The Colorado statesman., 1922-06-17
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA BUREAU OF
NEGRO WELFARE AND STATISTICS,
CHARLESTON
By T. EDWARD HILL.

always been of the most cordial nature,
there has never been race riot in the
state, nor has anyone been seriously
threatened; each race treats the other
with respect and the leaders on both
sides try to be fair and work together
for the advancement of all and the
highest development of the state.
For many years it has been very diff
ficult for Negroes to buy farms and
homes in the most desirable sections
of the state because of the high prices
demanded, especially has this been
true of the best farming sections.
When the 1920 census report appeared
showing that there We're only 504 Ne
gro farm owners in the state, de-
crease of 204 during the past ten years,
several of the leaders became alarmed
and began to look about for good farm
land which could be purchased by Ne
groes on the easy payment plan. n
group of white financiers had pur-
chased 10000 acres of virgin land in
the blue grass section of Pocahontas
county, w. Va, and hely an option on
1000 acres more in the same section.
This land is located in the best farm
ing and cattle raising section of the
state and it was the purpose of the
purchasers to cut it into farms of from
80 to 100 acres and sell it to white ma
tives and foreigners. The writer and
two representative Negroes approached
the representatives of the owners of
cutting the land into ten-acre farms
and cut up lots in proposed town site
and give Negroes the opportunity of
buying upon the easy payment plan.
1t was with great effort after many
conferences that the owners were con-
vinced that Negroes would purchase
farm land; but, finally, Messrs. Jas. S.
Kahle, Bluefield, and J. r. Woodson,
Princeton, representing the owners,
agreed to give Negroes chance to
get this valuable land upon the easy
payment plan.
The promise that Negroes would buy
farm land is being kept. To date more
than 200 West Virgiaians have pur-
chased from ten to 100 acres, and
nearly 100 are cleaning up and cult
waiting their tracts.
This is the first opportunity Negroes
in large numbers have had in West
Virginia to purchase desirable farm
land in either small or large quantities
upon the easy payment plan and when
all of this acreage is sold they may
never have such an opportunity again.
This land is the best farming and graz
ing section of the state, railroad runs
through the entire length of 1t with n
regular stop at Watoga, it is touched
by an important state road which will
be hard surfaced at an early date, it
is near to several large and small cit
les and towns and within six hours
ride to three of the larger cities of the
state it is within twenty miles of the
great White Sulphur Springs resort,
and there is a ready and convenient
market for all of the produce the
farmers have to sell.
The ownership of farm, however
, small, makes more desirable and de-
pendable citizen, gives him more inde-
pendence and self reliance, makes him
better able to live comfortably through
business depression and to face old
age with serenity. Where farming
communities have good schools and
churches and are convenient to towns
and cities, they are the ideal places to
rear strong, healthy, clean children
who will become producers as well as
/ consumers.