The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-14
A MAN AND A BROTHER In THE
JURY BOX.
The First COlOred Man Called On to Serve as q
Juror In the City Of New York.
ACCOMPLISHMENT IN COURT.
He Tells Herald Reporter 'fWhat
He Thinks About It."

He Thinks About It."
On the jury panel Of the Marine Court Part g.
presided over for the term by Judge J0achimsen is
the name Richard M. Williams. When the pane
was called over by the Clerk on Monday Mr.. Richard
M. Williams answered to his name. stepped for
ward and took his seat IN the Jury box to the
astonisnment OF all in Court. He was colored
man-"only this and nothing more" The Judge
LOOKED AT HIM OURIoUsLY,
but said nothing. The reading Of The panel went
on after an awkward pause; the Jurymen who had
been sworn stared with open eyes at their sable TEL
low 'Juryman and brother" who became at once the
cynosure for all eyes. He wlthsood the inspection
bravely, and did not become
WHIT WHITTIER
under the optical battery which was leveled at him.
He modestly took his seat, was sworn in and the
case which he was empaneled to try proceeded
without interruption, though sensation was EVIL
IDENTITY looked forward to in Court should some
tnn-skinned Juryman make an objection TO serve
No such objection occurred, and the first colored
man ever summoned to discharge one OF the most
important duties Of citizenship IN the city State
OF New York listened to and adjudicated on the
testimony Of his white fellow citizens
ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE STEP
was made, and practically the colored man Is q
citizen Of New York and admitted to his 1ull rights
as such.
1t was o triumph Of the fifteenth amendment, and
Mr. Williams mooestly bore his bushing honors as
juryman. The case at issue was thoroughly inves-
tigaed the verdict in the case was approved OF by
the Judge, and Mr.. Williams fellow jurymen say
that they wished for no better associate.
THE DUsKY JURYMAN
was excused on Tuesday, but was punctualy present
at the nour for the opening OF the Court yesterday
Mr.. Williams is fine.iooking mulatto, OF magnid-
cent physique, nearly six teet high, broad shout
dered, with limbs in proportion.
Since first he appeared IN Court he has shown
himself extremely unassuming thereby showing
that ne lacks characteristic, common to the
'colored folks" who have been brought into public
life. He has carefully avoided observation, and
even refuses to take seat in Court standing all the
time Denlnd PARTITION near the door completely
hidden from everybody IN Court, awaiting the
chance OF being called to serve. After the case In
which ne was juryman mad concluded he quickly
name was called yesterday morning.
HERALD reporter addressed Mr.. Williams and
had the Following conversation Vito HIM
KEPORTER-Mr. Williams, 1 am newspaper re-
porter. Have you any objection TO talk with mes
every WHITE Tooth ia MS head,NYou are Going 70
interview me- lsuppose. lhere again he laughed
until his sides shook Das good. das good, indeed.
I've no lection, Pm sure.
REPORrER-l suppose You know that you are the
FIRST colored juryman who mas been empaneed In
Mr. WILLIAMS with great unctlonl-Das so. am
de lust cullered pusson who Was called on jury In
dis city, san.
REpohrER-In the State of New York. too, / be-
lieve.
MIR. WILLIAMS with evident relish)-l tnk So
am de lust callered pussOn.
This reflection seemed TO tickle Mr.. williams i'm.
mensely for ne laughed to himself with internal sat
isiactlon. Suddenly he stopped Short and turning
on the reporter with q very indignant look he
'They got me wronq-I amt no Baxter street
niggah."
REpoRrER-How so, Mr.. Williams,
Mr.. WILLlAMS-Tney got me down as livin' at No.
81 Baxter street. don live III no Baxter street;
live az No. LAB Chrystie street. Mr. Williams seemed
10 lay great stress upon this distinction, for he
added:-"My place o. business is at No. 1853 Grand
street."
,REronrEn-Mght ask what is your profession.
MIR. WILLIAMS with evident relish,-"Tm bar.
Der, sir.n Then, correcting himself. he added
quickly, "pm hardreSser, nalrdreSsing, OATS my
business; live In Chrystie street ana Keep hair
dresser's shop In Grand street."
REPoRTER-Might ask were you born In New
York;
MIR. wILLrAMs-Yes. sir, was born in dis city, in
de Eighth ward, and lmodestly) was edicated here,
REpoRTER-where might asks
Mr.. WILLIAMSON the colored school in Laurens
street; under tue late Mir. Weeks. Did you ever
hear OF hlmS
me reporter acknowledged his ignorance OF the
past existence merits VI the late Mr.. Weeks and
Mr.. Williams volunteered the Information that his
father was q colOred man, and that he had come to
New YORK from the S0ntn.
KEPoRTER-Mr. Williams, how do You suppose 1t
happened That you are the first OF the colOred PEG.
pie called on Jury IN New York;
unctlon)-l am the lust, though.
REPoRTER-Do you know whether coored people
are TO be called on the jury panel Tor the future
from the roll OF cltizens2
Mr. WILLIAMs-Dat's more den can say. The
cullud folks have talked good deal about my
being called, though.
RspoRrRR-Ol course you think 1t only right that
they should be called on TO serve as jurorss
Mr. WILLIAMs-l oOn't why dey wouldn't.
Most OF 'em know the difference well enough.
Mr. Williams then reminded the reporter that
Jury was TO DO called at twelve O'CLOCK, and he
'must lie on hand, you know"
The nrst coored juryman then entered the Court
took up his position behind The partition and was
immediately called as
FOREMAN OF THE JURY
In the case OF Jewet VS.. Prondy, for wages. He
took seat modestly in the jury box and had to
undergo the same trying ordeal as on Monday,
numbers OF loungers going to the Court specially to
have look at him.
Mr.. Williams was dressed yesterday very plainly,
not to say seedlly. He wore threadbare over
coat, weworn light pants and vest, and showed
no ewelry but ring on the little finger OF his right
hand.
such Is the representative OF colored citizens as
summoned to act for The first time as jurors In our
civil state Courts,