so flushed with what we have accom plished to forget the fact that we have not as yet more than got our foot on the bottom round of the ladder, whose top leads to all that a race must possess to be classed with the races who passed through centuries to lay their hands on the top round. Generations must come and go before this can be done. It took five hundred years to make a Jew in the days of Abraham, eight hundred years to make a Roman in Cicero's time, and one j thousand years to make an Englishman. We have done well for the time we hav • TV PREFACE. had, but not well enough. To stop and rake tine to argue about what we have done, is like a little boy boasting of his manly acts before he has hardly com menced in life, so we may by so doing spoil all we have done. Yet we may, as we go, on speak of what we have done for our own encouragement and inspiration of those who are to follow in our footprints. The Black Side will be one of the factors in solving the great Negro problem. These beautiful, cultured faces, either in the school of experience or letters, will do much in advancing a step farther in finding the answer in the great problem. This book represents men, young and old, who have come to the front in life with everything to discourage them, no lucrative position to inspire them, nothing to encourage save the natural ability being an impetus to their successful business tact which the God of Nature has abundantly crowned the Negro with. It is hoped that this book will do much when it is read to give a great impetus to the younger ones. This wish is the inmost throbbing of the Author's life. INTRODUCTORY. BY BISHOJ' H. M. TUKNEK, D.D., LL.D " To everything there is a season and a time to ever} purpose under the heaven," says the wise King of Israel. He further says: "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to trie sons of men to be exercised in it." Recognizing the truth of these divine declarations, this is evidently the time and the season for so much of the Hamitic races as includes the Negro, to take their place among the literary rien of the present age, and rapidly are they doing so. Year after year additions to our libraries are made by the productions of this cold-shoul dered and undervalued race. A few years ago it was argued by the contemners of the Negro that he was not only degraded, non-intellectual, but created an inferior race by that God who is no re specter of persons, and as such was destitute of a knowl edge of governmental institutions, and could not compre hend the subtilties of any system of philosophy. Another charge that has repeatedly been alleged, was that he either had no history or had been too incompetent to pre serve it. This allegation is false and ever has been, a^ all ancient history abounds with the genius, skill, bravery, adventure and enterprise of the Hanitic races; and the sane has been preserved, not only in recorded annals, but in granite shafts and heaven-towering spires. The man, or nen, who make such assertions, advertise their ignorance of history upon the one hand, or proclaim their disregard of truth upon the other. VI [NTRODTCTOEY. Who built the pyramids of Egypt ? Who embalmed the dead heroes that have defied the tooth of time for four thousand years ? Who founded and organized the first civil governments ? Who built the first floating crafts and spread their sails to the breeze ? Who 'first carved wood and chiseled stone ? What people insti tuted military protection, and marshalled men by thous ands to the defense of their country ? Who first de signed thefhieroglyphics and made them the symbols of thought and expression ? Who gave Greece that alpha bet which enabled Homer to write his world-famed Iliad ? Echo answers, Who ? Read the historic lore of ages, and the footprints and finger-marks of the sons of Ham will tell the inquiring student who. But let us admit that the Negro was a degraded being during the days of our enthrallment and forced dehumanized condition. Is it any marvel ? Was not every form of our environment degraded ? Were we not brought up under a degraded people ? Were not the whites, to whom we belonged, equally degraded, and did they not close the doors of every avenue that looked toward our elevation ? But why pause to discuss that phase of this doleful subject ? Thank God, the Negro has outlived them all, and our duty now is to look to the future. While we may not entirely forget the past, we may remember it only as an incentive to achieve grander results in the progressive hereafter. That other falsehood also, that the Negro can only attain to certain limited conditions, is equally defunct. He can, and will, do what any other people can. Hinton R. Helper, of South Carolina, says, in his works on " Negroism," that only from the fair Caucasian race can statesmen, orators, poets, philosophers, historians, law yers, physicians, merchants and editors be obtained, to say nothing of great authors, logical ministers of the INTEODTTOTORV VII gospel, manufacturers, adventurers, etc. Let us, how ever, see. From Mr. Helper's own State we have the world-renowned Bishop D. A. Payne, D.D., LL.D.; the celebrated Robert Smalls ; the learned F. L. Cardoza; the mathematical professor, J. W. Morris, A.M., LL.B., the national famed Robert B. Elliott, and eloquent Richard H. Cain, both of whom held the United States Congress spellbound; the fluent yet learned Rev. Frank J. Grimkee, D.D.; the massive-brained Elder A. T. Carr, whose granite shaft in Charleston's cemetery vies with John C. Calhoun's; and the universally-known and ever to be lamented W. J. Simmons, D.D., LL.D., and the able physician, J. J. Durham, A.M., M.D. This catalogue takes in but a small number of the black celebrities of South Carolina, but it suffices to con trovert his own position, whether set forth ignorantly or intentionally. And, if we will step ontside of the little State above mentioned, and glance over a few pages rep resenting the present and the past, what an array of Negro talent confronts us ! Will any one dare to say that Toussaint L'Overture, in point of actual generalship, was not the peer of Bonaparte, Wellington or Washing ton, and with the same resources to draw from would not have been more famous than any one of them ? Shall we pause to recount the mathematical prodigies of Benjamin Banneker, who brought President Jefferson to his feet, or Phillis Wheatley, whose poetic genius won the admiration of the cultured men and women of Amer ica and Europe ? May we not well lift our hats at the name-shrine of Dr. Garnett, Samuel Ward, Dr. McCune Smith, the elder Downing, Dr. Bias, Lewis Woodson, Rev. Andrew Marshall, who lived to the age of a hun dred and four years, Major Martin R. Delaney, Captain Small, to say nothing of Douglass, Wears and a long list of living lights, whose splendor-blaze eclipses the flicker VIII INTRODUCTORY. ing lights of our raceberaters and would-be contemners? But still they come; slowly, yet surely, the years are giving us a retinue of lights, whose effulgence enters into our homes and is bidding our ignorance, vice and immorality disappear. This is a glorious age in some respects, in which the Negro is living, notwithstanding the reign of barbarism that has been inaugurated by white mobs, lynchers and incarnate fiends, who are putting to death from a thousand to fifteen hundred of us without judge or jury, here in the midst of schools and churches, every year. But the God of the Negro still lives and holds the store of his vengeance, and will mete out retribution sooner or later if he will only be true to himself and stand guiltless bef >re the bar of an enlightened conscience. The time is 4pe for the Negro to right his own battles, seek his own fame, achieve his own greatness and immortalize his own name. Let the young men, who may read these pages, remember that their fathers are growing old, and the mothers of the young ladies are doing the same, and prepare to supply their places and radiate a moral luster that will redound to the good of our race. Greatness has no color; learning is neither white nor black. There is no such thing as colored intelligence, white intelligence or black intelligence. There is no such being as a white God; God is neither white nor black. There is no such place as a white heaven, where every angel, cherub and seraph is white. If there were, it would be a dull, monotonous place. Heaven, with its population, is as variegated in its color as the flowers of the forest, or as the stars in the sky. The one great want of the Negro race is men learned in all the sciences, philosophies and professions of civili zation and an unadulterated Christianity. We need great poets to write hymns in harmony with our color, and not SS* RESIDENCE ALFRED XASII. [NTBODFCTOEY. IX cherish the idea that God must pull off our black skin before we can pass through the pearly gates into the New Jerusalem. Rev. E. R. Carter, the author of the book to which this is an introduction, is grandly contributing his part in the promotion and general advancement of our race. As a preacher of the gospel, he has few equals; as a tenperance lecturer, he has no superior; as a trav eler and explorer, he has been to the sumnit of Calvary, where the Son of God expiated for the sin of the world. He has inspected the Egyptian pyranid with his own keen and observant eye, as well as rolled in the saliferous waters of the Dead vSea. He has given the public a book of near three hundred pages entitled Our Pulpit IlhmtrutKd, in which can be found the profile, not only of a large nunber of emi nent colored divines and gentlenen of his own colored denomination, but of Methodists, Presbyterians and others of worth and merit. No young minister in the State of Georgia is nore industrious, nore venturesome, more popular, more forethoughted and more studious than he. While largely self-nade, he will, in a few years, if he continues in his noble work, wear every title of distinc tion which the college can confer, and go down to his grave beloved, honored and wept for. I bespeak for this inimitable production a wide sale, thorough and prof itable reading, not only by the nenbers of our race on this side of the broad Atlantic, but on the fertile plains and golden sands of the sunlit landscape of Africa, where in the fullness of tine, the sons and daughters of our race will achieve wonders in every departnent of civilization and Christianity that will be spoken of from pole to pole. Africa, the future home of her goaded and oppressed children, where they shall stand out in the grandeur of their individuality, and men like Brother Carter will have their names woven in prose and song. THE BLACK SIDE. CHAPTER I. THE HISTORY OF THE BLACK SIDE OF ATLANTA. In beginning the history of the Black Side, or the Afro-American, in this the beautiful, enterprising city of Atlanta, because of the unfriendly relations existing be tween most of the whites and blacks, and because of the continual effort to debar and prevent the Brother in Black from entering into any lucrative business, I am inclined to use the words of the Apostle Paul: "For here we have no continued city, but seek one to come." This condition of affairs causes a feeling of unrest and everlasting perturbation, which unsettles all permanent thought and action, and we wonder what will be the re sult or outcome of such a state of affairs? Notwithstanding the effort to close every avenue which leads to trade-learning against the negro, the Black Side of this city has surmounted obstacles, leaped over im pediments, gone ahead, purchased the soil, erected houses of business and reared dwellings, which show architec tural skill and taste, and, as Mr. Crumbly says, if gjven a white man's chance and let alone, will accomplish what any other race has accomplished or can accomplish. By the above assertions we would not have our readers be lieve that we think ourselves utterly friendless in our sojourn here, for there are among us white brothers who will do us any favor or show us unlimited courtesy; yet Southern custom and public sentiment clasp these in fet ters so binding that they are hindered from carrying to 12 THE BLACK SLDE. any great extent these higher feelings, however hard they may strive to du so. In giving the history of the Black Side in this city, which will include also some prominent features of the Black Side out of the city, I am obliged to go out into this field as did Ruth into the field of Boaz, with the little handful which I have gleaned from the acts and doings of that small number of the colored people, which helped to form this now great city in its infancy. It has been said that diligence and ac curacy are the only merits which a historic writer may ascribe to himself. I have spared neither care or pains to secure the facts as to the Black Side of this city. I would not say that the work is without error; to as sert such would be the grossest egotism. In presenting to the public the facts as to the history of the negroes here, I give in connection herewith a brief sketch of the oldest living Afro-American in this city, viz: Andrew Montgomery. Allow me to add that he it is who fur nishes the information concerning the history of the early- days of Atlanta. Like many others of his race, he lived during the dark days of slavery, and bore the cruel treatment char acteristic of those days, and having lived his four score years and more, he is still here to relate to the younger generation the history of the early days of Atlanta. Andrew Montgomery was born at Buck Creek, Jack son-county, Georgia, in the year of our Lord, 1808. He passed through all the vicissitudes of slavery life, had several owners, from whom he received both kind and cruel treatment. When quite young he became converted, and ever afterward lived a devout Christian. At quite an early age he came to this city, then called Terminus. At this time there were not more than fifty colored persons here, and of that number only two were THE 13 not slaves. These were Mary Combs and Ransom Montgomery. Mary Combs was the first colored person to own property in this city. Her property occupied the place where Wheat street meets Peachtree street. This prop erty she sold, and with the proceeds purchased her hus band. Ransom Montgomery, who was a brother to Andrew Montgomery, was the second person of color who pos sessed a share in Atlanta's soil. He obtained his free dom by a noble act of his life. This act was the saving of the lives of more than one hundred passengers during the burning of the bridge over the Chattahoochee river whilü a passenger train was crossing it. By this act the State of Georgia unloosed the chains of -slavery which bound Ransom, made him a free man, and gave him all that land lying near and around the Macon round-house and along where the Milner spring used to be. There were others here who owned property. Bob Webster, better known as Bob Yancy, Dougherty Hutch- ins and Jacob Nelson. Several others, of whom we shall speak farther on, and who became prominent in the legislature of Georgia, came after the above named per sons in having a share of Terminus. Every age has its great men, and these, of whom we have just spoken, were considered as such, esteemed and held in high re spect by their own race, as well as by members of the white race. Although not able in those early days to exhibit patriotism for their brothers in black, when the days of slavery were no more these rendered great ser vie • to their people and became their leaders. 