The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-12
LEADING COLORED PEOPLE.
The Principal Property-Owners and the
Wealthy Men of that Racein this City.
Some of the Evidences of Progress They Have
Made Professionally, Socially and
in Various Business Pursuits.

said W. Allison Sweeney, the wellknown col
ored speaker repeating the question of the re-
porter. 81 certainly 10. That the race Is ad
vancing is shown with sufficient clearness. even
here in indianapolis. Our people take great in
terest in the public schools. and are determined
their children shall enjoy advantages that were
not offered to themselves. Our colored schools
will in every way compare favorably with the
schools that are exclusively white. the children
learning as readily being as amenabls to disci-
pline and the teachers possessing as high quail
fcations as their white colleagues.
''Our people have a commendakls pride in
their personal appearance. They are, compared
with white people of similar means, think,
well.dressed people Look at them upon Sun
day or holiday and you will agree with me on
this point. They are fond of clean clothes, and
though their apparel may show wear, it doesn't
show dirt. The colored man believes in clean
shirts, and our women look neat and tidy.
There is always hope for man with these char
Rcteristics Another thing, we are people that
laugh. think slavery would have obliterated
us or made US mere animals had it not been for
our irrepressible sunniness of disposition, our
keen appreciation of the homogeneous and ride
ulcus."
The reporter ventured the remark that one of
Che things that stood In the way OF the colored
people, politically, was tendency to jealousy of
any one who desired to rise.
mo more than among white people, answered
Mr. Sweeney. sThat is an impression among
white people that does US injustice. The col
ored man is the same as the other people Of this
world and frequently shows the same unamiable
characteristics in the battle Of life. We have
the same merits and dement's the same virtues
and vices that the white race have, and we have
$he same Unborn love of greatness aud goodness.
To think otherwise is an unjust reflection upon
our race.
t'Mr Lynch, of Mississippi, said the colered man
should go into all manner of handicratts, as the
white man does; that he should accumulate
property. which would bring him respect and give
him power Put money in thy purse was his
advice. Some Of onr people here are doing It,
Anderson Lewis of the firm of Lewis 81 OBrlen,
blacksmiths and carriage makers is said to have
acquired about $1,000 worth Of property. o.
Brien, his partner. is, as the name would indi-
cate, an Irishman. Charles Webb, wood and
coal dealer, is probably worth $1,000. OF course
can only give approximate figures. Thomas
Nelson, also wood and coal dealer, is well-to-
do. In the transfer business G. W. Walker may
be set down at 50. 900, Henry Sweetland about
the same Edward Harris, perhaps as much as
$4,000. John Williams 81, 900. and John Puryear
5000 Ison2 Hall has good farm in Louisiana
Mrs. n. Smothers, restaurant keeper, is probably
the wealthiest colored woman in Indiana. She
ia erecting new brick block on Indiana avenue
that is worth about $4,000. William Mccoy,
school-teacher, Is worth $4,000; Horny Clay. ice
dealer, So 000 VIM Chrsty, laundry sc, 900;
DR.. S. A. Ebert, $4,000; Benjamin Thornton,
$1,000; McKinsey Brown, $1,000; John Scott,
$1,000; Mrs Ann Turner, $4,000, and Willis
Martin. head waiter at the Grand Hotel, SO, 600.
''Among the coored l call to mind in
varons professions and pursuits are Joseph
Stewart, graduate Of the Michigan University.
who is practicing law here; DR.. s. A. Ebert and
DR. T. A. Watson, physicians. each with good
practice, and Jerry Black, carpenter and builder.
BY the way William CULVER was once rated as
worth $50, 900, but losses in real estate during
the panic have reduced his possessions. Mr..
Morris, cook at the jail is SAID to be large real
estate owner Hamilton Rankin. Thomas
Register and William Bruening are all carpen-
ters ard builders, and stand high. Hugh Hes
ton is molder, and Felix Davis brick mason
and plasterer. There others in this business
cannot now call to mind jeff D. Porter is
grocer
''Amone the leading BARRIERS are Knox & Car
ter, Bates House; Henry Moore q Co., Denison
House; c. H. Lanier, North Pennsylvania street,
one of the best known barber shops in the city;
James Beach, No. IL South Meridian street;
Richard Mason, West Market street; Cy Lawson,
Indiana avenue; Scott & Quinn, Indiana avenue,
and VIM. Fl. Russell Birds point.
s'The colored man has also essayed to be a
purveyOr of amusements as witness the Fay
ette-street Rink Company, with capital stock
of 81, 500 The officers ares President John
Puryear; secretary, BENZ. Thornton; treasurer,
Edward Harris; board of directors. John
Williams, g. W. Walker, Isom Hall, and the
president and secretary.
tOur people have, think, fifteen churches
here. Among them is the Vermont-strest A. NJ
E. of which Rev. Dolph Roberts is pastor, man
of fine ability, and greatly loved By his congre
cation; the Corinthian Baptist Rev. Mr. Bias
Eett pastor, an eloquent pulpit orator. Allen
Chapel A. M e. Church. Rev. Mir. Thompson.
pastor, good biblical Scholar Blackfordstree:
M. E. Church, Rev. Mr. Anderson, pastor,
powerful revivalist; Second Baptist Church,
Rev. Mr.. Harris, pastor, man of fine presence
and hard worker
Edward e. Cooper and L. A. Christy are the
publishers OF the World. the organ of the negro
race IN this city and State. The paper has cir
O1lation Of about 1000, going, all over this and
stands in the first rank among the
organs of our people in the United Ssstes.
Frank ID. WEIGH, a young colorsd man OF this
city, is reported to be q wonderful penman, his
writing looking like copperplate He is en-
ployed in the county auditors Office. Chas. Fl.
BauRhman Is employed in the township asses
Bors Office He is fine penman and an accurate
clerk There are seven colored men on the Met
ropolitan police force and the records will show
that they are among the most efficient patrol
men. They are Benz. Thornton Carter Temple
Nathan Ward. Edward Harris Jas. r. Hurts
Geo. Spiers and Henry Holt. The No. 8 hose
reel company is manned by coored men, who
hold rank with the best companies In our excel
lent fire department. These men are Robert
Broxton, foreman; Thos. Smith, Thos. Howard
and Samuel Taylor.
"We have grown to be force in politics in this
city and State, and believe know the Importance
CT the franchise quite we'll as il we had come
through Castle Garden. Among our politicians
Is j. S. Hinton, who has been Canal Comlnis-
sioner member of the Legislature, etc. Mr..
Hinton has great memory of faces and local.
ties. and has been effective as a campaign
speaker. Among the good workers for the party
are DIR. s. A Ebert John Wilson. Charles La
nier Benz. Bagby, James Bagby. Richard Wells
George Chatham. Charles Webb w W Chris