page_title: History of African Americans in Omaha in the 19th century
section_title: Afro-American League
hierarchical_section_title: History of African Americans in Omaha in the 19th century / Afro-American League
caption_attribution_description: English: A. S. Barnett
context_page_description: The history of African-Americans in Omaha in the 19th Century begins with "York", a slave belonging to William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition who came through the area in 1804 before the city existed. African-American's have lived in the Omaha area since at least 1819 when fur traders lived in the area.
  After the US Civil War, many blacks moved to the city. These joined together forming numerous black churches and black social and political organizations. Father John Albert Williams moved to Omaha in 1891 and became a fixture in black religious life. Omaha also produced Nebraska's first two black school teachers, Lucy Gamble and Eula Overall.
  Three black newspapers were formed in the city in the last part of the century founded by George F. Franklin, Thomas P. Mahammitt, and Ferdinand L. Barnett respectively. Many Omahan's participated in the founding of the National Afro-American League in 1890. African-Americans also played a prominent role in the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition.
  The city produced some of Nebraska's most politically active African-Americans, producing nominees to stand as candidates for state legislature starting in 1880.
context_section_description: In late 1889 and early 1890, Chicago's T. Thomas Fortune called for the organization of local leagues for the purpose of the advancement of blacks which would meet in January 1890 to form the National Afro-American League. On January 9, 1890, a meeting was held in Omaha to this effect. Overall was elected chairman of the meeting. There was a disagreement over the local league's constitution. While Adams supported Overall, Matthew O. Ricketts, Walker, and Bell loudly opposed Overall's domination of the writing of the constitution. Ricketts initially opposed the idea that whites could be allowed in the league, fearing they could dominate it, but Walker supported that clause convincingly. There was also a debate over dues. Ricketts, A. S. Barnett, and Thomas were selected to be the local league's delegates to the national convention of the league and Silas Robbins would attend the national convention as a delegate from the Republican Colored Club. Eventually, Ricketts, A. L. Bennet, S. G. Thomas, Robbins, and Overall attended. At the meeting, Overall served on the Committee on Credentials, Ricketts on the Committee on Permanent Organization and the Executive Committee, Robbins on the Address Committee, and A. Thomas as a Sergeant-at-arms.
  At the meeting, Ricketts gave a noted speech, saying: "The use of which has been made of the Afro-American voter by all political parties has been proverbial. We have helped by our efforts to carry men into power who, when secure in the results of our efforts, have done nothing for us. I am reminded of the old colored man who went to heaven's gate and asked for admittance. 'Are you afoot or horseback,' asked St. Peter. 'I'm afoot.' said the suppliant. 'Then you can't come in,' said the doorkeeper. The Afro-American went back down the hill and met the Honorable 'Billy' Mahone who said he could arrange it all right. 'You go down on your hands and knees and I'll ride up to the door and then we'll both go in,' he said to the colored brother. So they came to the gate. To the question of the saint, Mahone said he was riding and not afoot. 'Well,' said St. Peter, 'tie your horse outside and come in.' Gentlemen, we have been hewers of wood for years, but we haven't been near the fire; we have been drawers of water, but have gone thirsty. Let us be of no party but the Afro-American party."
  April 30, 1890, Omaha leaders called for a meeting of black Nebraskans to discuss issues relating to equal rights, to form a permanent state league, and to support black people seeking to move to Nebraska to purchase homes and farms. The meeting was called by A. S. Barnett (Omaha), M. O. Ricketts (Omaha),H. Curry (Omaha), G. F. Franklin (Omaha), B. F. C. Albert (Linsoln), Edward Jones (Columbus), Jerry Smith (Blair), J. S. Shannon (Blair), J. C. Boone (Plattsmouth), George W. Slater Sr (Aurora), Benjamine Snell (Chadron), R. E. Allen (Overton), Abe Williams (Schuyler), and J. S. Webb (Ansley). Among the issues discussed at this State Afro-American League meeting were segregated restaurants, segregated barbers, and segregated public houses. Southern oppression and northern caste were denounced. An important division at the meeting was the call made by Cyrus Bell and supported by Matthew Ricketts that blacks no longer give their full support to the Republicans, but, rather vote their conscience. The motion was especially disliked by delegates who did not live in Omaha
caption: Alfred S. Barnett in 1890
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