The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-19
ANOTHER MOSES FOR THE NEGROES.
Joshua C. watson's Big Scheme for the
Advancement of His Race.

ST. LOUIS. Mo- Sept. 17-r'rom out OF the
West comes Joshua c. Watson. who aspires to
be the Moses who will lead the colored race out
81 the depths to the heights OF prosperity. I'm
like Booker T Washington. Mr.. Watson Is
working on commercial and speculative lines.
instead Of educational and industrial. watson
Is very tall, very black and an Intelligent
negro He believes that his scheme will open
up to the negro many new avenues OF trade.
The plan embraces tho establishment OF de-
partment stores. coal and Ice yards. feed stores.
q home for aged and inflrm negroes. the estab-
lishment OF schools In which telegraphy and
business methods will be taught, the develop
ment of mineral lands. and such other enter
prises as may improve the condition OF the race.
All these enterprises are possible. Mr. Wat
son says, under charter issued by the State OF
Wyomi ing to the Wyoming Smelling. Refining.
Mining and Investment Company. OF which
Joshua c. Watson is the president Under this
charter. Mr.. Watson claims the right to enter
almost any line OF business In any State OF the
Union. from selling bushel OF coal to oper
atng railroads and telegraph lines. The COM
pany Is Incorporated with q capital stock OF
81. DOC. 00O in 100000 shares at a par value OF
SIS. 1t ia alleged that about 10 per cent. OF this
amount has been paid in by those interested in
the project.
Mr.. Watson says OF his corporation: I'VE In
corporated our organization in Wyoming in
1896. the charter giving us the rightto operate
In any State in tho country. We now own 405
acres OF land In Concordia parish. La and
seventy acres OF land in Atchison county. Kan.
on which we have two coal mines, one In
operation. We have established COAL wood.
feed and ice business in st. Joseph. Mo. We
have deals on foot which will enable us to enter
the lead and zinc mining fields OF this State
At Clarinda. Ia. we own another coal mine.
also working. In Boulder. Colo. we have nine
mines which essay in gold $142 to the ton.
silver. $3.50. and nickel and glance copper.
which runs 90 per cent. pure.
Our headquarters are In Cheyenne. Wyo.,
though Just at present we are operating
most extensively in st. Louis and vicinity.
Since my arrival here have looked at a site
for homo for the aged and inflrm OF our race.
and am negotiating for the purchase OF large
building in which to establish department
store. have written to the other members OF
the Board OF Trustees advising them to ad-
vance $4,000 to make the first payment on
this building. We have our st. Louis branch
well organized and have met with excellent
success. having placed considerable stock
here. Once We have our department store
running and our other industries fairly ON
their feet. l shall go to Chicago. there to re-
peat. If possible. the success which is meeting
our efforts in st. Louis
Other branches have been established In
Omaha Kansas City. Des Moines. Columbus.
Ohio. and Baltimore.
On our paid up stock we paid a dividend OF
% per cent. on June 80 and from indications
we will declare another on Jan. /. 1900. We
are now paying salaries averaging $50 month
to 5000 persons. most OF whom are employed
in our mines When we get orr Colorado
mines further developed there Is no reason to
believe that we shall not all be wealthy for our
assays are very rich.
In this enterprise our effort is not SO much
the making OF m oney for ourselves as the ele-
walton Of our fellow black men I was raised
in Tennessee. in Jackson. but got my first start
In Nashville and am we'll acquainted with the
conditions Of our race in the South and else
where. having travelled extensively. We must
overcome the prejudice existing against us.
We believe that this can best be done through
the enterprises which we are fostering"
Mr. Watson said that when he had placed
matters In st. Louis on a satisfactory basis,
established the department store. coal and
wood yard. arranged for the home for the aged
and inflrm and secured the model tenem ents
for which he saiu he Is now negotiating. he
would leave for the East. hoping to get the co.
operation OF the WELT do negroes in Chicago,
Cleveland, Buffalo. Boston. New York, Pha-
uelphid anu NashinRton he says ne feels
satisfied that they will subscribe literally to
stock In the organization. and thus. while aid
ing their more unfortunate brothers. will at
the same time be assured OF a fair return on
their investments.
Mr. Watson seems to have big thing His
charter is legally correct. but the cai m that he
is authorized hereunder to operate in any
State in the Union is disputed by some persons
who have Investigated the scheme However.
the negroes OF this State are subscribing iber-
ally to the organization. and getting printed
certificates OF stock to show for their faith in
Mr. Watson.