davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
EXTRACTS FROM THE ADDRESS
OF PAST GRAND MASTER A.
r. CHINN OVER THE RE-
MAINS OF DR.. M. o.
RICKETTS,.

Break, break, break,
On thy cold gray stones, o Sea!
And l would that my tongue could ut
ter
The thoughts that arise in me-"
Brethren, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Last Sunday was a day like unto
this, and as the sun came up from be-
hind the eastern hills and took his
majestic course to its meridian
height, DR.. Rickett saw pencils of its
light as they glimmered and shivered
in the hazy ether; and about this
hour in the afternoon as the sun was
fastening toward the western horizon,
a cloud of darkness was gathering
near the pillow of the patient sufferer
and at $40 Monday morning, blighted
out the earthly light, the human vision
the light of mortality and he sank into
that dreamless slepp which knows no
awakening.
And today we are here to pay the
last tribute of respect othe memory
of this splendid man, this useful citi-
zen this erudite Mason, whom we
have loved, esteemed and delighted to
honor; to him whom the waves of ad-
versity cannot cause grief cannot
make sad, nor the rushing, roaring,
tempestuous conflicts of earth's rest
less ca awaken from hi calm repoe of
eternal sleep.
To know the real worth and charac-
ter of an individual it is necessary to
be at least somewhat intimately as
sociated with him and to get as far
as possible into his consciousness and
learn the deep varitie of his heart,
his inner life, then in charity sift out
the imperishable qualities of love,
goodness and purity from the dross
of life so often in evidence; this is an
essential prerequisite preceding the
ability to form just, conclusive esti-
mate of character and worth. Judging
| Dr.. Ricketts, by this measure, | have
no hesitancy in declaring that he was
good man, useful citizen, fine
Mason and preeminently a race man.
A statesman of no ordinary caliber,
proficient as physician, captivating
as an orator; brilliant as scholar
vet, Notwithstanding these high intel
lectual attainments, the key of admis-
sion into the most select aristacratic
circles his heart was always respon-
sive to the touch of humanity; he
neither decried nor looked down with
a feeling of disdain upon an unfortu-
nate fellow traveller, This exhibition
of the spirit of the "Lowly Nazarene
is indeed worth while.
Finally, honor, eulogize, pay tribute
and revere his memory because OF
I his worth to his race and humanity
4 because of the nobility of his soul ank
I sists II, !, i7s9a,assl,nyfy Of his mind. y
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
NEGRO FLORIST MAKES FINE
SHOWING.

Mrs. Bessie NJ. Weaver, Kansas
City's pioneer Negro florist, was
called upon last week to furnish flow
ers for two out of town funerals. One
was a prominent citizen of Plattsburg,
Mo. Floral tributes were sent for the
following organizations: Triangle
made of white and pink carnations
trimmed with Silvia, for Morning Star
Temple S. NJ. T.; a massive wreath
on easel for the daughters of Taber-
nacle; beautiful star with regulation
Eastern Star Chapter colors for Rising
Sun Chapter No. IA; Casket spray of
roses and sweet peas-the mission
Circle of Second Baptist Church; de-
sign of white carnations and narcissus
the Sir knights. At the funeral of
Dr. M. o. Ricketts,, of st. Joseph, Mo
Mrs. Weaver, by request, attended
and looked after the arrangement of
the flowers personally, Many COM
pliments were passed on the arrange
ment of the flowers, the exquisite de-
signs and the high class workmanship
displayed Many of the citizens of
st. Joseph say they have never seen
flowers displayed so beautifully Spe-
cial attention was given to the Mas
sive Keystone representing the Grand
Chapter of which DR.. Ricketts, was a
Grand Officer, also the handsome
magnolia wreath presented by the
Medical society of Kansas City, and
the beautiful harp made of carnations
and sweet peas trimmed with spring
geris and silvia, bow of chiffon rib
bon with gold letters saying: Allen
Chapel, Kansas City, Those who
were there to compare the work and
flowers have been convinced that
Mrs. Weavers is as good as the best
and the Negro florist is here to stay.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
Our Special Rate Only 3 Days More

