Jersey County's Black History
A Chronology of Newspaper Articles and Other Sources
Articles typed by Ida Pivoda Dunsing, Marjorie Pivoda Dintelmann, Grace Karr Gettings and Marty Crull
Notes and
Newspaper article found and placed in the files at the Jersey County Historical Society.
Jersey County
Commissioners Record
Book 1B page 13
June 1848
June
Term 1848. June 8th, 1848. Present
Ambrose S. Wyckoff and James McKinney, Commissioners.
This
day a colored man who calls his name Pleasant Breeden, presented the following paper as
the evidence of his freedom from servitude which is ordered be recorded viz:
Be it
remembered that at a court of plea and quarter session began and held for the county of
Hawkins in the state of Tennessee at the court house in Rogersville on the fourth Monday,
being the twenty-eight day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty-five. Present Hezekiah Hamblin,
John Johnston, Abraham Hawk, Clur Moore, William Smith, William Crumley, Joseph
Huffmaster, John A. Rogers, Jacob Hackney, Lewis Cleack, William Bradley, James Johnson,
Samuel Wilson, James Williams, Orville Rice, Reuben Barnard, William Armstrong, Jesse
Cobb, Thomas Stacy, Jacob Miller and Absolam Ryle, Esqrs.
James
Breeden having preferred to the court ( a majority of the Justice of the Peace being
present) his petition setting forth his desire to emancipate three Negro slaves, to wit, a
Negro woman named Charlotte and two Negro children Lelen and Pleasant and his reasons for
the same and the court having seen and inspected the said petition and the reasons for the
same are of the opinion that the conceding thereto would be consistent with the interest
and policy of the state which is accordingly endorsed on the back of said petition by
Jacob Hackney, Chairman of the court of pleas and quarter sessions reported accordingly
and thereupon a bond was executed to reimburse the county of Hawkins for any damage for
and on account of such slaves or slaves becoming chargeable to the county. It is therefore considered by the court that said
Negroes Charlotte, Lelen and Pleasant be emancipated freed and set at liberty with all the
rights liberties and privileges of persons of color.
State
of Tennessee, Hawkins County. I, Robert
Johnson, Clerk of the county court of said county do certify that the foregoing contain a
true and perfect copy as taken from the records in my office. Witness my hand at office in Rogersville this 17th
day of December 1844.
(Signatures
of R. Johnson, Clerk, by James A. Hane, d. clerk).
Fidelity Township: John Roedell kept an inn where Negroes were
chained. (Fidelity was founded in 1850 with settlers arriving as early as 1829).
Jersey
County Democrat ~ 29 Sep 1877
Irene
King, wife of Jeff King, died 23 Sep., aged 47 years.
She leaves husband and seven children.
She was a great worker in the cause of religion. Funeral from colored Baptist Church.
Examiner, January 22, 1878
On January 22, Thomas
Thorp and John Brown will shoot for the championship Badge and a stake at ten dollars. Brown has heretofore been too much for the
shooters and one more contest after this will entitle him to the ownership of said badge
as his personal property. The badge is an
elegant affair, solid gold and cost $50 each.
Jeff King, our well known
blacksmith, has just returned from a visit to his aged mother, who, with four sisters and
one brother, reside at Broad River, North Carolina, 12 miles from Rutherford, the county
seat. Mr. King was born at Broad River and
has not visited the scenes of his boyhood or seen his relatives there for 32 years. He was gone about a month.
The
Examiner Jerseyville, Illinois
Wednesday,
1 January 1879
The
Killing of Neece
Statement
of John R. Simonds
Who
Saw the Affray
State
of Illinois, County of Jersey, ss,
John
R. Simonds, who personally appeared before me, Police Magistrate, in and for the city of
Jerseyville, and for said county, and upon oath deposeth and says:
My
name is John R. Simonds; am twenty-one years old; my occupation is that of farmer, and
reside in Greene County, Illinois; am acquainted with Sylvester Neece, and was present at
the time the deceased and George Washington were engaged in an affray on December 22nd,
1878, from the beginning to the end: The fuss
commenced about a horse I had. Vess accused
Washington of keeping the horse when he knew where it belonged. The darkey said he did not know where it was, but
took it up as an astray, thinking he was doing a favor to the owner, whoever he might be. Mr. Neece said, “You are a d—d liar! you
had no business to take it up.” The
darkey replied, “I did not know whose it was.”
