The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-11-22
Prof. Waterman, of Fisk,
In a New Role
AS CASTIGATOR OF COLORED
LADS.

TO SUCH HUMILIATlON-WERE
THE CASE VICE VERSA, WHAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RE-
suit HAD Mr.. VOOLFOLK
WHIPPED WATERWAYS CHlLDY
Indignation and excitement reigned
in North Nashville for the past week,
caused by the facts disclosed in the
case of Prof Waterman, professor in
applied science at Fisk University, who
numerically beat the son of Mr.. VIM.
r. Voolfolk, who resides at 1888 Six
teenth avenue, North. While the af-
fair happened early this month it did
not Teak out until recently. The pent-
up indignation of the community
could keep it no longer. Notwith-
standing Mr. Waterman is and has
been a potent factor for the last sew
eral years in the development of Fisk
University, it appears that he has
transgressed all laws of decency in his
aggravated attack upon this Negro
| child of about ten years Of age The
truth of the matter is that after a
careful investigation in the commun-
| ity the fact is disclosed that it was un-
called for, unwarranted and untimely.
A Globe reporter spent larger part
of one day searching for Mr.. Wood
folk, who could not be found at the
postoffice as he was on his vacation.
After finding Mr.. Voolfolk he was re-
ticent in his remarks and in answer
ing some inquiries. TIe finally stated
that it was true his boy had been beat
en- by Mr. Waterman, for which Mr..
Waterman offered the sole explana-
tion, "I thought it would be better to
thrash him than to have him arrest
ed" In replying to the question what
the boy had done, there seemed to be
no direct answer, but the information
comes that Willie Voolfolk, Edward
Buford and Willie Crosthwaite were
playing on Bennett Field, as is the GUS
tom of the children in that vicinity Of
, Fisk These boys having attended
= some of the departments Of Fisk, es-
pecially Model School, had naturally
become accustomed to this as a play.
? ground.
After being ordered away the boys
5 apparently moved on. Prof. Waterman
S caught young Voolfolk and handled
e him so roughly that all of the buttons
a were torn from his Jacket, When the
n boys were outside in the street Mr.
o Watermon overlook them and grabbed
little Voolfolk, carried him into his
| ri ind no house oHp &c
J. tered a severe beating, usinz a piece
of board as his weapon. The young
fellow was severely dealt with. His
l. mother was prostrated with the news
v and the entire community was
l. wrought up to its highest pitch.
e When Mr.. Voolfolk called upor
n Prof, Waterman for explanation, he re
1t ceived but curt replies and was as
IS sured from the manner Of tone that h,
IS Waterman was justified in thrash
e ing Negro boys. Mr.. Voolfolk was al
" wrought up over the matter and hat
IS it not been for the timely advise o
n friends and the pleading of his wifi
C the tale would be told differently Aft
er some counsel he filed an indictmen
against the professor at Fisk, 70
which he was Immediately arrested
but before the case was called to tn
r. court, close friends to Waterman an
er Voolfolk, after much persuasion, SUE
H. ceeded in having Voolfolk WITHDRAW
IN the Indictment Hence the city cour
&C. and the justice court were deprived G
IT, trying the case.
9r The Globe reporter in ferreting ou
", the facts in the case learned that thi
rt, is not Mr.. Watermans first attemI
er- to attack members of the race. Som
as time ago when Fisk and Meharry wei
ng in a football contest he threatened an
to attempted to kick a boy off the car
ar. pus, and was only prevented from d
ial ing so by an open declaration of a M
harryite that he would go through hi
ire if he attempted it. He learned furth
es- that the atmosphere in and about Fi'
es- has changed considerably. There
"; not that peace and harmony with 900
he will to all that once reigned supreme
an. this locality. The residents in t
sh- community express themselves as
ing highly displeased with the episo(