The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-23
.WJCHIGAN'S NEGRO COLONY.
Prosperity Of Runaway Slaves Who Settled
In Gass County.


LA PORTE, Ind. Aug % In Cass county.
Mich, there is colony which affords
some evidence regarding the ability Of
negroes to take advantage Of their oppor-
tunities for progress.
As early as 1870, there came into Cass
county a considerable number Of Quakers,
whose anti-slavery views had driven them
out of the South. Soon after their arrival
some negroes began to appear in their
wake, and their numbers rapidly increased,
The first route Of the underground
railway" leading into the Cass county
terminal was from CINCINNATI, through
eastern Indiana to Fort Wayne. and thence
20 White Pigeon; another was established
from Evansville through western Indiana
10 Logansport and South Bend. and third
led from Louisville through the middle
of tho State and to South Bend. That the
refugees would find warm welcome among
the Cass county Quakers was known all
along these lines and they were pushed
along from station to station, to the safe
shelter they knew was ready for them.
From the beginning the colored people
we're urged 10 take land and establish their
own homes. The vacant lands in Calvin
and Porter townships were shown TO them
and they were taught how to acquire them
and how TO farm according to Northern
methods. They we're not permitted to
live in dleness or dependence.
Their beginnings were humble, but these
negroes have attained independence, start
ing in iliteracy they are now educated
and every one Of their children is regular
school attendant,
Calvin township has population of
$50 negroes and 5i2 whites, and in Porter
township the whites are slightly in the
majority. The negroes vote in peace,
bear their full share. of the public burdens
and cause no friction at elections. If Il
black man is elected 10 office, as some
times happens, h" performs his duties
faithfully,
For many wears the tax collector Of
Calvin township has been negro and II
has been boast that the taxes of that
township have been the FIRST to he secured
and paid, in full all that time.
There are eight schools in the township
last named. four of which are taught by
officers OF the three churches two have
negro pastors In the township are two
negro physicians and the colored pcopl"
maintain a brass band.
drive through the township to-day
shows that the farms are in every way
comparable with 'h9s" OF the whites; Many
Of the houses are large, comfortable and
well built Nothing will be observed diff
ferent from what is seen in any other town
ship except m" iredominancc Of black
faces
Some Of the negroes are among The most
prosperous men in the community. Will
liam Allen rs a stock raiser and trader who
owns 700 acres of land and 400 head of stock
all paid for He served eighteen years
as Justice Of the peace and declined further
election.
Samuel Hawkes. pays more taxes than
any white man in Calvin township. He
owns 500 > 2ref and is wortl $4,000. G.. W.
Bum owns two saw mills and much land
Comedies Lawson, the township supervisor,
is n negro and served twenty years as a
Justice of the peace. He is farmer in IA
large way and it successful in business.
These are some Of the older representa-
tives Of the race. who began with
nothing in this locality and have gained
what they have bv ther own efforts.