Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-04
AFRICAN METHODlSTS
DISREGARD THREATS
BOARD PROPOSES TO ERECT A
CHURCH
Effort Made to Burn Building intehoeo
for Parsonage, and Members
of Society Discuss
Outlook
rsnecin1 10 The Herald.l

PASADENA, March 3.-The board OF
trustees of the First African Methodist
church met this afternoon to discuss
plans for erecting a fireproof bulldlhg
in place of the mission design Whlch
was nroposed to be built at vernon
avenue and Kensington street ms
action was taken as 81 result or con-
tinued threats on the part OF Whlte
citizens to burn the church as soon as
completed and an attempt last night
TO burn tho building to be used as
parsonage.
The board is composed of w. ..
Runch. butler for Charles D. Blaney'
William Prince, porter Pasadena Ma
tional bank; Frank Prince, porter
First National bank; j. W. Davies, 1oo
work; Henry Wright, court house. Los
Angeles; Tap Tyus, street sweeper
and j. oliver, who is out of the city.
1t is stated that several threats of
bodily injury and property destruction
have been made TO colored citizens
lately. and this morning there was
found in the closet of a vacant build
ing on the proposed church premises
a flve-gallon can of gasoline win
waste, matches and fuse arranged IN
such a way that 1t was supposed to be
automatic. The fuse had burned out.
The outfit was turned over 10 the
police.
Members Of the church trustees state
that they have a clew as to the person
who placed it, and the matter Will go
to the district attorney.
w. S. Young and Fred Hummelke
white residents near the proposed
church site, state that the house is
worth $500. Mr.. Young says there is
a strong sentiment in the neighbor-
hood against the coming Of the colored
congregation and that efforts will be
made to induce them to sell the prop
erty for an addition to the Carmelita
Fairgrounds. I'VE offered to submit
the appraisement to five prominent
buienss men as to the price, and we
interviewed some of the employers of
the colored trustees asking them to
use their efforts to persuade the board
to sell. but we did not ask the dis
charge of anyone, as the colored people
claim"
William Prince, chairman of the
board of trustees of the colored con-
gregation, stated this evening: I'VE
are not excited. but viii go ahead and
build a mission structure as planned,
the cost to be $7777, unless these threats
are discontinued, when we will alter
the specifications and build q flreproof
church, and we may do this, anyway.
We are American citizens and will
look out for our interests"
Rev. G. M. Tilden, pastor of the
church, says that the bonus of $1,000
which was paid by white residents
near the present church on North Fair
oaks avenue was not an inducement
to move, but on the other hand sew
eral persons offered them a bonus to
remain in the present quarters.
Residents there state that the
proposition TO sell came from the
colored people, who wanted $4,000 for
the property, with the statement that
they desired to move on account of
high board fence being built close by.
G. E. Billings, owner of adjoining
property, offered approximately S2600
for the place, and several neighbors
who wanted the colOred church to
move made up the balance, which is
estimated at $1,000, and the deal was
closed for $3S00