davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11
Hitchcock Now Predicts
TranSOceanic Air Mail

One of the first practical results
seen from the flight by Colonel
Lindbergh is transoceanic air mail,
in the opinion of Frank III. Hitch
cock, Postmaster General in Taft's
Cabinet.
Hitchcock, who is here for the
reception to Lindbergh, established
the first air mail service. 1t was
from Garden City to Mineola., L. l.,
not far from Roosevelt Field, from
which Lindbergh took off for Paris.
The first mail was sent through
the air in 1911.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11
CROESUS, So, DIES

LONDON, June 11.--Lord Sway
thing, head of the banking firm of
Samuel Montagu and Company, and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11
What's Doing Today
and Tomorrow

Today
Dance-City Club. Beaver Dam Coun-
try Club. 10 p. m.
Outing-University of ,Pennsylva mia.
Club, meet at 1901 Wisconsin Ave. N. w.
p, m.
Fete--All Souls Unitarian Church, 8
p. m
meneement--National University
Law School, Memorial Continental Hall,
p. m.
Patriotic Washington Hebrew
Congregation p. m.
Concert-S Soldiers Home Band, SAB
D. m
Convenuon-Chi Sigma Sorority, Carl.
ton Hotel.
Ball--Benefit Mississippi flood suffer-
ers. Mayflower Hotel, 10 r. m.
Art Exhibit--St. Mary,s Church Fifth,
between q and II SITS. n. W
,Excursion-Busiuess High School
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11
Spirit of st. Louis"
Will Be. On DisnIav

The Esprit OF st. Louis"-silent
partner in Charles A. Lindbergh's
famous ''we''-wilI be on exhibition
tomorrow afternoon ON a barge off
Hams Point.
Demand from local people and
visitors to see the plane caused
Naval officials to arrange to dis
play the famous plane tomorrow.
1t will be put on a Naval barge
and towed to point Just off the
Speedway, the Capitals boulevard
drive through East Potomac Park.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11

companied by fitting program Of
speeches and music.
st. Peters Parochial School also
graduated a class last night. Rev.
e. ]. Connolly spoke briefly to the
25 seniors before the diplomas were
given out.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11
40 Holy Cross Students
Receive Their Diplomas

Rev. Clarence E. Wheeler, pastor
of Holy Cross Church. last night
presented diplomas to 40 pupils OF
the ParochiaI School which was ac.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-06-11

one OF the richest men in the
world. died today at his home in
Remington Court after several
weeks Illness, he was So years old.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
, CRINGING FELONS GRANTED
LAST.MINUTE AUDIENCE WITH
GOVERNOR FAIL TO FORE
STALL GOOD FRIDAY DOOM.
(By VIM. B. Southall in The
Tin, oh

(By VIM. B. Southall i'll The
Times-Dispatch)
Drama more real, more tense,
more gripping than any ever offered
in the mimicrv of the theater was
staged last nigh between the walls
of the Virginia State Penitentiary
Two condemned fe.ons, frighi ened
cringing. pleading for lives that
would pass out with the rising or
another sun, appeared before Gov
ernor Byrd to invoke a qualify OF
mercy they had denied to others.
Both of them-these Negro men,
Henry Perfey and William Thomas
are in eternity noY ). In executive
clemency they caught at slender
thread Of hope which faded with the
coming Of Good Friday.
It was tragedy in essence-this
appearance of Perfey and Thomas
before the only man on earth who
could save hem their lives.
The men denied their guilt. One
of them was convicted of murder In
the Circuit Court of Norfolk County.
On a whiskey expedition an automo-
bile tire was needed His compan-
ion, Perfey said, did the shooting.
The other was tried in Madison
County for a crime chat is regarded
everywhere as the objectionable sin.
He was innocent. 1t was piece OF
bread he went for, Thomas said. NO
thought Of wrong doing crossed his
mind. But, without the fortify1nS
innocence of Jean Vatican, THOMAS
went this morning to pay the pen
atty for hunger.
:, Both Negroes were fearfully 1g-
norant. They were born into an un-
kind world; rney were ushered out
of it because they could never IN
derstand what it expeded of them.
AS Perfey rose before The Govern
or, pleading, and turned to. walk
back to the place of his doom, a
bugler, unconscious OF the moving
drama within the drab walls OF the
penitentiary, blew taps.
A longT long goodnight to Percy
Another dawn. and Il would be ut
ter darkness for him. The curtain
had been rung down on stirring
scene in the drama.
The felons had asked that the
Governor grant them the opportun-
i'y to plead for their lives. He left
the light and happiness Of the Ex-
ecutive Mansion for the sordidness
"over the HILL" in order that he
might satisfy himself that the scales
OF justice had been correctly adjust
ed. He went back convinced the
majesty of the law would be upheld
this morning when Perfey and
Thomas had paid the extreme pen
atty.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
PROF. HANCoCK's LETTER d.

