The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-12
WHAT THE NEGRO is DOING
FOR HIMSELF IN THE SOUTH,
To the Editor of The Age Herald:
- c

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
Nearly all the backward races are ex-
ceedingly sensitive to the touch of crit
icism. Perhaps China is an exception
to this rule. They have a civilization
of their own, which they consider SUI
perior to all others. Japan, struggling
to take her place among the powers of
the world, was greatly encouraged in
her war with Russia by England, her
great ally, and by the United States.
whose moral support she enjoyed.
The negro is a backward race, strug-
Cling to take his place as a useful Amer
lean citizen. He be very greatly
encouraged by even kindly word spoken
by his white neighbors. When John B.
Cough was friendless and homeless and
discouraged, Joel Stratton laid his hand
upon his shoulder and spoke words of
encouragement. The first glimmer of the
star of hope then shed its beams upon
his pathway. 1t was the turning point in
Coughs history. In the coming days,
the negro will always remember words of
encouragement spoken by the white peo-
pie.
In my first article / wrote an account
of the Macon County Negro Fair, show
ing the great variety of the exhibits
and the perfect order of the 1000 visitors
In my next article I wrote about few
prosperous negroes. Last week I called
attention among other things to the
watermelon King" ]. d. McDufy of
Ocala, Fla In every large city Of the
south there are negro contractors and
| builders. In the execution of the con-
| tracts these builders are required to make
personal or surety bond for the faith
full performance OF the contract To be
able to make these bonds contractors
must have considerable cash, and I'M
encountered property far in excess of
| their liabilities. Negro contractors with
these requirements have no difficulty in
making their bonds.
| W f. Pharrow Of Birmingham has
made wonderful success along that line.
! Twenty-Five years ago he left his native
town In Georgia where he served his
| apprenticeship at less than 90 cents a
| week. and was secured a position in Au-
| gusta, Ga Here he worked at $l.25 a
| day Five years later he moved to At
| lanta, where he secured employment by
| white friend at 81 a day and at the
same time attending night school. In
1902 Pharrow was drawing salary Of
| $3.50 per day as foreman of one Of the
largest contracting firms in the south.
Later. he went in business for himself
constructing several large buildings in
Birmingham costing from 5000 to 49,
| 900. At first, he was only able to take
contracts for the labor. while the owners
| furnished the material During the last
| four years Pharrow has been able by
| having sufficient cash and unencumbered
property to make straight contracts. fur
| nshing both material and labor. Prob
| ably his largest contract was the First
Congregational church Of Atlanta, Ca. at
cost Of $4,000. In three years he con-
tracted buildings in Birmingham and At
| lanta at an aggregate cost of 100000.
/ was attending the National Negro
Baptist convention at Birmingham a few
years ago. Among other distinguished
men introduced was Junius c. Groves.
native of Kentucky. now of Edwards,
| Kas. He was born a slave and Is full
born negro. He is called the Negro
| Potato King because in one year alone
he produced upon his farm 721,500 bushels
| of white potatoes, averaging 245 bushels
| to the acre $50 far as reports show,
! says DIR. Booker T. Washington, this
! was 125.50O bushels more than any other
grower the world has produced Besides
his farming interest Groves has large
holdings in mining and banking stocks
| He is regarded perhaps the most success
full farmer In the country. He was born
in Green county, Kentucky. in 1859. Groves
ships potatoes to all parts Of the United
States and Mexico, and Canada.
These are some illustrations OF what
the negro is doing for himself when prop
erly encouraged by his white neighbors.
A. r. OWENS,
! Tuskegee Institute. December o 1907