Vess said, “If you don’t shut up your mouth I will pound
you!” Washington then said, “If you
are bound to fight, I will fight you in a fair fight.”
On this Neece pulled off his coat and stepped from his wagon in the direction of
Washington. Washington pulled off his coat
and laid it down on my fence, and they stepped up together, and Washington asked him what
he was mad about. Vess then called Washington
a G-d-d nigger, and said he would “cut his d-d throat.” He then drew his knife
from his pocket and struck at Washington three times.
Washington commenced running to get out of Neece’s way. I went up to Neece, and told him to come back and
not be running after the man. Neece came
back, and also Washington to help me with the sled. Vess
ran again after Washington, with a neck-yoke, and said, “Go back, you black son of a
b----h, or I’ll kill you!” Washington
went inside of his own yard, and stayed for a few minutes, and then came out and up to the
sled, where I was, and started with it. Neece
followed him up, and when he got to the gate, Neece took a neck-yoke off the sled and
stepped towards Washington in a threatening manner, as though he was going to strike him. Washington then picked up another neck-yoke from
the sled, and pushing Neece away, said, “let me alone.” At that Neece struck at Washington, which
staggered him. Washington struck back,
hitting Neece on the right shoulder. Neece
struck back at Washington, who warded off the blow and struck Neece on the side of the
head. Washington was “cornered” so
that he could not get out of the way of Neece—between the sled and the fence. Washington was not excited, and tried to pacify
Neece, but he would not hear to it, and kept urging the fight upon Washington whom was all
the time trying to keep out of his way. I
then ran in and caught hold of Washington and took him in the yard, and Neece went home,
or was taken home – I don’t know which. After
Neece was knocked down Washington made no further demonstration.
John
R. Simonds
Subscribed
and sworn to before me, the undersigned, Police Magistrate, of the city of Jerseyville, in
said county and state the 30th day of December, A. D. 1878, by the above named
John R. Simonds.
William
H. Stoeckel
The
Grand Inquisition
Of
coroner Williams, in behalf of the People of the State of Illinois, as when , where and in
what manner, “Vess” Neece came to
his death, was had, and after viewing the body and examining all the witnesses said that
“He came to his death in the city of Jerseyville, Dec. 24th, 1878, by a
blow inflicted on his head by a neck-yoke in the hands of George A. Washington, in
self-defense, Dec. 22, 1878; John L. Williams, Coroner; W. H. Stoeckel, foreman; James A.
Locke, John S. Daniels, Joseph Malott, Clarence M. Hamilton, J. W. Page, J. C. Darby,
George M. Remer, H. E. Hayes, R. C. Gledhill, Henry D. Field, Jacob C. Compton.”
The colored school is
located on the West Side of town and is under the supervision of Prof. Sykes, a colored
gentleman who has been teaching the young of his race how to shoot.
There are 30 scholars shown upon the register and 24 in attendance. Here the same appliances fare used and the same means resorted to for the good of the colored children as for the whites in their quarters.
The Jerseyville Examiner ~ September 10, 1879
The attempt made by some
of our colored fellow citizens to gain admission into the white schools was repelled by
the Board of education last Monday. No effort
was made yesterday to effect entrance. All
quiet along the lines as we go to pass.
The Jerseyville Examiner ~ 1 October 1879
Celebrated
at Brighton on Monday, September the 21st.
The
Brighton Advance says:
The
colored picnic in honor of the preliminary amancipation proclamation was held last Monday
in Gilson’s grove. Early in the morning
the teams loaded with people began to arrive. At
about half past nine the procession headed by the Alton Brass Band started for the grove. There were about 500 people in the procession. We noticed the following mottoes carried by the
Shipman delegation: “Shipman Radicals
– away with Hayes,” We need no more Moses,”
“We represent the 15th Amendment,” “Free and Equal
rights to all.” Both up and down trains
were loaded with pioneers. It is estimated
that there were fully 3,000 people on the grounds. The
woods were full of “merry-go-rounds,” shooting galleries, stands, etc; a wheel of fortune was started but was promptly
squelched. At about 11 o’clock the
people were called together, and Rev. Mr. Wilkerson, of Upper Alton, addressed them for
about an hour. His speech was first rate, and
abounded in telling points. After dinner
addresses were delivered by Peter Baker, Dr. Dimond, Col. Miles, and others whose names we
did not learn. An iron collar was shown by
Mr. Brown which was taken from the neck of a runaway slave at this place at the time when
Brighton was a station on the famous “underground railroad.” Everything passed off quietly; no drunkenness,
quarrelling, or fighting was seen during the day.