14 THE BLACK SIDE. CHAPTER II. MARTHA SV1LLE. The population of Terminus increased gradually until 1843, when it was able to boast of about ten white fami lies. Now it was that the inhabitants became ambitious for a corporate name and charter. Application was made to the legislature for a charter which was granted, and the village was christened under the name of Mar- thasville, in honor of the daughter of ex-Governor Wilson umpkin, who at that time held the reins of State power in his hands. At this time the Hamitic population of Marthasville was quite small, for not all of the ten white families were able to hold slaves, and very minute was the number of free men among the sons of Ham. Nothing noteworthy concerning them transpired to mark their existence in the village of Marthasville till the establishing of the first colored church. That came about in this way. During the days of Terminus the whites and blacks worshipped in the same house, the whites using it on mornings and allowing the negroes to use it in the afternoons, requiring them to use portions of scriptures as refer to passages like, servants obey your masters, etc. Or, to use Father Montgomery's words. " The negroes had to consider themselves the shoe soles and the whiles the upper leather." But finally, there chanced to pass by one who proclaimed the Word as found in Christ Jesus, regardless of one's feelings. This enraged the whites, who refused the negroes privilege to hold services in their church house again. So Father Montgomery, of whom we have already spoken, called together a num ber of the brethren to devise means by which to estab lish a place of worship. This number consisted of Nelus THE BLACK SIDE. 15 Murphy, Henry Strickland, Vine Ware, Sam Fisher and Father Montgomery himself. These constituted the Board of Trustees whose business it was to obtain ground on which to erect a house of worship. The smallest sum for which land could then be purchased was seventy dollars and on to one hundred. Father Montgomery called upon Colonel L. P. Grant who gave him a portion of land. Major Terry selected a suitable site, on what is now Jenkins Street, for the building which was soon erected thereupon. This house stood till destroyed by the Federals. The land was then taken from the Negroes but by order of Colonel Grant was returned to them, He then gave deeds for the same, and finally this site was sold and a more desirable one on Wheat Street was purchased, and upon it was erected another house of worship. To this was given the name, Old Bethel, and from it the present church derived its name, Bethel Church. Thus was established the first colored church in Marthasville, and it was Methodist. The chief events of this period were namely, the ap pearance of the Luitiinary, the first newspaper, and the completion of the entire line of the Georgia Railroad, the first train running through from Augusta to Marthasville September 15, 1845, arriving about dark. In 1846 Marthasville could boast of another railroad. This was the Macon and Western Railroad, which had just been completed. After the entering of the railroad things in Marthas ville took d turn. The villagers were buoyed up by these events, and feeling themselves " too great " for a village incorporation, made an effort to obtain a charter for a city. The first attempt failed, but the second was a success. Thus after a life of five years the village gave up the title of Marthasville and received instead that of Atlanta. THE BLACK S CHAPTER III. ATLANTA The name, Atlanta was suggested, through a letter to Mr. Richard Peters, by Mr. Edgar Thompson, as a more suitable one for the ter.ninus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Thus, in 1847 the Legislature of Georgia legalized the name and change, so that, as Marthasville, Atlanta existed. Now in the year 1848, Atlanta numbered about five hundred souls. This population consisted chiefly of work ing men employed by the various railroads. There were continual new developments in the city of Atlanta, but as nothing of importance concerning the Black Side occurred, we pass on to Atlanta during the war. This period cannot be truly described, except by him who had the opportunity to witness the scenes thereof himself. The writer was a small slave who then lived at Athens, Ga., but not so far away that he could not hear the continual report of cannon and gun, the sounds of which, echoing and reverberating, traversed the distance from this city, where a mighty struggle was going on, to the place of his abode; and often in the still hours of night could be heard those terrific roarings as of muttering thunder. Under the flying shells which sent down torrents of tire, as in the days of Sodom, houses were consumed, and the inmates were forced to take refuge in holes or caves and flee to the woods for protection. Many, in fleeing, were seriously injured, while others, from the strokes of shells, lay bleeding and dying. This was a sad picture, a pitiable scene! The loss on the white side was great. BEV. TAMES ' VTE. '.»•€ •.'•£ ' ^ (•"l 11 A.MUEL FKEEJ] VIS. THE BLACK SIDE. 17 Only a few blacks suffered loss of property, for not as yet were their possessions much in real estate. In fact, this struggle was more of gain than loss to the black side ; for the shells of General Sherman were the strokes of the hammer of liberty, unfastening the fetters of the accursed and inhuman institution of slavery ! These strokes were joy to the "Brother in Black." Yes, they rejoiced when they saw the Confederate flag fall like Lucifer and trail in the dust, and in its stead the Union flag floating in the breeze, publishing to the nations that the diabolical temple of traffic in human blood had been overthrown and buried in everlasting oblivion, and the temple of the Goddess of Liberty had arisen. Ye«, tkey cried for joy ; It from the slave's eye did beam ; His heart o'erflowed with ecstasy That was not all a dream ! The cries of the long enslaved, "We are free, we are free ! CHAPTER IV. ATLANTA AJTEB THE WAK. In 1867, by order of General Pope, the Constitutional Convention met in the city of Atlanta for the purpose of revising the Constitution of the State of Georgia, and reconstructing the political affairs concerning the government generally. And be it said to the honor of the Black Side, that the majority who composed that Convention were some of the noblest and most patriotic of the sons of Ham. This meeting brought about fiery, bitter speeches from both sides, which made this period almost as dangerous as any preceding it. This is a chap ter in the history of the metropolis of the South equally t s THE BLACÜV SIDE. as difficult to narrate, especially when referring to the feeling which existed between the two races. It was, however, the year of jubilee for the Black Side. Nearly all public affairs were under their control, or that of the party to which they belonged. In the same year of the reconstruction, Rufus B. Bullock was elected Governor of Georgia. Hence, the Governor, Speaker of the House and Representatives were all sup porters of the principles and party of the Black Side. All over the State, as well as at Atlanta, began the organization of leagues, which were for the purpose of inspiring and encouraging the Republican party in this State. This league trumpet could have been heard from the mountains to the seaboard. The reinforcement of their energies and power was the backbone and the life-giving power of the Republican party. In Atlanta could be seen the sable sons of Ham, who a few days previous, handled a plow, saw, shovel or pick, crowding into the Legisla ture and Senate Hall, for the purpose of making laws for the government of their former owners. In nearly every seat in the old capitol hall were seated the ebony- faced men, once slaves, now free men and statesmen. There sat E. M. Turner, now D.D., LL.D., U. L. Houston, Madison Davis, Romulus Moore, Alfred Rich ardson, the martyr of the Republican party, James Simm, Jacob Fuller, Campbell and Bradley, and a number of others whom we cannot mention at this point. There sat they beneath the capitol dome, while the stars and stripes played peacefully in the breeze, assuring them of protection and security, Those were times worthy of appreciation and recog nition. Every child should be told of the hands which aided in the reconstruction of the government of this grand THE IC SIDE. 19 old Empire State of the South, should be told of the honor? conferred upon their fathers, and the high positions to which they were chosen, notwithstanding their insuffi ciency in many instances. It is the history of the ract. and is therefore worthy of repetition. Those were trying times ; they called forth all that there was in our fathers. Though the emblem of peace waved over them, yet they walked the streets in jeopardy. However, they were not molested to any injurious extent. This was pre vented through the wise counsel of the better class of the brothers in white ; and from the fear of worse happen ings than those through which the country had but re cently passed. What was true concerning the state of affairs in Atlanta, was equally true of the State of Georgia. While the brothers in black were rejoicing in their sleeves over their freedom, they were at the same time trembling in their boots, from fear of losing their life, so great was the hostility between the two races. Jehovah be praised! Most of this hostility is over. The white man is glad that the black man is free and the black man is glad that the white man is free. The strug gle is now in another line. Education, wealth, suprem acy are what the races are now fighting to gain. The first two powers the Black Side is bound to have ; yes, determined to possess. The third never enters his brains ; he cares nothing for it. All he asks is a citizen's privilege, the rights of a tax-pay er and free access to the public positions of the city, which he is compelled to support, and whose laws he so eagerly strives to protect. I doubt whether there are people living by the side of another people who pay as much taxes as the Negro in thL city for the support of its government, and who share so little recognition in the government of the city. 20 THE BLACK SIDE. CHAPTER V. THE PROGRESS OF THE BLACK SIDE OF TO-DAY. After the Southern Cause had been lost and the coun try became quiet, the Negro then realized that he must act for himself. Standing alone, possessing nothing, he closed his eyes to the past to open them to the dawn of a new day. The many hardships and privations which he had so long and patiently borne, energized him to strive to make a brighter future for himself and children ; accordingly ? James Täte, who is now one of the most successful whole sale and retail merchants of the Black Side, or the aver age business man of the White Side, in the year 1866 com menced a grocery business on Walton street, near the First Baptist Church (white). His total stock at that time amounted to $6.00 (six dollars). He now carries a stock of more than $6,000 (six thousand dollars), in a neat, two-story brick building on Decatur street, where he has resided since 1867. This man was the first to open and teach a school in this city. He might rightly be called the father of the beginning of business and enterprise, as well as of the intellectual source. The first of the Black Side of this now thriving city to open a store, the first to open a school, the first to teach a school! From him no doubt came the inspiration for the many who have come after him. Business houses among the Black Side are now established all over this wonderful vestibule of the South ; businesses of every class and kind, from the junk to the dry-goods store. The next event of importance in the history of the Black Side of Atlanta was the establishment of the Atlanta University. "This institution was chartered in THE BLACK SIDE. 21 1867, soon after the shackles of slavery had been re moved, and civil and religious liberty had been declared the natural heritage of the colored race by the great benefactor and patriot of modern times, Abraham Lincoln." Though chartered in 1867, the University was not properly opened until 1869. This inestimable source of knowledge and instruction to the Black Side was organized and established under the auspices of the broad-hearted, Godly-minded Professor Edmund Asa Ware, who, through conflicting opinions of the North and South, came to this city to open a channel of learn ing for the children of Ham. Upon one of the many hills which surround the city of Atlanta, where battles were fought to keep the negro in bondage and ignorance, sets this grand institution, a lasting monument to the good man who raised it ; sending forth yearly, men and women, boys and girls, to wage battles against ignorance, crime and vice. n the year 1868. under the leadership of Rev. Frank Quarles, the First Colored Baptist Church was organ ized. This body consisted of about twenty-five mem bers, among whom were John Carter, Levi Alien, Jake Whittaker, James Täte, Orange Davis, Betsy Rucker, Mary Whitehead and others. They first held religious services in a car-box, in the northeastern part of the eity, on Walton street. Here they worshipped for a considerable time. The next place of worship was somewhere on Luckie street, where they also held meet- ]ngs quite a while. Finally a lot on corner of Haynes and Markham streets was purchased, and a small wooden building was put up. The membership had by this time increased considerably, and wishing a still more desirable site, the present lot on corner of Mitchell and Haynes streets was, through the recommendation of John Carter, purchased, and upon this a more commo- THE BLACK S dious structure of brick was erected. As the wheel of time moves onward and developments in progress are made, a new day dawns. While in the past there were none or only a few places of mercantile or intellectual resources, now Atlanta for the Black Side abounds in such innumerable places of business and of intellectual and industrial training, occupying some of the best streets and dotting the hills and borders of this fair city. All around her borders tower, like the mighty hosts of Zion, some of the finest colleges, universities and .seminaries fur the Black Side, in all this Southland, re gardless of class or kind! There are attached depart ments where youths of any age who have the power of speech can, by simple operations, be taught to read, spell and cipher, and given a practical insight into geometry without having a book placed in their hands. This form of instruction comes through the Kindergarten system, which is among the wonderful inventions of the age. In fact, Atlanta, for the Black Side, is the classic city. On some of the most beautiful avenues and streets of this basin city are grand structures erected as altars to Jehovah, from which minarets, domes and steeples lift their heads to the azure sky. Along these same streets are many structures of brick, where various kinds of businesses are carried on. Some of these structures are : Odd Fellows Hall, point ing upward four stories in height, on Piedmont avenue; Good Samaritan building, ascending four stories, on Ivy street: the Schell Opera House and Hall, of three sto ries in height, on West Mitchell street. On Marietta street, the erections of Rivers, McHenry and McKinley stand with neat brick fronts. The storehouses of Täte and Murphy occupy conspicuous places on Decatur street, while on West Mitchell street, near their beauti- THE BLACK SIDE. 23 ful residences, are to be seen the two-story structures of N. Holmes and W. H. Landrum, used as storehouses; and, in proximity to the same, on West Hunter street, is the handsome storehouse, with residence above, of M. V. James. The neat storehouse and