The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-23
COLOR Line In A SCHOOL
WINAMAC BOARD REFUSES TO AD-
NIT TWO NEGRO GIRLS.
Members Are DemOcrats-Attorneys
Have Been Engaged and an Appeal
from Boards Ruling Taken.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
wINAMAC. Ind, Sept. 22.-The Winamac
School Board has drawn the color line and
refused two negro girls, the daughters OF
George Washington Biggs. of Jefferson
township, aged respectively nineteen and
fourteen years, admission to the high
school at this place. Professor William
Kelly, of the high schools, was instructed
by the school to refuse TO receive the Jener-
son township transfers of the girls. The
Winamac School Board is Democratic. and
is composed of Frank Long, John Shill and
Rufus MCGEE, and they are said to be adj
vised by Professor John H. Reddick, SUI
perintendent Of the Pulaski county public
schools, who with the aid of a few lilly
white" Republicans, says the School Board
is not compelled by law to accept a mig
ger" pupil from outlying townships.
The father Of the two colored girls on
Monday filed an affidavit setting forth that
he was legal resident Of Monroe town.
ship, in which the Winamac high school is
situated. Accompanied by a prominent Re-
publican attorney the two colored girls
presented their fathers affidavit and their
Jefferson township school transfers and
amount Of tuition, and demanded admission
to the high school. They were informed
u
cap the climax, threats were made that
their father would be arrested for perjury
in making an affidavit that he is legal
resident Of Monroe township. The treat
Democratic politicians and a few lilly
white" Republicans has aroused public
opinion, and attorneys have been engaged
TO flle proceedings against the members OF
the School Board. Carl w. Riddick, edi-
tor of the Winamac Republican says: "Our
church members contribute to educate and
Christianize the recently freed black race.
and Christian people of Winamac are not
so inconsistent as to repudiate their own
efforts because of a foolish prejudice or
pride. Our fathers and brothers fought 10
ing them the privileges OF American citi-
zenship. Education is the birthright OF
every child, irrespective of its color. 1t Is
| not for the Winamac School Board to de-
clare by it's actions that the blood of our
| gallant soldiers was spilled in vain, and
| that the negroes may have rights else
| where in free America, but not In Pulaski
| county"
| Marion ii. Ingrim, editor of the Demo
| crat-Journdl, says: THE School Board is
not compelled by law to accept a high
school pupil from another township, even
though the pupil may have a transfer. The
| decision Of the question rests solely with
| them, and If for want of room, or for any
| other good reason, they decide against the
| enrolment of foreign pupils, their decision
| is final.
One of the members of the School Board
when interviewed regarding the color line
drawn against the two negro girls, an
| swered: They are 'niggers -
| Township school transfers have been ac
| cepted from outside applicants and then
tuition fees thankfully accepted by the
| Winamac School Board. George Fritz, the
| Democratic trustee of Jefferson township
| has won the admiration and friendship OF
| the taxpayers by the stand he has takeT
| for the rights of his township and the
rights of the taxpayers.
The Biggs sisters each day will go to the
/ high school and demand admission as pu.
| pills until the law gives to them their just
| educational rights.