Colored Schools
In September the President
of the Board on Education, this city, addressed a letter to Supt. of Public Instruction,
Hon. James P. Slade, at Springfield, informing him of the status of that institution and
asking, in view of the fact the colored parents of this district would not send their
children to the teacher then employed, but said they would send to another if a change was
not made, whether the Board had the power to dispense with the services of the teacher and
employ another, and referred him to the law governing and defining the powers and duties
of boards of education as contradistinguished from school directors. The question was submitted by Mr.. Slade to Hon.
James K. Edsall, Attorney General, who gives his opinion as follows, and the Examiner
thinks very correctly and properly:
Hon. James P. Slade,
Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Sir: I have examined the question submitted in your
letter of the 14th inst., and herewith state
my opinion thereon. The 48th section of the
school law contains the following in regard to the power of the school directors to remove
teachers: “The state shall appoint, fix
the amount of their salaries, and may dismiss them for incompetence, cruelty, negligence,
immorality, or other sufficient cause,” --Revised
statues of 1874, p. 962, sec. 48.
It is held that when
school directors remove a teacher under that clause for incompetence, the burden is upon
them to show that the teacher was in fact incompetent, and that their finding upon that
question is not conclusive.--Neville vs. School Directors, 36 Ill. 71; School Directors vs. Reddick, 71 Ill. 628. The 80th section of the school law contains the
following in respect to the powers of boards of education upon the same subject: “They shall have power----to dismiss and
remove any teacher whenever in their opinion he or she is not qualified to teach, or
whenever from any cause the interest of the school may in their opinion require such
removal or dismiss ion.” --Rev. Stat. of 1874, p 975, sec. 10.
This language, it will be
observed, is materially different from that of section 48, quoted above; and I think it confers greater power in this
regard upon a board of education than that possessed by a board of school Directors. The school directors are only authorized to remove
a teacher when the face of incompetency, etc., exists, and if a controversy arises as to
the validity of the removal, they must be able to show that the fact existed, to justify
their action.
The board
of educations are not bound to show this face, but only in their opinion the fact existed. And so as to the removal upon the ground that the
“interests of the school say, in their opinion, requires such removal,” etc. The test as to the removal is not the fact as to
what the directors upon that question formed in good faith and from the best means of
information at their command? I think the
decision of the board of education upon that question is final and conclusive so long as
they act in good faith and with the honest intention to discharge the duty imposed upon
them by law. While the law confers upon the
board of education the power to decide the
question, and, as I think, makes their finding conclusive, if they act in good faith, it
is a power somewhat arbitary in its character, and should be exercised when all the
circumstances of the case are such as, in the opinion of the board, clearly indicate the
propriety of the action.
I am, very
respectfully yours
(Signed)
James K. Edsall, Attorney General
The
Examiner gives this opinion to disabuse the minds of some people in regard to the
question of the “power of boards of education to remove teachers.”
Boards of
Education are the instrument through which the accomplishment of the education is to be
attained. If, therefore, in their opinion,
the good of the school requires the removal of a teacher, under the law, certainly they
have the power to do it. Exercising that
power, of course, as the Attorney General expresses it, The Examiner claims we can
have as good colored school in this city as white, and we have the law back of the School
Board to administer the school law in the interest of pupils and patrons, and whatever is
necessary to that end boards of education may lawfully do, in good faith.
The
colored people want a good school. They
should have it. It is theirs. The Board of Education have given it to them, and
now they owe it to themselves, their children and the State, as good citizens, not to fail
in doing their duty in securing the free gift of an education for their children.
The
Examiner reiterates that Miss Linna Bartlett is one of the best teachers of her age in
the State. Her experience has demonstrated
that fact in the successful administration of every school assigned to her in the district
for seven years, and Prof. Joshua Pike, principal of our public school, verifies it.
Married-- Thursday evening
at Mt. Olive Baptist Church--Miss Miriam King, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff King, to Mr.
