The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-26
FOR THE BLACK RACE
A MAN WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO
THE NEGRO.

Son OF an Abolitionist Followed His Ta-
Tiers sTeaching--Mnrried Negro wom-
an and Was Cast or by His Family.
Died In Turkish Bath.
John Granville Bergen, white man,
who had devoted his life to the negro,
Lied recently in Turkish bath in New
York. He was the consistent son of a
chief engineer on that underground rail
way which abolitionists operated from
the south TO the western reserve in
Ohio. He not only preached the equality
of tho white and black races. but mar
ried negro woman and was cast off by
his family.
He had brother in Springfield, o.. +,
who ia millionaire and sister who is
wealthy, but he had no time himself to
gain riches. Years ago he managed con-
certs given for the benefit of churches
in which negroes worshiped or schools
in which negroes were taught. AT some
time he has had under his management
nearly every organization of colored
singers which has been heard in this
country. He managed Flora Batson,
who, in spite of color and because Of the
indescribable sweetness of her voice, won
recognition in those sections of the south
that have most contempt for the new
negro. He became her husband on Dec.
10, 1887, year after the death Of his
first wife. Mr.. Bergen then made his
headquarters in Philadelphia and man
aged tours for his wife through the
south and west. In the depression of
the last three seasons all that MIR. Bergen
possessed was swept away.
He had enlisted in the Second United
States cavalry when 10 years old and
served through the war, so last winter,
being almost without funds and very
i'll, he went to the Soldiers home at
Hampton, Va. while his wife joined a
concert company, which was less sue
cessful than the members had expected.
Recently number of colored men,
wishing to show their appreciation Of
Mr.. Bergen, urged him to come to New
York for a benefit concert. He under
took the venture OH their assurances Of
support and gave concert at Cooper
Union on May 13. M. Hamilton Hodges,
baritone, went from Boston to give
his services Miss Alice Ruth Moore, a
reader, went from New Orleans. Sing
ers from all the choirs in Afro American
churches contributed to the strength Of
tho choruses. The promoters believed
that there would be such attendance of
colored folk as would put Mr.. Bergen
firmly on his financial feet. The concert
was an artistic success; from box
Office view it was terrible failure.
Miss Batson, as the managers wife
has ever been named, was in the south
filling profitable engagement. AT Bal.
timore she received letter telling Of
the concert failure and telegram tell
ing Of her husbands death.
He had been staying at the Clarendon
House, in West Twenty y-seventh street,
New York, and for all his reverses and
i'll health seemed to the people Of the
place cheerful and hopeful. He went
out to dinner one evening and after din
ner concluded that Turkish bath
would prove beneficial. He remained in
the hot room 15 minutes and Robert
Owen, an attendant, took him to the
slab. During the rubbing down Owen
turned Mr.. Bergen over on his face.
The manager gasped and Owen saw the
body collapse. He rolled his patient
over on his back and ran for aid. The
hastily summoned doctor pronounced
the man dead. Exchange.