davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
when The Cake.Walk Dance Came
To Detroit

Perhaps there never has been and
never will be dance introduced to
the people that caused as much ex-
citcment and amusement among
both races as the cake walk did,
when it was brought TO Detroit in
1898. Colored people learned to do
the "cake-walk" here In Detroit
like il had never been pranced over
ballroom floor before, and the
white people here paid them for
dancing the "cake-walk. and be-
sides that, paid thousands Of dollars
10 see the contest staged among
the various colored groups for the
championship.
The same Williams & Walker
Comedy team that told you about
in this column last week, brought
the "cake-walk" acts TO Detroit
about 1898, while showing at the
Old Wonderland.
Believe me YOU. within a few
days il became the talk or the
town. not merely among our group,
but the white people as we'll. Just
as you hear the average person
talking about the war today. the
"cake-walk' was the main topic
under discussion in those days.
Soon il worked from the peoples
tongues TO their feet, and everybody
began trying to do the "cake-walk. "
As one walked down the streets OF
Detroit in those days. the sign OF a
"would -be" cake-walker could be
seen on the feet OF the young as
we'll as the old. Even children too
young 10 enter the class rooms OF
the kindergarten school, joined by
their gray grand parents could be
seen trying 10 learn the cake-walk.
1t seem that the white people
could not get on 10 the various
acts and steps enacted in the cake
walk dance by the colored. so they
began TO invite colored groups who
had become good cake-walkers into
their homes TO dance for them. as
no doubt they had decided that II
was strictly colored peoples dance.
At such dances in the homes OF
the white people, the colored cake
walkers would be paid fee. and
served refreshments. The length OF
such entertainments was usually a
couple OF hours and good time
would be enjoyed by all without any
thoughts of prejudice.
A few months after this dance
had spread in Detroit like wildfire.
Willie Lefferd. and his girl friend
had become champion cake-walkers,
and were known throughout this
part OF the country. They had more
requests for engagements from the
whites that they could fill. They
became famous for the new steps
and acts created by them, and they
had such unique way OF doing
them ... but always keeping time
with the music. They both wore
the same kind OF costume. black
tuxedo coat, white linen trousers.
white shoes. and a tall straw hat,
and 2 rirc cane in their hands COM
pletod their OUTFIT.
The first public cake walking
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

contest was held at the Armour
Hall out east jefferson In the win
ter OF 1899. Fourteen couples took
part for the prizes. The first prize
was $4,000 in gold. The second prize
$500 in silver: the third prize a
"Goldhead' Walking Cane. We had
packed house that night and the
people paid $500 to $3.50 TO go in
and see the contest. The first prize
was won by Willie Leffry and his
lady friend. Miss Ida Nelson and
myself took the second prize OF
$500 in silver. The Scott Brothers
from Toledo won the third prize.
The daily newspapers gave much
publicity TO the affair. The Detroit
Free Press and The Detroit Tribune
were the only daily papers at that
time. The winners pictures appear
ed in these papers.
More about the "Cake-Walk" In
Detroit next week.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
Other
Editors
Say
Religion In Russia

