Chapter 21

So three years ago I bought some land and I am at the present time farming. I like it and I expect I will continue at farming instead of my trade. My white people are as good to me now as they were when I was a boy. I made it a rule not to ask them for anything unless I was compelled to but when I do they always send more that I ask for. I will say that I did not know the real value of a dollar until I had spent 2 years and 9 months at Tuskegee. The teachings from the various teachers and the Sunday evening talks of Mr. Washington made an indellible impression upon my heart. I remember the first Sunday evening talk that I ever heard him. He spoke of things that were in line with my thoughts and I have tried to put them in practice ever since I have been connected with the school. There is one word I heard Mr. W. Speak 13 years ago that has followed me because I was taught the same words by my white people and they were not to do anything that will bring disgrace upon the school you attend. I was taught not to do anything that will bring disgrace upon the people that raised you. There are a number of other thoughts that I will not take time to mention for I have thanked him a thousand times for those Sunday evenings talks.

GARNER J. EDWARDS

_The Republican_--Springfield, Mass.--Dec. 6, 1902.

The Milledgeville (Ga.) _News_ of November tells the following interesting story of one of the young colored men connected with Booker T. Washington's school at Tuskegee, in regard to the work of which Mr. Washington is to speak in the high school hall in this city the 10th:--

A case has come to the News which deserves more than a mere passing mention. The story deals with the prettiest case of loyal Negro's devotion and gratitude to his white benefactors that we ever knew of. When we refer to the incident as a story we mean that there is in it a good subject for a real story with a genuine hero. And every word of it is true; in fact, there is more truth in it than we feel at liberty to tell.

About 30 years ago Buck Edwards of this city picked up a very small and dark-colored boy and undertook, in his language, "to raise him and make something of him." Mr. Edwards clothed and fed the boy, and in a general way taught him many things. In return the boy was bright and quick, and rendered such return as a boy of his years could. His name was Garner, and in time he came to be known as Garner Edwards, which name I think he yet clings to.

In the course of human events, Mr. Edwards passed from the stage of life and went to reap the reward of those who rescue the perishing and support the orphans. After his death, Mr. Edward's sisters, Misses Fanny and Laura, continued to care for the boy, and raised him to manhood. Garner was proud of his family, "and was as faithful as a watchdog, honest at all times, and a great protection to the good ladies who were befriending him, and who were now also alone in the world without parents or brothers. When Garner grew into manhood he did not forsake the home that had sheltered him, but insisted that it was his home--the only home he knew--and that it was his duty and pleasure to aid in supporting it; and he did come to bear a considerable part of its expenses.

Garner learned to be a brickmason, and finally moved to Alabama. He became acquainted with Booker Washington, the great Negro Educator, and the acquaintance ripened into friendship. Washington aided Garner in getting work that would enable him to take a course in the school at Tuskegee and at the same time be self-sustaining. Here as in all other of his positions, Garner made a good record and won many honors. In the meantime he did not forget the folks at home, and his remittances to them were always punctual. After finishing school he married, but continued in the employ of the school and Booker Washington and is there yet.

Sometime ago Miss Laura had a fall and sustained a painful injury which confined her to her room. As soon as Garner heard of it he telephoned to Warren Edwards here to provide the best medical attendance possible, and to supply every want at his expense. Following the telegraph came his wife, a trained nurse, "to take care of his white folks," and she is here yet performing every duty with a devotion seldom witnessed. Garner wanted to come too, very much, but he sacrificed the pleasure to keep his salary doing, "because they might need something."

Garner paid the taxes on the old home for years, but in the meantime he has saved enough to buy him another home in Alabama. No one of any color could have been more faithful and appreciative, and such gratitude and devotion as this humble Negro has shown for his white benefactors is a lovely thing to behold in this selfish day. It is said that he never once presumed anything or forgot his place and the respect due to those around him.[2]

The following letter and list accompanying it explain themselves:

BELOIT, WIS. Dec. 28, 1906. _Dear Mr. Washington_

In answer to your telegram for names of graduates and former students engaged in farming in Ala I send the following. I know there are others especially former students but I cannot now recall names. I will try to add to the list if possible.

I would say in regard to the Bowen sisters they have about 600 acres of land and look after the cultivation of it and some parts Cornelia and Katie care for directly actually raising a crop. McRae farmed last year at Louisville, Ala. the year just closing. Mr. W. A. Menafee has 200 acres of land at Alexander City. This he superintendents by two visits each year. Those marked with a cross farm on their own land. Edwards and Barnes own land at Snow Hill which they farm by the labor of others. Whether they and Mr. Chambliss come under the head of farmers according to your idea you can decide.

I leave January 3 for Denmark, S. C. You can write me there till further notice.