Many resolutions, letters and tele.
grams of coincidence were read by
Prof. ]. H. Simms.
The honorary pallbearers were:
w. w. Fields G. G.. Williams
Harry Robinson N. C. Crews
r. L. Scott w. H. Jones
The active pallbearers were:
T. p. Mahammitt J. w. Robinson
f. j. Cooper A. d. Butler o
A. R. Chinn j. E. Herriford
Among those in attendance from
other cities were Messrs. r. T.
Coles, N. C. Crews, w. G. Mosely, f.
S. Baker, Anthony Dickens, Daniel c.
Houston, Richard Fulbright, d. N.
Crosthwait, w. II. Dawley, Horace
Bishop, W. c. Hueston, w. H. Brown,
E. G. Lacey, r. G. McCampbell, w. H.
Johnston, Fred w. Dabney, H. L.
Johnson, H. w. Miller, C. Harris, G.
w. X. Love, J. Barnes, VIM. Lamb,
DR.. and Mrs. e. B. Ramsey, DR.. ].
Frank Mcdonald, DR.. G. w. Brown,
Dr. T. A. Jones, and Mesdames Allen,
Crosthwait, Woods, Fitzgerald, Weav-
er Randall and Miss Maud Olden,
from Kansas City. Mo-; Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Smart, James Palmer and sew
eral others from Maryville, Mo-. ;
Messrs. T. p. Mahamitt Joseph Carr,
Alfred Jones, Mrs. Kate Wilson, John
Broomfield and wife, and others,
Omaha, Neb.; George Hicks, e. Hicks,
Lathrop, Mo-; VIM. Green, Clifford
Young, Mrs. Lettie P. Shade. Platts-
burg Mo-. R. A. James, c. c. Clark,
st. Louis, Mo-; E. ]. Cooper, Mexico,
Mo; A. r. Chinn and wife, Glasgow
Mo-; Ernest Boone, louisiana; Mr..
and Mrs. w. w. Fields, Cameron, Mo. !;
Charles Griggsby, V. T. Starks, VIM.
Parker, VIM. Capps, Liberty, Mo, and
many others whose names our reporter
was unable to get in the great throng.
No star goes down but that climbs
in other skies,
The rose of sunset folds it's glories up
to burst out again from out the
dawn"
Rest in peace.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
GREAT UNION MEETING AT MAR
SHALL MO. CLOSES WITH
MUCH SUCCESS.

Never before in its history has the
spirit of unity prevailed in the City of
Marshall, as within the last three
weeks. The meeting closed Sunday,
January 21, with As conversions and
more than one hundred reclaimed.
$4,000 was collected for expenses,
$105,75 of which was paid the Evange-
list The house was crowded last
Monday night to it's capacity, many
being turned away from the doors be-
cause of lack of space. The high
school boys painted sign. "Old
Fashioned Revival'-"City for Jesus"
Or F. F. Moten. Texas Tornado" and
presented it to DR.. Moten as a me-
mento of the work of the high school,
Many donations were received from
the popular business men of the
city. Mrs. Ida May MOten and Miss
Eta G. Moten joined the evangelist
at Marshall, Mo. They had just come
from their former home in Los An
geles, Calf. They came on to Kansas
City. Mo, with many, God bless
you" Luck to you" and best
wishes" from all the people, white
and black. Eta G. Moten entered
school at Western University, Quin-
daro, Kansas, Thursday the 25th, and
will take the collegiate course. The
evangelist and wife will proceed to
Ottawa, Kansas, for eight days work
and thence to Columbia, Mo-, to begin
a 21 days campaign with Rev. c. w.
Tillman and his co-workers. Rev, P
C. Crews, the presiding elder, vel
comes Dr. Moten to his district. Rev
Crews is brother of Editor Nelson c.
Crews, of the Sun. There are more
than 500 people in Marshall and 1000
in Kansas City praying for DIR, Moten's
success in Columbia, Mo. DIR. Mat
tison was the evangelist's medical ad
visor while in the city, and Mrs. A
Glasgow, Church reporter. The fol
lowing resolution offered by the
Ministers Alliance of Marshall, Nc
Whereas. the Rev. r 4, Moten
lJa5::svUiie&us me eyaaseuets al 7ia6'
A. M. Z, Church appointed by his
grace, the blshOp H. p. fafhs, mas
done such great work in our city and
brought together the Church people as
well as ameliorated feeling between
the races of our city and has gone
above the creeds and dogmas. and
Whereas his praises are being sung
throughout this city and for 20 miles
around by both white and black
alike; we highly recommend him to
any people who desire to hear the old
fashioned gospel and in an old fash
ioned way, and yet intelligently.
DIR. ], WILL JACKSON,
President,
w. NJ, SHAW, DID,,
Secretary.
a
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