To Editor Of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir,-Your valuable paper Of the
fifteenth instant carries the account
of the execution of two Negroes, one
being convicted for murder and the
ether for rape. The Governor went
in person to their death-cell to hear
their last plea for life, which he re-
fused to grant; and both Negroes
therefore paid with their lives the
penalty which Virginia exacted So
far as the doomed Negroes are con.
cerned, the incident is closed but
there is left occasion for the COM
nunity's solemn reflection in bare
allusion of the reporter who said
that "The two Negroes were fear.
fully ignorant" and. in this allusion
is contained tragic story.
We are going to assume that the
grand jury that indicted them acted
in accordance with the testimony
given; that they were tried and con-
victed beyond a reasonable doubt"
that the sentence imposed by the
court was the only just one after it
had been established that they were
of sound mind; that Governor Byrd
was wisely using executive preroga-
tives when he denied the doomed
men their last plea; that Richmond
and Virginia will not long remember
the unhappy end Of two Negro fell
ons. Yet there is something tragic
in the justice that calls for the lives
Of the "fearfully ignorant and it
matters little thai they are the lives
of black or white men.
That our lives and our homes are
endangered so long as felon is at
large in our community is too aD-
rarent to need discussion here; that
our community's common safety de-
mands the cooperation Of all citizens
white and colored in the appreheu-
sion and punishment of criminals
who are ever a threat 20 every home
and happiness in our fair land is
equally obvious, but the execution
of the "fearfully ignorant" as a
means of conserving our sacred In
stitutions is at best solemn pro-
cedure.
To be sure, it satisfies commun-
itys cry for vengeance and may ap-
parently register a community's grim
determination to protect itself
against it's rebellious elements; but
it can hardly subserve the higher
ends of Justice; neither can it inspire
respect and reverence for the laws
of the land.
There is something strikingly pa
thetic in the plea of one Of these
''fearfully ignorant" Negroes as he
stands in the shadow Of death. He
promises that if spared he will not
BE- sassy TO nobody, and hat he
viii do his work He is accused
and convicted of one Of thr fo1lest
crimes to which mankind is liable
the crime against womanhood; yet
in the moments that should have
been filled with arguments relative
to the deeper and more serious side
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
Richmond Awaits
Construction Of
New Hospital

At largely attended membership
meeting, which was held at South
ern Aid Building, 527 N. End Street
city, on Wednesday night, March
90. 1927, the new Board or Direct
ors was elected and Officers for the
ensuing year.
The Directors: DR.. w. Fl. Stokes,
DR.. w. T. Johnson, DR.. M. b.
jones, DR.. o. B. H. Bowser, DIR.
I. A. Jackson, DR. A. A. Tenant.
Rev. l.. H. Dickerson, Rev. A. D.
DAILY, Mr.. Charles N. Jackson, Mr.
Jacob Wright, Mr.. B. l.. Jordan,
Mr. James M. Frayser. Mr.. James
T. Carter, Mrs. Vera Boiling, Mrs
Eliza Norrell, Mrs. Mary Binga and
Miss Rosa Taylor.
The Officers: Dr.. w. H. Stokes,
President; Mr.. Charles N. Jackson,
frs- Vice-President; Mrs. Vera Boil
ling, Second Viee-Pfesident; Mrs.
Eliza Norrell, Third Vice-President;
Rev. L. II. Dickerson, Fourth Vice
President; Mr.. Jacob Wright, Fifth
Vice,President; Mr.. B. L. Jordan,
Treasurer; DR.. W. T. Johnson,
Secretary; Rev. A. D. DAILY, First
Assistant Secretary; Miss Rosa lay
lcr. Second Assistant Secretary.
This meeting was the most en.hus
iastic yet held; many new members
qualified, among them being some
OF our leading physicians.
A resolution prevailed as to
amending the charter, SO as to in
crease the number en- the Board or
Directors from fourteen to fhir'y
members, and other matters requir'
ing attention.
The date of the next membership
meeting is the f,urth Wednesday in
April. which is the 9th day Every
one in the whole community is coz
dially invited to attend. Place OK
meeting: Southern Aid building,
527 N. 2nd Street, Richmond, Va.
al y o'clock P. M.
Subscriptions received at last
Mem hership Meeting: DR.. VIM. n.
Hughes, $100; DR.. Fred D. Brown,
500: DR.. 7 A. Jackson S100; Mr..
Charles N. Jackson, $50; DR.. E.
Sheridan Roane, 800; Mr., Bernard
l.. Peterson, $40; DR.. o. B. II.
Bowsor, S100; DR.. D. w. Davis Jr.
500; Dr.. George w. White, 800;
Miss Rosa A. Taylor 800. Total
$3.50 90.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
"FEARFULLY IGNORANT"