dwelling of P. Escridge, on Wheat street, deserves special mention, for the owner and proprietor is a man of acute business talent. Going in another direction, we arrive at the storehouse and dwelling of I. P. Moyer, on Peters street. Here he carries on a flourishing business. Also on same street are the storehouses and dwellings of King and R. N. Davis. Such are some of the brick buildings owned by the Black Side of Atlanta. Returning to Wheat street, we come to the large fancy grocery of F. H. Crumbly, where he does business on an extensive scale. Above this place of business are his handsomely arranged apartments. On same street are the business houses of Pace, and C. C. Cater; the storehouse and residence of T. M. Gooseby & Son; the bookstore of Hagler & Co. Next in line is the pharmacy of Drs. Slater, Butler & Co. Then, on Fraser and Martin streets are the storehouses, near which are the dwellings also, of Watts, Graham, Emery, and Epps & Jones. There are other promi- inent grocers in the city whose names and places of business we should be glad to mention would the ;ope of this paper permit. Briefly we mention some other enterprises carried an by the Black Side of our business-like city of Atlanta. Among the most prominent is that of J. McKinley, which consists in rock-quarrying and dealing in sand and brick. In this enterprise he employs at times more than one hundred and fifty laborers, white and colored. An other, the Cooperative South View Cemetery Co. The Georgia Real Estate Loan and Trust Co., of which the B4 THE BLACK STDE. Hon. H. A. Rucker is President. Atlanta Loan and Trust Co., of which W. C. Redding is President. These enterprises show the marked ability of the Black Side in controlling and managing the most intri cate forms of business, and is a firm denial of the asser tion that the negro is non-progressive. It also demon strates to the world what the negro will do if given a chance and let alone. Just here may also be mentioned the professional pur suits. As lawyers we have the erudite Robert Davis and the cunning, shrewd M. E. Loftin. In dentistry the famous pedestrian, Robert Badger, and the sons of the late, much lamented Roderick Badger. Let us add that there are others of our sons pursuing this profession, who will soon begin practice in this and other cities. As we take a retrospective view of the Negro, then see him as he now is, engaged in the many enterprises t pursuits, professions and occupations, we can but exclaim like the poet : •• 0, what a glorious hope is ours, While in this land VP stay; We mon than tasto immortal joy A.ud antedate that day." But let us proceed. There is the firm of Drs. Asbury, Taylor & Co., known as the Friendship Drug-store. Then, that of Drs. Strong & Lockhart. All of these are skillful physicians and have an extensive practice among our people. Those in the educational line, who are capable of fill ing chairs of languages and sciences at the colleges of to-day are : the scholarly, linguistic Professor Wm. E- Holmes, of the A. B. S. ; Professor Wm. H. Crogman, who is considered by all whose pleasure it has been to meet him, as a deep thinker, an able instructor and eloquent speaker; Professor St. George Richardson, the learned Principal of the Morris Brown College. ILL] TEMPLE STEEI ^f. E. , ^__ , • £ , " - - 'i-.'1" «•" ' .'~&i!tk3f"'f. UOOI) SAAFA lîITAN lUT] rj)T\(î. THE BLACK SIDE. 25 In the public schools we have as principals: the re fined, cultured, gentlemanly instructor, W. B. Matthews, of the Houston street school; the business-like and ora torical E. L. Chew, of the Gray street school; the elo quent " Boy royal of the times," F. Grant Snelson, of the Mitchell street school; and the witty, deep-thinking, pro gressive, self-made, Carl Walter Hill, of the Martin street school. As lady principal, there is the inestimable, Christian worker, well informed Mrs. Allie D. Carey, of the Roach street school: and of her it is truly said that nowhere is there a more intelligent, better read or bet ter informed person in all the languages than she. Having spoken of those who work with the mind, we now mention those whose lot it is to deal with the body. Our successful tailors are: the polite, artistic G. M. Howell; the venerable Wm. Finch, the successful Rufus Cooper, A. W. Finch, who does a flourishing business, and B. B. Brightwell, the steady. These are scarcely more than half of our successful tailors ; but this number serves to show what the Negro is doing in this line. We also have several artistic and fashionable dressmakers in our midst, and the gentle, obliging Mrs. Pennernone as milliner and hatter. Verily, the sons and daughters of Ham are applying themselves to the useful arts and pro fessions of life. THE GOOD SAMARITAN ORDER. The order of the Independent Order of Good Samari tans and Daughters of Samaria was introduced into the State by the organization of Crystal Fount Lodge, No. i, in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday night, July 9, 1875, by Rev. W. G. Strong, of Mobile, Ala., under the jurisdic- 2ß THE BLACK SIDE. tion of the R. W. E. D., Grand Lodge. No. i. of Brook lyn, N. Y. The following officers were installed on that night : H. R. Rakestraw, W. P. C. ; Sarah Mangum, W. P. P. D.; Samuel B. Bailey, W. C. ; Julia Dillard, W. P. D.; Wm. Holmes, W. V. C.; Eliza Holmes, D. of Ft.; John Davis, W. P.; Amanda Bradbury, D. of L.; S. W. Easley, Jr., W. R. S.; Beele Burkes, D. of R.; C. J. Dickersun, W. F. S.; Mary A. Snyder (King), D. of F.; Alfred Peck, W. T.; Betsy Jackson, D. of T.; James Dozier, W. Con.; Lucy Watkins, D. C.; J. H. Oliver, . S.; Rachael Oliver, D. of K.; Peter McMurray, A. S.; Jane Scott, D. of P.. The lodge was organized with about seventy-five per sons, composed of the very best people in Atlanta, among whom may be noted Mitchell Cargil, Hiram Brooks, Joseph McCants, Anderson Phelps, Rev. J. C. Riggin, Ed. Hill, Andrew Hill, Sam'1 Jackson, Jack son Gates, Alien Brown, Thomas J. Henry, Mrs. J. P. McMurray, Mrs. Lizzie Lewis, Mrs. Clora Garner, Mrs. Mollie Golden, Mrs. Sully Alexander, Mrs. Amanda Hill, Mrs. Viola King, Miss Mary Garrett, Mrs. Nancy Wilson, Mrs. Lizzie Ford and others. The list of honorary members is also brilliantly illus trated by such noted prelates as Right Rev. "W. J. Gaines, D.D., Rev. S. H. Robertson, D.D., Rev. Rich ard Graham, and others of like note. Crystal Fount Lodge has also furnished to the Grand Lodge of Georgia three Grand Chiefs, two Grand Pre siding Daughters, viz. : J. M. Marshall, S. W. Easley, Jr., Peter McMurray, Mrs. Matilda Simmons, and Mrs J. P. McMurray, and other Grand Lodge officers, as well as National Grand Lodge officers. The lodge since its organization has initiated into mem- THE BLA<-K bership over three hundred persons, and has a member ship to-day in good standing of about four hundred. The secret of the marvelous financial and numeri cal success of this lodge is due to the fact that its treas ury has always been open to all charitable objects, suf fering humanity, and the poor inebriate. It contributed to the yellow fever sufferers in Savannah, Ga., in 1876» to the afflicted in Memphis, Tenn., 1875, during the great cholera epidemic that carried off so many souls; in this and other ways caring for the poor, sick, afflicted, dead, the lodge has disbursed upwards of $26,000. It has a fine four-story brick building on Ivy street in the heart of the city, valued as $30,000, and several shares in the South View Cemetery of Atlanta, Ga. It was the first of the secret orders in Atlanta to purchase real estate, though by several years younger in the city than any of the secret orders. In fact it has been the pioneer in every movement looking to the advancement of "the Black Side of Atlanta." In religion, morals, industrial, intel lectual and financial progress Crystal Fount Lodge has blazed the pathway, that others may "go and do thou likewise." The order is a Christian-temperance order, and its members the world over are found in honorable stations in life, from queens, princesses, kings, noblemen, lords, congressmen, governors, bishops, ministers, lawyers, doctors, laymen, professors, authors, orators, nurses, cooks, seamstresses, laborers, and toilers after honest gain, for the sustenance of life. Such an order as the Good Samaritans is a power in the land and country, and is a God-send and a blessing to mankind generally. Long it live and prosper. 28 THE BLACK SIDE. SPELMAN SEMINARY, 1881-1893. It is not my purpose to bring before the public the full and interesting history of the faculty of this grand and God-established institution, but rather I wish to have you know of the work which it has done, which it is doing, and which it is destined to do. In April, iSSi, there came to the city of Atlanta two consecrated Christian women from Boston, Mass., to en gage in work for the women and girls of the South. Little did Miss Sophia B. Packard and Miss Harriet E. Giles know when they entered Friendship Baptist Church and rapped at the door of the study of Rev. Frank Quarles, that they had come in answer to his prayers, and even to the prayer which he was then offering. Priscilla and Aquila had come. After conversing with these ladies, and finding out their object, with a heart overflowing with joy and grati tude, Rev. Quarles gladly opened his church door, and on April ii, 1881, in the basement of Friendship Baptist Church, these noble-hearted and self-sacrificing women laid the foundation of the grandest work ever done for the women of the South. The first term of work lasted only three months. Though the Southern climate was very severe, and many comforts were naturally denied these white ladies who had come to work among the colored people, these Chris tians felt it their duty to spend their first vacations in At lanta, that they might learn more of the people, and that tue people might learn of them and of the object in view. During this summer they visited the homes, the Sun day-schools, gave Bible readings, organized a mission band and an educational society. The ensuing October the second term of school opened with an increased number of sixty-nine. THE BLACK BIDE. 29 The exceeding dark prospects had begun to get bright, the foundation had been laid, and, as the Lord said to Zerubbabel, he said to them: "Yet now be strong . for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts." The school had grown large enough to demand the service of another teacher, and more room was impera tive. The American Baptist Home Mission Society of the North had agreed to take charge of the work, but it questioned the wisdom of maintaining a separate school for girls. The decision was reached—the school was ever to be a school for women and girls. The necessity for a boarding department was clearly seen, so Rev. Frank Quarles, whose sympathy was in the work from the beginning, after getting a few dona tions from the colored people, went North to raise money to build a boarding department. The inclemency of a New England November was too great a strain upon his Southern constitution, and he sickened and died, thus giving his life for the education of the women of his race. n February, 1883, the old barracks, with nine acres and five frame buildings, upon a height in one of the loveliest parts of the city, was purchased. The school was moved from the basement, and the boarding depart ment was immediately opened. The real growth of the school was more and more plainly manifested. The -'unseen hand" was constantly at work. The third teacher, who came in December, 1882, was now to open another department—a model school—where girls could be trained to be efficient teachers in the day schools, to which most were likely to be called. The industrial feature became prominent. The students were taught ^ewing, cooking, house-cleaning and laundering. .30 THE BLACK SIDE- THE SIDE. f This school, unlike the other schools of the kind in At lanta, was the first to see the value of putting mental, tiiOi'al and ma/Mal training side by side, believing that the rise of a race depends as much upon nicely kept homes as it does upon its ability to handle Csesar or to challenge Euclid. The annual progress of this school has been beyond human conception. In 1884 the name of the school was changed from Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary to Spel- man Seminary, in honor of John D. Rockefeller's father- in-law. Mr. Rockefeller gave the largest donation to ward the purchasing of the property; he also was the largest donor toward the erection of the first brick build ing, which bears his name. The chapel, office, reading room and eleven recitation rooms are in this building. In 1886, Union Hall, in which was the old chapel and recitation rooms, was burned. At the time of burning it contained the dining hall, the model school and the music rooms. The burning of this building necessitated the immediate erection of the second brick building, which was named Packard Hall, in honor of the Senior Principal, Miss S. B. Packard. Spelman Seminary has a Preparatory Course, an Aca demic Course, a Collegiate Course, an Industrial Course, a Nurse Training Course, a Missionary Training Course, a Normal and Training Course. THE PREPARATORY COURSE includes primary, inter mediate and grammar school studies. Those finishing this course often teach in the public schools of the South. Those completing the ACADEMIC COURSE have taken all of the sciences commonly taught in any English course. Some graduating from this course have held and are holding high positions in some of the colleges which are maintained by the Baptist Home Mission Society. The majority finishing this course are engaged in teaching. have married. From these the m^fl. fin of the lising and future generations is hoped to come. It is desirable that those graduating from the Academic Ci ursewill return and complete the COLLEGIATE COURSE, which is four years. This course, comprising the lan guages and higher sciences, was added this year. In the INDUSTRIAL COURSE the girls are taught plain sewing, dress-cutting, cooking, house-cleaning and laun dering. Much attention is given to this course, owing to the fact that while all cannot be teachers, none are exempt from properly performing the duties of our every-day home life. Certificates are awarded those who creditably omplete this course. Every woman more or less is called upon to care for • sick. To meet this demand a NURSE TRAINING COLRSL was added to the Seminary in 1886. Nine-tenths of the daily deaths occur from the want of proper nurs ing. In this course the students are taught physiology and practical hygiene. There is a hospital, the Evarts ward, on the campus, where the nurses have the practice in nursing under the eye of a professor. There is a sur gical room connected with the ward, in which cases are sometimes brought in and operated upon in the presence of the nurses. [t is well for ever}' teacher to have some knowledge of caring for the sick. What teacher has not met with an opportunity, possibly to save life, if she had only known some of the most simple remedies which are learned in this cours - A few of the students have chosen nursing a life-work, and are earning ten or more dollars a week, working under some of the best doctors, both white and colored. THE MISSIONARY TRAINING COURSE was added to Spelman Seminary in 1892. This course prepares those who have finished the Academic or its equivalent, to do 32 THE BLACK SIDE. missionary work in the families, churches, Sunday-schools, in this or foreign lands. This course takes in two terms of eleven months each, six months in school and five months on the field doing practical work under the direc tion of a teacher. The time of two teachers is given to this work. Lectures to the class from different profes sional men are given almost weekly. The great neces sity of this work is plainly seen. It is the longing desire that all pastors will take hold and encourage the work. The Bible is the only text-book used. Expenses of this course are borne by the friends of the North. To give the older women an opportunity of gaining an education, an ELECTIVE COURSE has been added specially for them. One has graduated from this course, and is doing a grand Christian work among the women of her race. THE NORMAL AND TRAINING COURSE, the last but not the least addition to Spelman Seminary, prepares graduates for teachers after the plan of the best normal schools North. Miss Griffin, from Potsdam, N. Y., is the superintendent of this course. She is ably assisted by six teachers, together with nine pupil teachers. The pupil teachers teach under the immediate eye of a reg ular teacher. It is hoped that ere long only teachers re ceiving this special training will get employment. Those who creditably take this course are awarded certificates. This course will soon occupy an immense four story brick building which is near its completion. In this building, aside from the twenty-four recitation rooms for the Normal and Training Department, there are eighteen dormitories and three recitation rooms for the Missionary Training Department, also a Chemical Laboratory and Science lecture room. Those students wishing to become printers and whom the principals think prepared, are taught printing, which " --*r -:£ k. ttf J» >»!!