Mr.. VIM. Hopkins, 45 years of age,
proprietor of the Cheap John" fur
niture house at 1924 Vine street, died
after brief illness Thursday at 8
p. m. He leaves a father and three
brothers at Springhill, Kans., wife,
two adopted children and a brother
here and a sister and brother in Pitts
burg, Pa. The funeral will be Sunday
at ? p. m. from Centennial NJ. E.
Church of which he was a faithful
steward under the auspices of Pritch-
ard Lodge, A. F. and A. M, of which
he was the Worshipful Master at his
death. He was an active worker for
the Negro Business League and a
loyal supporter of all Negro enter
prises. The Sun extends its sympa-
thy to the family.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

messed in the city of st. Joseph
DR.. Ricketts, passed away Monday
January Is, at $40 in the morning
wires that he was dead it created uni
versal sorrow in all those communi-
ties where he was known. The body
was Immediately taken in charge by
st. Joseph's leading undertaken, B. F.
Graves, and under the direction of
honored member, was laid in state in
the upper lodge room of their splen-
did Temple at Second and Lewis
streets, where thousands, white and
colored, viewed the remains. During
his illness his half brother, Oscar
at his bedside, also his daughter,
Helen, and his wife who has been in
Wyoming for some months, was with
him during the last days of his illness.
Grand Master W. w. Fields paid a
number of visits to the city and in
conjunction with his close personal
friend, A. d. Butler, and the officers
and members of Wilkerson lodge, did
everything possible for his relief.
The Masonic services began Satur-
day night, January 20. when st.
Joseph Consistory No. 29 of st. Joseph
assisted by Kansas City Consistory
No, held their Scottish Rite Services
beginning at Low 12 (MidnighD which
We're exceedingly impressive as well
as beautiful. Eighteen members of
the Kansas City Consistory took part
and the services were conducted by
Deputy Sovereign Inspector General
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
DR.. Matthew O. Ricketts,, who Had Won Fame
as a Physician, Legislator and Masonic
Jurist, Passes Away Aftera Painful Illness
The Races Greatest Masonic Authority
Hundreds Gather from All Sections of the West at St.
Joseph, Mo-, last Sunday to Pay Tribute to His
Memory and His Achievement
-sCHOLAR-THINKER

With all the honors befitting his
rank in Masonry and his achievement
for his people, the body of DR.. Mat
thew Othello Ricketts,, Past Grand
Master of Masons of the Jurisdiction
of Missouri, was laid to rest in the
beautiful Oakwood Cemetery in st.
Joseph, Mo-, just as the shadows of a
wintry evening indicated the closing
of fateful day.
Thousands of people crowded the
Church and lined the sidewalks of the
street along which the funeral cortege
wended it's way to pay silent token
of appreciation to one of the most
brilliant characters the race has pro-
duced in this western country. Ma
sons of high degree were present from
all sections of the jurisdiction and the
funeral was one of the most impress
sive and largely attended ever wit
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

