Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-02-28

,Messrs. Bagby and Company in tho
PuDllcatlon of the indianapolis Lead
er the first Negro journalistic ven
ture launched in tho Hoosier State.
uiu, later on, when typographical
outlit was purchased. mastered tho
.raue OF printing. Taking as natural
10 newspaper work as q duck to watcr
ne MADE himself an Indispensable fac
tor Oh The Leader staff and at sew
ehteen was City Editor" At the same
time, in connection with his school du
Ties, nc Kept books for DR.. +. w. Fer.
IT'S, Secretary Of the Marion County
Board of Health. When the "Indianon
OILS World" was launched by Messsrs.
cooper. Ham, Christy and others. Mr.,
thompson took charge of the City I1e
partment and at different times dur
ing the palmy days Of that sheet. held
nearly every position on it from com
positor to Foreman of the mecbont.
cal department and later, MANAGING
Editor He had been fortunate I'm tht
matter or official recognition; at the
age Of fifteen during the session Of tho
lhalann Legislature which elected
fon1amin Harrison Senator no served
as Page,-being the first colorcd bow
'PbSi'1>N rtilcl ultalnlIp Ills ma
]orlty, he was named by Hon. Thorn.
as Iaggart as clerk in the County
hualtors office, and in 1883, through
the same instrunentality and n civ
!! service examination in which he
led class of seventy-five whites, he
was given better-paying position of
iI.'er carrier. In 1894 he was appoint
Gu clerk In tho Government Print
ing Oiico at Washington, ID. c., being
the first colored man to hold clcri-
cai position in that great printing
establishment.
AS Managing Editor OF the Wash,
lhgton Colored American" he won
national fame; he was graceful and
torclDle writer, a clear and courage.
Gus thinker upon all questions that
enect the Negroes social political,
and industrial development. He led.
rather than followed public senti,
mcnt and whenever he took a stand
upon any issue, It generally met tho
hearty endorsement Of the race ana
was accepted as the expression of the
best thought and purpose OF our peo
pie.
Az spicy Photographer, originator
OF taking features and keen obsery.
or OF popular taste, he had few EQUALS
and no superior In the army of Negro
Journalists OF this country. Mr.. Thomp
Hon served for q time In the office OF
the Recorder Of Deeds, under Mr.. H.
r. Cheatham: also served as publicf
ty Clerk in the Office of DR.. Emmett
j. Scott, Special Assistant to the See
rotary OF War. where he rendered
most efficient service during the Great
World War, and, at the time of his
death, was holding clerical position
In the Office Of the Adjutant General
of the Army (Tenth Street Branch,
Old Ford Theatre Building)
He was for a time President of the
National Negro Press Association and
carried to a successful issue the idea
OF Nation Negro News Bureau, hav
ing for some years past conducted
'"rhompson' News Bureau" at Wash
ington, d. CHS weekly letters pub
l1shed in various Negro newspapers
being eagerly read by thousands of
readers.
1t was largely through his influ-
ence and effort that the National Ne
gro Press Association was organized
at the Louisville, KY, session Of the
National Negro Business League
both OF which organizations have
been greatly benefited and promoted
by his forceful pen. He was for years
Publicity Agent for Tnskegee Inst1-
tute and was the first to refer to
Booker IT. Washington rs 1.-THE Wig
ard OF Tuskegec. His public spirit
and keen interest in the welfare of
his race brought him into helpful
touch with nearly all" the leading
Negro organizations In America, be
ing at one time Secretary of the Nat
ional AfroAmerica Council, identified
officially with several Of the literary
Lyceums with which Washington
abounded; detailed by the U. S.. Gov
eminent to serve in connection with
position; and frequently engaged to
exploit Educational, fraternal, and
business enterprises. So devoted was
he to newspaper work that he called
for the latest journals the day before
his fatal operation and, as he often
said, reading newspapers was. with
him, "ruling passion strong in
DEATH"
His earthly career Of 81 years
SO useful and inspiring, is ended.
"Yet shall he live" for his well-direct
ed efforts have done much to give char
acter and dignity to the Negro Race
in America and the world.
Contributed by William II. Davis.
Newspaper Corres~ondcnt and Official
Stenoer aphcr of tho National Negro
Business League.)