The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-07-28
WEDNESDAY, JULY es. 1897
saouLp pr CHECKED ~ TIME.


are made, nothing particularly said
about 1t, and, apparently, nothing
seriously thought about ii.
Those who were at or near the cor
ner OF First street and Harrison ave-
nue. shortly after o'clock Sunday
afternoon were treated to the edifying
spectacle OF Howard Boyce, a white
man, scratching gravel in the middle
of the street at 2:4o gait, closely fol.
lowed by Robert Reed, burly be-
whiskered African, with a large and
generous expanse OF moush, which he
sometimes keeps closed-when asleep.
1t was plain to be seen that Reed had
blood in his eve, and IL appearances
indicated anything the man he was
after wanted to be right home with
his Ma at that particular time. Reed
was carrying in his hand a piece OF
fat board about three feet long and
four inches wide, but the fugitive had
either gotten good start or was a
better sprinter as he turned the corner
OF Harrison and reached police head
quarters at the FIRE house on First
street and disappeared before his pur-
surer had reached the corner OF First
street. Nothing daunted, however,
10y the appearance OF a blue-coated
guardian of the peace. Reed marched
right up to the door OF the fire house
and demanded to know "whah he was
at2n OF course nobody knew anything
about 1t, so Reel dropped his club and
raised his voice 70 describe his wrongs
to group OF meek faced white men
and admiring darkies who had quickly
gathered at the unusual sight.
According to Reeds story he had
been assaulted by the white man, who
had struck him violent blow without
any provocation whatever, and Reed
emphatically stated that the white
man had better not get within sight OF
him for some time TO come. The blue
coated official mildly suggested that
he should get out warrant, but Reed
raising his clenched right hand intC
the air replied: Don't want no war
rant; this is warrant enough for me
He then gathered up his forces Rnd
retired, carrying away the full honori
Of war, so to speak
Now, this is ali wrong. II, as ReeC
asserts, he was unjustly assaulted by
the white man he had his remedy a
law, which would be far greater pun
ishment than being chased couple Of
blocks. II there are white men who
deliberately go around asssultng pool
defenseless. .darkies without any cause
whatever, just one dose Of durance
vile aud the customary Sl6G5 would
cure them of that habit. And even II
Reeds statements were entirely true
yet when he secured his club and
chased his man that distance with the
full intention OF breaking his head Il
he could catch him, he, also, wal
guilty OF violating the law in every
sense and should be held 10 stric
accountability.
The average Oklahoma darkey is 1
strange bundle OF Inconsistencies ant
contradictions. He imAgines that be
cause he Is black that he is looked
down upon and occupies DEGRADED
position in the eyes OF the whites
Such is not the case by any means
but after listening to the glowing ae
counts Of Robert Reed and Sam John
son, and others Of like hAnnel-moutl
stripe, OF how they have made and d.
make the white man jump sidewAy
he comes 10 the conclusion that tn
only way to assert his equality is t
follow suit and, when possible, I
keep the sidewalk and let the whit
people walk OFF in the mud. That h
is wrong in this conclusion goes with
out saying and the chances are goo
that unless there is change OF tai
ties time will thoroughly convinc
him OF that fact
The trouble with the oklshom
negro is that he is living among a di
ferent class OF people than he Is a,
eustomed to and he fails TO recogniz
that fact. In the south where b
came from II he dared 10 shove a whit
man of the sidewalk or compel lad
70 walk in the mud TO pass him b
would instantly get knife, bullet c
perhaps worse and he knows It. Her
in Oklahoma, which is filled wit
northern people, he is allowed TO d
pretty mu IA as he pleases, and he in
mediately concludes that he is II
only pebble on the beach and proceed
10 take mile or SO instead Of II
inch originally allowed as eourtes
between man and man.
And that is not all What lady
our city has not at some time bee
; compelled to push her way throug
. crowd OF Ghiftless blacks while
5,swarm like iiies on the sidewalks net
w corner saloons and be eompellC
tnRisteu TO suggestive remarks regar-
inve{he trlmness OF her ankles an
10 n ~ Of her form Should this 4
ilsh tted for one minuteY No, q tho
As Ames no. 1t has been frequent
mirae