davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

Describing a sightseeing tour Of
the town near his encampment, Pvt
Washington continued:
Il have met many French people
| recall that upon my first trip on
pass here |. along with two COM
rades. rented a bicycle so that |
could take il easy looking the city
over. The fellow that owns the
place is a clean shaver Frenchman.
He directed us to some places OF
interest BY that time a half dozen
little French boys and girls were
tagging at our heels. One offered me
bouquet OF flowers. accepted IL
and thanked her"
During a special mission the sol.
dicr said he came upon very
intelligent" Jewish boy who speaks
English flucnt,y. tho result Of years
VI training in a British school. The
lads mother is an instructor Of
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
PEACE OFFICER.
KILLS SOLDIER
IN PINE BLUFF
Officer Blames Attack BY
Race Soldier For
Shooting

PINE BLUFF, Ark. CAMP
colder lay dead. killed by bullet
from the service revolver Of a peace
officer. after a shooting fray in the
business section here last week
when peace officers sought to sup
press several disturbances. All in
volved were Negroes.
The soldier was identified from
papers on his person as Pvt. Law
renee Bailey Of Norco. la. He was
shot by Lustache Browder who wit
nesses said was being attacked by q
crowd Of Is other soldiers.
According to Coroner Z. d. Du-
pree. an open knife was found in
a pocket of Bailey's clothing upon
examination.
Earlier in the evening three shots
had been fired near the same area
Of the fatal shooting by persons
attempting TO hit another peace
officer. One officer was overpow-
cred by the mob and relieved OF
his service gun.
Business houses in the district
were ordered closed by deputy
sheriffs until order could be re-
stored.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
White Soldier
Is Worried Over
Dixie Prejudice

CHARLESTON. S. CAMP
Pvt. Thomas F. Conlon. white. OF
the u. S. army, stationed at the
Citadel, nationally known military
academy here, is much alarmed
over what he has observed since
coming south in the attitude Of
southern whites TO colored people.
Confessing that he was irked over
remarks Of a white storekeeper to
Negro customer a few days ago,
the soldier wrote the News and
Courier. white daily. to say had
the Negro been him he would have
socked the storekeeper on the jaw.
Private Conlon. among other
things. raised these important is
sues in his letter:
Il want some southerners who be-
lieve in discrimination 10 answer
few questions. The Negro Is eth
er your equal or he is not II he
is your equal why Is il necessary
10 discriminate against him? IL
he is not your equal. he is either
your inferior. or superior. don't
suppose you'll say he is your Su-
perior.
Therefore. il you consider him
your inferior because. by the scci-
dent of birth. his skin is black. tell
me the difference between your at
titude and Hitlers attitude towards
those who. by the equally chance
circumstances OF birth, haven't
'Aryan' blood flowing through
their veins and are prosecuted &C
cordingly."
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Major Nathaniel
Is Promoted To
Rank OF Captain

SELFRIDGE FIELD, Mich.-Ma-
jor Nathaniel Freeman. Group Sup
ply officer OF the 96th Service group
has been promoted from the rank
OF captain at the Oscoda Army Air
Field Oscods. Mich, a sub-bsse
OF Selfridsc Field. His permanent
address is 6045 Champlsin avenue.
Chicago. III.
Major Freeman enlisted in the
army as private Of Company Z.
Eighth Infantry. Illinois National
Guard. August 4. 1920. He has
seen active service at Fort Custer.
Mich. Camp Mccoy. Wis. For. Sill.
Okla. Fort Knox. Ky. and was
commanding officer OF the 3lsth
Recruit Detachment at Tuskegee
Army Flying school. He was ap-
pointed group supply officer OF the
96th Service Group at Sclfridge
Field. May. l943.
Major Freeman's son. Nathaniel.
Jr.. is stationed at Fort Huachucs,
!AriZ.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

our white American comrades tag
US as we tag them. During the in
PERMISSION we take them into the
sale Q manger for a bit to est
Yes. just like in America. the girls
go home before the boys do"
A semblance Of real democracy
obtains here. declared Pvt Wash
ington. between the white and
Negro soldiers. Both. he pointed
out. are primarily concerned with
the winning OF the war and making
friends with the people freed from
the yoke Of tyranny He said that
the fighting men realize that the
war is not over vet despite the
large African desert victory and
that unity and high morale OF the
troopers is necessary for the all out
effort As result he observed:
II want 10 saw that the racial
attitude " my comrades is what
would call excellent Where am
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