ELSEWHERE on this page today is
printed n letter from the Rev. Cor,
don B. Hancock. an able and devout
man who serves his people as pastor
of the Moore Street Baptist Church
and as professor in Virginia Union
University. The letter deals with 90
tragic a subject and it is in itself
so extremely we'll written and so
impressive that any possible falla-
cies it may contain are vir ually
obscured:
"Grant at the outset that there
is something tragic in the justice
that calls for the lives Of the fear
fully ignorant and it matters little
that they are the lives of white Or
black men, Grant, 100, as we must
that there was something strikingly
Continued on page 81
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
Governor Visits Death Chamber
Tragic Scene at Virginia
Penit ntiary.
Rev. Gordon B. HdncOck'S Remarkable
Letter=-- -TImes=Dispafch Editor
Makes Reply.

of life this poor Negro thinks OIL
sass and holding down "Job.'
It is true there is connection be-
tween these and the serious phgnt
in which he found himself, yet the
connection is hardly as immediate as
his words suggest and the steps be-
tween sass and the crime for which
he was about to die were too Tor
tuous to be traversed by the mind
OF one of such fearful ignorance.
"They were fearfully ignorant"
This can be said of thousands or
those executed in his country in the
past and of the thousands that Will
be executed in the future and es-
pecially is it a commen'a ary on the
fate Of thousands Of Negroes lynched
and Of others consigned to death by
The laws decree. Should "fearfully
ignorant" he made to pay the su-
premest price for their folly? Does
not fearful ignorance constitute a
mitigating circumstance Tor any
doomed man? Whose is he fault
when a man is "fearfully ignorant"
If ever here is warrant for the
jury's recommending mercy it should
be found in culprit's fearful lg-
norance." and if ever executive Gle
mency should be righteously invoked
i: should be in behalf OF the fear
fully ignoraN doomed to die. and
if ever community should lift its
voice against capital punishment Y.
should be inspired by the lot of the
'fearfully ignorant. 4"
God forbid that he should ever
escape the laws strong arm who
lays unholy hands on woman and
may God also forbid that the execu-
ton of the ''fearfully ignorant" in
Virginia should be regarded AS mere
ly matter Of course and a
trivial incident calling for only
a passing thought. The business OF
executing the "fearfully ignorant"-
even though these be NECROSIS
tragic and fearful and can never be
satisfactory safeguard to the no.
bier sentiments Of community.
"The two Negroes were fearfully lg-
norant" is the subjct Of a tragic
story.
1, To plead for the thousands Of
"fearfully ignorant" Negroes done to
death by mobs and consigned to
death by the courts Of the land were
futile, but TO plead for the thousands
that now live and who may share a
like fate is a bounden duty hat is
a challenge to the powers that be-.
Every cent invested in Negro educa'
ton, every opportunity given Ne
groes to make good citizens of them
selves, every upright Negro armed
with a ballot, are so many attacks
on the fearful ignorance that men
aces the peace and safety Of our
common land and which hangs like
milestone about the neck of The
Negro race in it's upward Struggles
When the School Board Of Rich
mond hears the petition of the Negro
teachers of Richmond for the small
increase of % per cent in salaries
NAV it be remembered that it Is a
plea for a more efficient teaching
staff and a direct attack on the
problem Of the fearful ignorance
that augments the ranks of Negro
criminals "The two Negroes were
fearfully ignorant"
GORDON B. HANCOCK.
Richmond, Va, April 16, 1927.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
The Time is at Hand.
(Gordon B. Hancock)