Yours (Signed) R. C. BEDFORD

GRADUATES AND FORMER STUDENTS ENGAGED IN FARMING IN ALA. WHOLLY OR IN PART

*Cornelia Bowen '85 also teaches Waugh, Ala. J. T. Hollis '85 also teaches Armstrong, Ala. *Berry Bowen Campbell '84 also nurses Waugh, Ala. W. D. Floyd, teaches also Hawkinsville, Ala. Watt Buchanan 1889 farming wholly Montgomery, Ala. *Enoch Houser 1889 also teaches Antangville, Ala. William Chambliss 1890 Tuskegee, Ala. *Davis Henry 1890 Bells Landing, Ala. *Abner Jackson 1890 Newville, Ala. John W. Perry 1890 Myrtle, Ala. Abner Edwards 1890 Salem, Ala. *J. H. Michael 1890 Mt. Meigs, Ala. Robert B. Sherman 1890 Sprague Jc., Ala. *H. A. Barnes 1893 Snow Hill, Ala. *W. J. Edwards 1893 Snow Hill, Ala. *N. E. Henry 1893 China, Ala. Sophia Momen 1894 Notasulga, Ala. *C. A. Barrows 1894 Snow Hill, Ala. *S. F. Bizzell, has a store 1894 Hammac, Ala. E. W. McRae 1894 also teaches Louisville, Ala. *Moses Purifoy 1894 also teaches Evergreen, Ala. *J. C. Calloway 1896 also teaches Dawkins, Ala. Geo. W. Henderson, preacher 1899 Hannon, Ala. *Martin A. Menafee, Treasurer 1900 Alexander City, Ala. George K. Gordon, Dairying 1902 Mobile, Ala.

FORMER STUDENTS

Katie Bowen also teaches Waugh, Ala. Benjamin Jones Waugh, Ala. Nelson Judkins Cecil, Ala. Gomine Judkins Cecil, Ala. Wm. Plato, also black smith Waugh, Ala. James Pinckett, carpenter Waugh, Ala. Ossie Williams Waugh, Ala. James Garrison Waugh, Ala. Nelson Garrison Waugh, Ala. John Mitchell also painter Waugh, Ala. *Wallace Campbell blacksmith Fitzpatrick, Ala. *R. T. Phillips blacksmith

This is a letter from a Negro farmer in the south:

ISAAC P. MARTIN--

Merryweather Co--near Stenson

Father belonged to Peter Martin near about 3 miles from where he was born--never did own any land. Went to work planting at 9--Worked 9 to 25--Had six or eight months schooling--Went one month in a year. School lasted about three months. Used Blue Back Speller got as high as Baker; Got as far as subtraction--Did not know anything outside of reading--Did not know what a newspaper was.

Father taught us to work corn, cotton sweet potatoes--He was a ---- farmer--Had eleven children all worked--about 1880 they began to grow up and leave the farm--go on some other plantation--all married.

My older brother and all the younger children got more schooling Brother next younger--Payne's Institute Ga.--finished preaching in Americus Georgia. I had a cousin to come here--He wanted to buy ---- here--He was interested in machine shop--He was down in Opelika. He met more boys on their way here, inquiring around to get down this far and get in.

I had saved up $200 in the bank. I was going to buy land. Went into day school a Preparatory about 800 or 900 students. The first work was in harness & shoe shop--Lewis Adams was in charge--I came there walking. I wanted to get away from the farm. Going around town I saw that everyone looked better than on the farm--I wanted to be something. Went in twice a year. We had plenty country churches. Rabbits, squirrels, ducks, possums--Geography, reading, Wentworth's Arithmetic. Miss Hunt and Miss Logan were one of my teachers. I read lots about Hiawatha. There was a number of little boys in the shop--they used to call me "Pop." They were ahead of me. Went to Blacksmith Shop. Worked about four months. Then went to work in Wheelwright. I learn a good deal about blacksmith and wood work. I find both these trade very handy.

I was here three weeks before I could eat in the dining room--had to go to restaurant--I was ashamed.

I was here only one term. Came in 1895--left in 96--Never came back until tonight. My mother sent for me--My mother was awful sick. My class was so low that I was ashamed to come back. I weighed 240 pounds. I went back home until 1898--on farm. I got to read my newspapers. I subscribed for the semi-monthly Atlanta Journal--I could read that.

I saw advertised and so much money paid out for wages--I thought I would go into business. I started grocery store and meat market--I had $2,500 made on farm. Father used to run us off the farm at 20 so I rented some land.

I was born 1870. I had been working for myself for years. 1898 I came to Birmingham. I failed in grocery business. "Credit." I made a lot of friends all over town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . They had lots of money but they owed a lot. It take lot to feed them. Took three years and little over to get all of money.

