davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
COnfesses to Mail Robbery in
Order to Get Sleep.

Chicago, ILL.,, Dec. 30.-Edward VAL
entine. a Negro arrested few days
ago at the request of the Kokomo,
Ind. police, told the police that a
confession" he had made last night
Of 100000 mail robbery was
thought up on the spur CT the moment
to satisfy detectives who kept him
from going to sleep by their contin-
uous questions.
Those detectives wouldn't let me
sleep" said Valentine. "They kept ask
ing me everything in the world and
was getting too tired to keep on
answering them. l thought of the
Omaha. Neb., mail robbery, so 1 told
them n nice story about how / was
one OF the gang that robbed the car
that we got 100000 That satisfied
them and they let me alone and had
fine nap. But I wasn't in that hob
sleep
Valentine today asked that the
jailer to keep those detectives away"
saying that If they kept him awake
too much he might have to confess to
murder so as to get some Sleep"
Valentine, according to the police,
also Confessed TO mail robberles in
st. Louis. Kokomo and West Chicago
Ill. When post office officials heard
of Valentines alleged confession con-
cerning the robberies where S3,56O, 900
worth of securities where $3,500,000
told the police that II was highly Inn
probable that Valentine was in 1t with
the result that further questioning
brought the reputation Of the first
confession"
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
FUGITIVE FROM GEORGIA CLAIMS NE
CROES ARE STILL HELD AS PEONS ON
|MANYFARMS.
Claims Many Overseers Sill
Used And That Men and
WRsnen Are Forced to Work
Eagms.

New York city. N. ", Dec. BOA
startling story of peonage in the Geo
gia town Of Monticello, with Colored
men in the cotton fields whipped by
overseers armed with guns, is con-
tanned in letter which The Evening
Mail obtained today from the Nation
Of Golored People, 20 Fifth avenue.
The letter, which comes from the
Chattanooga branch OF the assocla-
' .l9n' contains q transcrip Of the story
told pyVWill Thomas. who escaped by
night walking twenty-five miles By
road % escape the virtual slavery
which, according to his account, pre-
Thomas said that he had been in
ministerial work on Sundays at Mon
ticello. He said he was forced to pick
from 300 TO 500 pounds OF cotton daily
at the point Of gun or crack OF a
AT Monticello. the plantation owners
nave from I'VE to twenty-five families
on their PLACES. Twenty-Five families
overseers constantly armed with guns
whips and clubs which were used un-
sparingly on the Colored victims, ac-
corrdlng to Thomas.
Thomas further stated that the Col
ored people know absolutely NOTHING
or freedom within the radius OF twen-
ty-five miles of Monticello. He said
they We're guarded in their church
worship at time and intimidated by
work by day, and int Undated hy
mobs at night when they were locked
up FOR safekeeping, until O'clock In
the morning, when they were aroused
TO go TO work
The wives and children, to9. must
work by their husbanas on 6le own
ers plantation, said Thomas
Children, Thomas, said are allowed
TO so 20 school until they are twelve.
when they are taken out and forced
20 WORK under the same conditions
as their fathers and mothers
Thomas said Colored people are AL
lowed TO acquire real estate which Is
later seized without due process OF
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
MOB PARADES NEGRO VICTIM THRU.
STREETS OF CITY BEFORE STRINCINC.
HIM UP.
Claim That Jaier Calmly
Turned Over Keys to Them
After Only Slight RemOn-
STRANGE.

Jonesboro. Ark, Dec. 30.-Wade
Thomas, the Negro who, Saturday
night shot and killed Elmer Ragland,
a policeman, during n raid on a dice
game here. was taken from the jail
here Sunday night by a mob of about
400 citizens, and, after being paraded
through the business streets OF the
town. was hanged to a telegraph pole
near the scene of his crime. The body
was then riddled with bullets.
Thomas was arrested at Hoxie, Ark,
and was brought to the Jail here. Ar
rangements had been made to, call a
special session of the grand jury on
Monday TO handle the case promptly,
The mob went about its work quiet
ly, the leaders demanding admission
from the iailer, who. after urging that
law be allowed to take its course,
turned over the keys. Thomas was
taken from his cell and, with a rope
around his neck. was paraded for sew
eral blocks through the central part
of town, the 400 or more members OF
the mob following quietly. The rope
was finally thrown over the cross
arm OF a telegraph pole and, af-
ter the Negro was apparently dead,
the body was rlddled with bullets. The
mob Immediately dispersed, and the
town is quiet. A number Of other Ne
groes held in the jsll in connection
with the shooting of Ragland were
not molested
Before being taken from the jail,
Thomas admitted shooting the police
man, but claimed self-defense, as the
officer was firing at him. he said.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
43 MEN ARRESTED AS
NIGHT RIDERS FREED FOR
LACK OF EVIDENCE.
We're Known as Obligation
Lodge and Met at Night in
Church.