ANOTHER ONE OF PreHo,A
"A Rooseyelts fine recommends
tIons appears TO have been gD' ~,
iv given. n we may concede . aa
Ralph Ingersoll. the very oO', !. y.
rsnnrter on affairs in Russia. s's
curate in reporting how rens'O'
faring in that nation.
In n recent insiallmenl o. ~ -.
ticles. Mr.. Ingersoli tells Of ,, ~
s,ing a Catholic church IN M io,.s,sI
He FOUND only few Of lne I 's,,
going into the building 70 IND M
They merely knelt anu p'''
then silently left. ...,s
Mr.. Ingersoll inquired ' ..IIs.
russians with regard 70 wy h
Cons activities OF Proies'sn. ,,sr
nominations. The reply he sO' mn.
,Ss Russian people was very = ''s n.
estIng. We quote from j -
lows: "A ~
II was told that ani ,.lu 4
nile who wanted 10 m.an,aI,Ius n
church might do SO ,! ,Io" 'bsd n
the state. The congregaIls. wv. ,sr
,%s for lis spiritual l''d'''
uOrt." .nsrrA
Mr. Roosevelt's high opln ,,sv,r b
onInion Of Russia as Ds" ant NJ
~ freedom Of religion DIV
MIR. Ingersoll continue; n~p
aIf they were content y" ,s, N ID
should a congregation s sIr ,,I'IIdr.
sunday school classes loi a So
or begin the pubIIcalll'S,a, = Cor ny
tartan paper. or orga ,a sss On k ,
sIorarv work n wonia ' .
trouble With the auih'rl'', : ,sr
81 was told that 10 Or Z :;I, -,
600 IN nssIa there was : as N
Protestant movement. ,, y spi "
h, Young Russian Bap,ls,r, =
ssrstIc lnsIstence on 1. reuilr
1nnsi'S work kept \ ~, . y.
nal hot water. j ask sus' short =
fhnsw had heard any'n'''
for years. -. hs found ~
Mr.. Ingersoll says =. rsviysl =
evidence OF the rells sD'eI,sd n lls
Russia "that was puo, a,nr Of ~
country at the pes'n"''
war; ,,.,ous llbsiv
Maybe there is rslislSs1 YOU b.
in Europe. but we . s" 10 y
got to be smart martens s~tu o. me usI, ':,
thIrd-term President = IRspIi'l,,..
states 10 locate u. The Nasbf"
| from Nov. IA issue Oh
lClobe.l --
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
PUBLIC
INTERVIEWS

IN VIEW OF the results Of the re-
cent councilmanic elections, II
has been generally conceded that II
is practically an impossibility TO
elect member OF minority group
TO the common council under the
present nine-man city-wide repre-
sentative set-up.
1t has been proposed that Detroit
adopt plan TO elect nine members
TO the council from nine wards or
districts. rather than have the cleo
ton city-wide.
QUESTION;
DO you favor an amendment That
would change the present method of
electing cOuncilmen 10 the method
OF electing them from separate
wards or districts!
ANSWERS;
No. | do not think that II should
be changed because the present
system eliminates control OF city
affairs by narrow-minded. selfish
minority groups. ! think that the
actions OF the council should be
for the good OF all citizens OF De-
troit and not for any groups, neigh
borhoods. or cliques.
,Signed)
Mrs. Arthur Pace,
Housewife,
934 Marston ST.
Yes. In order TO afford a very
democratically run city where ali
groups can enjoy equal representa-
ton. fair treatment, and be assured
that their problems and complaints
will be taken care of the same as
those OF powerful interests that
now control the council. | feel
that council selected by districts
or wards would best serve all the
people.
tSigned)
Mrs. Curtis Boykin,
Housekeeper,
clio Ninewood.
Yes. ! think that Detroit should
elect their councilmen from dis
tricts. &C elect our representatives
in Congress from districts 10 in
sure fair representation in gov
ernmcn,. so why not use the same
method in our city government? In
this way all groups would he rep
resented. Something should be
done 10 change our present system
because Negroes are not represent
cd and much graft has been discoy-
cred.
(Signed)
Edward Davis owner,
Davis Motor Sales.
Cor. Brush and Vernon.
No. II most people who are old
enough will recall. tie old ward
system was one Of political cor
rupiion and favoritsm. Those sup
posedly representing the people
were at the mercy OF pressure
groups. thus most OF their legislat-
ing was not done for the good OF
the city. hut 10 retain their office.
II was out Of the ward system
that graft and the spells system
ruined so many cities. Aldermen in
Kansas City and other towns built
up most unsaNory reputation.
tSigned)
Joe shannon. Ford Worker.
64lO Ninewood. No. ..
NOTE This question will he
discussed again next week and any
person having any ideas on the sub
jet IS asked to submit them to the
editor
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
EDITORIAL PAGE s sess1ss,%' Is
ON TO VICTORY
Br IRENE COLE CROXTON


70 ON and upward race OF mine
uUntil we reach the desired shrine
Until the victory be won,
And the conqueror be Hams own
son.
CD
March on to victory l say,
Unto a nobler brighter day.
When We shall know US by our
worth,
Til love and peace reign Ger the
earth.
60
o sons OF Ham challenge you
To fight the battle through and
through
May we prove that we're divinely
whole.
That Jesus lives in the black mans
soul.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