English in one OF the schools here.
Asked what type OF entertain
ment is provided for servicemen by
the Rcd Cross eenters. Washington
explained that movies were shown
regularly. a variety of games avail
able. plenty OF good books both
serious and light, and numerous
programs that army personnel initi-
ltes
The girls who attend the dances
are carefully selected as far as |
know. and | can say they are we'll
chapcroncd. Chiefly they come
from French. Spanish and Jewish
families. They do not dance as well
as our girl friends back home do.
but they arc very friendly and try
to make things interesting for the
boys despite the difficulties Of Ian
suase involved.
Many OF the dances are tsg. And
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

the boys use many OF thS same
facilities that our other comrades
use and they get along. They play
cards. box one another and IL they
have a nickel or two TO spare they
take a chance with each other.
AT the Red Cross center we walk
in the same line for food. sit at the
same tables dance with the same
girls. talk 10 them at the same time
and ride in the same horse drawn
taxis. The other night while await
ing the start Of an outdoor movie
with hundreds Of soldiers around.
white comrade from New Jersey
bcckoned TO me 10 come shar' box
he had brought along to SIT on.
One OF the movie clubs operated
by the Red Gross is stated COM
pletc,y by Negro Americans, said
Pvt Washington. The directors are
Sidney Williams OF Cleveland. Car
Tie G. Hsrgraves OF Wilmington.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Victorious DOughbOys Relax In North Africa

SOMEWHERE IN NORTH
AFRICA CAMP - American SOL
diers relaxing after tho tremendous
push that routed the enemy from
this battle area find an an,idote
for their loneliness through service
mems clubs operated by the Red
Cross and the friendly intercourse
Of natives. The natives are chiefly
French. Spanish, Jewish and Arab
ian peoples.
pvt Robert G.. Washington. q
doughty douehboy from the states,
declared the North Africans an in
teresting lot. and indicated eSpe.
cially true OF the Jews and Arabs
who live in a district Of high wall
and narrow streets" where strange
music is played necessarily. The
Spaniards. some OF whom run re-
treatment concessions. arc also a
compelling group, he said.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Stin1son Lauds goth Flyers
On Return To America

During his journey he saw Ne
gro troops in England and others
in North Africa. and had occasion
to personally meet Lieut.. Col. Ben
jamin o. Davis. commanding the
Goth Pursuit squadron. now sta
toned in Sicily.
Inspects Colored Units
Accompanied by Maj Gen. John
Lee, Stimson inspected several col
ored units in England and found
what he called an interesting stu
alton" in which the men were
working very vigorously and get
ting along we'll together with all
other troops" He had no comment
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

n. c.: Geraldine Duson OF St Louis,
and Evelyn Vaughn Of New York
City.
Pvt. Washington said he has seen
many other Negro soldiers here ali
OF whom are doing a commendable
job to ensure a war victory and a
lasting peace. He added that he was
proud OF them and felt sure their
families would be too were they
here to witness their daily perform
ances.
To question that he describe
mic outfit Pvt Washington in the
best soldier tradition answered:
My organization is the sort OF
organization 10 which men come
and from which men 20 II is Ell
Gent II does not talk II acts swiftly
and surely behind the war effort
II is the only colored organization
Of its kind wher | am"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Probe Shaving Of Negro Soldier In Tennessee Camp
Camp Fights lliteracy In
10 Ala. Negro Schools

usually held in day-rooms or rec
reation halls; however. il the MEM
bers of a class are out on bivouac
with their military units. classes
are held in the field training breaks
or at the close of the training day.
Book Supplies Exhausted
Because OF the unexpected de-
mand for this type of education,
the initial supply of primers and
copy books soon became exhausted,
but. at the same time enable the
soldier-pupil to absorb a vast
amount of necessary military in.
formation and instruction.
In originating the opportunity
school" plan it was Col Wyants
hope that, aside from the military
usefulness of the schools, they
would serve to prepare soldiers for
more useful citizenship after the
war. The enthusiasm with which
the men have adopted the schools
indicate that this hope may b
realized.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

TO make as to whether there had
been any reports to the contrary.
In Africa he said he had seen
a unit OF engineers which had pre-
viously served in Liberia in the
construction OF the Roberts airfeld,
said to be the largest in the world
That unit performed very valu-
able work on the construction and
repair jobs at the North African
ports from which the invasion OF
Sicily was undertaken" he de.
clared. Furthermore, Negro quar-
termaster units did excellent work
in the invasion. and some OF these
troops were actually with the land
ing forces in Sicily"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

