The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-26
Propose Vigilance Commit
tee to Protect Members
of Race.
CRITICISE AUTHORITIES
Suggestion That White Men, and
Net Negroes, May Have Been
Mnrderers of Louisa Liggens.
Organize to Aid Unf0rtu-
nate Members of Race.

JUG Va ~
affiliations of any character, had a
mass meeting in the lecture room OF
the Bethany Baptist Church at 267
Bank street last night and entered a
dignified protest against what was
termed the failure of the police to APP
prehend "the brutal and inhuman muir
derer of Louisa L~iggens," a negress,
whose body was found on the refuse
dumps in this city about two months
agGe
The meeting also decided to form a
permanent organization for the COM
mon protection of unfortunate inno-
cent members of the negro race and, If
possible, to find the murderer or muir
derers of Miss Liggens. The establish
ment of a vigilance committee was
also proposed.
The Rev. R.. d. Wynn, pastor OF
Bethany Church., chairman of the meet
ing, was directed to appoint a COM
mittee of twenty-five representative
negroes from various parts of the city
to devise ways and means to form the
proposed organization. 1t was sug-
gested that a reward of 500, 5000 or
even $500 be offered for information
that would lead to the arrest of the
~, "
Alfred b. Cosey, a local negro law
yer. created something of a sensation
when in the course of a speech he
moao a,.;+;vo doo1oraHon thot +be
slayers of the unfortunate negress
were not negroes. He left the impress
sion, although not stating it in so
many words, that the murderers were
white men.
Tho r,eeting n certa;n extent
II ineetins 70 d oeita,n eN.ul'
turned Itself into a memorial Tor MISS
Liggens. and she was eulogiZed for her
etarIino christion ,,ir4,,as
s'iHHe .io eH'1s' D.,
AS soon as the HeV. Mr.. wynn mac
called the meeting to order he asked
for ! ranort FROM the COMMITTEES ON
-
resolutions composed OIL tne I.eV'
Storer S. Jolley, the Rev. o. M. Bon
field. J. III. F.. Scotland and Allen L.
rlond coa,otar,. coo+1a,d IF tba oono
mltlee, read the preaihple
and resolutions, which were unani-
roo,,slv adonted.
yxy,araas .ha-ohiact of ~. .,oae,,ng I,
~ 6rntast ~ inst Tho hrs1a1 nd III.
Ia ~ t u n,nrdsr nf Miss orisa Tiepens
: aIvs INC hand ar hands Of 1nlxnown muir.
dsrprs, who are not only enemies to so.
niety at large. but menaces to the very
every public crime is am offense against
the neace. safety and welfare of our State
and nation: and.
nMhereas all criminal nrosecntions car
ried on in the name of the State. and as
n rule. al the expense of the county
where such crimes are committed, it is
accordingly of the first and vital impor,
tance that the fair name and dignity OF
our State should not suffer for the lack oil
persistent and energetic effort on the pari
of the police authorities in using further
efforts. which are within their power IN
ferreting out the perpetrators of such 9
foul and cowardly crime against the cltl-
zens of our commonwealth. and the safe,
ty of our Inhabitants; and last, but no
worthy. and respectable ~citlzen, VINO
doubtless was murdered Whlle dolng mel
duty as a CHRISTIAN ana a ifleho OIL tht
needy; and,
Whereas. The colored citizens OF tne
county and State have abiding faith IN tnt
public spirit and honor or our puphc ON
Gals that their sense OF justice and pro
lection extends with sheltering arms over
all. irrespective of color, yet in this most
singular, If not mysterious murder OF an
honorable woman who was not an inmate
Of vicious resorts or was a detriment to
her race or society az large, MAKES the cry
or her blood from the ground louder, can-
ing Tor vengeance as a surrey ana lmperd'
1--WE act or justice py tue poilce, anu olnel
authorities. who might be inclined 70 pass
the act among other unsolVed mysteries
De IT therefore
Resolved, Ihat as we realize tne sraatS
dangers TO which such a crime may Ieau
on TO. II me present MURDER Oh MISS iIls-
gems should pass into history as being unl-
solved. that we call upon our felioW citl-
zens to offer such honest assistance 10 the
autn9rlties. II Wlthln tnelr khoWleuSe' ~
reliable nformatlon thal VIII result IN ths
ends of Justice. to the memory, famlly ana
friends OF the u~nfortupate deau woman
also. mat the GOOD repRtatlon OF our owl
race, as being Wiling 10 protect ourselves
as wei as others. our state ana posteIlty
nRainst VICIOUS ana crlmlnal ltlzens, whi h'
others No irisne not Ne ques'" W
"Resolved Thai nv this action Of colored
citizens. assembled in mass-meeting this
t~wenty-fifth day of September. 1907, In
Germany Baptist Church, Newark, y. j.;
70 demonstrate our sense OF race prIue ana
fan.eIest, IN lne punislnenu o. any anu
eyeTS iorm OF Wickeuness anu VIC, In.
milteu py nose OF our rdce' OF u my JILL
laet, IN Whom the rear ol 1ou, Wortny
amolu9h IN nfe' or selI,respeeo d3r onners;
or openlence 10 me civli or moral Avs Vl
them as an essential requisite. in the en-
Joyment OF their constitutional guarantees
or NE liberty tnd the pursuit OF happl-
ness. be 1t further
Resolved. That we place ourselves on
record that as the strength of a chain is
no greater than its weakest link, we con-
denim any member of our race, who, be-
cause Of vicious or criminal instinct, will,
or does, commit crimes against the peace
Of the State or to the dishonor of coIored
citizens who lead honest and resnectablr
lives, and further. we cali upon all good