The time is at hand when the
Negro must face certain facts which
are pressing upon him. II the Ne
gro would aspire to higher education
he NAV as well make up mis- mind
to pay for it himself. Those magnan
imous whites who founded the
schools that form the backbone OF
higher education for Negroes have
maintained these schools; but with
in the last generation there has been
hut little increase in their number.
This may indicate changed con-
ception of what education for Ne
.groes demands and in its last
analysis it may be the white man S
silent ultimatum to the Negro ID
prepare to pay his own way in the
matter of his higher education.
And why not? The Negroes eco
nomic status is rising with an en-.
couraging rapidity and his soclai
life is expanding in some instances
with a pretentiousness that COM
mands the attention of the world.
This improvement among Negroes is
bound to- raise the question of the
Negro's increasing ability TO should
or the responsibility of financing his
own educational enterprises. And
philanthropic whites are lncllnlng
more and more to pass the burden
OF Negro education to- the Negroes
themselves.
Again, Negro speakers and writ
ers are loud in their praise of the
Negro achievements and of his apil-
ity to compete with whi"e men on
equal terms. In far too many in
'ances our newspapers are extraya-
eanzaS Of praise for the Negro and
his accomplishments are extol!ed IN
season and out Of season and the
world is called upon 20 sit up and
take notice.
! Just what reaction ;he white
philanthropist gives to the Negro 8
estimate Of the Negroes progress is
easy to imagine; for the white man
doub. less feels as many Negroes reel
that the Negro's accomplishments
and capabilities should be registered
il a willingness to assume ever
larger responsibilities for his own
education. The Negro need not hope
10 extol his greatness and expect the
while whites to finance his educa-
ton. If we are great in our achieve
ments we should also be great in
fostering the education that aftords
the basis OF these achievements. II
We are the equal of the white man,
as we so loudly proclaim and SO
honestly believe, We must be willing
to assert it with dollars to finance
our own education.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
WOMAN DIES ON NEW YORK
EXCURSION TRAIN

Returning to Philadelphia from
Richmond on the excursion train
Sunday P. M. a light-skinned, grey
hair iunkHown woman, weighing
about 1876 pounds, wearing a black
hat and coat, was taken i'll, and re-
moved from The train at Ashland,
Va. and died in the depot.
She carried brown Boston bag,
a paper bag containing two pounds
of corn meal, two cups and saucers
with pink rim. -,
Information Of her identity Will
be gladly received by John 9. Win
ston, Undertaken, Ashland va. or
A. D. Price Jr., Richmond, va.
Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York papers please copy.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
(To be continued)
FOUNTAIN BAPTIST NEWS.
Rev. A. R. Vanlandingham, Pastor
NJ. V. Johnson, Church Clerk

Sunday, April II was high day
at Fountain Baptist Church. $3.50
A. M. Sunday School was largely
attended. Al 1890 the members
and friends turned out in full
strength. The pas'or, Rev. A. r.
Vanlandingham delivered the SER
mon. Subject, "The Empty Tomb !"
The people went out from the morn
ing services saying, Didn't our
pastor preach. :"
$3.50 P. M. Rev. E. d. Caffee,
pastor of st. Luke Baptist Church,
accompanied by his choir, preached
n powerful sermon. Subject Walk
ing With God" He gave US great
message.
, 500 P. M. our pastor delivered
q powerful sermon. Subject Perfect
Satisfaction Two came forward
and united with the church. The
Easter offering amounted to $97.45.
Sunday, April "a is Communion
day. The members and friends are
asked to be present.
-.-Richetta Fields, Church Reporter
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
LODEsTONE SECRETS.

Send SO for 81 worth lodestone,
81 worth Magnetic Sand, Csc worth
John the Conqueror Roots, 75c for
Secret Book of Luck, and ] will send
you free my Mystic Lucky Glass
with instructions Used by many to
insure success in all undertakings
and against evil influences. will
not send this order C. o. D. unless
you send Csc to pay postage and
fee. Money refunded if this order is
not satisfactory and returned. R. D.
WESTER, 457 E. 47th St., Chicago
Illinois.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
ROUGH HANDLING

It was reported that the officer
handled the girl roughly. However,
the case was continued and Har-
rington was held in thousand dol
lar bond. Matte Hall in a thousand
dollar bond and Matte Trent in a
five hundred dollar bond. Ernest
Harrington, who is said to be nick
named Rockefeller, told the Planet
man tha,. he had left one thousand
dollars at the station-house the day
before. An ves'igation revealed
this and he put this amount up, a
cash bond of $1,000 and walked out
of ;he Court a free man for the
time being. Matte Trent put up a
cash bond of 5000.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23

was guilty, but Thomas was guided
by The laws of nature, of which the
first is self-preservation.
The Governor was kindly in his
audience to the condemned men.
did you wish to see me?' he
asked each of them as he came
into the room.
"Yassah, want to see if you can
dc something for me-" was the an
swer both Perfey and Thomas gave.
CALLS ATTORNEY
Then the executive would ask the
man to tell his sorry. Frequently
the narrator was interrogated. In
.he case of Perfey, Governor Byrd
called A. G. Carney, Commonwealth
Attorney of Norfolk County, by tele
phone and talked to him about the
case.
There was nothing the Governor
could do. Society had been out
ragged; the evidence was there; the
courts had acted under the law.
And so on this Good Friday morn,
Perfey and Thomas went out of a
world to whose ways they could
never conform.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
ANOTHER BoNDSMAN &.