A wonderful meeting is going on at
st. Stephens Baptist Church, and
many souls are being saved. Among
those converted this week was a man
60 years of age and woman who has
been at the mourners bench q years.
Enthusiasm is running high and the
meeting bids to be the greatest ever
held by Negroes in this city. DR..
Hurse is preaching as powerful gospel
as Billy Sunday ever preached, and
the singing of Miss Butler, of Texas,
has never been equalled in this city.
The Church is crowded nightly and
st. Stephens is making a record that
will long be remembered in this city.
There is a young army almost now
ready for immersion and more are be-
ing added each night. The meeting
will continue throughout next week
and all are invited.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
CELEBRATE CENTENARY OF
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
BIRTH.

| Appeal made to every Colored COM
munity to honor the great Colored
Abolitionist through Equal Rights
Leagues or committees for the cause
of Equal Rights.
ObserVances That Help Causes.
Great and vital causes are advanced
by honoring the memory of their il
lustrious exponents. When the work
of these moral heroes is yet unfin-
ished or is being undone, the present.
day struggle for humanity is
strengthened by public observances
of the anniversaries of the pioneers.
Such events furnish the occasion to
recall the careers and recite the no
Bile utterances of the great advocates
of reform. and to urge devotion to
their ideals. The sentimental appeal
which goes with the centenary of the
birth of a moral leader makes it's
celebration, if carried on in the spir-
it of its life-work, of telling help to
the same cause today.
Douglass Centennial, Feb. IA.
Hence it is that the National Equal
Rights League, representing the cru
sade of Colored Americans for rights
and liberties till denied, urges the
celebration of the centenary of the
birth of that greatest of all Colored
Champions of liberty and of Citizen
ship for Colored Americans, Freder-
ick Douglass, all day Wednesday,
| February IA.
! The League advises that these OBJ
| servances be in the name of the
| equal rights cause, and that in every
place where Colored Americans are
numerous, an Equal Rights Commit
tee or Equal League be formed to ar
range the centenary observance of
this great champion of equal rights,
New Years Message.
This is the first great duty of our
race collectively in the new year
1917, and is the Leagues New Year
| Message to the race. 1t will inspire
our young people with respect for,
/ and pride in their racial strain to
have brought out the wonderous abil-
! ity of this man born a slave. 1t will
| give courage to our men and women
| to fight in an organized way color
discrimination to learn of the brave
stand taken by Douglass on many
occasions. 1t will challenge the con-
science of white Americans to know
the life-struggle and the eloquent
plea made by him for justice to his
race.
Greatness of Douglass.
Douglass was the great Colored
Abolitionist. An escaped slave, he
eventually waged an independent cam
paign of agitation for the freedom
of his own race. The approach of
his centenary should be the signal
for his people to rally to the stand
ard of a fight of our race for rights
denied because of our race.
BY Equal Rights Leagues for Com
mittees.
Let there be fitting observance
throughout the United States of Am
erica of the Centenary of Douglass,
the orator, the abolitionist, the edi-
tor, the writer, the statesman, under
the auspices of Equal Rights Com
mittee, or Equal Rights League and
the Citizens, all day February IA
1917. Thus will our fight for rights
be strengthened in the land which
Douglass helped make one of free
dom for all.
BYRON GUNNER,
President, Hillburn, New York
WILLIAM MUNROE TROTTER,
Secretary, Cornhil, Boston
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
MRS. HHaalroRDs rArAER DEAD