Worked for Tenn. Coal and Iron Co. I leased some land from the Republic Iron and Steel Co. Leased 64 acres outside of Pratt City and went to trucking. I bought two mules for $40. It was a sale. They were old run down mules. They were blind--I worked there until I grew something. Farm about a mile from Pretts. Paid $1.50 per acre--now I pay $7. The company would not sell. I peddle vegetables to people here--ran two wagons--now I run three. Got new feed for horses. By fall had lots of stuff. Married in 1900--year after went to Birmingham. Second year I was able to buy two good mules--Had two good wagons made. Fall of second year had another which made three. Running three now. I employ six people--3 men and 3 women all the time. I drive the wholesale wagon.

I raise between $3,500 and $4,000 worth of stuff each year. Have since the second year. I sell about $2,000 a year above expenses. Production increases every year. I learned all I know about trucking since then. I have fifteen head of cattle. Eight milking cows. I raise three crops. That is the highest. Third crop is not worth so much. 90,000 cabbages this year. Got the plants from South Carolina. I bought a piece of land in Oklahoma for $3,000 outside of 22 miles from Muskogee. Land rents now for $300. I own a lot in Red Bird. Have 2 children. 14 & and 17. They go to school.

Won county prize year before last--196 bushels--this year received State prize 200 bushels. Plant eight and ten acres of cotton, 14 acres corn. Raise all my fodder. Three-fourths acres of new sugar cane, 150 gals. of syrup. I make butter $30 per hundred. $40 retail. I take two or three little farm journals and take the bulletin.

These letters addressed to R. E. Park and to Booker T. Washington give information about the estate of John McKee:

Estate of } JOHN MCKEE, } Deceased. }

HON. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama,

_Dear sir:_

Your favor has been received and in reply thereto I would state that the State Appraiser fixed the valuation in Estate of the late Colonel John McKee as follows:

Gross valuation of Personal estate, $ 71,644.29 Gross valuation of real estate in Pennsylvania, 271,188.33 ----------- Making together, $342,832.62 =========== Net valuation of the above, $212,831.86

Of this $46,500. is in unimproved real estate from which, at this time, no income is derived.

In addition to the above the Estate owns the following from which no income (or but a nominal income) is derived:--a lot in Gloucester County, New Jersey, valued at One hundred Dollars ($100),--a large area of land in Atlantic County, New Jersey, known as McKee City, assessed for taxation at twenty-thousand six hundred and fifty Dollars ($20,650) and a tract of coal and mineral lands in Kentucky, which Colonel McKee always considered would turn out to be valuable and would eventually realize a considerable sum. It is assessed for taxation for 1909 at Seventy thousand Dollars ($70,000)--

In brief the testamentary directions of Colonel McKee are to accumulate the rents and income of his estate until the decease of all his children and grand-children, meanwhile improving (under certain conditions) his unimproved real estate. Upon the death of all his children and grand-children, the estate is to be made use of in the establishment and maintenance of a college for the education of colored and white fatherless boys.

Very truly yours, JOSEPH P. MCCULLEN February 23, 1909.

MR. ROBERT E. PARK, Tuskegee Institute, Ala.,

_Dear Sir:_

Yours of the 13th inst., post marked the 16th inst., has been received. You state you would be glad to have any information I can give you about Mr. McKee, particularly in regard to the amount of the estate he left at the time of his death.

The value of Mr. McKee's estate has been variously estimated from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000. I am not able to give a more exact estimate, as I have not seen any inventory made by his executors. He owned more than 300 houses in this city, all unencumbered. He also owned oil and coal lands in Kentucky and West Virginia, and lands in Bath and Steuben Counties, N. Y. As to his personal characteristics, I would suggest that you see the Philadelphia Press of April 20, 1902. If you desire a more exact estimate of the value of his estate, I would suggest that you write Joseph P. McCullen, Jr., No. 1008 Land Title Building, this city.

Yours truly, T. J. MINTON.

The following letter from Colonel James Lewis to Booker T. Washington gives valuable information about Thomy Lafon and incidentally about other persons in New Orleans:

New Orleans, La., Jany. 25/09. COLONEL JAMES LEWIS, _Dear Sir:_

In answer to your letter of 14th instant, will say that the delay in my answer was caused by my desire to obtain and furnish to you all informations regarding the late Mr. Thomy Lafon.