A country-man announced that he
would go on Matte Halls bond.
When asked the value of his pro-
perty, he placed it at ten thousand
dollars. Judge Ingram required the
production OF his rax receipts. He
went to get them AS he lived on
Petersburg Pike, /, was sometime
before he returned. -
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
THE DEAD woMAN's CLOTHES
THE QUIET STRANGER

Virginia West became more vol
uble as she continued her story.
Howard said that his brothers,
George Howard. from Peakes Turn
out and Aleck Howard from New
port News. Va. would be here dur
ing the afternoon. They had been
trying to locate the relatives. A few
moments later. Harry Howard was
sitting in the office Of Funeral Di-
rector A. D. Price, Jr. and still
later was in a car enroute to the
c.. and o. Station to meet his
brothers. Daisy Howard Poindexter's
mother resides at Peakes Turnout.
She is about 70 years of age and
has children.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
PEW RALLY.

Pew Rally at Good Will Baptist
Church, Sunday, April "a, 1927 at
$3.50 P. M. Rev. w. c.. Allen, D.
d. will preach special sermon ac-
companied by his friends. Madam
Savilla Briggs will sing.
REV. w. B. BALL, Pastor
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
MONEY DUMPED.
Cash Bonds Are FOrthcoming-The
Whiskey Business

In the Police Court las. Saturday
morning, among the cases heard was
that of Ernest Harrington, 619 N.
3rd s. rect, charged with having IL
quor. Jars were in the court and q
crocus bag also with liquor of the
corn variety was in evidence. Those
arrested were Matte Trent, Matte
Hail. Joseph Hall, Peter Fisher,
Ernest Mitchell and Ernest Hooper,
but only Harring on, Hall and Trent
we're held Matte Trent was charged
with resisting, assaulNng anu
Wounding Officer j. F, Bagby
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
WOULD BE GOOD"

If one Negro was more ignorant
than rhe other. that distinction be-
longed to Thomas. He was extreme
ly nervous. The oppressive hand OF
fate was bearing upon him >. Often
he cracked the joints Of his fingers
as the shadow Of the electric chair
crossed his line of vision. His Ian
guage was almost incoherent. All
he knew was that he was facing d.
saster, thar each tick Of the clock
brought doom appreciably nearer.
Time and time again he told the
Governor that If he would save him
from the electric chair he would be
willing to spend the rest of his days
in .he penitentiary.
"And ! sho' amt goin' to be sassy
to nobody" he said, "and I'll do my
work "
1t was TO this declaration that he
pinned childish faith and it was
by way Of this promise that he pur-
sued forlorn hope.
The Governor listened attent'vely
solemnly The minutes were passing
quickly. In the prison other felons
were asleep. They would awake as
Thomas walked to his doom.
STORY SEEMED UNREAL.
It was plain The man was not
telling the truth Thomas knew he
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
HAD BEEN CUT BEFORE

A visit to st. Philips Hospital
was made in Funeral Director Prices
car. The surgeon said that Daisy
Poindexter was dead when the patrol
reached there. He had recognized
her as being the same woman who
had been entered there and cured
of knife wounds. Josie Day was the
one who cut her. This time, how
ever, Daisy was beyond medical aid.
Then followed a visit to 120 Pulliam
Street, where the landlady, Virginia
West, was in a high state of excite"
ment Daisy had been living with
her two months. She was good
girl. She had warned her about
running with Josie Day.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-04-23
CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE.

She said that Daisy Poindexter
came to her house after her, and she
became so violent that she started
to the station-house to have her
arrested. On the way Daisy stabbed
her in the back with knife. She
wrenched the knife from her, injur-
ing her hand and then in the strng-
glo she stabbed her in the throat.
She claimed she had to do this in
order to protect herself.
The witnesses named in the case
were Purnett Coleman, p y L. Tiller,
L. II. Kellam, R. M. Rouse, F. w.
Brown, j. T. Riddell, G. P. Smith