The Colorado statesman., 1917-07-21
NEGRO YOUTH STABS LOCAL SOL
DER IN FEAR OF HIS LIFE.

On Sunday afternoon last on an in
bound Englewood car, Paul Massin-
gale, a Negro youth of about II years,
stabbed Joseph NJ Nelson, member
OF Battery B of the recently formed
state troops in an alteration over
seat in the street car. 1t is stated that
the trouble was caused over Massing-
ale's refusal to give his seat to a
WHITE WOMAN on the request of
Nelson and number of other soldiers
who were passengers on the car, and
who would not offer any of their seats
to this gentle sex of their race, but ap-
preached the Negro and demanded
him to vacate his seat. Nelson, with
his fist clenched, stood over Massing-
ale (as the boy asserts) and said to
the other soldiers: Lets throw him
off the car" The car being in motion
at fairly high rate of speed, and the
young Negro realizing the imminent
danger and the majority against him,
resorted to the only source of protec-
and hence the soldier was hurt. The
boy remained on the car with no at
tempt to escape, was arrested and now
is in the city Jail.
Fellow Negroes!' the tests are COM
ing fast, furiously and numerously, and
we must prepare to respond, not in a
heat of passion; not suddenly in our
retaliation, but with that deliberate
ness which will bring about results
that may transform our greatest op-
ponents or enemies to our best sup
porters and friends.
We know this boy of our race and
his parents for many years among the
most quiet, inoffensive citizens of Den
ver-the boy working honestly as
At this stage it is imprudent to offer
an opinion as justice must have its
course, and relying upon the fairness
of our jury and jurists we expect
thorough investigation and just re-
suit upon the wrongdoer in this mat
ter-that is whether the soldier or the
accused youth was the aggressor, and
whether under the circumstances the
boy acted on the impulse in self-de-
fense.
Keeping within the bounds of the
law, we are quite in order to suggest
anything that will help towards sue
cessful defense, and our advice for
careful action in our speech, etc, does
not intend to convey I'VE must not get
busy" Let us move with electric-like
gait. and with that expeditions feature
insuring the best legal help for the
defense of this youth-not tomorrow
or the day after, but TODAY. Individ-
uals, church leaders, fraternal organ
izations, get ready. Open your treas
ury, loosen your pursestrings, and If
necessary empty your pocketbooks be-
cause this case is extraordinary, and
with the recent happenings to our peo-
pie in other parts of the country and
III proximity to our state, how soon or
under what circumstance we know not,
but we are convinced now, if at no 9TH
er time in our history the Significance
of PREPAREDNESS. Do not hesitate,
as this is not case of civilian versus
civilian, but a civilian versus Uncle
Sans agent, the peoples war repre-
sentative and instrument to enforce
pease, so that the Importance of the
matter on both sides removes from an
individuality of action to something
collective and representative.
Many of us know the parents as be-
ing good Christian people in our COM
munity and their endeavors in training
this boy, and therefore in practical
way we can show our sympathy by Of
fering some timely help in assisting
to secure him every available means
of help in this his unprecedented
trouble.