Cullman, Ala. Dec 30-Cases drawn
against 43 young white farmers of
Cullman. Blount and Marshall coun-
ties. arrested several weeks ago on
charges OF completely in "night-ri riding
of court here when the State failed
to present sufficient evidence to war
rant conviction.
A forfeiture on the bond of $500
posted by Robert Voss. one of the
original defendants, was ordered when
he failed to answer to his name, and
II was ascertained that he was not
in the county. The cases occupied the
attention of circuit court all day, an
unusually large crowd of people from
the three counties affected being in
attendance For the State Solicitors A.
a. Griffiths and B. Bland appeared,
the defendants being represented by
T. 70. st. John. The State offered ten
witnesses and the defense 43.
1t was brought out at the trial that
the alleged. "night-riders" met at
night at church about is miles east
or Cullman. The name which they had
chosen for. themselves was THE Obli-
CATION Lodge" and one of the most
prominent and influential farmers in
Cullman county was alleged to have
been implicated In the matter.
Notes, threatening gin owners, ac-
mite caps. were dispiayed at the trial
but owing to the lack OF evidence
present It could not he proven that
the defendants had had any dealings
whatever with the so-called might
The following is the obligation,
which. It was said, all members Of
the obligation Lodge" swore them
selves to:
Under the present situation of the
cotton market we deem it necessary
to stay the gin system as long as the
business body of the lodge deems it
necessary, to secure the full value of
the present cotton crop; we do hereby
obligate ourselves to abide by the
Instructions of the business committee
and the committee to the body. We
do hereby obligate ourselves to stand
to the rights of our freedom and to
answer any call given by our breth-
rem to carry out the resolutions here
In set forth. and should fail I deem
myself to be classified by my fellow
brethren. All this we sincerely prom
lse, so help me God.
Written by Committee"
State Fire Marshal William J. Will
liams, who swore out the warrants on
which the men were arrested, and
several deputies of the state law en-
rorcement squad. who aided in serving
them, were in attendance on the trials.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
Maryland Senator Advocates
Development Of Africa.

Baltimore. Nd, Dec. SO.-The de-
velopment of Africa and the recent
" owned German colonies in that
continent by white and Colored Ameri-
cans was advocated BY Senator Joseph
/. France, OF Maryland, in an address
recently, before the National Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Colored
People at the Academy of Music in
Senator France suggested that the
Allies fix the German indemnity at
$15,000.000.0 crediting that nation
for the African colonies taken with
50, 100000, Then he added:
These colonies could then be sold
by the allies to the United States for
q a. sum in the neighborhood of from
five to seven billion dollars the
Allies receiving credit in this amount
agatnst their indebtedness to the
United States. In this way Europe
would pay q large part of her debt to
us. She. would then be in a position
TO purchase from us supplies for her
rehabilitation, the foreign exchange
situation would be relieved and recon-
struction would proceed rapidly.
The United States would receive
Tor very dubious assets a million
square miles of territory-about al
most one-third her total area--and an
opportunity would be offered to white
and Colored Americans 70 do their
part in cooperating with other ma
uons in the development of that won
derful continent.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01

"A mob attacked Norman at the
polls at Ocoee. beat him severely and
demanded that he go home. Not sat
isfied with this. evidence shows that
the mob formed In larger numbers,
went to the Colored settlement. set
fire to 1t. cremating all of the Colored
men, women, and children who were
In the buildings. Eighteen homes,
TWO churches. one school house, and a
lodge hall were burned.
When Negroes attempted to flee
from the burning buildings they were
either. shot down or driven back into
the flames. Among those burned TO
death were a Colored mother and her
Two weeks old infant.
1t Is said the community that be-
tween eight and ten whites were
Killed. The total number of Negroes
killed Will probably never be known.
Before the embers had cooled
members of the mob searched the
ruins eagerly for the charred bones
o. the victims as souvenirs, This Of
Iers but one of the many instances OF
1he mob violence now occurring in the
south most of which are not report
ed In the newspapers
The Ku Klux KIan's revival ia
causing rapid increasein the tense-
ness OF the feeling in the South, and
unless the activities in inviting race
prejudice OF men like the imperial
wizard of the Klan are checked by
decent law-abiding citizens serIous
uouoie cannot be averted."
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
CHICAGO NOW USES CURFEW LAW TO
COMBAT GREAT CRIME WAVE.

