The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-09
FOR THE BLACK RACE
A MAN WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO
THE NEGRO.
Son OF an Aboiitionist Followed His Fa-
Tiers Tesching--Married . Negro Wom-
an and Was Cast on by His Family.
Died In q Turkish Bath.

an and Was Cast On by HIS Famiiy.
Died In q Turkish Bath.
John Granville Bergen, white man,
who had devoted his life to the negro,
died recently in Turkish bath in New
York He was the consistent son of
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 the white and black races, but mar
ried negro woman and was cast off by
his family.
He had brother in Springfield, o.,
who is millionaire and a 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 Mr.. 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 on their assurances OF
support and gave a concert at Cooper
Union Oh May 10. M. Hamilton Hodges,
baritone, went from Boston to give
his services. Miss Alice Ruth Moore, q
reader, went from New Orleans. Sing
ers from all the choirs in Afro-Americar
churches contributed to the strength OF
the 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 boz
office view it was terrible failure.
Miss Batson, as the managers wife
has ever been named, was i'll the soutl
filling profitable engagement. AT Bal
timore she received letter telling O
|, the concert failure and telegram tell
ing of her husbands death.
He had been staying at the Clarendon
, House, in West Twentyseventh street
, New York, and for all his reverses AM
i'll health seemed to the people OF tn
, place cheerful and hopeful. He wen
! out to dinner one evening and after din
, ner concluded that Turkish bait
, would prove beneficial. He remained il
, the hot room 10 minutes and Rober
| Owen, an attendant, took him to tn
slab. During the rubbing down Owel
turned Mr.. Bergen over on his face
The manager gasped and Owen saw tn
body collapse. He rolled his patien
over on his back and ran for aid. TIL
hastily summoned doctor pronounce
the man dead. Exchange.