Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-06-16
POOR WHITE GIRLS
AID NEGRESSES IN
SCHOOL RAGE WAR
Also Sighted, They Say, by
Fashionable Members of East
Orange Graduating Class.

"I am going to the High School dance
at the woman's Club and I will be
accompanied by a gentleman of own
race and color" said Miss Isabelle
vandervall bright negro girl. when
seen at her fine home, II Ashland ave-
nue., East Orange, today. II might
have stayed away, but now that there
has been such a fuss made about 1t by
the white girls and the members OF
the Woman's Club, 1 intend to go there
no matter what happens"
There was fire and determination IN
the negro girls eyes as she said this
A little later she brushed away tear
when asked II she had been treated on
terms of equality by the exclusive
white girls in the senior graduating
class of the East Orange High School.
1T was TOO busy with my studies to
notice." she said, but 1 am every bit
as good as those white girls who are
making such row. I might also state
that my telephone has been ringing all
day with messages telling me to go to
the dance. 1 might also add that these
messages are not all from my own
race. Many are from poor white girls
who have noticed the superior airs pu'
on by girls whose fathers are wealthy.
Girls Have Fine Home.
When an EVENING STAR reporter
called at the vandervall home today
he was met by both sisters who are
in the class. The home has all the
evidences of wealth and refinement
The girls father is James N. Wander
vail, proprietor of the Essex Steam
Carpet Cleaning Works. and he is fair
1y prosperous. Isabelle. who is II, IL
considered to be one of the brightest
girls In the class. Irene, who is 10. has
had a five-year course. 1t is claimed
that owing to this she is not entitled
to ticket. AS a matter of fact. she
hasn't any, but says that she will &c
to the dance and expects to get in.
"I think what helped the trouble
along" said Irene. when her sister had
finished, was the fact that we voted
against allowing John Bangert ticke
to the dance. He Is bit of socia
lion with these swell girls. AS he Is
not a member of the class many wer'
opposed to letting him have a ticket
There was a meeting of the class 6
short time ago, and this matter camt
up. The vote was pretty close, and We
voted against II on. the general prln
ciple that as II was q class dance none
but members of the class was entitled
to a ticket. Bangert is the son of c
druggist, and some of these swell white
girls think that he is just about right.
Glass Division Charged.
John Hermann, manager of the dance
yesterday brought Miss Isabelle Van
dervall her ticket. That was after the
girls father had written for 1t. He re.
fused to make any comment further
than to state that while Isabelle is en-.
titled to a ticket, Irene is not, as she
has not completed her course in the
four years. Irene means to test this
however.
TALK about favoritism and class
division!" said Isabelle. This race
war isn't to be compared to the clas:
war that is on In the High School
Some of the rich girls turn up t~eil
noses at the white girls of poorer
parents. It Is only a short time age
that one of the poor white girls whc
made fine showing in drawing didn''
get her prize A rich girl got it,
1t was stated today that the girl!
have been beseeching John Hermann
the manager of the dance, to take of
the printed program all the Pau
jones' dances. and that he has agreed
to this request. In the Paul Jones'
dances all the dancers gather in a rims
and there is crossing OF bands.
No Paul Jones Dances.
'T wouldn't let a 'nigger' touch my
hand at the dance for anything" sait
one of the fashionable girls, who is a.
bitter and determined in her viewpoint
as is the colored girls.
John Hermann refused to make an,
statement today. 1t was declared
however, that a secret meeting will b'
held late this afternoon. 1t is sur,
that all Paul Jones" dances have beer
called off, and II Is possible that tn,
dance may be cancelled altogether.
Charles w. Evans, the principal o
the school, said today that Miss lisa
belle Vandervall was one of the bright
est girls he ever had In his class ant
that she was very well behaved.
Il don't care to be drawn into thi
controversy, however" he declared
when the dance will be held the pupils
will have been graduated and will b.
out of my hands"
Isabella Vandevall is preparing to en-
ter Cornell Medical School. Even he
most bitter enemies among the whit
girls say that she is a very clever girl
'It would be all right IL Isabell
would ouJv Gonna alone" said one of TIL
white girls of the class today. But
think her determination to bring I
negro is horfid."