stop to their depressing operations.
This attitude has resulted in creating
more cordials civic relationships be-
tween the races than has existed here
in great many years. 1t has also
helped the police to round up O. great
er number of white criminals than
the department has been able to get
heretofore because the Negro citizens
have insisted on the closing of pool
room resorts that have harbored GRIM
color.
In reality the cause for the big
crime wave" that has been sweep
ing the city with almost telentless
fury during the past few weeka can
be laid to the large number of unem-
ployed men who are moved to desper-
ate menas IL most instances. to elIe
out an existnuce. Not few of the ap-
pretended. Negroes are first offenders,
at lease they have nc criminal record
in the local police files.
Chief OF Police Fitzmorris has con-
Quoted his ralds ard maintained the
"Curfew with praiseworthy Impair
tiality. The result has been fewer
holdups and burglarles during the
past week.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
n P INVESTIGATES CLAIMS 30 NEGROES SLAIN IN FLORIDA
POSED AS FARM PURCHASER And HEARD CITIZENS
BOAST OF ROASTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN in HOMES.
SAYS MOST CONSERV AIIVE ESTIMATE PLACES NUMBER
OF DEAD AT THIRTY TWO. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGA-
TION WILL BE URGED BY ASSOCIATION.

New York. N. Y, Dec. SO.-More
than thirty Negroes were killed in
the election riots in Orange County.
Florida, according to statements told
to Walter F. White of the National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People. Mr.. White was oc-
ocee incognito and questioned resi-
dents of that town. many of whom
were themselves in the mobs that
committed the crimes Accounts of the
killing at the time declared that five
Negroes had been burned to death,
one lynched, and two white men kill
ed in the rioting.
A Congressional investigation will
be demanded.
The testimony taken at Ocoee will
be presented to the Department of
Justice at the departments request
Friday by Mr.. White, who Is assis-
tant secretary of the association. He
was In Ocoee. Friday, November s, and
questioned the residents of the little
town, which is twelve miles from
Orlando.
The testimony that Mr.. White will
offer Is all hearsay. 1t is impossible
to make a thorough investigation, he
said, because of the care with which
all information is guarded. An Off
cial Investigator. he added, is in con-
stant danger of his life. Photographs
and depositions he declared to be out
of the question.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01

Mr.. White gained his information
on the Ocoee massacre as a prospec-
tive purchaser of land. With such an
Introduction he could ask questions
freely and receive unrestrained ans
swers without being subjected to sus-
picion.
Although newspaper dispatches of
November declared that five Negroes
were burned to death, one lynched, and
two white men killed in the rioting."
declared Mr.. White to the Evening
Post today, evidence gathered on the
spot proved that far larger number
was killed.
Talked with Many Citizens.
Il talked with a large number of
white citizens Of Orange County, In
cluding lawyers merchants, court Of
ficials, and others OF the type who
would be conversant with the facts.
The lowest number given of Negroes
killed was thirtytwo; the highest
fifty-six. The average number given
was between thirty-two and thirty
tive.
1T was declared that Moses Nor
man, whose attempt to vote, after the
local Ku Klux Klan had warned all
Negroes that they would be killed II
they attempted to vote, had neither
paid his poll tax or registered. The
registration books at Orlando, the
county seat, showed that he had
qualified in every way and had prop
erly registered.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
(By d. N. P.l

Chicago. ILL.,, Dec S0.--A fun fledged
'Curfew' is in operation in dear old
Chicago. Negro bandits are in part the
cause for this latest drastic police or
der. Nearly every street in the city
has recently been a genuine danger
spot where desperate highwaymen have
waylaid and robbed citizens, without
regard to race or color. This situation
has been one singular instance in
which color has been no barrier eith-
er In the eyes or minds of the princi-
pal actors In the sordid. criminal
drama now being played in this city
OF conflicting emotions.
Negro bandits have been startling
and sinister figures I'm the hoidup and
burglary operations OF the past few
weeks. Some OF the most daring Jobs"
have been done by Negroes. They have
waylaid and robbed Negro and white
alike, showing the same careless In
difference TO the color line that their
white brethren trade have displayed
The better element In the Negro
population has Joined with the police
department IN its commendable efforts
70 sEcprers the criminals and put q
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
Proposed Negro Stock Ex-
change Will Deal in Negro Sc
curitieS.

