The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-11
WOULD NOT FAVOR
SAL | { To NEGR0ES
Presiding Elder Says Quaker
Congregation Will Not Defy
Wishes OF Ncighbcrs.
THE PEOPLE ARE STIRRED UP.
Several Announce That They
Move at Once il Sale
Is Made,

4 a ruinor OF tho proposed sale OF the
/ old Quaker meetiSg house on Clay
] Street for use as a colored church.
the residents. and the entire neigh
! borhood is up in arms about tho mat
| ter. The Quaker Temple Is AZ No. /
East Clay. in one OF the best resident
sections OF that street, and is sur
rounded By neat, wellkept houses On
the opposite corner is the ST. Mark $
Episcopal Church. and one block above
is the large handsome building OF the
Clay Street Methodist Church.
The Quaker congregation in Rich
mond has been gradually dwindling
for some years, and now but a few
families remain Nearly a year ago
the congregation decided to dispose
OF hesold temple. as 1t was no longer
practicable to support the regular
services. and the congre cation has
been for some time without pastor.
Mr. r. a. Kicks Is the presiding elder.
ana mas helo services each Sunday for
some months past, The matter OF the
sale OF the temple was entrusted TO
NJ W. a. Kicks, to negotiate a sale
and report back to the congregation
and for some time placard has been
on the building announcing that 1t
was FOR sale.
= Approached by Negro.
a colored man approached MIR. r. A.
Kicks few days ago with regard to
purchasing the building. inquirins IL it
had baptistry and was otherwise suit
able for the services of the Baptist
Church. Mr.. Kicks referred him to his
brother, who had the sale in hand. and
who is now out Of the city. 1t is said
that the colored man was James C.
Farley colored photographer, located
at Seventh and Broad Streets. Farley
is said to represent Northern people who
wish to establish a mission at this point.
Mr.. James Fl. Crenshaw, real estate
agent Of Richmond, who is negotiating
the sale in behalf Of certain Northern
interests, said last night that he would
not advise the sale to persons who pro-
posed to use the building as a coored
church. rs property along this part Of
Clay Street was valuable and in good
demand. Mr.. Crenshaw said that he
would certainly not be party to such
a sale unless 1t were a public sale, in
which the white people who owned in
the neghborhood had an opportunity to
protect themselves.
Mr.. r. a. Kicks stated yesterday that
according to the regulations OF the
Friends Church the sale would have
to be confirmed by meeting of the
congregation, before It could become
binding, and that he did not think that
a majority Of the members of the
would favor selling the
property to negroes, II the neighbors
objected,
business meeting of the congre-
CATION was scheduled for Saturday af-
ternoon. when 1t was expected that
this matter would be discussed, but
was postponed on account OF fun
eral. If any definite proposition Is
forthcoming for the purchase OF the
property, a meeting can be called at
any time. when, according to the
QUAKER :, custom. the meeting will
walt Tor a decision in the matter.
each one who feels moved or. called
upon to express his opinion speaking,
without general vote being taken.
People Will Move.
~ is said that II the colored people
secure the property they will also ,,
wish residence on the same bloc;.
for their preacher.
several families who rent houses in
this section have notified their agents |
mat they will move at once If negroes
come into tho block. and 1t is prob !
anle mat any such move swoul Id re suit
IN great depreciation of values
Colored families live lin a parallel
block on Leigh Street and on several
cross streets in this section. but so
FAR have not secured property on this |
part of Clay Street.