•"% "ITH H ill ^^ , i ftt ''* . !*iï l r l "V" , r t ' -- i -i- ,. I THE BLACK SIDE. 33 will enable them to get employment in many of the printing offices. Vocal music is given uvice a week without extra charge. Instrumental music, two lessons a week and a daily practice hour, is given by paying extra. You have -our choice of taking on either piano or organ. [| Spelman Seminary is founded upon the teachings of 1 the Bible, therefore the Bible is taught daily to every scholar. As the result of this, two students, Miss Nora A. Gordon and Miss Clara A. Howard, were taught to hear the gracious call, replying: "Here am I, send me." They are now missionaries in Africa. The student who does not leave this school to work for Christ and the good of all who come under her influ ence, has failed to carry out her instruction. The motto of Spelman Seminary, " Our whole school for Christ, "is expected to be verified in every girl who has been a member of that school. "In 1888 a Board of Trustees was forned, and Spelman Seminary was incorporated by the State of Georgia." The school has a nice library in which there are many valuable books, which have been donated by different i| friends of the North. There is a museum in which sorie beautiful collections have been gathered—stuffed birds, valuable stones, and many relics from the East. Aside from the regular courses, persons wishing to becone professional dressmakers, or elocutionists, nay enter and pursue said studies belonging to the profes sion. There are six associations and societies belonging to this institution—Young Women's Christian Association, Congo Mission Circle, Students' Volunteer Society, Social Purity, Christian Endeavor societies, and the Ly- 84 THE BLAPK SIDE. THE BLACK ceum. The teachers and students take an active part in the promotion of each of these organizations. The expenses of this institution are within reach of almost every woman or girl who is desirous of an edu cation. Each girl has the choice of doing her own washing. There is a comfortably arranged brick laundry with all of the modern facilities. There i« a regular laundress in charge, with several assistants. Aside from the donations given by the colored churches, Sunday-schools and associations of Georgia, amounting to t\vo per cent, of the total donations, Spel- man Seminary is run by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the Women's American Baptist Home Mission Society of New England supporting a large number of the teachers by the Slater fund, and by indi viduals, Hon. John D. Rockefeller being the largest in dividual donor. Many of the faculty, now numbering thirty-seven, whom the Lord has prospered in this world's goods, have given and are giving, their services. Sixty-six young ladies have satisfactorily finished the academic course and are doing work in every Southern State. Two are missionaries in Africa: Miss Rubie B. Jones is a member of the faculty of the Spelman Semi nary; Miss Selena M. Sloan is preceptress of the State Normal School of Florida ; Miss Alice E. McEwen is an editress in Alabama ; Mrs. Morgan (Ida B. Carswell) i<= principal of a city public school in Columbus, Ga.; Miss Essie M. Atkinson is teacher in the Gray St. School, Atlanta. Many, whose location I cannot get, are holding- good positions. There have come into this work, as have come into all others, discouragements and dark shadows, but the presence of the Lord has always been felt. The death angel has visited the institution and taken five of his consecrated ones to their reward. Each coming seemed to have been sadly realized, but none was so heart breaking as was the calling home of the beloved and honored senior principal, Miss Sophia B. Packard, who was one of the first two who planted the mustard seed which has so rapidly grown into a great spreading tree. This sad stroke came in June, 1891. Do the women of Georgia realize their loss, is the question to be an swered. Miss Harriet E. Giles, Miss Packard's associate prin cipal and coworker succeeded Miss Packard as principal of Spelman Seminary, with Miss Lucy H. Upton as sociale principal. Under these two ladies nearly two terms have been successfully taught, MRS. CARRIE STEELE LOGAN, FOUNDER OP THE COLORED ORPHANAGE OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA This noble, Christian woman is a native of Georgia, and in this State was reared. She was a slave till, through divine providence, that great benefactor, Abra ham Lincoln, set her free. While a slave she learned to read and write, the acquisition o£ which she has always found indispensable to her. For more than twenty years she has been in public work, and her contact with the world has been a complete education of itself. Being, for a long while, a stewardess at the depot in this city, this good woman had daily experiences of the sufferings and wants of her people. Daily she saw hungry, half-clad, ignorant children wandering about the streets, being tossed hither and thither by the rude winds of adversity; waifs drifting 36 THE BLACK SIDE. down the struam of destruction! Children barefooted and crying for bread, seeking, in vain, places to lay their tired heads! These sad sights touched the heart of Mrs. Steele, and moved to pity, she resolved to do something for the chil dren of her race. By her industry and economy she had some time previously purchased a valuable lot on Wheat street, and upon it built a handsome cottage. She now began to think how she could better the condition of the children of her people. A divine inspiration came to her, and she grasped it eagerly; it was that she might erect a place of retreat for these little ones. She began this arduous work by writing a short ac count of her life, which she placed before the public for sale. Her little book took well, and she realized an ac ceptable profit from it. This was the first step in the great undertaking of her life. She then solicited aid in other ways, and to her re quests many kind hearts of both races responded, and she was soon able to begin the erection of the Orphan age, which now stands a lasting monument of the great work done by this good woman. This building is three stories in height, built of brick with a stone foundation, and well adapted to its usages. Within its walls Mrs. Logan has gathered around her fifty heretofore friendless and homeless little ones, who, at the time of their coming, were mostly ignorant and uncouth, but now are tidy, trained and being taught to read, etc. These are taught, first of all, to pray. The older ones are being taught domestic work in all its parts, and fancy work. The boys do farm work. All attend school, which is provided for them at the Home. THE BLACK SIDE. 37 They have Sunday-school every Sunday, and even the little ones of four years can repeat chapters in the Bible. The campus is spacious and most beautiful. The Orphanage was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars, all of which was raised through the efforts of Mrs. Logan. She is deeply interested and wrapped up in her work, which she claims is the greatest joy of her life. Since this noble woman has done so much for human ity, all should lend a helping hand to push forward the grand and glorious work. Mrs. Logan has done a work which will tell in years to come. She has placed the stepping-stones for the bet terment of the race, by striving to save the boys and girls. They are the ones to be shielded from dangers and temptations. Save, O, save the children ! God's choic est blessings rest upon him who works to this end. Just after resigning her place at the depot, she married Mr. Logan, of New York, a Christian gentleman, a man of sterling worth. Their ideas are mutual, both having at heart the elevation of the race; both laboring to the same end. In Mrs. Logan he possesses a treasure rare; in him she finds all which could be desired in any one. This Home is non-denominational; it is free to all homeless, friendless children of the city of Atlanta. It was dedicated June 20, 1892. Long after the founder shall have gone to her final rest this structure will still tower heavenward, and may the good work done within its limits make her memory imperishable, her name immortal. THE BLACK SIDE. REV. N. J. JONES, FOUNDER OP THE COLORED MEN'S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION—ABLE BAPTIST MINISTER. Rev. N.J. Jones the subject of this sketch was born in Nashville, Nash county, North Carolina, in the year 1844, and when six years of age was brought to Pike county, Georgia, at which time he was the property of a Mr. Milton Riggins. In 1862, when but eighteen years old, he was, for his thrift, aptness and integrity, appointed driver and foreman over a large and prosperous planta tion, which was managed chiefly through his directions. He also worked at the blacksmith trade, and was con sidered a skilled and first-class workman in that line. When emancipation was declared, he was still the prop erty of the same man, and when all of the slaves had gone, he remained with his former owner, Mr. Riggins. Mr. Jones was a great favorite with him, and until this day he highly respects him. He came to Atlanta in the year 1866, and the follow ing year was converted and joined the Friendship Bap tist Church, under the venerable Rev. Frank Quarles. He has ever since labored for and devoted his Christain zeal to this church, and is a most important factor in it. He assisted largely in making the church what it is now, one of the leading Baptist churches in the State. He was at one time employed by the firm of Messrs, Hoke, Miller & Company, and, because of his faithfulness industry and efficiency, was greatly esteemed by those gentlemen. He is identified with many of the leading enterprises, and has enlisted his heart and hands in every commenda ble effort which promises to promote the prosperity of his race. In the capacity of a workman he aided in the THE BLACK SIDE. 89 ci ci tion of the old capitol building on Marietta street, and later served Mr. A. Landsburg, an extensive lumber dealer, whose place of business occupied the site where th< Markham hotel now stands. He was made foreman • the enure business, and manager of the yard hands, and the accuracy with which he managed the business of measuring and selling lumber was commendable in no small degree. He remained with this gentleman, and after leaving him, went into the grocery business on a small scale, but by prompt attention to business, honesty and sobriety, he has built up a business surpassed by none in the city in its line. He has a large and well supplied stock of staple and fancy groceries. In addition to his energy and arduous labors among his people, he retains the highest confidence and esteem of all good citizens of both races, who know him. Concerning the orders and organizations of the city, he holds in some of these the highest offices in their gift. Was chosen president of a benevolent society, which office he filled with trust and ability, and from which much good has been derived. On another occasion he was unanimously elected pres ident of a Smallpox Society, during the time when that terrible epidemic infested our city. Through his endur ing efforts, a large sum of money was collected and de posited in the James' Bank for the relief of those who might fall victims to the dreaded plague. As a worker in the Sunday-school, Rev. Jones has no peer, as there is no more useful, earnest and faithful laborer to be found. He has been an active teacher in the Friendship Baptist church for the past twentj' years, and many are the young men who have graduated from the A. B. S., who ceived valuable instruction in the Sunday-school class -lught by Rev. Jones. It can truly be said, that no one has labored more zealously for the Sunday-school cause than THE BLA<:K RIPE. this man. Because of his activity and Christian zeal for the cause of Christ, the church granted him license and permission to preach the truth "as found in Christ Jesus." He possesses a superior knowledge of the scriptures, and his manner of expressing it is eloquent and forcible. As a divine he stands and ranks with the leading clergy of the State. Along with the other noteworthy events of his life, might be mentioned the formation of the Colored Men's Protec tive Association, an organization which is known far and near, and is looked upon as being one of the best so cieties among the race. This large and flourishing insti tution was projected and founded by this good man in the year 1886. After careful study and consideration of the poor class of the race, he devised a means to bring them in closer connection with that class which was more able to help them. Thus he called a council of good men to whom he stated his object; which was, that he desired to establish an order or union which would take care of and help those who were unable to help themselves. Accordingly, he, with the council, set to work, and soon the good results of their hard toil manifested themselves. Of course they did not have smooth sailing. There was much opposi tion; but the harder seemed the struggle, the more vig orous grew these combatants, for they felt they were fight ing for the good of humanity. Rev. Jones finally suc ceeded in gathering together a large mass of people from different points in the State, and with the committee of the following gentlemen, himself being chosen chairman of said committee, applied to the superior court of Fulton county for a charter. Committee, N. J.Jones, Chairman; A. Blalock, A. Payne, H. C. Davis, A. B. H. Lowry. December 17, 1886, the charter was received for a term of twenty years. During the same year Rev. Jones was elected President of the Association. During BIKS. CAEK1E STEELE LOOtAIS. yt, o H •<, ri'-1.