The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1917-03-29
PAGE -FOUR

had been brutalIy beaten with wooden slab BY
The 5MATRON OF THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.
That night Mr.. Cole reported the occurrence
70 the Civic League, which appointed a committee
to investigate, naming Mr.. Cole as Chairman. On
receipt of their report, Mr. Cole was appointed by
the League to swear out warrant for the arrest
Of the Matron
The fact that the Matron was Roman Cath
Olic, and A NIECE OF PETE DIGNAN'S was not
known to Mr., Cole. When the arrest made,
the Matron was held ON HER OWN RECOGNIZ-
ANCE. The Orderly, who had witnessed the deed,
and was the principal witness against the Matron
Immediately LEFT JACKSONVILLE, and went to
Georgia, AND FAILED TO APPEAR AT THE
TRIAL; which seemed purposely delayed, in order
to give the We1ts the victims black skin time to
disappear, as much as possible, before the Roman
Catholic doctors appointed by the court made the
examination. Therefore at this late date the
charges against the Matron not substantiated
for lack of evidence.
Afer the warrant was issued, PETE DIGNAN
MET MIR. COLE ON THE STREET, and remarked,
you've done all right up to now but you've made
mistake this time, AND WE WILL RUIN YOU
IN SIX MONTHS, and in the end SEND YOU TO
THE POOR HOUSE"
Mr.. Cole was selling and installing acetvlene
light plants and, at the time that the Matron as
saulted the sick negro, he making a good
living, with number of orders ahead, all of
which were cancelled, by Catholic agents Offering
to install plant for fifty dollars instead of
hundred and fifty, the price Mr.. Coles contract
called for Mr.. Cole wrote to the manufacturers
asking how his competitors were able to make
such cut-throat prices, and the reply was, "They
are paying the same price charge you
When Catholic agent came down from Chicago.
and camped MIR. Coles trail, and all new orders
he obtained were cancelled, Mr.. Cole of course
was quickly forced out of this legitimate and for
merly we'll paying source Of revenue
He then applied for position in a wholesale
business house, the Manager answered, 1--WE dare
not employ you, Mr.. Cole, beCalse the company
would lose more than you could make for u.s.
Various applications met similar reply, all Pro-
testant firms In the State feared the Catholic boy
colt, and it's leader PETE DIGNAN, THE POST
MASTER OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
When kind friends forced to supply food
for Mr.. Coles family in desperation he began
substituting as a Pullman Conductor
Soon afterward the knights of Columbus were
60 attend their Convention in Tampa, and Mr..
Cole called to take out the special. When the
Knights saw their Conductor they held the train
twenty minutes, refusing to travel with him AS
no one could be found to take his place. he
allowed to accompany them. But as soon as pos
sible the discouraged Protestant received his per-
manent discharge from the head Office of the Pull
man Company of Chicago.
Thus again, the boycotting Catholics forced Mr.
Cole to pay for attempting to protect a sick and
aged black from the Matron's cruel assault.
Mr.. Cole went to Tampa, seeking employment,
but his applications met the answer given
him by the homo firms company Of friends,
who understood the situation, provided funds for
Mr.. Cole to open restaurant in Jacksonville.
The house and furniture seemed completely Sc
cure but at every turn his plans were subtly and
never be opened. Mr.. Cole and his family fed
from the wrath WHICH PURSUED THEM INTO
GEORGIA, and, from that State, they were forced
to become homeless wanderers forever marked as
victims of the Roman Catholic boycott.
-,.-R