Andrew Thomas, all of this city.
Charles Smith and old man
Webb Jacobs were detected in selling a wagon load of wheat, stolen from the Jerseyville
Elevator, to Charles Jacobs on Monday night last and were committed to jail to await the
next term of court. Two Republican voters
gone, but “Harley” says a continuance and change of venue may save them yet.
The Examiner, March 24,
1880
On Thursday the 18th
inst. A horrible accident happened at the residence of Mr. Alexander, colored, living
three miles north of Godfrey on the Alton and Jerseyville road. Mrs. Alexander went away from home to do washing
for some family in the vicinity, leaving her husband and two children, aged three and
seven years, at home. The husband wanting to
leave the home, done so, locking the door and leaving the children in the house. During his absence the house took fire and burned
with the two children and contents. The
coroner held an inquest on Friday, and rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts.
Weekly Republicans ~ April 2, 1880
P. T. Ms. Cumber’s
school will close May 1st. The
school numbers 37 white and 20 colored scholars. All
seem to be satisfied with the manner the school has been conducted.
The Examiner, Jerseyville, IL,
Wednesday, April 14, 1880
GEORGE
WASHINGTON WAS born in Maryland, about the year 1817; when but four years old, he was sold
to Dr. Silas Hamilton, cousin of Dr. J. O. Hamilton, and Uncle of Clarence M. Hamilton, of
this city, for $150. Dr. Silas Hamilton,
while journeying between his old home in Vermont and his now home in Mississippi, came
across George in a Maryland town, and having compassion on the lad because of his
fearfully sore eyes, bought the boy at the price named, and as a part of the
consideration, agreed to cure his eyes. He
was taken to Mississippi and lived there as a servant in Dr. Hamilton’s family until
1830, when, with other slaves, he was brought North.
He was taken to Cincinnati by Dr. Hamilton and set free, the Doctor giving
bonds that they should never become a charge upon the authorities, and they never did. Eight, including George, were brought to
Otterville and remained slaves until Dr. Hamilton’s death, except some that returned
to Cincinnati. All the colored children were sent to school at Otterville, including
George, Dr. Hamilton refusing to support the school unless his black children were
admitted, and the district, not being sufficiently able, as the inhabitants thought, to
run the school with out his assistance, with reluctance yielded to his demands. In this manner George received a common school
education. Among his teachers were William
Hamilton, (father of Clarence M. Hamilton, of this city,) Osgood, Gurnsey, and Burnap. In 1834, Dr. Hamilton died on the farm now owned
by Wm. McAdams, Sr., and George went to live with Gilbert Douglass, on Otterville Prairie. He lived there until he was 21 years of age, when
he commenced work in life for himself, and although deprived of all the rights of
citizenship, by his perseverance, frugality and general good behavior, he gained the
confidence of all who knew him, so that his word was as good as any man’s and his
note was regarded as good as cash. In 1864 he
was taken sick and died, Dr. J. O. Hamilton, of this city, attending him. He left quite as
estate, amounting to several thousand dollars and divided it as follows:
NON CUPATIVE WILL of
George Washington, (colored) deceased, admitted to Probate, April 21, 1864. Know all men by these presents that we Joseph O.
Hamilton and John A. Campbell, of the County Of Jersey and State of Illinois, do herby
certify that George Washington, (colored man) of the County of Jersey and State of
Illinois, died on or about the 14th day of April, 1864, and during his last illness
published and declared in our presence the following as his last will and testament:
FIRST: That his funeral expenses and all just debts be
fully paid.
SECOND: After the payment off such funeral expenses and
debts, it was his will that all his goods, chattels, personal and real estate be sold and
converted into money to be disposed of as follows:
Fifteen hundred dollars to
be applied to the construction of a suitable monument for the tomb of Dr. Silas Hamilton,
deceased, (his former master) to be erected near the Stone School House, at southwest
corner of northeast quarter of section fourteen, township seven, range twelve, west, in
Jersey County, Illinois; and the residue, or whatever may be left of his estate not
otherwise appropriated, to the education of colored persons, or Americans of African
decent. Witness: Henry Johnson, Wm. Keith, Andrew Jackson. Reduced to writing his 21st day of April, A. D.