New York. N. Y, Dec. 3O.-A stock
exchange owned and controlled solely
by Negroes, in which trading will be
only in the issues of corporations
owned and managed by Negroes, is to
be opened in Harlem about the first
of the year. A charter, under the
name of the Harlem Stock Exchange,
has been obtained, and the incorpora-
tors are arranging for the lease of a
building at Seventh avenue and 13Sth
street. The stock of the new exchange
ls $4,000 common of $5 par value, and
$4,000 tirst preferred s per cent, par
Tbe r,tses fsSsk Of or tSS 20 psT value
who nave applied to the National Sur
ETY. Company for bonds of $4,000
sgSh. are Randolph l.. Brown r. M.
Williams and Eugene L. C. Davidson.
Austin, John E. Nail. Rupert NJ. VIII
liams. G. Udell Turpin, A. A. jackson,
a. ID. Hadley, j. c. Tetley and Charles
Anderson, the last named the presi-
dent of the Harlem Exchange Bank
Dayidson. who has an office in IA
William street said yesterday that in
New York, alone are more than 100
all backed by Negro
capital selling securities to Negroes.
are veny bar are rgo g0Gd ne sSd s
propose to separate the sheep from
the goats and to safeguard the Negro
investor by a guarantee that when
the stock is listed on the Exchange
sound financial condition 1t is a go-
ing concern and can fulfill its prom
ises"
Davidson named a real estate cor
poration. banking corporation, a toi-
let goods manufactory, a moving pic
ture concern, and half a dozen other
business enterprises, all owned, man
aged and patronized by Negroes, as
among the probable stocks to be
traded in. The Exchange proposes to
charge 80 per cent of all commissions
on the sale of stock received BY
brokers operating on the Exchange.
Trustees of tn organization said that
based on the minimum trading of 500
shares a day and the minimum COM
mission of 81. the Exchange will earn
$4,000 a year.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
MAYS BEING BOOSTED FOR BIG
OFFICE.
(By a. N. p

Chicago, Dec. s0.-R. L. Mays, Of
Chicago. President of the Railway
Mems Industrial and Benevolent As
ISOLATION, with headquarterg in Chica-
go, is being urged for the position of
Director OF the Bureau of Negro Econ
omics, under tho new Secretary of
Labor.
Mays is one OF the most aggressive
young men of the race, and has built
up the railwsy mems OF ganization to
a position of power, influence and
helpfulness. During a recent visit to
with HIS Organization, IN company
with Col Henry Lincoln johnson. Mr..
MAYS visited the Capitol. whore he
I'M reduced to q number of the leaders,
and the word passed along. II 10 saic
that Congressman Madden Of Chicago,
favors MAYS for the place. One Of the
claims OF the friends OF Mays for his
fitness IL that he Is a prac
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
Would Establish COnserVa.
tory Of Negro Music.
Ry A N PN

Duluth, Mimi. Dec SOTO establish
national conservatory, for the pur-
pose of preserving Negro music, as ex-
pressed in the folk songs, Mrs. Har-
the Washington Conservatory of Music
organized drive to last 10 days, to
raise 100000 to endow Such an insti-
tuition. Tho Washington conservatory
was the first conservatory movement
among Negroes in this country, and
during the II years of its existence,
has among its graduates 40 of the
leading artists of the country.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
Seek New Trial For
Virginia Slayer.
(By A N. p

Richmond, Va. Dec. sO.-counsel for
William II. Turner. OF Alexandria, con-
victed In the Federal District Court
here last July of the murder Of T.
Morgan Moore. torpedo expert IN a
government reservation the night OF
May 2S, near that city. argued for a
new trial for their client In the Cir
cult Court Of Appeals. their principal
eontention being that District Judge
Waddill erred in admitting Testimony
bearing on the criminal attack which
Turner was alleged to have made on
MISS Pearl. Clark, secretary to Repre-
sentative Britton. OF Illinois, who was
on an automobile ride with Moore the
nignt Of the murder. fhey insisted
that admission OF such testimony SER
the jury.
Meanwhile, Turner, who Is under
sentence. of death. Is being detained
In Henrico County Jail. this city.
AT the trial Turner admitted shoot
ing Moore but asserted that he open
ed lire only after he had heen twice
wounaed ''v py Moore. Il WAS principally
be was convicted.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
BISHOP BROOKS VISITS ARKANSAS
CONFERENCE.

