Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-06-03
A DeNvER ORGANIZATION THAT
HAS GROWN NATIONWIDE.


We grow accustomed to home con-
ditioAs and overlook what would be
marvellous in a visitors eyes. One of
the most marvellous things in Denver
is tie American Woodmen. This is
strictly a fraternal life insurance COM
pany. taking the place among us oc-
CUPID by the Modern Woodmen
among whites. Up until a short time
ago The management of the organiZa-
ton Twas vested in white men, but
now colored men are at the helm. c.
NJ. White, who came TO the city from
Austin, is the Supreme Commander.
L. n Lightner is assistant supreme
clerld Two ladies are employed in
the dice Miss Stella Carter and Mrs.
Doray Payne All of this is gain for
the 1hce in money and in influence.
No e4stern or southern city can show
sttbnger insurance organization
Thk people of Denver have in their
midst a very deserving coloced en-
terprtse that seems to have attracted
but very little attention. We refer to
the Supreme Camp OF the American
Woodmen that occupies two large
modern office rooms in the Arapahoe
building. fitted up with the latest ap-
pliances for the conducting of insur-
ance business. And. we believe it not
a mistake to give a brief history of
this Organization that is doing SO
much. for the uplift OF our people.
This society was organized in 1901
by some of the most experienced men
of fraternai life insurance to be found
in this country. II was established
On Or, ~ sd 8 = ss,sRs; sss:4 irss s'ss
new features which had been found
by experience to be essential to
sound insurance. 1t was ably man
aged by these founders for more than
nine years until the volume of busi-
ness had grown to such proportion un-
til the duties devolving upon the su-
preme clerk. ]. c. Kennedy. became
too arduous for his declining years
BY this time they were firmly estab-
lished in all of the Southern and most
of the border states.
From the incipiency of this organ
ization 1t had been the intention of
the founders. who were white men. to
place the management in the hands
of colored people so soon as its sue
cess was an assured fact. In accord
ance with this idea there was selected
in August. 1910. from among the
ablest colored men who had idenu-
fled themselves with the order.
corps of officers to continue its man.
agement along the same broad lines
upon which it was founded They
realized that in selecting president
or head of the corporation they must
exercise the greatest care and 1udg-
ment. 1t was essential that he should
be a man with thorough knowledge
of the insurance business, of high
honor and integrity and perfectly con-
versant with field and organization
work and familiar with the local con-
ditions of the colored people through
out the South. The board without
dissenting vote selected Prof. c. NJ.
White OF Austin, Texas. for thu posi-
ton. He had been Identified with the
order from its foundation and as clerk
had built up its largest camp and as
state deputy had built up its largest
and strongest state organization.
There are associated with him a
corps of efficient officers who have
succeeded in bringing the American
Woodmen to the forefront of all col
ored insurance societies. BY select
ing their membership with the great
est care and adopting the National
aternal Congress rates the vaiida-
ton Of their claims gives them al, II
rating in the insurance world.
II may now be said to be a purely
Negro enterprise for Negroes. Be
sides the numerous state organiza-
tions. the Supreme Camp alone has a
payroll of over $350.00 every month
and over s1.00 per month is paid to
the colored printers of Denver for
stationery, pamphlets, etc.