New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
A SAN DOMINGO COLONY.
WEST INDIAN NEGROES WHO HAVE EsTAD-
LISHED THEMSEIYES In NEW-YORK

WEST INDIAN NEGROES WHO HAVE ESTAD>
LIsHED THEMSELVES IN NEw-YORK.
II haven't been able to sell any Of them here
the people don't to about them. but at
home. making these and doing shell work my
trade" The negress took a bunch Of yellow now
ers from the boy and held 1t 10 the light. the fish,
scales which formed the petals glistenng in bright
contrast to her dark fingers "You can get ali kinds
OF dyes there" she added. replacing the yellow
spray and holding up first and then another
of the purple, pink and cherry clusters for approval
'I have made few flowers since have been
here and dyed them with the bought dyes but the
scales don't the same. and, anyway. they
are Of use." and she tied the box cover down
her treasures and set them away In her bureau
drawer with a sigh that was pathetic.
She was a tall woman. well formed. with ths
regular features and amiabe expression occasional
y met with in those OF her race possessing q
peculiarly smooth. black skin. Her cotton frock
was clean. though faded. and the room was clean
also. although scarcely affording space for the big
washtubs which occupied prominent places.
Should you go back to the island II you couldr'
she asked
Tomorrow" the eager reply. II had heard
that there was much to see In New-York and
such good chances for the children. good schools
and all. 1 was anxious to come. but 1t amt been
what l expected"
There is more demand for work here than in .
small place."
"Yes. I get washing to do. and my oldest boy and
girl go out to work when they can get JOB. put
rents are high, even in rough neghborhood II
costs much to live You can't even kindle your
fire in the morning without your two cents worth
of kindling wood. On Turks Island and In San
Domingo. too you could lay down at night with
vour heart easy, knowing that no harm was going
10 come TO you and that no rascality was prowi-
ing about Here you have to bolt your door fast
and look we'll TO where you are. or you'll come %
grief"
Ibid any of your neighbors come with you from
San Domingo?"
Yes There ten of us in all on the steamer
from there bat have lost sight Of all OF them
since we got here. That was four years ago."
There are a great many voluntary exiles from San
Domingo In New-York. The upper West Side. from
FYfty-thrd-st, we'll up into the sixties, shelters
them For the most part they are a better class OF
negroes than those usually found here and stand
well in the esteem Of their neighbors. Some OF the
men have obtained good positions as Interpreters,
being able to speak both French and Spanish huenf-
ly others are teachers, giving private lessons ooth
in English and Spanish. and others are carpenters
builders, else employed In cigar and fruit stores
walters. Some Of the younger women are en-.
gagged in domestic service. and the older ones have
taken to the needle as means OF livelihood. go out
to by the day. else support themselves by
laundry work.
Those Of sufficient education to express their
vantage in NewYork.
"A negro can clerk in San DomIngo-clerk in any
kind OF a mercantile house-and be considered
good the white man next to him., said one young
student who has a class Of Spanish pupils. Here
In New-York. no matter what his education or ad-
dress, he would stand no chance OF obtaining such
position. In San Domingo a negro can own a little
land for sugar planting or other industry, and live
comfortably and cipeaply. with the respect OF his
neighbors -
II don't know why came away" he added
speculavely except that the country Is slow going
down there. and We want to see something OF the
world. My father and mother moved from San
OF educating their children here They have done
very well In New-York My father worked on tho
Fall River Line for several years after he came
here, and now he Is janitor for downtown build
ing. Before he came here he used to carry the mall
from Dominican port to Cape Haytien."
but they have gentle manners, and there Is In their
and intonaton a hint OF the Spanish they
would speak amid different surroundings Although
possessed OF dstinctively African features the
fiat wide mouth and thick lps they look
bright and intelligent.
II know it's hard. living here in New-York" said
another black woman, sturdy and brght-faced. II
know you have plenty to eat, and slow going. easy
time In San Domingo, but had rather live here
than there. l don't want TO go back except on 9
don't know anything about America As long as 1
get plenty OF washing and have plenty OF things
out in the street when get chance to lay
off work, I'm satisfied. came here because want
same thing. II you want to see my kind OF people.
go up along Sxty-irst., Sixty-second and sixty
third sts., way close to the North River
There's plenty Of them there but don't get to see
none Of them often. though sometimes ! go because
1 want to hear the old home talk once more"