1864. Joseph O. Hamilton and John
A. Campbell.
The Examiner ~ 30 June 1880
Jane parker, elderly, formerly of Rocky Fork, Madison County, died last week at Delhi at 104 years old.
The Republican – Examiner, 22 Sep. 1882
John Anderson (colored) who has for so many years been a resident of Jerseyville, is very ill and can not recover. He is said, by those who know, to be 100 years or over. He was the first colored man that ever voted in this county. For many years past, he has lived in entire seclusion and is dependant upon some benevolent families in this city for his subsistence.
Republican Examiner ~ 16 Mar 1883
Miss Ella King, colored, daughter of Jefferson King of this city, died at age of 17 at father’s home. Funeral from colored Baptist church. Rev. E. A. Coleman. Pallbearers: Isiah Bryant, John Wardell, William Dillion and Mr. Williams.
Unknown Paper ~ February 1884
The Baptism Brethren has been holding for 6 weeks a series of revival meetings at their church in this city. Much interest is manifested and the building is crowded nightly with white and black. The brothers and sisters in white seem to be as much interested as the brothers and sisters in black. Twelve have been converted, twelve have joined the church and eight have been reclaimed.
Harriet
Mills, the well-known colored lady, died Tuesday last and will be buried from Mt. Olive
Baptist church. Harriet was well known and
liked by all. She was an industrious lady.
The first colored person
to graduate from the Litchfield public schools will be Miss Mary Wallace. She has labored diligently and no doubt will bear
the honor with pride.
Republican Examiner, September 21, 1888
A large number of colored
people from here will attend the annual celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, at
Shipman tomorrow, a big time is anticipated.
Republican Examiner, April 1889
(From Piasa) The colored people will baptize 8 of their
converts, at a pond in E. B. Clark’s pasture, next Sunday morning.
Several person went from
here to Waggoner’s Prairie to witness the baptizing of 27 colored persons. They report over 2,000 persons there.
Jersey County Democrat, August 22, 1889
The annual competitive
examination for appointment of beneficiaries of the George Washington this city last week.
Owing probably to the rather high standard of scholarship required for only one, Mr.
Leonard Lewis, of Champaign, succeeded in reaching the required standard. Mr.
meeting of the board and will be sent either to Wilberforce University, Ohio, or
Fisk University,
Several beneficiaries of
the fund have already graduated at Wilberforce, and are all doing well in
life. The fund is now paying the way
of two young men and one young lady, all from Illinois--at Fisk University. The present
candidate for the appointment will increase the present number of beneficiaries to four,
and we understand two more might have been appointed had suitable now to about $16,000.
The annual income from which will pay all the expenses of five or six and ought by all
means to call forth the greatest exertion on the part of the colored boys and girls of
Jerseyville and Jersey County. To win such a
prize would be not only as high honor, but a life benefit to the winner.
No white boy or girl has
any such opportunity, and we hope our colored citizens will see to it that these prize
scholarships are not carried away from year to year by competitors from remote parts of
the state.
Jerseyville Republican ~ July 22, 1892
The colored Methodist Camp meeting at Snedeker’s Grove commenced last night, with all the singers present. Pastor Green is doing all in his powers to make the meeting a success and hopes that the people will attend Sunday night will witness the fall of the walls of Jericho. (See handbills for particulars).
Pastor Greene who is
conducting the colored camp meeting east of the city, announces interesting services,
conducted by celebrated ministers, for next Sunday. Three
o’clock Sunday afternoon will witness the return of the Prdigal Son and other
services of the day will be unusually interesting. The
meeting will be continued another week.
11 March 1894
Mrs.
Mary Galloway (colored) died in Alton at the age of 115.
Jersey
County Democrat ~
3 Jan. 1895
More
Thieves
Charley
Brown, Dave Ford and Archie Weeks, all colored, are in jail under a $200 bond each for
theft. Monday night Ford and Weeks stole a
hog from Henry Hopp’s farm eight miles east of the city, killed it and were on the
way home with their booty when they were captured by Officers Burns and Kinsella who had
been notified of their suspicious movements. Ford
is 38 and Weeks, 16 years old. They were
tried before Squire Erwin and put under bond. Weeks
testified to having seen Charley Brown with a load of stolen goods on a night previous,
whereupon the latter also was arrested, given a hearing in court and placed in jail under
bond. Albert E. King, a tailor, was arrested
the other day for stealing a quantity of silk thread from John Horn’s shop where he
had formerly been employed. He was given a
hearing before Squire Erwin, placed under a $100 bond and sent to jail to await further
proceedings.
