Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1958-06-06

lawyer had tangled several time
ton over certain testimony which
he said had nothing to do with
the charge. and on the further
ground that there was no eompe-
tent connection with the murder
Now, the courtroom was quiet
tense hut quiet.
Niece sat al a table facing the
witness stand. He was waiting
for the next witness for the state
60 appear lie remembered how Il
was when he first came 20 st
Paul in 1889. That was 10 years
ago he thought lie had come from
Chicago where he had been ad,
mitted to the bar IN 1888
For three years he had practlced
under the tutelage Of Edward II
Morris. one Of CmcaRos best
criminal lawyers.
lie remembered how William r.
Morris, Eds brother In Mlnneap-
oils and r n Lyles had influ-
enCed him 10 come here. He re-
membered the day Il was the
nth Of June, 1889 lie had come
up alone 20 ST Paul with letters
of recommendation from Morris
and other reputable lawyers OF
Chicago
A white lawyer, II G Stone, 20
whom he had a letter, gave him
cordial welcome TO the city
stone went with him to the State
Supreme Court in the capitol
building that afternoon and made
the motions for his admission to
the bar. which was Immediately
granted
Before returning 10 Chicago 10
arrange for moving his family 10
81 Paul he had rented an office
r. Union Block opposite the new
courthouse. and Mr.. and Mrs. J
x. Hilyard had gracioualy offered
to share their home with him and
his family untit he could afford
one q his own
Matte his wife WAS immensely
fond Of the Hilyards, She was an
accomplished musician and shared
with them the music they loved
But the man who most impressed
him was Thomas I.ylss who had
come 70 81. Paul in 1874 with
no money and no prospects
Tom was a barber and rented
space for a shop In the Old Amer
team House on the corner Of 9Th
and Wabashp Streets During TIRE
boom times that followed. no
moved bis shop 70 20 f. attn Street
and IN addition 20 barbcuHg be
gan 30 sell real estate He also be.
came the first Negro undertaken.
arranging with Lztos ana wola
UrderfaksrS 10 act as their agent
for securing and handling Negro
funerals Yes. Tom had had a hard
beginning as most Negroes uf his
generation but he had been Ruc-
oesafai IN spite OF Il and was con
sidered the wcalthicst Negro In
81 Paul
Tom was active Ia politics and
u was his political genius that
McGhee especially liked. Al
though never candidate for
office himself. Torn Lyle. had
aided other coiored usen. through
his Influence.
Y had started il 1876 when
Major John Rech' waE aleeted
sheriff u Ramsey County by
majority q lss votes This was
Just the number ~ cniored votes
NJ That time ard during Becats
tern c1loreJ men we're appointed
jurors In 1881 l.. " Thomas was
the FIRST Negro policemen appoint. (
ea ana ia 1859 a coIorcd ore com
ranv was soruns
THE s5st ain In the courtroom
STOPPED abruptly A witness for
the prosecution ares being rsorr
In answer 60 questions be Nzl8
That rs name wss 3 Caahul 80
Evsd in 81 Pa1d s53 was aacs
8rver
= knrsE Peter Ravcrty ~ ~
riaires IFS business was special .
policeman nu Ess' 7th Street ! !
saw him on ths morning q ths Ord .
q Nay cav him ard officer
E'rlalssls sornsEhcrs aboBt Johns
Street Dr Moore ana I wsnt 80
STAIRS ard gher -zne s1rr they
werp both Downstairs Thsn ws
vert to ire lunsher office mean
officer PpgIena Ravsrty ard NY.