Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-21
GOOR[D MEN WOULD
NC|l[. DISTURBANCE
Three Membersot Soldiers Home
Accuse Color Line Being
Drawn
II
LITTLE BASIS FOR CLAIM
escaus. Two Members Places at Table
in Old Mems Building Were Changed
Three colored Men Refuse to Eat
All Back at Places But one-other
colorsd Members Think Plan Good.


Colored Members Think Plan Good.
There was a threatened disturbance
Wednesday in the ranks of Company X,
OF the Iowa Soldiers Home, which
comprise the membership of the old
mems building. Fortunately there was
no repetition of the Brownsville dis
aster, and the president is not likely to
be called in to discharge the instigators
Of the instruction. Captain Nicholas
Swenson 8 former we'll known resi-
dent OF Knoxville, who is in charge OF
the old mems building, Is the one at
whom the venom of the three colored
troopers is aimed, in an accusation that
the color line" was drawn at break
fast Wednesday, morning.
In Company 4, or. the old mems
building, there are eight colored mems
bers. Most Of them have been sitting
at one table, and 1T had just happened
to be that way Jake Howard, very
pompous, and the attorney" OF tho
would be insurrectiontsts. had a seat
at another table, as did also Leroy
Stevens. Richard d. Van Camp, an
other member, did have q seat at
another table, but because he was ABB
sent without leave for three meals, lost
his place, and, when 1t was filed, was
assigned to q seat at the table with the
other colored members.
The signs of trouble came Wednes-
day morning when Captain swenson
showed Howard and Stevens to seats
at the west table, where were seated
most OF the other colored members.
Howard Immediately said the color line
was being drawn, and refused to eat
Leaving with him were Stevens and
Luckado, and the three men were abb
sent from meals all day. This morn
ing Tor breakfast Howard was the only
absentee.
File Complaint at Headquarters.
Howard. Luckado, Stevens and Ed
ward Hatcher formed quartet that
appeared at headquarters after the
breakfast hour and registered COM
plant with Adjutant Walker. proclaim
ing that Swenson had refused to rec
ognixe them as American citizens and
had drawn the color line in the dining
room. The adjutant informed the men
that he was sure there must be some
mistake, but that when Commandant
Horton returned the matter would be
considered. asked them that they
create no dis srbance till the colonel
arrived, and ass Nred them that Colonel
Horton knew no difference in color
when it came to proper treatment Of
the men. Three of the men were in q
huff, however, and went down town,
where they remained all day. Hatch
Her, who Is a paralytic, and who has to
have his meals prepared for him, was
oh duty at mess call.
Swenson Talks.
Captain Swenson, when seen by a
T.-R man, ridiculed the idea of any
attempt having been made to draw q
color line. "If wanted to draw a color
line" he said, II would separate the
men in the rooms, and that has not
been done, neither is 1t contemplated"
See of the colored men in this room
are not in the least Objectionable, and
the white men would just al soon have
them as table companions as any of
their own race. There have been OBJ
jections to some OF the others, for the
reason that they drink too much gin
to be good negroes. Some Of the COL
ored men themselves suggested that all
of their color be placed at one table,
saying it would be more congenial- III
other homes, noticeably Leavenworth,
the colored members themselves asked
to be placed at atable by themselves fos
they enjoy one another's company bet
ter. AS most of the colored men were
already at one table, I thought it best
to change the places of two other mem
bers, and have them all together. But
two men are really affected by the
change. There is not one bit of differ
ence in the service, or the food They
have the same as all other members,
and are waited on by the same young
ladies'. There are still two white men
at the table where the colored members
are seated
"Tom' Scott Says IL. Right.
"Tom" Scott, the only colored mem
Der who could be found yesterday at
ternoon, said that In his opinion he
thought it was the proper thing to do
They do that way in other homes"
said Scott, and it makes 1t better all
around Sandy" Escue is another col
ored member who believes the change
is for the better. The only other coll
ored member in the building is John
Shorter. Neither Howard, Luckado nor
Stevens was on the grounds.
AS all but Howard were at break
fast this morning it is presumed at
headquarters that the instruction"
will die .'bornin.'" Colonel Horton ar
rived home this afternoon.
THE WALLACE FUNERAL.