Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-05
CITY BUILT FOR NEGROES.
Originated by nm English
WOmnn.

To an English woman belongs the credit
OF organizing the first negro colony in the
United States. She is Mrs. Lille X. Ray.
whose home for the last three years has
been located about two miles west of De-
catur, Ala. The site of the new colony is
three and a half miles south of that city.
Although Mrs. Ray has been studying the
negro question ever since she settled in
the South, II was not until last spring that
she gave publicity to her present scheme.
Consulting a party of friends who were
visiting her at the time, she determined
then to materialize her ideas and convert
the negro race is fully able to govern it
self If given the chance. and would be bet
tered by remaining unmixed with the
whites.
So soon as Mrs. Ray formed this decision
she began writing letters to p%prominent
persons, enlisting their efforts in behalf of
the venture: Meeting with generous en-
couragement on all sides. she next called
together the most intelligent negroes about
her. and, finding them in sympathy with
hei movement. effected an organization
with them.
Three hundred and sixty-seven acres of
fertile land were selected for the colony.
The name Cedar Lake was given it. from
a ~Eeighboring small body of water by that
name. The land there is rich in clover, and
also grows wheat. tobacco and Irish pota-
toes.
Cedar Lake colony was formally opened
two weeks ago by several hundred negro
members. A provisional city government
was established and an application made
for a charter.
Mrs. Ray has donated to the colony sIo.o 900
for any practical purpose, upon condition
that 14O houses be erected and inhabited.
The Louisville & Nashville railroad runs
through Cedar Lake. President Smith. of
that road, has written to Mrs. Ray prom
ising his aid and support and also to build
Tor the colony a railroad station, with all
its accessories.
The negroes have already erected with
.neir own hands a church and schoolhouse.
The teachers and minister. who happens to
be a Baptist. have been selected.
A large firm in Providence, r. l., is at
present contemplating the building of a
$1,000 spindle cotton mill in Cedar Lake.
Another firm has promised to erect a cigar
and tobacco factory If the negroes can
demonstrate that they can successfully cul-
tlvafe tobacco. A postoffice has been CO.
tablished, the district of which bears the
meme of Ray. In honor Of its promoter.
Mrs. Rays plan, expressed in her own
words. is to colonize some OF the most in
telligent and progressive negroes in a city
OF their own building. encourage and aid
them to build shops and factories of their
own. and. instead of fighting for recogni-
ton In the shops and factories of the
whites, grow cotton and tobacco and prod
rcts OF all kinds. and manufacture them
themselves.
Mrs. Ray is a literary woman. writing
under the nom de plume of Jack earle.
ton" Her home Is an elegant abode. which
she has called Mount Heights" There
she lives In great retirement, devotinG her
self to her writing and philanthropic
schemes. Among her warm personal
friends and supporters are James Whit
comb Riley. Opie Read and Wallace Bruce.