17
Jan. 1895
Died
– Mrs. Hannah Broadus (colored) died at her home Sunday aged about 84 years. The funeral took place from the colored Baptist
church Monday afternoon, Rev. J. E. Jackson conducting the services. Mrs. Broadus was a slave for 55 years, receiving
her freedom during the war. She was married
twice and was the mother of fifteen children, five of whom with her latter husband are
living. Her home has been Jerseyville for the
past eleven years.
Remains
of Mrs. Samuel Moore (colored) brought her for interment.
Jersey
County Democrat –
24 Jan. 1895
Last
night about 6:45 three prisoners escaped from jail by sawing off two bars at the northeast
window. They were Charles Dougherty,
arrested for stealing Albert Lamb’s watch; John,
alias “Drake” Kinsella, arrested for attempted rape, and Dave Ford, a colored
fellow, arrested for stealing a hogs.
Re-capture.
John
Dougherty, the cunning culprit that led the escape of the jail prisoners last Wednesday
night, was re-captured Friday afternoon at the house of a Mrs. Langley in this city. It was here that the offender was first arrested,
and naturally the officers looked here for him after his escape. They searched the house on Friday morning without
success, but the willingness of the matron to show them over the house aroused suspicion
and they returned in the afternoon and dragged their prisoner out from under a heap of
carpet under the stairway. His clothes were
searched and among other papers was found a discharge from the army for John Lynch of
Benton, MO. Whether this is Dougherty’s
real identity is not certain. He is 53 years
old. On his statement that the tools used in
cutting the jail bars were furnished by Dave Ford’s wife, the woman was arrested and
placed in jail.
Dave
Ford (colored) and “Drake” Kinsella were each caught on Saturday, the former in
Alton, the later in Shipman. Not having
seasonable clothing, the men were unable to travel far in the severe weather. It is safe to say that they will now remain housed
until circuit court gives them an airing.
Jersey
County Democrat ~ 4 Jul 1895
James
L. Davenport and Mrs. Ollie Mead, colored, were made a happy one by Squire Erwin Monday.
One
of the Antiquities of the Probate Court Records of Jersey County
The
following quaintly phrased testimony copied from the probate court records of Jersey
County and dated Jan. 6, 1840, describes a contract between Thomas L. McGill and Nathaniel
Hamilton, justices of the peace, and Aaron Noble for the apprentice-ship of a colored boy
in accordance with the laws of those days:
This
Indenture made and entered into this sixth day of January A D 1840 between Thomas L.
McGill, and Nathaniel Hamilton, two Justices of the peace in and for the County of Jersey
and the State of Illinois of the one part and Aaron Noble of the Same County and State of
the second part Witnesseth That the said
Justices of the peace by virtue of the law of the State of Illinois in such cases made and
provide have plan and by these presents do plan and bind out as an apprentice a poor
Colored Child named Nathan who has no parents in this State and is unable to maintain
himself and is now the age of sixteen years to said Aaron Noble to learn the art of
farming of the said Aaron Noble after the manner of an apprentice to dwell with and serve
the said Aaron Noble from the day of the day of the date hereof to the twentieth day of
April A D 1845 at which time the said apprentice will be twenty-one years of age. During all of which term of time the said
apprentice shall be under his said master and well and faithfully keep his secrets and all
his lawful commands at all times and every where be ready to obey. He shall do no damage to his said master nor
knowingly suffer any to be done by others. He
shall not worst the goods of his said master nor lend them unlawfully to any. At cards, dice or any unlawful game he shall not
play. Matrimony he shall not contract during his said term of service. Taverns, alehouses or places of gaming he shall
not frequent or resort from the services of his master; he shall not absent himself but in
all things and at all times he shall demean himself and behave as a good and faithful
servant or apprentice ought during the whole term aforesaid.
And
the said Aaron Noble binds himself to cause said apprentice to be taught to read and shall
give unto said apprentice a new Bible and two new suits of clothes suited to his condition
at the expiration of his said term of service in testimony whereof we have hereunto set
our hands and seals this day and year above written.