SOMEWHERE IN NORTH AFRI-
cA-(By James A. Sanders for
ANP)-we have really been enjoy
ing life in service here in North
Africa and am confident the folks
back home would like to know
something about our treatment.
From the very first we were made
welcome 1t was a genuine sort
OF welcome too, in fact / remember
thinking that although the people
were strange. had never seen me
before. il was a far cry from Skies
ton TO North Africa. That savage
little Missouri village had been in
the news when l left America.
The people he~e for the most part
are part French. Courage is their
watch-word. Sincerity is thcir
deepest passion. One OF the rea-
sons We have walked into their
hearts is that a man-any man, re-
sardlcSs of color. or creed. in the
uniform of the armed forces OF the
OnllCQ oldtCS ICpAcSchS " eiS4h
all that Freedom and liberty are;
all that they hope for their own
country and for France.
Mixture Of Races
believe that the very mixture
OF cultures. the mixture OF socie-
ties. creeds and races. will always
keep this group in the forefront
OF forward looking peoples. ] have
had an opportunity TO observe them
now in camp. on the field. in their
shops, theatres. cafes and the Red
Cross clubs. The latter offers q
very good opportunity for acquaint-
ance and is one OF the biggest
morale builders which Uncle Sam
has in this neck OF the woods. One
feels pretty darn proud that he is
an American. pretty darn proud
that he has small part in the
dynamic that will make for a better
world when al that remains OF
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Officials Laud Soldiers
For Arkansas Flood Aid

LITTLE ROCK. Ark AMP
County Judge Newton las: week
commended the work OF Negro
soldiers during the floods last May
that engulted the countryside in
q letter TO Col William +. Baro,,.
their commanding officer TIE SOL
diers are members OF Company II.
5l9th Qusrtermaster Truck reg
ment.
Il am writing to thank YOU and
your men for efficient and he ptul
restoration or rehabilitation work
done in the flood damaged areas
OF Pulaski county" stated the
Judges letter. Your fine officers
OF Company II and the eolored
soldiers under them gave the peo-
pie Of the Arkansas valley in this
county such FINLEY assistance in
cleaning up the wreckage from the
May flood.
Mai. l. II Lindskey. admins
trative officer, was so tact.ul and
cooperative with this office. with
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

CAMP RUCKER, Ala. (ANP)-
Ten opportunity schools, with as
many as 80 soldier-students enrolled
in each school, are currently stamp
ing out illiteracy among members
of the First Air Base Security
Training group. stationed at Camp
Rucker, Ala.
The first of these schools was
formed as an experiment last De-
ccmber by the special service Of
iicer, lst 1t. Franklin Czech, at the
direction of Col l. B. Wyant. group
commander. Even though attend
ance was optional and classes were
held during the soldiers leisure
hours, additional classes were soon
required to accommodate knowl-
edge-hungry soldiers who were de-
MED elementary schooling in CIV
ilian life.
The classes are conducted undel
the direction Of officers and quail
fed enlisted men who serve vol
UNFAIRLY as instructors They arr
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Only One In
Graduating
Wac Glass

FORT DIES MONIES. Ia.-(ANP)
A recent graduate Of the Officer
candidate school at FIRST WAC
Training center. Second Lieutenant
Carolyn Angela Minkins. daughter
o. Mr.. and Mrs John c. Minkins,
Pswtucket R l. She was the only
Negro member of her class.
Lieut.. Minkins attended Paw
tucket public schools and received
an ABB degree at Pembroke coll
lege, Brown university. at Provi-
dence. msjoring in botany. She
also attended Johnson and Wales
Business school.
Lieutenant Minkins was en-
ployed for Ave years al East Senior
high school. Pawtucket. as sccre-
tsry TO the principal and also as
secretary 10 the dean Before COM
inS into the WAC. she was secre-
tary 10 the assistant equipment
officer. naval torpedo station New
port. r. l., and al one time was a
clerk IN the vital statistics and
chief clerks Office in City hall.
Pawtucket.
Her father. John c. Minkins, re-
tired, was formerly a feature edi-
tor with the Providence News Tri-
bune. Her four sisters are all
graduates OF Pembroke college. One
sister. lmogene Clark is manager
Of the u. S. Hardware Co, in Paw
tucket. Miss Beatrice c. Minkins
is employed by the U. S Engineer
department. Providence. r. l. Miss
Georgiana F Minkins is manager
Of the Sawyer Belt Hook Co.. Paw
tucket, r. l. Her brother-in-law
Russell A. Clark. is with the u. s.
Navy.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Seek Clues
M.Death OF
NC. Soldier

