Phoenix tribune., 1918-10-19
COLORED PEOPLE IN G|[A COUNTY
AR|z. MAKE WONDERFUL PROGRESS
DURING PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS
A Report of Conditions as They Exist
Among the colored People in
Southern Arizona.
By Alvin Booth.

By Alvin Booth
GLOBE, Arizona, Oct. 1.-THE pro-
gress made by the colored people OF
ella county, Arizona, during the past
twenty-five years has been phenome-
nal. At present there are upwards
of two hundred and fifty colored men
in this county, so per cent of whom
are married and have families. The
majority of these men own their own
homes Their holdings are mostly
town realty and they are worth from
SO, 900 to $4,000 in their own right.
Good Schools and Churches
For the most part, the colored pop
ulation of ella county are sober and
industrious people, cmmanding the re-
spect of all business men. At present
we have two churches, Baptist and
Methodist, with regular paid minis
ters for each. The church edifices are
valued at $500 each and are good, SUBJ
stantial frame buildings. We also
have a Masonic lodge which meets
twice each month, and in addition to
this is the Progressive club. These
organizations have a membership OF
about twenty each and are in flour
ishing condition. There is a county
schoolhouse, given over directly to
the colored children, under the super
vision of the county school superinten-
dent The teacher is a colored lady
and highly cultured, graduate of
Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.
Industrial Pursuits
There is one high class billiard and
club room in Miami owned and man
aged by members of the race. Messrs.
Coleman and White are the gentlemen
who own this enterprise. The others
of the male population are employed
as drivers of delivery wagons, porters
and employees of the mines and rail
roads in various capacities. A few of
the more wealthy members have
reached that station in life where they
can speculate in real estate and the
buying and selling of stocks, mining
property, etc. The past six or seven
years our people have given an Eman-
cipation picnic on the 10Th of June of
each year These picnics have always
been enlivened by an interesting pro-
gram, consisting of eloquent addresses
and other literary endeavor. Ball
games, foot races and many other
sports are INDUCED in at these gath
erings. An account of this celebra-
tion is always given considerable
space in our leading home papers.
These picnics have been attended by
our white brothers from all over the
county, and they have been made
welcome in every sense.
Politics
Politically. the majority of the col
ored people are inclined to the Repub.
klican party There are some who are
Democrats.
Wages Good
/ wish particularly to call attention
to the superior advantages which Ari-
zona, and especially this county, offer
the colored laborer. This is a good
field for the industrious black man.
Wages range from $5.15 to $500 per
day of eight hours for common labor.
Living expenses are low, costing on an
average of $1.00 per day. Families
can live much cheaper. While Arizona
is note dior high rents, good homes
may be secured at a reasonable rent.
wish to say that women find ready
employment here. God cooks are paid
salary of $45 to $50 a month, and
in most instances a room is furnished.
also can truthfully say that colored
man has the same privileges as his
white brother, provided he has the
is noted for high rents, good homes
terest in public enterprises. He is
given an equal opportunity of increas-
ing his worldly holdings with others
engaged in the same business. Again,
wish to say that in my opinion, Ari-
zona presents a splendid field for the
means, to buy in On stocks or an in
dustrious, economical and respectable.
From my past experiences in this
county l can say that this class will
receive cordial welcome and be ac-
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