Thomas
L. McGill (seal)
Nathaniel
Hamilton (seal)
Aaron
Noble (seal
Jerseyville Republican ~ December 12, 1895
Several from here heard the Tennessee Jubilee Singers at Carrollton, Saturday night. It will be remembered that, George Conley a Jersey boy, accompanies them as a tenor singer.
The Daily Democrat ~ 4 April 1902
Big Wedding in Elite
Colored Society.
Mr. John Matthews Weds
Mme. Martha Logan
It has been some time
since a wedding occurred in Jerseyville that attracted so much attention as that of Mr.
John Matthews and Mrs. Martha Logan, (Colored). The
marriage ceremony was performed yesterday at the St. Francis parsonage. Although the day was somewhat cloudy and stormy,
the event was a most happy one and in accordance with the 200 invitations sent out about
that many gathered at the parsonage promptly at 3 o’clock to witness the ceremony. The bride was beautifully attired in a bright
green plush dress and wore a black hat profusely trimmed with violet and a long bridal
veil. The groom was handsomely dressed in
conventional black, with white vest and both wore gloves.
The attending couple was Mrs. Henry Bert and Mr. Gus Wallace who were also
dressed in keeping with the solemnity and joy of the occasion. The beautiful span and carriage, which were used
to convey the bridal party, were prettily decorated and as they passed through Main Street
attracted much attention. After the marriage
ceremony was performed the party was hurriedly taken to the home of the bride where in the
evening from 7 to 10 p.m. the reception was held. It
is not an unreasonable estimate to say that one thousand people called and paid respects
to the happy, though aged colored couple who seemed thoroughly imbued with the real
happiness and significance of the occasion. Mrs.
Matthews received the congratulations of her numerous guest in the parlor during the
reception. She was attired in a mercerized
rose-colored cerise silk and wore a beautiful bridal wreath with long veil, while the
groom assisted the waiters in serving the rich viands and delicacies previously prepared. The festal board was prettily decorated with fancy
chinaware and beautiful bouquets of natural flowers.
On the center mounted on a high stand was the large decorated bride’s
cake from which a piece was cut for each guest. This
pleasant duty fell to the lot of the handsome groom who has a tooth for sweet things
himself and who performed his part with grace. The
incident of crowding the parlor caused the floor to break through but as it fell only
about two feet fortunately no one was injured, and as joy reigned supreme the incident was
soon forgotten. The presents, which were
given by the leading white and colored folks of the city, were numerous including jewelry,
glassware, rocking chairs, dining-room table, etc. All
who attended enjoyed a good time and the generous hospitality of the colored folks was
noted by every one present, all of whom join in wishing this aged couple, respectively 75
and 65 years, much joy and prosperity.
Jerseyville Republican ~ September 17, 1903
Mrs. Margaret Smith died at her home at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Her funeral was held at Colored Baptist church.
Jerseyville Republican ~ September 1903
Following colored students were applicants and took the examination in Robert’s office for the free scholarships under the provisions of the Washington Education Fund: John Sherman Wilson of Springfield. See Miss Minnie Price of Alton, or Miss Harriett Evans of Jerseyville.
Jerseyville Republican ~ 9 Dec. 1909
Mrs. Harriet Summerville, wife of Jackson Summerville, died at her home in this city, Monday morning, November 6, 1909, aged 80 years. The funeral services were held from the Mt. Olive Baptist church at 2:30 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Stephen Catt officiating.
Jerseyville Democrat ~ March 2, 1916
Members of the Dunbar Club
gave a social function Monday evening February, 14 in Yeoman Hall. The Dunbar Club is named for the Negro poet, Paul
Lawrence Dunbar, whose works the members of the club are studying. It was organized in January 1915, and meets every
Tuesday evening at the home of some members and gives a literacy and musical program
annually, the members entertains their friends at an open meeting. The officers are R. A. Cisco, president; Ida
Wallace, vice president; R. Preison, secretary and J. Little, treasurer and the other
members are Mrs. Robert Preison, Mr. & Mrs. Athur Evans of Alton.
There were 70 guests at
the party Monday evening, including a number of people from Carrollton, Jacksonville and
Alton. David D. Jones, executive secretary of
the colored branch of the St. Louis YMCA was here and delivered a lecture.