- ':: ' THE BLACK SIDE. 41 the year 1887 the order had increased in number tu one thousand, and soon after to eighteen hundred. Great and good have been the results of this order, and all due to the noble-hearted, unselfish Rev. N. J. [ones. Sick members receive the best attention, the poor are cared for and the dead decently buried. This good work is not confined to Atlanta, the society has State rights, and, as a consequence, several branch lodges have been established from the one of this city These lodges are doing creditable work, and be it said to the honor and credit of Rev. N. J. Jones, that under hi? leadership the prosperity of the lodge has been great and rapid. As expression of the confidence placed in him, he has been made president every year since its or ganization, and this without opposition. He is the ac knowledged leader and chief commander, and is backed by a number of intelligent citizens. It is an established fact that the Colored Men's Protective Association of Atlanta has done more to lift up fallen humanity than any other organization in the city. Its doors are open to all with no respect to persons ; the rich, the poor, the cast down, may enter and receive protection, all that is needed being a reformation on the part of those who have been or are cast down. Those who are received must take most solemnly the pledge which strictly requires good morals, decency and uprightness of character, and so soon as one violates this pledge he is excommunicated. So rapid has been the growth of this order that the wise president saw the need of enlarging its borders, thus giving access to a broader field of labor. Accordingly, he called a conven tion to meet at Atlanta, October, 1890. In that grand assembly were many distinguished business men from many cities of the State. In addition to widening the 42 THE BLA< K SIDE. field of work and establishing better laws, the president's object was to organize a grand lodge for the State. It is needless tu say that this convention was a success under his wise jurisdiction, for he rules but wisely. The work \,as substantial and agreeable, the session lasting three dayo. During the session the delegates from the various place? united in one voice in electing Rev. Jones Supreme Grand President. Thus he stands supreme over all of the C. M. P. A. lodges. After giving a grand banquet in honor of the presi dent, the Convention adjourned to meet at Columbus, Ga., the following year. The Association has a large amount of capital deposited in one of the prominent bank" of the city, and pays out to its sick annually from eight to nine hundred dollars. Since its organiza tion has paid out to its members more than five thousand four hundred dollars, besides other expenses. During the recent heavy snow Rev. Jones busied him self in looking after the poor and needy. With wagon and driver, through the snow, he was seen going from place to place issuing out provisions to those who were in need ; and by his timely aid relieved rmuiy from acute suffering. In this fragment of a chapter, this mere outline, it is not possible to give all the good deeds performed by this godly man. He is a Christian man, affectionate in his home, pleasant and polite in his manner, with a smiling countenance for all he meets. Rc\'. Jones will long live in the hearts of his people as a devoted Christian, and a leader of his people. THE BLACK SIDE. 4.°, WEST ATLANTA W. C. T. U. ORGANIZED M AUCH 10, 1887, AT FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF MISS LIZZIE STEPHENS'>N. The following officers were chosen: Mrs. Ella M. Pitts, President: Mrs. E. R. Carter, Vice-Président, and Mrs. M. A. Ford, Secretary. The object of the Union is to promote the cause of temperance and morality, especially in the western part of the city. The departments of work chosen by the Union were these: Prison and Railroad Work, Press Work, Juvenile Work, Social Purity, Department of Lit erature. The Union did very little during the first years of its organization except hold prayer-meetings, study temper ance literature and visit the sick in the neighborhood. In 1890, with Mrs. M. A. Ford, President, regular active work began at the close of the year. The reports brought in were as follows: Report of Mrs. M. A. Mason McCurdy, Superintend ent of Prison and Railroad Work—Chain-gang visited three times; 39 books, n Testaments and 19 different kinds of papers distributed among prisoners; reports of W. C. T. U. sent to five different papers. Report from Miss M. F. Pullen, Superintendent of Ju venile Work—Tweuty-three talks on purity to the girls of the W. C. T. U. of the Atlanta University, and 28 talks to the Unions in the city on the following subjects: En gagements, What They Are; Engagements, What They Should Be ; Care of Body, Baths, etc. ; Mother's Influ ence; Marriage; Motherhood: Unfermented Wine; Char acter Building. Talks given privately to 63 persons; 23 young women took White Cross pledge. U THE BLAC SIDE. Reports in the year closing March, 1891, were these: Superintendent of Social Purity reported 127 pledges taken for social purity. Superintendent of Juvenile Work, two Bands uf Hope organized. Superintendent of Work among the Girls, Miss Eunice D. Coles, reported that her class of girls had made cloth ing for an orphan baby: also had pieced a quilt for an orphan home in Covington, Ga. This class of girls met _once a week, and sewed while some one read an inter- e«ting book to them. At the close of the year ending March, 1892, with Mrs. E. R. Carter. President, these reports were brought in: Superintendent of Evangelistic Work reported 21 visits made poor and sick of the neighborhood. Superintendent of Social Purity, 23 pledges distributed, — visits made to four families, 3 public talks on purity ^ mothers' meetings. A committee was .sent to pastors of different churches to urge them to use unfermented wine on the communion table. Two surprises were given to poor families. Through the influence of the Union enough money was raised for the burial of a poor man. Miss M. F. Shattuck. an honorary member of the I nion, gave to it $12 with which to purchase a book case for a library to be located in the western part of the city. A good number of books have been given by Mrs. C. C. Tucker and other friends from the A. U. For the year ending March, 1893, the following pro gram was sent out by our State President, Mrs.- G. W. King, to be used in each Union: On the first Monday in each month, business meetino-; second Monday, science meeting; third Monday, social THE K SIDE purity and mothers' meeting; fourth Monday, Bible read ing, consecration and prayer-meeting. During this year a number of visits were made by members of the Union to the poor and sick. Two quilts quilted for an orphan home. A room rented in which to open a library. A bookcase purchased and books marked and arranged in the case. On the opening of the library an ice-cream and strawberry festival was given, which was preceded by literary exercises. It is the aim of the West Atlanta W. C. T. U. to con tinue the work begun until its influence for good can be felt from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the lakes on the north to the gulf on the south. We shall not stop here, but continue to pray, hope and work until the whole world shall be made better for the West Atlanta Women's Christian Temperance Union having been organized. MRS. M. A. FORD, President. M. F. PULLEN, Secretary. MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE. In pursuance of the policy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church the ministers of this denomination in the State of Georgia, in cS8o, resolved to build a college for the education of the young men and women. Accordingly in 1881, under the general superintend ence of Rt. Rev. W. J. Gaines, D.D., the beautiful site, overlooking the City of Atlanta, was purchased at a cost of $3,500, and thereon, in 1885, was erected the north wing of the proposed college. This portion of the building was completed and dedicated to the memory of Rt. Rev. Morris Brown, the second bishop of the A. M. E. Church. Hence the name, " Morris Brown College." 46 THE BLACK SIDE. In October, 1885, Morris Brown College first opened its doors for the admission of students eager for educa tion. During that year 107 were enrolled. Since then, many improvements have been rr.ade. A large sum of money has been expended in furnishing the school with the best school furniture, as desks, seats, maps, black boards, clocks, globes and other necessary supplies. The north wing was erected at a cost of about $10,000, and last year the south wing, a building the same as the north wing, was put up at about the same cost, thereby making a total expenditure of about 125,000 on the two buildings. This amount was raised by Negroes, from among Negroes, for Negroes of the State of Georgia. During the first period of the history of the school it was under the principalship of Mrs. A. D. Gary, who was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Lee, A.M. These princi pals were each zealous in promoting the welfare of the school and, in increasing its usefulness. In 1888 Professor A. St. Geo. Richardson was appointed Principal of Morris Brown College, which position he still holds with much credit. Under his management the school has steadily progressed from year to year. Both the staff of teachers and the number of pupils have been doubled. In 1888 there were four teachers ; now the corps of teachers numbers eight. The enrollment of pupils for t888 was 252; and at the date of writing the enrollment for the present year io 430. The course of instruction embraces four departments, viz: ist, the English Department; 2d, the Normal De partment ; 3d, the Academic Department; 4th, the In dustrial Department. The English Department comprises eight classes, taught by competent, experienced teachers, who have the work at heart, and are interested in the moral and spirit ual welfare of the pupils, as well as the development of THE BLACK 47 the intellect. The instruction given in this, as also in the other departments, is systematic and thorough. The Normal Department aims at giving full and sound instruction in those branches of study which are calcu lated best to prepare and tit the student not only for the profession of teaching, but, at the end, for the active duties of life. In the Academic Course, the student is prepared for the higher studies embraced in the college course, and also for entering the field of business and commerce Although the Industrial Department is not yet fully established, it is expected to have manual training in operation and actively engaged in by the students after the opening of the next fall term in 1893. The curriculum of studies is so arranged that on the completion of any one course the student will have ac- qi -d a good foundation for the pursuance of any higher course, or for active service in the business world should he then discontinue his studies at school. The system of instruction is uniform throughout, and is arranged so that all the several courses are but different links in the one great educational chain that binds together the sev eral parts of the whole system. Music is taught to all the pupils, who are drilled in the elementary exercises of the first and second music readers. The pupils are taught to sing with feeling and expression. Instrumental music will be one of the new departments in the next academic year. Drills and calisthenics form a part of the instruction to pupils in the English Department. The various exten sion movements with wands, bar-bells, etc., are the ones generally practiced. Fridays of each week are devoted to a review of the week's work done by the pupils. Exercises, such as essays, declamations, recitations, etc., are presented by 48 THE BLACK SIDE. the several classes. The last hour of this day is devoted to Bible-reading and students' prayer-meeting, in which the students take a most active part, and bv their inter est and enthusiasm, together with the assistance of the teachers, many souls have been converted to Christ. Upon the opening of the new building ext fall ar rangements will be made to accommodate, with board and lodging, students from abroad, who are now com pelled to board in private families in the vicinity of the college. In the new building it is expected to have established the Theological Department for the special training of young men about to enter the ministry. The Academic Faculty is composed of he following efficient and experienced teachers: A. St. Geo. Richardson, B.A., Principal, 'Professor of Classics and Mental Science. Miss Carrie J. Thomas, Assistant Principal, IrviVructor in Science and Literature. Miss Florence H. Martin, Instructor in \His.torv sad Mathematics. Mrs. Alice M. Hoyt, Teacher of English Branches. Miss Annie B. Thomas, Teacher of English, and Sec retary of Faculty. Mrs. Ella M. Landrum, Teacher of English Branches Mrs. I. E. Upshaw, Preceptress of Primary Depart ment. Miss Julia T. Allen, Assistant Primary Teacher. In addition to the above staff of teachers Rev. S. H. Robertson, D.D., is the General Superintendent and Treasurer. The President of the Board ^f Trustees is Rt. Rev. Abram Grant, Presiding Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District. Of the Executive Bo; rd Rev. E. P. Holmes is Chairman, Rev. A. W. Löwe, Secretary. Bishop W. J. Gaines, ex-President of the Board of BKTHKI-. ^ W II -(T" M;' '"' ' Jftft '«*• jiii j l? JOT »I»,5« ;Tj&sSes= -?ss - - '* J^SW^^zii - Ul^f^ |E3= ^—1,- "~ ,^«*JB!J _ ^| THE BLAPK P ID E. 49 n Trustees, has labored strenuously to place this school on i| a good, sure foundation, FO that its future succe?« may ,| be assured and its purposes realized. During the past five years Professor Richardson, with his able corps of teachers, has put forth every effort to bring this school to the front rank, su that now it stands forth as the coming school of the Negroes in the State of Georgia. This schuol is a monument to the enter prise and energy of the Negroes of Georgia. , On all their public exhibitions and concerts the students have always acquitted themselves well, and have received many favorable comments from both pulpit and pre«s : The commencement exercises reflect much credit on the school and its energetic Principal. Morris Brown College has graduated three young ladies from its Normal Department. In 1890, Miss Laurean Chandler, now teacher in Summer Hill Public School, Atlanta; in 1892, Miss Georgia Alien, Principal Grant Institute, Mclntosh, Ga., and Miss Julia T. Allen, teacher at Morris Brown College. The work that is now being done principally pre paratory and normal, but in process of time the higher courses will be fully established as the school grows older. Our great need is m<,ncii sufficient to complete the en- ire structure of the building and equip the school with all necessary apparatus. An endowment of about $25,000 or $30,000 would be a lasting monument to ttie gen erosity of any one who has the work of education at heart. Should any person be thus inclined to help a school that has thus far been helping itself without the aid of any endowment of any sort, he would confer a lasting benefit on the negroes of Georgia and immortalize his name by making a bequest tc this chool, Morris Brown College. 