The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-23
PATHS OPEN TO NEGROES
STORIES OF SUCCESS TOLD AT RE-
CENT NASHVILLE MEETING.
Better Chance To-Day for the COlOred
Man Than Ever BefOre-Interest-
ing Experiences.
Nashville Letter in New York Post.

Nashville Letter in New York Post
The paths of real success open to the
negroes of this country were pointed out by
conservative men of their own race at the
recently adjourned session of the National
Negro Business League. Those who pointed
the way were men who have done things
accomplished the tasks they set for them
selves. Two facts were established: Any
negro who proves himself fit and worthy of
confidence has better chance OF success
to-day than any man of his race has ever
had before; and the white man of the
South perhaps even more readily than the
white man of the North, is ready to extend
every assistance. Some of the speakers
declared that in some cases their chief
support came from the white people in
their communities.
The stories of the men who came here
were for the most part straightforward re-
citals of facts, though usually lightened by
flashes OF humor. The men bore themselves
well, depressing any inclination to boast,
rather tending to point out their mistakes
Tor the profit OF others; Here are some OF
as possible as they were told:
l.. Winter, local produce dealer, whose
business was established in 1866, read this
paper:
~ came to Nashville with my wife in
1865 with only one suit of clothes and $i2
cash In my pocket. i began business as
retail merchant, with my wife as my assist
ant. / asked my bookkeeper to give me a
statement to-day of my shipments, and |
find that 1 have shipped north. east. south
and west within the last six months goods
to the amount of $4,000.
IL think this is doing well for a negro
who has never attended school a day, save
the Sunday school,
'I have the distinction of being the first
produce merchant in Nashville to place his
goods in Havana.
cation.
IL must thank Mr.. Wilbur Winter (my
former MASTERY, who taught me that to be
honest is the best way TO succeed in the
world. My advice to young negro men is
"a be honest; (2) work hard and save what
you get CD place no price on your labor
until you are master, and never say that
you can't do
He spoke of the large number of fowls
he handled. tall black man with a serious
face stood up:
where he gets all them chickens?
Winter was forced TO sit down, covered
with inextinguishable laughter.
IN THE DELTA.
Charles Banks, of Clarksdale, Miss, is a
very tall and very black negro, who has had
somewhat remarkable history. He was
born in 1873 in the yard of Mrs. Clark
whose family founded the town, and he
lives there to-day. He got what education
he has at Rush University. leaving school
when he was eighteen years of age. He
| got job hauling brick and sand, for which
he was paid 80 cents day. He continued
| at this work for several months until he
| had saved $50, when he determined to go
into business on his own account. When
| he had hired a tiny storeroom and stocked
| Ii with merchandise his capital was ex-
| hausted. BY small degrees he prospered
and got the confidence of his neighbors.
| At first he sold only to his own people
| Business in the Delta is done on a long
| term credit basis. Farmers and planters
| get advances" of groceries and staples
paying their debts after the crops are made
| and sold. Two short crops caused banks
| to fail in 1897. He was thrown all aback
and was without resources. He had so
| firmly established his credit and reputation
| for honesty that some white merchants i'm
the town ('my white folks he called
| them, advanced. without security, $500 to
| put him OH his feet. Since that time he has
prospered amazingly. doing a Business OF
/ $500 yearly His store Is on the main
street in Clarksdale. in the same building
| with the largest bank in the community.
| Besides his business he owns two planta-
| tons and raises $50 bales OF cotton yearly.
| II have never been hampered because OF
| my COLOR, he said. ''Since have been in
| business 1 have had the same business
! treatment as any other merchant. / could