The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-03
MISSISSIPPIANS LOSE
THEIR POSTOFFICE
Colored Postmistress Resigned Under
CompuIsion.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 2.-It
was decided at the cabinet meeting
To-Day TO close permanently the post
ONCE at IndianOla, Miss, from which
the postmaster, Minnie M Cox. color
co. resigned under compulsion a few
DAYS ago, since which time the office
mas been closed. The bondsmen have
brought the matter to the attention Of
the authorities here, with the view to
being relieved of the responsibility of
the accumulated mail. The postmaster
general has had a thorough inyestiga-
ton made and has become satisfied
that the woman was obliged to resign
under duress; in fact that her life was
endangered. The office will not be
reopened until the people in the district
are ready to accept this woman as
their postmaster.
Secretary Cortelyou for the presi-
dent, made public the following:
THE postmaster at Indianola. Miss,
is Mrs. Minnie w. Cox, a colored won
an She served three years as post
master under President Harrison.
When President Mckinley came in she
was again appointed in 1897, nearly
six years ago. Her character and
standing in the community are in
dorsed by the best and most reputable
people in the town.
Among those on her bond is the
present Democratic state senator from
the district, together with the leading
banker of Indianola and an ex-state
senator from the district, also a Dem
ocrat The postmaster and her hus-
band own from $4,000 to $4,000 worth
of property in Sunfower county. The
reports of postOffice Inspectors who
have investigated the office from time
to time show that she has given the
utmost satisfaction to all the patrons
of the office, that she is at all times
courteous, faithful, competent and
honest in the discharge of her duties
Her moral standing in the community
is of the highest. Her reputation is of
the best. Few offices of this grade
in any state are conducted better
1.-The postmaster recently forwarded
her resignation to take effect on Jan.
1, but the report of inspectors and in
formation received from various rep
utable white citizens of the town and
neighborhood show that the resigna-
ton was forced by a brutal and law
less element purely upon the ground
of her color and was obtained under
terror of threats. The mayor Of the
town and the sheriff of the county
both told the postoffice inspector that
if she refused to resign they could not
be answerable for her safety, although
at the same time not one word was
said against her. OMAN. l the bonds
men of the postmaster telegraphed
that the postoffice was closed, that the
postmaster claimed that her resigna-
ton was in the presidents hands to
take effect Jan. l, and that there had
been no advice of the appointment Of
her successor. The telegram closed
with the statement: Prompt action
necessary by the president, for the re-
lief of the business interests which
are being injured solely by the action
of the lawless element of the town is
wholly secondary to the preservation
of law and order and the assertion of
the fundamental principle that this
government will not connive at or toll
crate wrong and outrage of such flag
rant character
"By direction of the president the
following was sent to the bondsmen:
The postmaster's resignation has been
received, but not accepted. In view of
the facts the postoffice at Indianola is
closed all mail for that place will be
forwarded to Greenville. The case will
be referred to the attorney general"