Negroes served in the Confed-
crate army not because they wished
10 keep themselves enslaved. but
because they believed the promise
OF their owners that II the Confeder-
acy won. all slaves would he freed
and Negro freedmen allowed more
liberties.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
The Labor And Political Front
BY Attorney Alfred Casey
Associate Editor

THIS WEEK our themes will deal
i with The Negro Youth crime
wave in New York City, the thou
sands OF dollars being lost TO Ne
gro families through failure OF Ne
gro Union members to use the UNI
ion facilities for social security
claims. and the Republican party
as lost cause.
NEGRO YOUTH has given his eld-
~ crs great concern in many parts
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

Of the United Stat
es. The crime wave
in New York last
week was the latest
development in this
direction. There in
New York a series
of crimes by Negro
children from the
ages of II TO II cli-
NAKED in the MUIR
dor Of a II wear old
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
Reviewing Old Detroit

Editor Note; This Is the fourth
In a series OF articles appear
Ing weekly about old Detroit
and Detr0iters n told 10 Isaac
Jones by John W. Gillian, who
has lived In the city since 1SSs.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22
Slaves Give Fence

The zig-zag rail fence. commonly
used by farmers throughout the
South. was introduced into this
country by Africans brought here
rs slaves.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

vocatiye title OF an hilarious re-
cord OF three normal American
boys. From beginning TO end to-
book is excellent fun.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

Alfred Casey. Assornsy-At-LaTs, ... 10 -
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13
Capital Gossip
Ry n

Raleigh. Oct. 13-There still does
not seem to be Immediate prospect
of final selection of the agency which
shall be given full responsibility for
d school bus safety program.
Repeatedly it has been SAID in ad-
n of a school commission meet
ing that a decision would be reach
ed, but each session has passed with
no announcement.
1t is repetition to say that he ea~
Son is tWo-fold-Q) Discrimination
or either commission or highway
safety division to take on a program
in which one hundred per cent, plus,
IS demanded in results, and CD lack
Of funds in either unit for a full
fashioned, inclusive safety program.
Meanwhile, school bus problems
continue TO pile up from several
other directions. There is, for in
stance, the great difficulty IN OBJ
tanning new buses on account OF the
defense priorities situation. Some OF
the several hundred buses wanted
by North Carolina are beng deliver
cd; but nowhere near the quantity
desired.
That's a second headache, UPON
which there has recently been plled
Il thlrd-the matter OF NdN l0r Sctloo'
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13

arch from cid Eunensan Hal,
where Woodrow Wilson made MS
inst public speech. , Chamber
building a halt hour Jeior- Saturda"
mornings program. During the IN
|auguraticn ceremonies. which will b.
featured ~ Dr. Cunningham's ad-
dress. honorary degrees viii be given
to several outstanding men.
Harl!el Branch. jg.. ODD Atlant9,
Ga. president of the general alumni
association, VIII preside over the
Homecoming IuucnC d.. -chcduled tot
1890 O'Clock on the 18Th. s. CLAY
Williams. Davidson alumnus and ua-
,icnally known business cEecutly -,
will have a part Iu tins proara".
More than 1000 alumni and friends
of the college are rEp,.'nd t. Jtj,ui
this luncheon.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13

bus drivers.
From several counties have come
threats of strikes by youths who
want Si5, or thereabout. per month
instead of the present $3.50. and in
Duihdln county an actual Walk-out,
CT sit down. or whatever it is when
Gus drivers won't dri.e. has been
reported
lh's last problem. however. seems
rather Incidental as there is little
probability tnat the commission can.
or VIII, do anything i'll matter of in
tira>ing the wages and there is
every Likelihood that the places can.
and viii. be filled at the existing
scale.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13
Radio Station
Is Captured

