The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1922-10-21

the Pioneer doing all they could
to discredit him. They could not
attack him with full force lest they
be accused of defending Wardeil
and Broder. They ignored the politi-
cal issue and conferred their attack on
Clarewood's racial origin. and thus
worked UP considerable Indignation
among the lower classes of the city.
The Union, Joe Lightner's paper,
stood boldly out in Clarewood's be-
half.
This is the time" said the Union,
for the fathers and mothers in Ellis
ton to show whether they really want
clean city for their choldren. Par
ents and citizens, your hand has
been called. After many years Of
noxious conditions, you have dis
trict attorney able and courageous
enough to attack them successfully.
He has done this at an appalling
personal sacrifice. He is prosecuted
not because OF a chance drop of
Negro blood in his remote ancestry,
but because he did what you elected
him to do"
Such straight talk made its Inn
pressions upon thinking people, but
socially Clarewood was done for.
He was dropped from his clubs and
asked to give up his pew in church,
which was so exclusive that it would
not have admitted the Negro who
carried the Cross up Golgotha.
/ But Clarewood's case was not for
long the exclusive property of Ellis
ton. In a week 1t became a national
affair and papers all over the country
were commenting upon it. The South
ern papers of couse denounced Clare
wood savagely, the Northern papers
| praised him and those Of the West
showed a liberality which was rather
surprising.
John Clarewood's story had been
printed side by side in the Union
with an article by Reverend Ash,
Clarewood's pastor. Reverend Ash,
to excuse the silence of the pulpit in
the matter, said that this was q
racial affair in which the church had
no voice. and that it was perhaps
best that only men of pure Caucas-
ian blood should hold public office.
Clarewood told his story just as
it happened; he did not spare him
self one pain.
The Union accompanied the artic-
les with scortching editorial
against the ministers, asking what
had become of Christ, suggesting
that politicians be put in the pulpits
in the places of ministers. and charg-
ing them with cowardice.
The result of the two articles and
the editorial was that a special meet
ing Of the ministers was called.
Clarewoods story had won many OF
them and others had felt the pres
sure of mothers and fathers in their
congregations. At the meeting they
passed resolutions praising the dis
trict attorney for his vigorous en-
forcement of the law.
In the meantime John Clarewood
went grimly about his business as
district attorney, preparing his cases.
He had won a victory, as an officer
and as man. And through his career
in Elliston was blighted, his personal
standing was higher than over. Even
those who gave him the cold shoulder
ACKNOWLEDGED that he was better than
they.
All this time he had not heard
from Virginia. News of her finally
came in letter from her father.
From the newspaper" said the
letter, Il have learned the true rea-
son for my daughters sudden visit.
Were I younger man. or had l a
son you would by this time paid
the price of death for your Monstrous
imposture. You have forever black
ened the name of Bellmore, one OF
the fairest in this country. My daugh-
ter shall Immediately have this mar
riage annulled and you dare not
oppose it. AS for you, my age and
infirmities allow me only the pleasure
Of calling you black dog out Of
hell.
Jackson Bellmore"
/ ITO be continued next week.)