The baptismal records in the archive of the Cathedral at that time written in Spanish attest that the late Mr. Thomy Lafon was born in this city on December 28th, 1810. He died at his home, corner Ursulines & Robertson Streets, on December 23rd, 1893, at the ripe age of 83 years. His body rests in the St. Louis cemetery on Esplanade Avenue. He was a man of dignified appearance and affable manners. In early life he taught school; later he operated a small dry goods store in Orleans Street until near into 1850. He was never married. Sometime before the war of Secession he had started his vast fortune by loaning money at advantageous rates of interest and by the accumulation of his savings. Toward the close of his career he became attached to the lamented Archbishop Janssens and began his philanthropies. By the terms of his will, dated April 3rd, 1890, he provided amply for his aged sister and some friends, and wisely distributed the bulk of his estate among public charitable institutions of New Orleans. His legacy was appraised at $413,000.00 divided in securities and realty.

In recognition of his charity, the City of New Orleans, named after him one of its public schools.

Before his death he had established an asylum for orphan boys called the Lafon Asylum, situated in St. Peter Street between Claiborne Avenue & N. Derbigny Street. To this Asylum he bequeathed a sum of $2000, and the revenues, amounting to $275 per month of a large property situated corner Royal & Iberville Streets.

Other legacies were to the

Charity Hospital of New Orleans $10,000 " " Ambulance Dept. 3,000 Lafon Old Folks' Home 5,000 Little Sisters of the Poor 5,000 Shakespeare Almshouse Catholic Institution for indigent orphans 2,000 and the following property: 1st. St. Claude St. bet. St. Philip & Ursulines Sts., valued at $1500 2nd. Robertson St. bet. St. Philip & Ursulines Sts., valued at 2000 3rd. Burgundy St. bet. Hospital & Barracks Sts., valued at 2000 4th. Union St. between Royal & Dauphine Sts., valued at 2000 St. John Berchman Asylum for girls, under the care of Holy family 2000 and the following property: 1st. Burgundy St., No. 528, worth about $1500 2nd. Dumaine St., Nos. 2129/31, worth about 2500 3rd. Galvez St., No. 828, worth about 1800 4th. Toulouse St., Nos. 726/28, worth about 2500 5th. Tulane Ave., No. 1402, worth about 4000 Asylum for old indigents, corner Tonti & Hospital Streets 15000

and the following property: 1st. St. Andrew St., 1536/38 valued at $ 6000 2nd. Baronne St., No. 722 valued at 4000 3rd. Baronne St. Nos. 732/36 valued at 8000 4th. Canal & Villere Sts. valued at 6000 5th. Canal St., old No. 176 valued at 30000 An another cash $ 2000 Society of the Holy Family, Orleans St. 10000 Straight University of New Orleans 3000 Southern University of New Orleans 3000 New Orleans University of New Orleans 3000 Society of Jeunes Amis, New Orleans 3000 Eye, Ear Nose & Throat Hospital 3000 Mother St. Clair of the Convent of the Good Sheperd 20000

All of which cash legacies were doubled.

Yours respectfully, (Signed) P. A. BACAS

FOOTNOTES:

[1] This extract and the documents which follow were collected by Dr. R. E. Park.

[2] _The Springfield Republican_, Dec. 6, 1902.

BOOK REVIEWS

_The History of the Negro Church._ By CARTER G. WOODSON, Ph.D. The Associated Publishers, Inc., Washington, D. C. 1921. Pp. 330.

With due regard for the modern scientific methods of historiography, the author of this book has traced the rise and spread of institutionalized Christianity among American Negroes. He discusses such salient points as the early efforts of white missionaries to evangelize the heathen bondmen, the difficulties which beset their labors, the respective contributions of the white denominations, showing the Baptists in the lead, followed closely by the Methodists, with the Presbyterians, Catholics and Congregationalists in the rear. There are set forth the psychological, geographical and other reasons why the Negro was attracted more readily to the Baptist and Methodist denominations, the causes for the reactions of slave holders for and against the evangelization of the slaves, the rise of Negro preachers of merit in the Baptist and Methodist denominations during the eighteenth century, and the founding of the first churches by Negroes of these sects. Among these he mentions the first African Baptist Church by Andrew Bryan in 1788, the first African Methodist Episcopal Church by Richard Allen in 1794, and the first African Presbyterian Church by John Gloucester in 1807.

The factors which caused the cleavage of the white denominations into North and South, the causes of the separation of the Negro communicants from the whites and the threefold cleavage of the Negro Methodists are adequately discussed. Attention is given also to the increase in the number of churches and the State and national centralization of the churches within the respective denominations. The ante-bellum beginnings of the only Negro education which aimed to develop Negro preachers through instructors of both races, the importance of Negro churches in developing race leaders, educators, and statesmen who figured in the economic, social and political life of the Negro after the war, are ably treated. The book gives an account of the rise of the conservative and progressive elements within the church and closes with a chapter on the present-day Negro church statistics which indicate the enormous spread of Christianity through the ascendancy of the Methodists and Baptists.