Washingt n, Oct. l3.-(AP)-The
United States navy's capture of Il
secret radio station in Greenland
was expected in some quarters today
to be followed by an intensified hunt
for other such transmitters or eN-
petitions seeking to establish them.
1t was suggested that the Ger
man sponsored expedition" which
the navy yesterday reported it had
seized was perhaps part of a larger
and continuing German attempt
maintain weather and military re
portine facilities on the isand, not
an isolated incident.
At London. informed sources said
the seizure of the radio station prob
ablv saved the lives of hundreds OF
1r;-cns Nv deriving the luftWaffe
&c weather information needed m
planning air raids yer the British
isles. Iong range weather forecasts
rcuuire knowledge Of the movement
If air masses at far distant pointS.)
The Berlin press made no I'M
mediate mention of the incident,
appearing to wait for some Official
indication on how the news should
be treated.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13
Relief At Last
For Your Cough

Chronic bronchitis may develop II
your cough, chest cold, or acute bron-
chitis is not treated and you cannot at
ford to take a chance with any medicine
less potent than Circumcision which
goes right to the seat Of the trouble to
help loosen and expel germ laden
phlegm and aid nature to soothe and
heal raw, tender, intlamed bronchial
mucous membranes.
Creomulsion blends beechwood GREG
sote by special process with other time
tested medicines for coughs. 1t contains
no narcotics.
No matter how many medicines you
have tried, tell your druggist to sell you
a bottle of Circumcision with the under
Standing you must like the way it quick.
ly allays the cough, permitting rest and
sleep, OF you are to awe your money
back. (Adv.0
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13
This and That.

ldlttd tuui 'u suv stolcn) from
IN" High Point Enterprise: AS frank
'l advertisement as was ever run il.
am. body newspaper appeared il,
tu" want ud section Of the Enter
prise today. Here il is: Young man
Win NO experience in anything
whats aNrr. has only tenth grade
r~uuCutiulr lazy and can't be trusted.
NuUld Ike to have Il job with short
hours and good pay. Phone 9l28.
For crying out loud,!' exclaimed the
linotype operator who set the ad
Here's a fellow that would make ;
good candidate for CongrcSt.'".
And from the same paper comes tn,
story of the city employee who must
pass an examination for dcmotion
It Gems he has been filling a second
class clerk job temporarily but nov
they want To make it permanent. He
had passed u test for first ella $ clerk
but when the matter was brought to
thc civil scrN ice commissions attel-
ton the reaction was to this effect:
"Oh. 10. Knight is eligible for a first
Class clerk Job. bat not for a sec
Und clerks place. He Will have to
take another examination before he
can be permanently appointed to the
lesser iob. State Auditor George
Ross Pou practically toured Johnston
county in search of (, country ham
on 50, finally came back to Raleigh
to buy one And it cost me fifteen
cents a pound more than in john
s1on-If I'd been able to get one
small ,,,IIloh fntnNI En,rn,nnl J.ninh-
ing 30 pounds and up. but | couldn't
get n OF them in my kitchen, muCn
less in my stove" he said. Boddie
Ward. motor vehicle commissioner.
is one state official who looks out
for the reporters with ScrupulOus
care, If he gives a release to one
mar or service. hell never rest I'M
til he has located all the others n
titled to an wen break. Which. SAD
to relate, is in sharp contrast to the
attitude in some other departments.
Nobody around in Raleigh's Of
fjcial set seems to know just what
the supreme court clerk post pays
and Consequently il is difficult to
appraise Just how keen i fight is
being made for it, now that It's
a,,n b,a.ab ,Lo do,,b -. ,an,,l,a
"a ,,..,. rha ..r,;ah. ,n1.r, =.
,I,,a.. noal;o;hla 5000 vo,r, bu+
-5o,,- a,., fe1s and WHATS rrnbabIv
even more important. the business OF
mimcaoranhing briefs and records
Rron FrinL.e r-,ticaI acq1-
cmv for sin seems = lono
,rr h,,. ,ooo, you've ,,.,
f,d;o,,, .hara :, st.a,a n~rah,hi1i.,
,,,.a1 +ra;,i,a rchaai u,iu We
..Ll;-L,l -. noo. r.. Caa,an
"M,ior, vo,o Diva , dozan
and 49," u.,ro A. aa,ar,1s" cove
Nnt,r Vr,ic1o c,,ni.sinnor Poddio
U,,.J. - III W. - NJ a,nfaronaa
hold IN the ~n,anelycr area a short
time back .I2sprhus Daniels
is mn only tho only G,.ino nan,her
IF Woodrow Wilson'S war cabinet.
bu, he is tine only ma who did
yea y uniform who cam truly
he ca1le1 ~Fr..n,, eoi,n3afre" NV
A,oorican Jr7;,o ncohars The vets
constitution fcrh:ds honorarv mem
borshin. Int Ambassadors Daniels n.
hcan made y member of tho "Folnd-
cr's C111b" composed Of men who
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-10-13