4 50 THE BLACK SIDE. E. O. OF O. F. ST. JAMES LODGE NO. 1455. In the year 1870, January 20, Mr. Augustus Thomp son met upon the streets of Atlanta one Mr. James Lowndes, of Louisville, Ky., who had only a day pre vious come to Atlanta. Mr. Thompson was recognized by Mr. Lowndes by the likeness he bore to his brother who resided at Louisville, and who was a friend and ac quaintance of Mr. Lowndes. A conversation arose, during which Mr. Lowndes asked Mr. Thompson if the people of Atlanta had an Odd Fellows Lodge here Receiving a reply in the negative, he said to him that he (Mr. L.) could tell him how to organize such. The proposition was accepted, and they proceeded forthwith t ) discuss matters relative to it. The Lodge could be organized with twenty-five good men. Accordingly Mr. Thomson set about in search of this number. He first succeeded in gathering together sL\ ur seven good men, and on the following Sunday they met in a basement on corner Pulliam and Rawson streets, belonging to E. E. Rawson. After arranging preliminary matters they dis persed, each promising to bring some one to the next meeting. The following week they organized with the desired number—twenty-five—among which number were some of the best citizens, such as Revs. J. A. Wood, J. A. Carey and Brothers J. D. Render, A. Thompson, and others. Their next action was to write to Philadel phia to Mr. James Netum, General Secretary of Com mittee of Management, who forwarded the application to England. The cha* ter was delayed for twelve months, thus it was some time before the body could be fullv or ganized. But during this time the members cared for their sick and buried their dead, while waiting for their charter. THE BLACK SIDE. 51 Finally a letter from them fell into the hands of D. B. Bowser, who had been installed as General Secretary of Committee of Management in the place of the deceased Mr. James Netum. He wrote the body telling them so soon as their charter arrived from England he would so inform them. In the meantime, after they had been started a period of about ten months, Rev. F. J. Peck, hearing of the movement on foot and being an ex-member from Boston, Mass., also started up a lodge and named it the Star of the South. January, 1871, the charter and books arrived, and immediate arrangements were perfected for D. B. Bowser, of Philadelphia, to come to Atlanta to set up the lodge. He came by the members paying him $3.00 per day, from the time he left Philadelphia till his return to that city, and also his traveling expenses, board and one gallon of beer per day, March 5, 1871, he reached Atlanta, and during the same day set up the St. James Lodge No. 1455, one hundred members strong. The St. James agreed to let Mr. Bowser set up the Star of the South Lodge if it would agree to pay half of the expenses, which they did. The officers installed in St. James Lodge No. 1455 were as follows : Augustus Thompson, Noble Father ; James Lowndes, Noble Grand; Rev. J. A. Wood, Vice- Grand ; L. S. Smith, P. S. The Star of South No. i (.56, with sixty members and Vine Ware (now deceased) as Noble Father, was also set up. Under the St. James Lodge a lodge was organized at Marietta, Ga., with thirty-four members. Also one at Dalton, Ga., with forty or more members. Then one at Augusta, Ga. Thus it is seen from the start, the St. James No. 1455 began to work, and is still burying her dead, 52 THE BLACK SIDE. caring for her sick, and at this time, taking care of an old brother who has been blind for ten years ; all of this time giving him from $10 to $12 per month. This Lodge has done great work. It has a lot which cost the members $3,350, and a four-story brick building costing over $11,000, making y total of $14,356. The Ludge i? still growing and has a very large membership. The following brethren have done much good as Board of Directors and as Building Committee : VV. H. Landrum, M. P. V. P ; W. A. Harris, Perry Calhoun, Henry Pleasant, A Dixon, Professor C. W. Hill, L. H. Cargile, Martin Alexander, Wesley Redding, Lucius Lester, Treasurer; E. B. Gibson, P. S.; La fayette Landrum. AUGUSTUS THOMPSON. M. P. V. P. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ATLANTA BAPTIST SEMINARY. THE ATLANTA BAPTIST SEMINARY, under the name of Tht. A ay ii at a InMtuh, was founded at Augusta, Ga., in May, 1867. [t was conducted under the auspices of the National Theological Institute, by Rev. J. W. Parker, D.D. No permanent location having been secured for it thus early in its history, it was taught at night in Spring field Baptist Church. When Dr. Parker had been in charge but three months feeble health compelled him temporarily to sus pend his labors and return North. During his absence, at his request, Rev. J. Mason Rice took the principalship and continued it until the following fall, when Dr. Parker returned to his post of duty. THE Bi HID Instruction was given by lectures ti such ministei and >ns as found it convenient to attend, while two distants taught females. In November of the same year, Dr. Parker having re signed, Rev. Charles H. Corey and wife were appointed t<-> rill the vacancy. They retained Mr. Rice, and taught with sucrées until July 13, 186^, when Mr. Corey was transferred to the Richmond [nstitute, Richmond, \7j. Early in the following winter, Rev. Lucien C. Hayden, D.D., succeeded Mr. Oorey in the management of the Seminary, but as the United States Educational Burea1 then establishing schools for the colored people, thought best to blend the efforts of the Seminary those of the Bureau. Dr. Hayden took charge of thesi schools in January, 9. Thus, with the exception of ;m occasional lecture, ministerial training during that year was discontinued. November 15, 1869, under appointment of the Ameri can Baptist Home Mission Society, Rev. W. D. Seigfned came South "s the president of the Seminary. The :hool being still without quarters of its own, it was urged by friends that it was essential to its success that the Society should purchase site fjr that purpose. Accordingly, April 21, 1870, a beautiful lot in the city of Augusta, Ga., 180 by iSo feet, centrally located on Telfair street, was bought for cash at $5,700. Dr. Seigfned at once removed to the premise; , where ' had an unusually large attendance. In the summer he went North to solicit subscriptions reimburse the Society for the outlay in the purchase this property. He returned early in the following autumn ; but in the course of a few months he severed connection with the institution, whose Operations second time suspended (until August i, 1871), ,,'hen Re^ . Jos. T. Robert, LL.D., was appointed to its 54 THE BLACK SIDE. presidency. A Southern gentleman of high culture and liberal views, Dr. Robert succeeded in carrying forward the work as none of his predecessors had been able to do. He conducted the school four years without an as sistant. In addition to raising funds for its maintenance» he heard recitations five hours a day, and delivered two lectures a week on biblical and scientific subjects. The fifth year he had two of his advanced students aid him in hearing classes, tn the sixth year of his connec tion with the Seminary Professor Sterling Gardner, an accomplished colored gentleman, a graduate of Madison University, Hamilton, New York, was transferred from the Richmond Institute to assist Dr. Robert at Augusta. Professor Gardner was eminently fitted for the work, and did effective service, but in less than a year, after a protracted illness, he died. During his sickness, and after his decease, two of his pupils, Collins H. Lyons and William E. Holmes, aided Dr. Robert in his work. After the death of Professor Gardner, Rev. David Shaver, D.D., was associated with Dr. Robert as his principal assistant, from the beginning of the session 1878-79 to the close of that of 1880-81. A man pos sessed of large general information, and deeply learned in theology and philosophy, Dr. Robert found in him a colaborer admirably adapted to the work he loved so well. In the fall of 1879 the Seminary was removed to Atlanta, Ga., and given its present name, THE AT LANTA BAPTIST SEMINARY. An eligible lot of four acres was purchased, and a commodious brick building was erected for its use at the corner of Elliott and West Hunter streets. Dr. Robert continued with the school until his death, which occurred March 5, 1884. After the death of Dr. Robert, his first assistant, Rev. THE BLACK SIDE. 55 David F. Estes, A.M., was commissioned acting presi dent. In this capacity he served with acceptance until May 27, 1886, when Rev. Samuel Graves, D.D., of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was appointed to succeed Dr. Robert. Dr. Graves is unusually well qualified to dis charge the delicate and difficult duties of his position, having had-large experience as a pastor and educator. Under him the Seminary has gone steadily forward; its standard has been raised, its attendance increased, and its influence wirened. As the result of Dr. Graves's efforts, the American Baptist Home Mission Society has been enabled to secure a lot of fourteen acres, "beautiful for situation," high and healthful, in the western part of the city, for the sum of $7,500, on which a building, convenient in all its ap pointments, 140 feet front and four stories high, has been erected. The corner stone of this structure was laid in May, and the Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, which was then in session here, took p.u-t in the exercises on that occasion. This building was ready for occu pancy December i, 18^9. In view of the steady and substantial progress which the Seminary has made during the twenty years of its existence, we have reason to "thank God and take courage." THE COLORED PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, No. 3. In this thrifty, rushing nineteenth century, when in vention and enterprise are lending much in aiding the human family in rising to the high mark of that civiliza tion which characterizes all thorough-going, industrious people, the negro has not shown in the least that he is THE BLACK SIDR. wanting on any of these lines. He has organized hank systems, building and loan associations, institut ion ^ learning, and corporations of such nature as do aid the Teople in acquiring wealth in many ways which ena1)!«^ them 10 have some income outside of their daily lab >r The Colored Men's Protective Association, which the subject of this sketch, is one of those enterprise' which render many a poor man, washerwoman and mechanic's condition in time of sickness or disabilit; burdensome than it otherwise would have been ^,iout the existence of such an enterprise. This benevolent enterprise was >rganized in Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Ga., Au gust 24, iSSrf, by Lodge No. i, with Robert Farmer as its President and Robert Collier as Secretary, Laving the time of the organization forty-two members. Sinct the date of its organization the membership has .»rown to be i They have .. a financial basis .^,033.25 The^ have paid out as sick benefits $842.75, and for burying the dead of the Association $275.00; for 'ther xpen es and charitable purposes $40.90. The ot this enterprise is not simply to administer t > the their members and to protect them in the many dis: tagen thai they may be called to undergo in tin but to stanJ by their fellow-men at all times anu a^e of emergency or danger; and, further, t fellow-citizen of the "Black Sidt"' in building up busine ^.otablishments, to induce the people of the tn patronize the men of their race that are in businer- and, further, to aid the unfortunate in obtaining his legal right at this time. The Colored Men „ Protectiv Association instrumental in doing grand service to its race, their organization the_y hav^ held their meetings )uild- ings owned by colored men; first, for some time i • th ct 'if ai LT>OW' HALL •II I IVll I! •„ •« THF Br ' HIDE. 37 Shiloh African Methodist. Episcopal Church; then in the River's Hall, and now in the Shell Opera J [ou^e, i spier did three-story building. In the sick-room they employ the doctors of their < race, and thus build up the practice of colored physician. Among the colored physicians Drs. 1. W.. Hays and Taylor are the practicing physicians. The Hon. Robert Farmer, who !.« at the head of this enterprise, is a man of wonderful natural executive power; he governs his people with the skill of a Napolean. This able man was born in the dark days of t> hrMii.iu times, when negroes were not allowed to learn their lexers, in the county of Franklin, Ga., July 30, 1842. He yery devout Christian ministe'- a straight-forward business man, a finished mechanic, lover of his race, man of honors and virtues that would adorn any race. THE MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, OF ATLANTA, GA. This is the second Baptist Church of this city [t ' .jrganized April 5, 1868, by the Revs. Dock Philip, Owen George, George Hines. M. Mitchell, Deacon^ Sarnucl Gordon, Anthony Whitt „d Milner. The nV ve composed the council, with the following 1 members: Brethren James Thorntou, Henry Gatt -lohn Maukey, David Hines ; Sisters Charity Owe..., and others, thirteen ii all, and Rev. Dock Philip a0 oaM.01. This church edifice "'•'« located on Luckie Hi il here ervices held for i considerable length r In 186 ehurch "hanged pastor^ calling Re' -58 THE BLACK SUIE. Owen George from Griffin, Ga. He accepted the charge. During the five years of their stay on Luckie Hill many were added to the church. In 1882 the members, becoming dissatisfied with their place of worship, agreed to move to the corner of Baker and Calhoun streets. This site was located by Rev. Owen George the pastor, and his composed trustees. They purchased a piece of land at the above named place, from Wallace & Fowler, for three hundred and fifty dollars. They erected a house of worship at a cost of $1,000, facing East Baker street. Here they wor shipped till the disease of their venerable and loving pas tor. After his death the church called Rev. A.W.Watson who served them two years, when for some unknown cause there came about great dissatisfaction, which re sulted in the burning of their house of worship. This caused much confusion among the members and they no longer kept Rev. Watson as pastor, but called Rev. W. R. Clemons, from Greene county, Ga. This was in 1880. Having no house of worship, they went to an old box-factory and worshipped there until they could build, which they did in a short time. They marched their members from the old factory and settled them in their new house of worship, in the same spot of the first one. Their new house cost three hundred and fifty dollars. They used this house for five years, when they again be came discontented, and Rev. Clemons split the church, carried out fifty-eight members and with them built a church known as Mt. Olive Cnurch. The Mt. Zion Church being without a pastor, could not remain so, and immediately called Rev. W. L. Jones, of Roswell Junc tion. This was in the year 1886. He accepted the call, and soon under his wise guidance the darkness dispersed, light shone into each heart, and the prospects for ad vancement were bright. They moved on gradually, and THE BLACK SIDE. 59 through prayer and supplication many new souls were added to their number. The church wanted their pastor fully equipped for his high calling, so it sent him to the A. B. S. that he might gain the needed knowledge. His salary was seventy- five dollars per month, besides they giving him a com fortable home on Angier avenue. This saying of the Saviour was a prophecy: " He that soppeth in the dish with me, has lifted his heels against me. As a proof, in 1888 Rev. Jones split this grand old church again and carried out about sixty-five members. This wounded the hearts of many. They, however, would not give up the struggle, but with Jesus as their leader, struggled on in prayer, and in 1890 called Rev S. A. McNeal. He served them one year, when his resignation was solicited. He-resigned, whereupon Rev. W. H. Tilman, from Tennessee, was chosen as pastor. He remained until June, 1892, when, without the knowl edge of the members, he left them without a pastor. They heard of the good works of the oratorical W. H. Tuggle, a young pulpit divine, who