EDGEIELD, S. C.-(ANP)-The
sheriffs Office here reported last
week that the body Of a soldier
was discovered on No. IS near
Trenton. There was a bullet wound
in his back.
The soldier was identified by
Sheriff Deputy r. E. Clark as Pvt.
Boyd Bryant OF North Carolina. He
was attached to Camp Gordon near
Augusta, Ga.
Clark said the body was found
at 6 am. and was still warm indi-
eating that the service man had
not been dead for more than an
hour. From appearance OF the
wound the soldier was apparently
killed by a 80 rifle shot. said the
officer.
Only One Clue
lnveStig gators are working on a
clue furnished by person. living
nearby that they heard several shots
around $50 am. Automobile tracks
leading of from the road :ndi-
Gated that Bryant may have been
the occupant of a car where the
actual murder took place and his
body later placed on the high
way.
An inquest conducted by Coroner
John Hollingsworth returned YER
diet that declared the deceased
came 10 his death at the hands OF
unknown persons" The soldiers
body was turned over 10 military
authorities from Augusta. Ga
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Haitii;s Production
Helping To Win War

Haiti is helping the United Ma
tons win the war through in
creased production Of sugar cane.
coffee and other foodS,uffs and
The Negro Republic has also de-
.eloped several new industries vita.
90 The prosecution Of the war
One Of these involves tho cuitiva-
zion OF derris root from which Ro-
tcnonc. an important insectc'de
needed 70 fight plant pests N the
United States and elsewhere IS OBJ
tanned. Before TIC war. dcrris root
came 10 the United States chiefly
from Java. the Philippines and
other sections Of the Far East
Ro,enonc. extracted from this
aoot. parslyzcs the brca;hin- az
rara.us OF insects although i Is
harmless 10 man and beasts The
Haitian Department Of Agriculture
IS supervising the planting - lSo,-
600 cuttings of dcrris root by sma..
darmers throughout the country.
New Industry Built
Another new industry is benz
Quilt around the cultivation of the
loofa sponge. used in marine en-
sincs to filter water. About % per
cent Of these sponges formerly came
from Japan but now. through the
efforts OF the Office 90 Economic
Warfare. various countries in the
Caribbean area are cultivatinS
them
BY far. the biggest industry In
Haiti, however. is the cultivation
and processing OF sisal for rope and
cordace. Before the war most OF
the Manila hemp tabaca used N
this country came from tho Philip
pines and sisal from the Dutch Eas;
Indies and East Africa and Mexico.
Sisal is now beng produced in the
West Indies and Mexico but HAITI
IS one Of tho largest producers Of
the white fiber in the Western
hemisphere from the leaves Of
which is made the cordagc. laria's
and binding Irvine so much needed
In war industries,
The Haitian American Society for
Agricultural Development was one
of the first organizations TO realize
an opportunity TO capture world
rnprkets in this particular industry
In 1912. they received a contract
from the United States Defense
Supplies Corporation for delivery
of rs, 900 900 pounds OF ssal by No
Sember Is l945. and this contract
Is now well on the way toward fui-
hllment.
Rubber From Dry Soil
No more ind genous 10 Ha'i than
Was rubber. slsal finds a natural
home in tho dry soil below 81
Marc and in the PLANE du Nord'
p near cap-Hai,ian Thorny sisall is
now one OF the Haitian American
soeietys sturdiesi oIsprinss and is
expected to become a staple produe'
OF that country
sisal came to Haiti Is odd years
ago and has made a good record IN
the extensive Peiusrew and CTook
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
PARACHUTIST is SAFE

SELFRlDGE FIELD Mich.-Sec-
ond Lieutenant George E. Gray was
back at Selfridge Field today with
only minor injuries after parachut-
ing to safety last night from a
single-seat pursuit ship near Ma
rine City. Mich. Lieutenant Gray.
Negro pilot. resides in Welsh.
w. Va. He was on a routine train
ing flight from Seltridge Field
Cause OF the crash was undeter-
mined.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Doing Creditable Work