During the last month Mr.. ]. w.
Baird of Centralia, Kansas, father OF
Mrs. Joe e. Herriford, Sr., and Miss
Brownlee Baird, of this city, had been
critically ill at his home. Mrs. Herri-
ford has been at his bedside for sew
eraI days and on last Saturday Prof.
Herriford and Miss Baird were hur-
riedly sent for. Mr. Baird later showed
slight improvement, however, and on
Wednesday, was brought to the
Wheatly-Provident hospital in this
city and placed under the care OF
Drs. Perry and Unthank. Thursday
at 1880. Mr.. Baird passed away
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

| Edw. S. Baker 33o and the beautiful
robes of the Kansas City Consistory
were used in the ceremony. Excellent
music was rendered both at the mid
night services and at the funeral
proper by the famous choir of Ebe-
nezer A. M. E. Church. st. Joseph,
Mo-, and the sermon and addresses
were of the highest order. At 200
o'clock sharp Sunday afternoon, Janu-
ary 21, the funeral procession under
the direction of Prof. VIM. Il. Jones,
Grand Marshall, moved from the Ma
sonic Temple to the Church at Third
and Antoine, headed by the Knight
Templar Band of % pieces from Kan
sas City, Mo, the Grand Commandery
Commander, and his staff, followed by
Northwestern Commandery and de-
tachment of the three Communicates
of Kansas City, the Commandery at
Omaha and scattering Sir knights
from Moberly, st. Louis and other
towns; then came Wilkerson Lodge
with its banners draped followed by
the Grand Lodge with Grand Master
w. w. Fields and the Grand Lodge
Officers and then long line of car
riage sand the car containing the re-
mains of the deceased. The Church
had been filled to- its capacity since
morning save the space roped off for
the fraternity and when the funeral
cortege reached the door it passed
through two lines of the ladies of the
Eastern Star commanded by Royal
Grand Patron, Geo. w. X. Love of
Kansas City and Royal Grand Matron
Mrs. Virgie l.. Walden of Columbia,
Mo-, and their full corps of officers.
After the fraternities had been seated
the following program was rendered,
Grand Master Fields presiding:
Music ................... Choir
Scripture Lesson. Rev. j. G. Robinson
MUSIC NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Cho1r
Prayer. ...J. Frank Mcdonald, D. D.
Solo. Mrs. w. J. Townsend
Resolutions. ...........A An
nounced by j. H. Simms, P r. G. P.
Remarks. .......N. C. Crews, p. G. NJ.
! IhuSlC NnOlI
Remarks. w. G. Mosely, R. E. G. c..
MUSIC ......'....'...... Cholr
Remarks. ........R. 7. Coles, P. GsM.
! Remarks. ......A "A. r. Chinn, P. G.. NJ.
MUSIC ..,...". ................. CnOlr
Paper. ........ Mrs. Virgie L. Walden
Sermon. ............ Rev. N. C. Buren,
Music .......,........... Choir
! o. E. S. Ceremony y............
....By Grand Officers, o. E. S.
Masonic Ceremony ..... Grand Lodge
The casket was literally buried be-
meath deluge of sprays, designs and
massive and magnificent floral pieces
from various sections of the country,
noticeably among which was beau.
tiful Harp from the contribution
raised by Allen Chapel and Mrs. John
Lange, a magnificent floral chair
from the Grand Lodge of Masons OF
Missouri, massive keystone" from
the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Ma.
sons and other beautiful designs which
were in the main prepared by Kansas
City's Negro floral establishments
the Crosthwait Floral Company and
the B. M. Weaver Floral Company
Both these ladies were in attendance
and rendered skillful assistance in
looking after the floral offerings
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
MY{AuTo, IT'S OF THEE

dedicated to Billy. Charley, PapI
Ed and the rest of the gang.
My auto, tbs Of thee,
Short cut 10 pppacty =
OF thee Giant;
blew a pile OF dough
On you one year ago,
Now you refuse to go,
Or simply can't.
Thy motor has the grip,
Thy spark plug has the pip,
And woe is thine;
l, too, have dreadful chills,
And many other ills,
Trying to pay my bills
Since thou vert mine.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
ST. STEPHENS BAPTIST CHURCH.
A Great Revival.

st. Stephens Baptist Church is Stir
ring all Kansas City With the Fer
vent Preaching of Or. Hurse and
the MatchIess Singing of Miss Lulu
Mai Butler and the Crowds Are
Filling the Building to its Capacity.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
PRICE, sc.
SHALL WE OBSERVE FREDERICK
DOUGLASS 1ooTH ANNI-
VERSARY?