The Chinese form about one
quarter of mankind.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07
CITY CONDUCTING
 RUBBISH SURVEY
Community Clubs Assured of Action By Aldermen
 in Near Future

The city is proceeding with the survey of rubbish removal plans, Miss May Gaffney, of the Hopeville Community Club, was assured at last nights meeting of the board of l aldermen. The board voted several months ago to have committee ap- pointed by the mayor make sur vey and report back by April 1, and l Alderman C.. Arthur DuBois said that the committee is now func- | tioning.
 Appearing with Miss Gaffney was John Dzick, chairman of the inter community club committee which has been urging rubbish collection system, but he did not speak.
 How about additional dumping grounds for the time being?" asked Alderman Burton Walker.
 The committee is taking up that matter, too," said Alderman Du- Bois.
 we haven't any desire to cause confusion" said Miss Gaffney. we are satisfied as long as teh city is doing something, and MT. Dubois assures us that the matter is being studied thoroughly"
 The board appointed John J. Ward as a special constable at the Boys Club for a two-year period.
 The sum of $38.50 was voted Sal vatore Coppeto of Raymond street for chickens killed by stray dogs. The board of works was given per- mission to hold hearings on the lay out of Aurora street.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

Virginia Greatorex of the Sheffield Street Great Orexes in Watervle celebrated her second birthday Mrs Greatorexs domestic ability didn't last very long as the kiddies went to town they saw it . Ole Marte has decided to take bowling seriously after prose Roy have started to work for the general con structOn line department of the Connecticut Light and Power Company. Their genial boss Gus Breney
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

Heard in passing MT. and Mrs Albert A. Baker of Orange Street have just returned from Elizabeth m wnere ee they I 5ne weag xlc'tr nangO Bill Lawlor, popular Fuller street resident, will be properly feted at stag party being arranged in his the Copper Kettle out Lake Hitchcock way with Peter Griffin IT, Bob Thompson and Mike Lawlor in charge of arrangements Tom Mccarthy of the Rowland Hughes Company has been missed from familiar scenes of recent days He has been confined to his home with an infected foot.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

Well-dreSsed military . When honors for the besdressed military men in the world awarded the U s. Marines should be somewhere the top if variety we'll snappy styles considered Three complete outfits with such accessories bets goves leggins and similar details the foundation of a marines wardrobe which includes blue forestry green and khaki uniform. For the present there is dearth of blue uniforms due to the fact that the Marine Corps has increased so fast that only limited number could be supplied Meanwhile they being issued to marines who go to sea and few other special attachments The blue uniform with it's brass buttons yellow and scarlet trimmings and bronze cap collar ornaments is decd edy popular Sometimes white trousers, belts and caps are worn with the blue blouse by way of contrast mak ing rather striking ensemble Soldiers of the sea also have choice of about nine hats of different styles coors These include khaki bue green, white cap with v1Sor a field or campaign hat, green or khaki overseas cap and tropical helmet or steel helmet Naturally marine does not choose for himself the style he prefers to wear Such decisions are made by the commanding officer of barracks or detachment who preScrbes the uniform of the day for the men under his command. Log of the U S. Marines
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Divito celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary Saturday. They're the proud par entS of twin daughters who have made quite for themselves as tap dancers Mrs Emily Scovie, of Torrngtons oldest residents observed her 96th birthday Saturday at the Charlotte Hungerord Hospital where she is patient. Shivering tenants in local apartment house had their anitor pinched for selling the furnace thereby making it hot for him. Bill Derwin has booked Count Basic and his ork for Hami- ton Park next Sunday eve.