was then laboring in Morgan, Putnam, Green and Rockdale counties. He was known from reputation as a preacher, praying man and a singer. He had already four churches in charge, consisting of one thousand, one hundred and eighty-six members, and found it hard to leave this field ; but trust ing in»God, he accepted the call of the Mt. Zion Churcn, and was installed October, 1892. Since his acceptance very flattering are the prospects of success. Through this noble young man the church has made rapid strides toward advancement, and many wayward ones have been brought into the fold of Christ. The church edi fice is among the largest of the city, and very often standing-room cannot be procured, so large is the au dience. n TUE This churci" root of mure branch ehurchr any other in the State, six having gone out from it i located in this city. Surely "The Lord loveth Zion more than Jling? of Jude? FLOYD H. CRUMBLY, „ADUST« MERCHANT EXT 1RPRIKT ZEN. Among the prosperous men of Georgia, is Floyd H. Crumbly, of Atlanta. Of those of this city w.i iiav< made the mercantile line a success, he ranks hea r-\t* has prospered and grown with the prosperity and .owth of the city, and to-day is the leading young cului t chant of the town. In commencing this business, Mr. Crumbly d at J lowest round of the ladder, but his ascent steady and sure. His firm resolution and st. ^ suffered him not to think of failure. Perseven &uc- '•^ed ! his watchwords, and these kept landed him safely in the harbor of success. In the "City of Hills," May 10, 1859, the here narrative fi -st opened his eyes to the light of this* ] lis father wa~ ive, the chattel of ; Methui min cer. The elder Crumbly was a preacher to his fellow men, in the days uf servitude, and after the gaged in politics for » time, being a member or Con stitutional Convention of i860, and i " everal ; legislature«. The mother of the subject of this .vornan, who, just before the i "ir,\vi iparated THE BLACK SIDE. fil husband. Then, taking her son with her, she went to Nashville, Tenn. The wife never saw the husband again as she died in 1869. After the mother's death, young Crumbly wuo brought to Atlanta and given to his grandparents. [n the meantime, his father having learned his where abouts came for him, taking him under his own protec tion. The first teacher of young Crumbly was the Rev. George Standing, an English minister of the M. E. Church a man full of good work and of the Holy Spirit. It is not to be doubted that the principles and goodly ex- ampl of this devoted man did much to shape and mould tne character of Mr. Crumbly. In 1876, Floyd \vas eighteen years old and living in Atlanta. A recruiting officer of the United States Army was seeking recruits for the military service, and young Crumbly enlisted for a period of five years. From Atlanta he was carried to St. Louis, thence to San Antonio, where he received instruction in military tactics, and then was assigned to Company I, Tenth United States Cavalry, commanded by Capt. T. A. Bald win, stationed at Fort Richardson, Texas. Upon ar rival, r><-> was appointed lance corporal, which position he held six months ; when he \vas commissioned as corporal. At the expiration of two years he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. This was at Fort Sill, I. T. He was then appointed clerk of his company. In 1880, while stationed at Fort Stockton, Texas, he was appointed Ser geant Major of white and colored troops, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Wade, now Colonel of the Fourth Cavalry. Mr. Crumbly was in the Victory Cam paign ot 1880, which lasted six months, commanded by Generals Grierson and Hatch. He was discharged a. Fort fetockton after having served his country five yeas s of h" orable and acceptable service. 62 THE BT.AUK SIDE. During Mr. Crumbly's term of enlistment, he applied himself to study and acquired a first-rate business educa tion. At the same time he kept up a correspondence with Miss Lula Goldsmith, whom he afterwards married. Soon after his return from the army, Mr. Crumbly was employed by Mr. Charles H. Morgan, who was at that time a prosperous grocer, to clerk in his store at a salary of live dollars a week. He remained in the em ploy of Mr. Morgan for some years, and then resolved to go into business for himself. This was a bold resolve, and to many it seemed rash. He was altogether without resources. His good name and sober habits secured for him $300 worth of goods on credit. With only ten dollars, with which he paid the first month's rent for the building in which he placed the goods above mentioned, he entered into the business of i grocer. His earnestness, honest business integrity and energy soon drew to him a good line of customers. Bus iness prospered, and at the end of six months Mr. Crum bly began to buy the place he had been renting. In eighteen months he had finished paying for the place, and began to buy the place next door. These places are on Wheat street, one of the principal thor oughfares of the city. On one of these lots he has erected a handsome two-story building. His trade has grown rapidly, and his stock of goods has increased in propor tion, until now he has a stock of $1,500, or $2,000. Mr. (Jrumbly ascribes no small part of his success to the economy, devotion and sacrifice of his wife, who never failed to rejoice with him in his prosperity, and to sym pathize and counsel with him in his struggle. With his wife he spent time happily and pleasantly, till the mes senger Death claimed her for his own, and left him in sorrow and sadness. The death of Mrs. Crumbly occurred October i, 1892, THE BLA< K SIDE. 63 and was as an electric shock to her large circle of friends, who feel deeply her absence from their midst. In 1890 he associated himself with Messrs. H. A. Rucker, J. T. Schell, J. N. Blackshear and Alex. Hamilton in the or ganization of the Georgia Real Estate Loan and Trust Company, of which H. A. Rucker is President, and Mr. Crumbly is Secretary. Under these able men, this com pany has prospered and controls more than twenty-five thousand dollars worth of Atlanta's valuable soil. Sub sequently at the session of the Grand Lodge of Free masons of Georgia, held at Augusta, he proposed the very successful plan of a relief association for the benefit of the poor widows and orphans of deceased brethren of the order. He also has been Secretary of the Grand. Lodge for more than eight years, and aided in the adop tion of its present code uf laws. In [892, the Penny Savings Hink of Chattanooga, Tenn., in selecting its directors, could decide upon no better choice from this city, than Mr. Crumbly : and he was chosen one of the directors. This banking house is prosperous and reflects credit upon the Negro's financial ability. Later he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Georgia, Ad jutant of LieuLenent-Colonel Thomas Grants' Staff, tie possesses great military ability, and as such a man is ac knowledged by all as having no equal. Mr. Crumbly is Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Carrie Steele Logan Orphanage of this city, and the founder of the Negro Historical Society of Atlanta, which body has charge of the Emancipation exercises etc., etc. Well might. North Geogia be proud of such a son. Mr. Crumbly has acquired considerable real estate and as a business man he cannot be surpassed. He is gen- tlemanl}- and courteous, pleasant and affable. The "Gate City" of the South should be grateful to her sister "City • jf Hills," for giving to her one so worthy of esteem, so charitable and so honorable as Floyd H. Crumbly. THE BLACK SIDE. J . ROBERT DAVIS, AT J. Robert Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born at Lagrange, Troupe county, Ga., A. D. 1867. His parents came to Atlanta in 1871, bringing with them their "™ Robert, who was then in his fourth year. So soon as Robert arrived at a sufficient age, he was placed in the Storrs School, which was then under the unequalled i-ègïnH of Miss Amy \Yilliams, of Rochester, N. Y. After completing the course of study at Storrs, Robert was admitted into the junior preparatory class of the At lanta University. B}' this time his young mind began tc appreciate the meaning and value of study, and, he en tered upon the study of the higher branches with zest : so forcibly was he impressed with the importance of knowledge, that he eclipsed all his classmates by passing from the junior preparatory class to the senior prepara tory, thus gaining a whole year by skipping the middle preparatory class. At the age of seventeen he was fitted for college. Desiring the benefit of travel, he decided to go North, to complete his college education. He went to Lincoln University, Chester County, Penn., October, 1884. Arriving at Lincoln, he was examined, after which he entered the junior college class. Having come from Lhe senior preparatory class of a Southern school, his admis sion to the junior college class of a Northern institution, nonplused him, and not desiring to be an A.B. at „„ early an age, he left Lincoln University after spending about three months there, for a college with a higher curriculum, selecting Howard University at Washington, D. C. RO1ÎEKT 1'AKMEK. VIUIUIH, 'U . • -Vf § . ^; ''' '• -'4 A- 'I ElVKRS HOI THE BLACK SIDE. 65 In January, 1885, he registered in the freshman class of Howard University, college department. He passed through the college department to within five months of completing the senior year, when there arose, between the class and the faculty, some discrep ancy in which he would not yield. So rather than sacrifice his individuality by yielding to the faculty's de mand-;, he left his class and went to Fernandina, Fla., where he took charge of the public school of that city. In the autumn of '89 he matriculated in the Law De partment of the University of Michigan. Here he began to prepare himself for actual warfare in this race of life. In June, 1891, he received the degree, L.L. D. Im mediately on receiving his diploma, he turned his head southward as the only field for his success in his pro fession. In September, 1891, he applied for admission to the bar of Atlanta. After passing a rigid examination before the lion. Marshall J. Clarke, the court ordered that his license be given him. Mr. Bavis has, for a young man of his age, travelled extensively, having visited every State and Territory in the Union. lie has also visited the British Isles and the continent of Europe, and has set foot upon the soil of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Western Austria. This young man of whom I now write is intelligent and able, besides full of energy and pluck. lie is destined to make his mark in this life among his people. THE BLACK SIDE. MISS HATTIE M. STURDIVANT, BCHOUL-TEAUHEK. In Walton county, Ga., in the little town of Monroe, March 7, 1872, was born to Eli and Martha Stur- divant their only daughter, Hattie. With her childish prattle and winsome ways, she was the joy of the house hold, as well as the pet of the neighbors. So soon as she was old enough she was sent to school. Hattie made rapid progress in her studies, and her parents, desiring to give her better educational advan tages than their little town afforded, moved to Atlanta, in the year 1880. In this city, whose educational facilities are unsur passed, they could educate their two children, their son and daughter Hattie, as they desired. Hattie was sent to a school taught in the basement of Bethel A. M. E. Church, while her brother attended another. Being dili gent in study, she was soon promoted to higher classes. Her teacher then was the gentle, and amiable, and com petent instructor, Miss Elizabeth Easley (Holmes). During the summer of '82 a building was erected on W. Mitchell .street. This was the Mitchell Street School, and in September of the same year, Hattie entered this school where for four years she received instruction. While a pupil there, she took the examination for county schools and secured second grade license. Now it was that her father's health began to fail rapidlv. but through the inflexible zeal of the mother the children were kept in school. In the fall of '86 Miss Hattie became a student of the Atlanta University, where she continued her studies till May, 1892, when she graduated with high hunors. While an inmate of the Atlanta University she ac- THE BLACK SIDE. 67 cepted Christ as her Saviour and helper and friend ; and she now lives the true, pure life of a Christian. ehe says that since she has given herself to the Lord her work seems easier, her life is happier: and you who have experienced the love of Christ can but acquiesce, for "He maketh the crooked ways straight," and " with- holdeth no good things from them that walk uprightly." Miss Hattie first began teaching by assisting Mr. B. F. Smith, She has since conducted with success her schools alone. She united with the Friendship Baptist Church, was baptized by the Rev. E. R. Carter, and is an ardent worker in the Sunday-school. Miss Hattie is a lady of an amiable disposition, gentle, refined and modest. REV. ROBERT L. DARDEN, ABLE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. Among the young divines of this day who have bat tled with many hardships, overcome many obstacles and are now doing great and good service in the Master's vineyard, no one of them is more prominent than he of whom these words are written. His parents were for merly slaves, and at the time of his advent into this life, were in very poor circumstances; but owing to perse verance and will-power contrived to send young Robert to school during a small portion of the year. Thus his first years were spent on the farm and in the village school. Early in life there could be discovered in him signs of speech-making and oratory, which signs devel oped as he advanced in years, until they have reached a THE point which now determines our subject to be an influen tial pulpit orator. He encountered many difficulties, and because of his father's limited means more than once was the fond hope of one day attending a better school destroyed and scattered as the wind does the chaff. However, the time finally came, when he was given the privilege to make his own way through life; and, know ing that without education for a guide and helper, he could not be prepared for life's battles, made hi? way rirst to that grand old camp where religion and knowl edge go hand in hand, the Atlanta Baptist Seminary. At the time of his entering his worldly effects may be iummed up thus . One suit of clothing, one pair of shoes, one hat, and six dollars in cash. After being in .school about three months, finding himself financially embar- assed, he left and began the work of teaching, by vhich he was enabled to re-enter school at the opening »f the next term. So, by teaching during the vacation months, he re mained in school till he completed his course of study. In iSSS, realizing that he was called to the ministry, and deeming it unwise to enter so great a field wichout more biblical instruction, he re-entered the Seminary and took a thorough course of theology, under the efficient pres ident of the institution, Dr. Graves. In 1890 he finished this study, and after his ordination, became the pastor of a church at Fairburn, Ga. The people of this place were not slow to find out that they had a good leader in the person of Rev. Darden, and soon the membership, as well as the congregation, increased rapidly. Rev. Darden's next charge was the First Baptist Church, of Marietta, Ga. When he first accepted this work the church edifice was unfinished, as it had been for quite a number of years. More experienced minis ters than he had left the work incomplete, and the mem- THE BLACK SIDE. <39 bers to suffer Deacons had become impatient, and all was at a standstill till he took charge of the work. By his labor and wise judgment the work was pushed for ward to completion, and to-day the edifice, completed the cost of three thousand dollars, stands as a monument to Rev. Darden's untiring zeal. It is the oldest Baptist church in North Georgia, and has a membership and con gregation of which any past jr might well he proud. He has delivered able sermons before the different Associa tions in the State,but he proved himself equal to any pulpit emergency when he delivered the conventional sermon before the Sunday-school Baptist Convention, held at Macon, Ga., 1892, which sermon was ordered by the Convention to be published in all the colored jour nals of the State. He married Miss Daphne P. Knox, ex-student of Atlanta University, who is refined and o-entle, and who teaches in the public schools of Marietta. Rev. Darden is a member of the Executive Board of the State Baptist Convention and a life-member of the For- eio-n Mission Convention of the United States. He has rt a beautiful home in the city of Atlanta, and also a pro ductive farm in Meriwether county, Ga. He .