Obviously his statement Of the
quartermaster unit that was in the
landing force was in answer to a
question submitted inquiring for
additional information regarding
the news photo OF Negro soldier
rushing up the beach at Gala.
Il personally met Colonel Davis
Of the 99th which is now stationed
in Sicily" the secretary SAID. He
flew over to Tunis 10 meet me-"
Stimson recalled his earlier state
ment OF few weeks ago that the
squadron is Dang "creditable
work" He also revealed that a coll
ored anti-aircratt unit is in Africa.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

plantations at Phaeton and Cara.
GO. n the northeast. A few years
later some $500 acres o, sisal tof
Pet'igrcw s.ock) were planted on
:, Mare cape by the ST. Mare so.
Getty, private organization
The Ha.tisn-ATcr,can Society for
A1rcu.'Gra, Development acquired
his 81 Mare plantation. already re-
planted several times IN is decade
Of production as the nucleus for
Is sisai division. Since then.
enough acreage has been leased 10
5r.n- the 81; Mare sal develop
neat - 10000 acres covering four
plantations employ $500 work
of-way of ne Haitian National Rail-
crS and extending along The right
way To- 81 k.lomcterS
New Facilities Needed
y quac;cr OF the sisal o, ST
Mare IS now iN production. u;i,iz-
ING the dccor,icating plant taken
over from the Society OF 81. Marc
When the recent planting has
cached maturity. tho entire 10000
res OF siSal will require enlarged
iccorticat!ng facilities. for which
, factory is planned a; Mont Rous,
g kilometcrs south Of ST Marc.
In the Cap-Hai;ian division $500
acres have been planted in sisal
Since all Of this is new planting.
set out abou, the same time
throughout the acreage. il will all
reach It's first cutting during l945.
Is third year OF growth.
r.! the end OF l9+5 will by no
means mack the end Of sisal pro-
due; on in Hat. whether the war
continues o. no.. There is strong
probability OF a steady and con-
tnuous production Of this product
so we'll suited TO Hat. and now
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
INVESTIGATION
into SHOOTING
.|SLAUNCHED|
Racial Mixup Cited AS
Cause Of Death OF
Negro Soldier

CAMP TYSON. Tenn. CAMP
A searching investigation is being
made into the fatal shooting near
here Wednesday night Of Pvt. Her
man Hankins. IS. Of Danville. Va
il was announced Thursday by Col
William II. Durham Jr.. commander
OF the barrage balloon training GEN.
ter.
Complete circumstances sur
rounding Pvt. Hankins' death were
vague. it was revealed by the pub
lie relations office here. but fell
low soldiers expressed the opinion
that his death resulted from .
racial mixup at a white tourist
cabin camp In Rountown. about
eight miles from here. 1t was ad-
mit;ed that there had been a grow
ing resentment among white SOL
diers because owners Of the camp
we're welcoming the patronage OF
Negro soldiers Pvt Hawkins was
at the tourist camp when the shoot
ing occurred.
Shooting Versions Differ
A version OF the shooting differ
ing from that given by fellow SOL
diers was sent out by the Camp
Tyson public relations office. The
official report was that Hankins
was caught "prowling" around the
camp and was shot when he failed
TO heed command to halt He was
killed with a single-shot 22-calibre
rifle. the public relations report
disclosed.
Pvt Hawkins died from hemor-
rhage before he reached the sta
ton hospital
The Provost marshal's office at
Camp Tyson said the name OF the
person doing the shooting had not
been established and names Of these
involved were omitted SO as mot
20 prejudice the investigation"
HankinS was a member OF Battery
A, 320th battalion. His body has
been sent TO Danville for funeral
and interment,
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
BY ERNEST z. JOHNSON

WASHINGTON. d. CLAMP
Negro engineer. quartermaster and
anti-aircraft units were warmly
praised for their work in connec.
ton with the preparations for the
Sicilian invasion, some OF whom
were actual participants. when
Secy. of War Henry L. Stimson dis
cussed his 1880 mile inspection
trip to the European and North
African theatres of operations at
his press conference last Thursday.
The secretary was in good spirit
and a bit jocular as he answered
the questions OF reporters dealing
with the progress OF the war. his
trip. and sundry other items.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
French In North Africa
Welcome Negro Soldiers

swastika is a mark to show where
Hitler fell
News from the states these days
is very limited. One wonders who
and what is taking the headlines.
One thing I want to remind the
folks of and that is that letters
from the folks back home mean
more to these boys than citation
from a general Tell tie folks to
write their sons, and anyone clse's
son they happen TO know.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Miami Cop Shot
13-Year-Old Boy

MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla.--(ANP)-
Charges OF improperly exhibiting q
dangerous weapon were lodged
against Miami Springs police of
heer last week following the shoot
ing of l3-year-old boy.