The Portland daily press., 1895-01-19
JOHN ]. SMALLWOOD
There are Some Portlanders Who Be-
Mourn His Visits.
OLD FRIENDS RELUCTANTLY
TURN FROM THE ORATOR.

Note for Three Hundred Dollars Given
to a Portland Clergyman is Not Yet Paid
and Legal Proceedings Result-A Sur
prising Story of What Eloquence Can
Do.
Portland people will remember very well
the interest which was aroused last summer
and fall in the educational work which
Rev. John j. Smallwood, the colored
orator, represented himself as carrying on
at Claremont, Virginia. Those who were
delighted with his oratory, which is indis-
putably of high order, and who took a
friendly interest in his work, will be much
paineo at certain disclosures which are now
made concerning Mr.. Smallwood and his
work.
Some of the gentlemen in this city who
assisted him financially have good reason to
believe that they were imposed upon; and
Rev. l. G. Ross, who mas stood his friend
for ten years, has awakened not only to
financial loss but to the, bitter rejection
that his confidence was misplaced.
There Is q long story to Smallwood's deal
ings with New England men; but the one
important dealing which creates suspicion In
this city, occurred in August at the time
when he was here and made speeches ON the
Legro problem at WestbIook and Woodfords,
and later in City hall, where he addressed
large meeting presided over by Rev. DR..
Bashford. He represented then that the
property of his Temperance, Industrial
and Collegiate Institute," at Claremont.
which was worth $1,000, was all paid for but
$500. The enemies of his school at Clare
mont were taking advantage of his absence
to press for payment of this $500. He rep
resented to Mr.. Ross that he had money in
the bank at Richmond, but that he had left
his check-book in Virginia. Unless he could
be accommodated here with the $3.50 he
would have to return at once to Virginia.
As Mr.. SmaNwood was to speak at the Old
Orchard camp-meeting, and as those in
terested In his work were anxious that ir
should not be interrupted, Mr.. Ross deter
mined to get the money for him ii possible.
He went to prominent Methodist clergy
man of this city and laid tie case before
him. That clergyman said that he had $500
in the bank, but should have use for it in
a few months. He did rot know Smallwood,
and hesitated to lend the money. But Mr..
Ross said that Smallwood was perfectly
good, and offered to endorse the note.
So
sMALLWOOD GOT THE $500
and the Temperance. Industrial and Col
legiate Institute of Claremont, Va. was
saved from the mac hinations of the had
men.
After completing his addresses here, the
orator returned to Virginia, and time rolled
on as usual. But when the thirty days. and
the added three days of grace elapsed. no
money was forthcoming in payment of the
note. Mr.. Ross and his friend were little
surprised; but about this time came word of
a disaster at Claremort. 1t was in the form
of "a brief note from Smallwood saying that
a fire had burned the saw mill and much
lumber belonging to the school. A few days
later Smallwood sent a letter to the PRESS
representing that the fire was incendiary
and the work of White Caps .and Ku Klux.
who were trving to drive him off. He said
that the splendid property at Claremont
had just fallen into their hands, and that
the burning of the mill was nipping their
plans in the bud. Ten thousand dollars was
needed at once to BILE the work to 10 on.
The PRESS. satisfied by the testimony of
those who ought to know, that the school
was worthy undertaking. puhlished the
letter.
This letter was published September 25th,
and soon after Smallwood arrived In Port
land. To Mr.. Ross and the friend who had
loaned the $500, he repeated the story that
the school property was all pasd for. and
that he had money In the bank. S1allwood
also represented that he had house in
Detroit. Michigan, which hadA been willed to
him by young lady to whom he had
formerly been engaged. another house at
Albion, New York. and place at Franklin.
Virginia, worth $4,000.
These representations satisfied the holder
and endorser of the note, and great meet
ing was arranged for Chestnut stress
church. The most prominent men in the
city aided in making this meeting a succeea,
and the colored orator was at his best.
He gained much sympathy by new
grievance which he set forth. He said that
enemies of his school had managed, by
changing the location of the county road.
to shut the school off from the highway.
and that several thousand dollars would be
required to get right OF way.
Besides the collection taken up after the
address at the Chestnut street church,
Smallwood was helped by the charity of
several leading men in Portland, who aave
sums as high as fifty dollars each.
The trip had been quite profitable, and
Smallwood returned again to Virginia.
But
MR.. ROSS SOON BECAME ANXIOUS.
and as time went he became more
anxious.
he sought E. E. Heckbert, Esq, member