Warren, Ark, Dec. 30.-Bishop w.
Sampson Brooks. of st. Louis, recent
ly assigned to work in West Africa,
was a visitor to the African Methodist
Church Conference here. He made an
address before the conference, appeal
ing for aid in his efforts to evan
gelize the dark continent" Bishop
Brooks said he expected to establish
several schools there for missionaries.
Bishop /. N. Ross, presiding Off
Ger of the conference, in an address
declared that prohibition has proven
the country's salvation. and that Me-
groes were great beneficiaries He
condemned the use of tobacco by
preH chers.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
GRANT PAROLE TO DALLAS MUIR
DERER.
fRv A N Pt

Austin, Texas. Dec. 30.-Parole from
the state peniteutiary has been grant
ed by the governor to Henry Gooden,
Jr., Negro, who was convicted Of
murder at Dallas, and given term
through the efforts of the United
Charities and similar organizations in
Austin which have been supporting
the vile and four small children du-
ring his Imprisonment.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01

college, as well as friends of the col
iege living in the neighborhood, offer
ca assistance In caring for the stud
by homes
The building was erected sbout 20
Of the North Carolina conferences ~
the Methodist Episcopal church, assG Is
the property Of the board of educa-
ton FOR members OF the church, with
headquarters in Cincinnati. The board
mas been notified that steps Will be
taken 70 replace the building.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-01-01
LEAVES SMALL FORTUNE TO REV.
@. T. WALKER.

Augusta. Ga, Dec. 30.-General Rush
G.. Hawkins. organizer OF the famous
Zouaves In the civil war. died recent
", leaving a large fortune. Among his
bequeaths was $4,000 for Rev. DR.. g.
I. Walker, my talented, eloquent and
work In the uplift Of his race"
Charlevoix county herald., 1921-09-02
RANNEY NOTES.
Edited by Mrs. B. E. Waterman

Herman Schultz and wife motored to
Boyne City Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Jamison from
Flint were Sunday visitors at Arthur
Stewards.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bradshaw were al
Petoskey Sunday.
Miss Edith Hollinshead has been
helping Mrs. Louie Mayville the pas
week.
Mrs. Z. Z. Fansler of Holland, who
has been visiting Mrs. Waterman lef
Friday for her home, intending to visi
at Traverse City over night with friends
Mrs. Carl Shepard and baby visited
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Clyde Hol
linshead few days last week.
There was a goodly turn out at Mr.
DANGERS sale last Wednesday. We
regret having Mr.. and Mrs. Dangler
leave here, but it has been very un'
favorable season for them to under
take farming. Our best wishes tC
them in whatever field they enter.
Mr.. Waterman and Mr.. Hollinsheao
assisted Archie Moss Monday in fran
ing his new house.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Thompson are
both very poorly
Mr.. Waterman has Soy beans in his
corn field four feet high. They are in
blossom and have pods.
Mr. Rowland and family of Alton 90
down in the gulch road with their auto
last Wednesday and had to be drawn
out. This is a very bad place for cars
and a notice to that effect placed a
either end of the road would be a fine
warning to drivers.
Mesdames Cummings, Madison anC
Nyquist and Miss Agnes Green were
Sunday callers at Mrs. WATERWAYS.
On account of il being almost impos
sible to get up the Vance hill, the mai
carrier has been coming our way the
last week.
John Nachazel and family, Mrs
Frank Detlaff were Sunday visitors a
Fred Nachazels.
Roscoe Smith, Ira Bradshaw irwin
Crawford, C.. Say and their families
were at Petoskey Sunday and visited
Mrs. Harley Ensign at the Lockwood
hospital.
Nate Liskum, Roscoe Smith Ira Brad
shaw, C.. Say and their wives were a
Central Lake Monday evening anC
attended surprise party given Mr.