„ a worthy young man, an advocate and defender of the denomination with which he is identified. He is the se< ond son of Noah and Lucy Darden, and was born in Meriwether county, Ga., February 2d, in the year of our Lord 186=;. 70 THE BLACK MR. WILLIAM C. ROSETTE, REAL ESTATE AND RENTING AGENT. The young man whose name adorns this sketch is one of Atlanta's thrifty, enterprising, adopted sons. He is of a bright intellect and keen business perception. Few men would prove more serviceable, to the Black Side, in this line of business of which the undaunted spirit of this young man will make a success. The Negroes, in the days of slavery, used to pray that the time would come when they would have men of their own race prepared to lead, conduct and foster lines of business for themselves. Providence, by the use of hu man agency, has answered those prayers, and we now have the men. .But sometimes, because of ,the lack of confidence and trust imposed in them, by the very ones who prayed, I am made to wonder if these men be not in advance of those prayers. The men are here, pre pared and ready, but it is a sad fact that the race is not supporting them as it should. The co-operation of the race is essential to the success of the members of that race. The success of the business into which this young man has entered depends upon the people, and that success is only gained in this way, viz. : Those among us who have houses to rent, lands to sell, should put them into the hands of our own agents, that the per centage which would make the men of other races inde pendent might make the men of our own race equally so. Mr. Rosette was born in the classic city of Athens, Ga., 1865. His early days were spent in a private school. Later, he attended the Knox Institute of that city. His first manner of making a living was school- teaching, which he pursued several years; after which he engaged in grocery-keeping. Desiring to see some- THE BLACK ^ thing of nature before settling and taking unto himself a wife, he sought and obtained employment over one of the prominenc railroads, and, selling his property all but two very desirable lots, traveled for three years through many of the States of the Union. After having this taste of nature, he returned to his home, where he was married to Miss Emma Eva Carey, a former belle of Atlanta. Soo.i after their marriage, by request of his wife, they moved to Atlanta, in which city Mr. Rosette is engaged in the aforesaid business; and, it is hoped, that the Black Side of this city will give him the patronage which a struggling son deserves. He is pleasant in manner, con genial and affable, and with the combined efforts of the Negroes of this city Mr. Rosette will prove an honor to the race. AUGUSTUS THOMPSON, F. L. T. AND M. V. P., JMA.STÏÏH BLACKSMITH. The subject of this sketch was born in Jackson, Miss., on July 8, 1837. His mother was a slave, but his father •" • a freeman. His mother, Minerva Lee, with four children, including himself, were willed to a Mr. Julius Sappho, of Madison, Ga. So in 1840 they were moved > Madison, The father, being a freeman, could not ac- '"ompany his wife and children, because the removal of a freeman to another State caused him to be enslaved. Thus the mother and children were separated from the father. The early life of our subject was quietly spent. Edu cation was denied slaves, and his chances to gain knowl edge were poor indeed. However, he had a good chance 72 BLACK SIDE, to develop his muscles. In 1855 he was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, which he served faithfully during his apprenticeship of six years, when he was considered as a master of his profession. His first work was at Lexington, Ga., as a journey man, after which he was employed at Athens by the Confederate Gun Factory Company, where he made guns for the Confederacy. These guns were used in the late war. He was under Major Ferdinand Cook. n 1863 he was detailed under Colonel Raines, and sent to Augusta, Ga., to iron off gun carriages of artil lery in the Augusta Machine Works. Here he was em ployed until emancipated through the influence of the noble Abraham Lincoln. In 1865 he worked as blacksmith for the Augusta Cotton Factory, and the following year married a Miss Lorie Ann Jones, who proved a true and devoted wife, and with whom he lived happily till her death, which oc curred 1888. During their union there were no children given them. From 1866 to 1870 Mr. Thompson worked incessantly for the Georgia Railroad in one or more places. At one time worked in Augusta under Colonel Frost and Mr. McDuffie as car-builder, ironing off passenger coaches. He next removed to Union Point, Ga., where he was blacksmith of that entire line of railroad. In 1870, desiring to better his condition, he came to Atlanta, and soon obtained work in the State road shops as a boiler manufacturer, where he remained during the Messrs. Bullock and Blodgett management of that road. When the road was leased to Jos. E. Brown he was sus pended. Not being satisfied without employment, Mr. Thomp son began a business for himself, which he has ever since pursued both profitably and creditably to himself. By . DAÜDEN. UJuUriTl rtEV «'. M. KLNCH. THE BLACK SIDE. 73 hard work and temperate habits he has realized a snug Little fortune, and is well prepared for rainy days. He does business on South Pryor street, rear of No. 69. Being thoroughly acquainted with his trade, and ren dering satisfaction to all patronizers, he is never without a pretty good supply of work. May he continue in the path of success. In the latter part of the year 1870 Mr. Thompson met a Mr. James Lowndes of Louisville, Ky., who was member of the order of Odd Fellows, and who had ;i "general law" governing the order of the G. U. O. of O. F. They conversed together concerning Odd Fellow - ism. Mr. Thompson became deeply interested in it. Ideas were exchanged, plans were arranged, and the or ganizing, through the efforts of Mr. Thompson, of the first colored lodge of Odd Fellows in the Empire State of the South was the result. He next organized a lodge at Marietta, then one at Dalton, Ga., and from these have sprung many other lodges. It is with pride and pleasure that Mr. Thompson re calls those days, and now looks upon the result of his work. Ah, verily we reap what we sow. These grand institutions have done much toward helping and uplifting the Negro race He is still a member and trustee of the oldest lodge in this State. The enterprising spirit of this man would not permit him to be satisfied with a mere organization. He de sired more—a home for this organization—so he brought the matter before the Assembly, which discussed it fully, finally deciding in favor of Mr. Thompson's plans for a home, and now, through his influence, stands a fine four- story brick building, which should reflect credit on any race, and is an ornament to any city. To show their ap preciation of the founder, this lodge has made him an 74 THE STUB. honorary member, and this hut extends to him the de served merit. Mr. Thompson is a man who deals squarely and hon estly with and by his fellow-men, and commands the re spect of both races. En 1889 he was happily wedded to Miss Katie Mc- Clendon, in whom he finds a helpmate true, and who shares his cares and happiness with him. In September, 1892, he was converted and united with the A. M. E. Church under the present pastor, Rev Larry Thomas. Mr. Thompson is a Christian man, a law-abiding citi zen, and a true friend to his race. His neat and comfort able home is on Connally street, No. 157. May God's choicest blessings rest upon all such good and useful men REV. WILLIAM FINCH, EX-CITY C«UN< 1ILMAN—PBSA.OHER—TAILOK. No citizen of the city of Atlanta is better known than the one whose name appears at the top of this page. All who have known him have felt themselves honored by the acquaintance. That part of life over which he has passed has been an inspiration for good to many a youth. To say that he is a benefactor of the race is putting it mildly. No one has ever sought his sympathy and received it not. None have ever, in time of distress or trouble, applied to this man for assistance, financial or otherwise, and been denied or turned away unaided. Small in stature, yet in his bosom rests a magnanimous heart. He bears malice toward none, and has charity for all. Even in those " cruel days," to his oppressors he THE BLACK SIDE. 75 was ever kind and obliging. In those trying times, when the enemy, while fighting to bind more tightly the chains of servitude, became wounded, with his own hands would William dress their wounds, administer to their wants, and soothe their sorrows. Besides exhibiting the gran deur of his soul in thismanner, he was often the instru ment of saving for his master, and sometimes others, much of their gold, silver and valuables. He tells many interesting anecdotes of war times, which with his per mission the writer would be glad to record. This worthy man was born in the county of Wilkes, at Washington, Ga., during the days of servitude, and of a slave mother. At the age of twelve he went to live with Judge Andrews, in the same county, He stayed with Judge Andrews four years, at the expiration of which he went to Athens to stay with Chief Justice J. H. Lumpkin. This was the year 1848. Spending several years in the employ of Mr. Lumpkin, he afterward went to the war, where he passed through the hottest of the struggle. Returning, he again made his abode with Judge Andrews and remained with him till the strife ended, a result whereuf was the liberation of six million slaves. In gratitude to the Union army for his freedom, Mr. Finch made a beautiful United States flag which he presented to the 144^ New York Regiment. He was deeply interested in the welfare and elevation of his people, and having, by his own efforts and assist ance from his former owners, acquired some education, he resolved to do what he could toward instructing them. Accordingly he opened and taught the first school for the Negro in that part of the State. In 1854 lle married Miss Laura Wright, with whom he passed life happily till 1876, when death severed the union. He was apprenticed to the tailor's trade at the age of fifteen, and becoming an efficient tailor, in 1866 he 7ß THE BLACK THE BLACK HIDE. 77 went to Augusta, Ga., to engage in the business. He remained in Augusta two years, when, hoping to bet ter his financial affairs, he came to Atlanta, and, with Mr. Danwell Brydie as partner, opened business in this city. He came to Atlanta fifty dollars in debt and with six chil dren whose support rested entirely upon him. By sobri ety and close attention to business he soon canceled the debt, educated his children, and besides purchased a por tion of land on what i« now the beautiful Edgewood avenue, on which he ^reeled a cos}- cottage, now worth 86,000. In 1881 he married Miss Minnie Vason, of Madison, Ga., who is charming in manner and appearance. Mr. Finch was at one time a member of the city council, the only Negro who has ever enjoyed that honor in this city. While a member he used every effort to bring about a state of affairs by which his people could be benefited. He was the originator of the plan to re public schools for Negro children, and after the establish ment of the same he was the first to agitate the query: Should the whites teach the Negro children, while among the Negroes were able, competent teachers? Every res ident of our city is aware of the result. Every public school in the city for Negro children is supplied with Negro instructors. Of course Mr. Finch met much op position, and at times the desired result was almost de spaired of; but his untiring energy failed him not, and at last his labor was rewarded. In July, 1848, he was converted, joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church under Rev. Samuel Antony, and has from that time onward been a faithful worker in the church and cause of Christ. March 15, 1868, he was ordained to the ministry by Bishop« Alexander and Way- man. Lastly, he wa° ordained as elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, by Bishop T. M. D. Ward, May 9, 1876. The eventful and successful career of this man is well worth perusal. He ascribes much of his success in his business life to the conversations which used many years ago to occur between himself and Chief Justice Lumpkin while he lived at Athens in the Justice's service. Many a night until the clock would strike the midnight hour they would be conversing, consulting and advising with each other. He was always fond of horses and has for several years owned fine ones. He tells a little anecdote con- J cêrning his being able to keep them. Riding along the streets one day he was asked by a white friend: " How is it, Finch, that you are able to keep horses to ride while I have to walk ! " To which Mr. Finch replied in this language : •'Do you drink beer, etc., smoke, chew tobacco; and if so, how much does the use of them cost you?" Receiving y" > to his questions, he again remarked: " I fin ririt/KT. This is why I am able to keep horses to ride. The money you spend foolishly for such things I save. Do likewise and 3-ou too can ride " lie is ix great temperance adv< cate, an honor to the race, and the pride of his church MR. FRANK T. HOWARD, SU( BJSFITL "NDKBTAKEB AND EMBA.LMBK. Atlanta is behind in nothing. Within her broad limits i, very industry, trade, business enterprise and profession, and everything it takes to make a city, are to be found. hi the line of business of which I now write she is sui - I 78 THE BLACK SIDE. passed by no city, and in this business here of the Black Side no one is more noted than the young man whose name is written above this article. He is the eldest son of the well-known David T. Howard, of this city, and was born December 10, A. D. 1871, in Atlanta, Ga. At the age of seven young Howard was sent to the Storrs School, which he attended till he finished the course of study there, which he did at the age of four teen. Then he entered the college preparatory at Atlanta University, and when he reached his seventeenth year was prepared for the college course. He continued in college till he finished the freshman year. He also at tended the Knowles Industrial School, connected with the University, and acquired the skilled use of tools. Desiring to put into practice this valuable knowledge ob tained at Kn