The ministers say-Yesl
The business men say-Yes!
The teachers say--Yes!
In fact we all say-Yes!
Hence, Wednesday, February IA,
1917, let's all assemble at Lincoln
High School, the Peoples Forum and
recount his eminent services to the
race, the state, the nation.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
WANTED TO FIND

my brother. H. w. sP. Williams. If he
will call at 3OS5 Wyandotte Street, he
will hear something to his advan-
tage.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

The religious work committee at
the time this note goes to press is not
able to announce the order of next
Sundays service as telegram is ex-
pected from DR. ]. e. Mooreland stat
ing he win be present at that time.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

DR., Sheafe increased the deep i'm
preston, he had made upon the men in
the past, by his instructive address:
David the Shepherd Bay" on last
Sunday afternoon. The effect of the
address was heightened by his won
derful singing.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

Mr.. G. V. Golden, the well
known tailor, and Mr.. L. W. Fair
Of Ogden, Utah, have purchased
the Lewis Pool Hall and Barber
Shop at 16O9-11 East 18th street,
and are having it overhauled,
remodeled and fitted up in first
class style. The pool hall will
be equipped with the newest and
latest make of tables, seven in
number. The tailor shop of Mr..
Golden, now located at 1906 Z.
18th Street, will be removed to
the more commodious quarters
at 1911. The barber shop has
been leased to that popular CO.
terie of Tonsorial artists who
will be the proprietors: Messrs.
Henry A. Peace, Benjamin Nc
Cormick and H. T. Nealy. They
will be assisted by Mr.. T. D.
Henderson, ]. B. Broomfield and
H. X. Love and one other artist
to be selected. The grand open
ing of this de luxe establish
ment as well as the pool hall will
be February 1st and the public
is cordially invited to attend.
. An elegant rest room will be a
new feature of the establish
ment, as vel as modern sanitary
baths.
WATCH FOR THE GRAND
OPENING.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
st. Louis, Mo.
To the Sun:

l U Lue sun.
Enclosed find draft to pay for the re-
navel of my subscription to the Kan
sas City Sun for another year.
have found the Sun a newsy, helpful
sheet and l admire very much its
stand in behalf of the race and right.
Very truly yours,
GEO. L. VAUGHAN.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

The KaMo Gmy class which n eets
Wednesday at 500 p. m, has in its
lineup Kansas side High Schaal
teachers, 3 Kansas Side Ward school
Hfneipals; I manual training teacher.
2 railway mail clerks; real estate
dealer and one Missouri side ward
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27

The first same in the volley ball
league will be played between the Y.
NJ. c. A. Outlaws and st. Augustine's
Volley Ball team, Monday, at goo p.
m.
Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1917-07-20

Santa Fe, n. NJ, July l3.-Thir.
tv-four tracts of New Mexico state
land We're sold at public auction at
Silver City. Tuesday, chiefly to Grant
county cattemen. The land. practi-
calv all of which was of the rough
grazing class. is IN the western part
of Grant county. The "a tracts
ranged in area from 40 10 10000
acres and totaled 90. 163 acres. The
total price received for the lot was
S23S, 1929, or an average Of SAL
an acre. All of these tracts were in
the - per acre minimum area. The
highest price paid was 1855 an acre,
paid by the Bear Creek Cattle COM
ranv for l76O acres of high grade
grazing land and for which there was
active competition. There will be no
further sales of state land until Au.
gust when number of important
sales will take place in various
counties.