Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-02-26
FROM POCAHONTAS.
COL. JAS. S. BROWNING
INTERVIEWED.
Men of Influence and Bust,
ness.
ACCIDENT IN ONE OF THE MINES.
Religious Notes Personals and Briefs

PooAHoNTAs, VA, Feb. %, 1898
Monday of this week we called at the
mine of Col. James 8. Browning, one
of the leading operators of the coalre-
gion. besides being one OF the leading
business men of this section. Col.
Browning ia q staunch Republican and
enjoys the proud distinction OF being
the lesder here. We were invited in
the ColonePs private Office where
views we're exchanged and quote the
Colonel as follows when asked what he
thought concerning the destruction Of
the Battleship Maine: IT believe the
Maine was blown up by the Spanisrds
and the Government should act at
once"
Speaking of State politics he thinks
that the party ought to come together.
If so, we'll control the state in the
next election and remove the present
state debt. He believes that the pres
ent election law ought to be changed
and that the time is not far distant
when public opinion will force it to the
wall. In speaking of politics from
national standpoint theColonel believes
II the administration will abolish the
civil service, that the party will have
walk over in 1900.
He again says: IF President McKin-
ley had made the speech in has insu-
gural address that he made st the
Manufactor's Banquet, in New York,
success would be sure. Colonel Brown
ing was asked what he thought of the
Norfolk & Western Railroad Company
putting on colored men as hremen and
said. Il think the present management
of the company is the best they ever
had" He works from seventy-hve to
one hundred colored men in his mine
and comparatively speaking, believes
the colored man as q leborer is as good
as any in the world,
While circulating among our white
friends we called upon MI. ] L. Baker,
q prominent merchant. Mr.. Baker De-
Gan business in 1885. and being possess
ed with al UNUSUAL amount of business
push runs to-day the largest business
establishment of any one indi Tidua in
this part of the state He is a dealer
In general merchandise. he is chair
man of the School Board and his deal
ings with the colored people has been
far and friendly. While Mr.. Baber is
q Democrat in politics he has ever been
. friend to the eolored brother and in
this town he is esteem I'D by all, and it
can be said here that when the south
ern white people are your friends they
are indeed.
Then comes another man of influence
and power and who deserves special
mention is no other than s. X. Tate,
Police-J ustice. The Squire, has be-
gun to measure out the law to pill
Qrirns who come before him, without
fear or favor. BE is q republican in
politics and while his present terms
have been satisfactory it is evident that
he will succeed himself in the next.
Mr.. J. @. Vickers Ia another we are
glad to speak of for he is a stone and
brick mason Of the first degree Mr. /.
Vickers has been in the business for %
years and experience is an evidence of
ability. He is q solicitor OF contracts
for stone, brick CT plsstering jobs and
guarantees Satisfaction.
Ex-policeman u. s G. Froe went to
Tazewen O. III i, on last Monday to an
swer to the charge Of malicious assault.
Sometime ago Mr.. Froe was on the
Police-force, and arrested q white man
by the name of Brown, q travelling
drummer, who was drunk and dior
derby. Alderman N H. Garter saw the
man and ordered his arrest but when
Mr.. Froe went to discharge his duty,
Browns friends protested from the
fact that the officer was colored man.
However Mr.. Froe was determined to
perform his duty and in pulling the
drinking man he fell, causing slight
injuries.
The Mayor, Mr. R. l.. Pemberton,
dismissed the officer from duty and
the above named charge sworn out
against him. THe Justice who tried
the case sent il on to the Grand Jury
and il is to be tried at TazeWeu COun-
ty Court Wednesday.
Pocahontas has three Colored Alder
men, Messrs. N. H. Garter, r. A. Green,
and j. ID. Wright.
We are glad to mention another OF
our representative colored men by the
name of Mr.. W. A. Hilton. He is en-
ploTed by the Southwest Company, the
largest in this section as tipple boss
He is indeed competent to hold the
position. He is q member of the
School Board and holds his own as 9
leading citizen.
Mr.. Lewis Floyd, left for Roanoke
Wednesday last.
Messrs. Jack Hawkins and Matthew
Bolden were accidently burt last Sat
urdsy in the Mime, and while the nature
OF the wounds are painful they are not
necessary fatal. Both gentlemen are
getting along nicely at this time,
Quite q pleasant time was had on
Friday OF last week at the literary at
the n. X. Church Of which Mr.. y. 8.
q, Frpe y president, With Mr. o. a