Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-08

WIN all tne ceremony OF the whites,
some Of them driving in their own car
riages, leaving cards with scrupulous
attention to etiquette. They dine with
each other, and are waited upon by col
ored% servants with whom they will per-
NIT no other relations than those Of
master and servant. Probably the
leading family in the highest colored
society here is that of ex-senator Bruce.
who is now the Register of the Treasury.
Bruce is a light-complexioned, intel
l~igent-looking mar. He is said to be
worth about $4,000 He lives
in a hansome house that he owns
on NJ. street. 1t is richly furnished. A
superb piano stands in the reception
room, and a choice collection of books
lines the wall of the library. Airs.
Bruce is a handsome woman. with not
a suggestion of her race in her face, and
whose manners are regarded as the o n
summation of ease, grace and courtesy.
She dresses as richly and handsomely
as any oma in the city. In official
circles Mr.. Bruce is always received
with courtesy, and as a political equal,
but there the line is drawn. MI. Bruce
en%tertains his friends handsomely, and
his wife pays and receives calls from
those Of her select set with unvarying
regard for prevailing etiquette. An.
other member of the social circle is
John L. Cook, the Collector OF Taxes
for the District. He lives in excellent
style and entertains handsomely. Prof.
). NJ. Gregory, Professor Of Latin at the
Howard University, and John NJ. Lang
ston, the Minister to Hayti. With their
families. are recognized members of the
best colored society, while DR.. Charles
3. Purvis' society and that of his wife
are eagerly sought.
DR.. Purvis is a very busy man, being
the surgeon in charge of the Freedman'ss
Hospital, and the Professor of materia
nedica at the Hospital School. Nearly
all OF his scholars are White. DR.. A. L.
Augusta and his wife also are received
IN the highest circle of colored society,
while DIR. Augusta as a physician COM
mands the respect Of his white brethren
in the profession. Mr. Henry Smith,
for many years the librarian of the
House of Representatives, entertains a
great deal, and his wife calls in her
w carriage. r. Il. Greener, a men,
Der of the District bar and a graduate of
Howard, and his wife, who is an ac-
complished musician, are much in So
cietv. The Rev. DR.. Alex. Crummel.
rector Of the leading colored church of
the Episcopal denomination. is always
welcomed. He is regarded as the most
lie; med colored a in the District, and
is highly respected by the white clergy
OF his denomination. OF course Fred
Douglass ranks as the leading colored
man Of the District, but he goes but little
into society. He lives on his fine estate
on the eastern branch of the Potomac.
Douglass is worth about 5000, 600.
While his wealth and ability make him
easily the foremost man of his race. he
is not popular. He is regarded as
guilty of the same sins toward the col
ored men of which he accuses the
whites. namely. refusal to recognize
them or have personal relations with
them.
Mr.. M. M. Holland, who is an officer
in the Post-otfice Department, is said to
be the best classical scholar in the dis
trict, and his attachments bring him the
highest social recognition of his people.
Normley, of Wormley's Hotel. is a
leader of the best set on account of his
wealth, reputed to be $50, 900, and his
relations with prominent white men.
Smith Wormley. one of his sons, is a
large owner of real estate here, and an
other son has an excellent practice as a
physician.
Because of their exclusiveness, wealth.
learning and prominence, this circle is
MOI looked upon with any favor by the
majority of the colored people here.
The usual remark. which may perhaps
be attributed so envy or to disappointed
ambition, that n hears among COL
ored people is that this exclusive set is
not good enough for white society and
too good for that of their own race.
Fortunately, there are enough of them
TO make a sufficiently large circle for the
social life they desire.
There is another and a much larrer
society here that may be designated as
of the second rank. While holding no
social relations with the set inst men
toned, thes are equally exclusive as re-
CARDS those whom they hold beneath