Jerseyville Republican ~ 4 July 1918
First Colored Boy Sent.
Glen Evans, son of john
Evans, the first colored boy to be inducted into service from Jersey county, was sent to
the Wendall Phillips high school in Chicago to receive special instructions on motor work.
Unknown Newspaper ~ Feb 1921
John King, colored, 52, died suddenly at his home in Jacksonville Feb. 4. The funeral services were held from the Jacksonville Baptist church on Fe. 9. Interment was in the Jacksonville Cemetery. The deceased was a son of Jeff King of this city.
The back to Africa movement being agitated among the negroes of the United States
will perish for lack of support if all the Negroes of the country give it the same
consideration as the colored residents of Jerseyville.
The main idea is to establish a black republic somewhere in Africa. The government will be fashioned somewhat along
the lines of the United States government and a ship load of recruits will leave a United
States port this week according to reports for the new land of promise.
Rev. Kane Lockwood, who has been pastor of Mount Olive Baptist church when
questioned shook his head decidedly and said, “These boys don’t want to come
round for my support, I was bon south of Montgomery, Ala., and was a slave. I’s gwine stay with Uncle Sam. Dis heah country sho suits me all right.” The Rev. Lockwood is the only member of his race
in this locality now living who was a slave.
Henry Burt, deacon of the Mt. Olive church expressed his opinion very much along
the same line as the Rev. Lockwood. “Wwwhat
Iiii wwwant go to Africa fo” Iii don wan any of those Ggggoorillas chasin me.
Jerseyville Republican 1921
Jerseyville
Republican: 1 Dec 1921
SIX
WERE WOUNDED IN RACE RIOTING SATURDAY EVENING
NEGROES
USED SHOT GUNS ON CROWD BEFORE GROCERY STORE ON EAST SIDE
MANY
ARRESTS FOLLOW BATTLE
Negroes
Are Charged With Assault With Intent to Kill and Whites Are Arrested for Rioting
Six men were shot in a race riot in the city of Jerseyville between two factions of
negroes and whites last Saturday night.
The trouble started early Saturday afternoon when a fight between a negro and
several whites took place in the Connor & Sweeney Pool Room on South State Street. Eleven warrants for the arrest of both negroes and
whites were issued Monday by Justice of the Peace Thatcher on complaint of various
officials and men implicated in the affray. Both
sides tell different stories and as there has been no preliminary hearing the statement of
both sides in fairness to both is published.
Several white men interviewed claim that the affray at the pool room between Lalois
Brown, colored, and Lee Red Brown, white man, started over a game in which the negro drew
a knife, and attacked Red Brown. A shower of
pool balls were fired at the negro who was run out of the place.
Lalois Brown, who was arrested Monday by Sheriff Catt on a warrant charging assault
with intent to kill, stated that the quarrel in the pool room had been started by Red
Brown
“I was in the toilet,” stated Lalois Brown, “when Red came up behind
me and called me a vile name. I told him not
to bother me; that he was drunk. He
retaliated by stating that he cold whip any black ________
____________
in the city of Jerseyville. He made a pass at
me and I ducked. Several of the others came
to Red Brown’s assistance and threw billiard balls at me. I made my escape.”
After twelve o’clock the shooting occurred in the vicinity of the Chicago
& Alton depot. According to statements of
Eddie Roberts, he was standing near the Burns Grocery, opposite the C. & A. depot in
company with others when John Brown, Lalolis Brown and Coonie Brown opened fire. Roberts received sixty-seven bullets in his body
from a shot gun. Five others in the crowd, it
is reported, were injured by the bullets from the guns in the hands of the hands of the
colored men. Olin Brown and Lee Brown were
both shot in the face. Raymond Vanausdoll, it
is reported had the heel and part of the sole shot from one of his shoes. Leonard Baldridge received shot in his body, Elzy
Pickerel Jr., was also shot in the body.
A warrant was sworn out
Monday-----------------------------------------------------------------(something seem to
be missing here)
LaloisBrown
were arrested by Sheriff Cat Monday Morning. The
complaint charges assault with intent to kill.
John Brown gave a thousand dollar bond for his appearance at preliminary hearing
Friday morning Brown stated that he was shooting in self defense.
“I was sitting in my room about 11 o’clock Saturday evening.” he stated to the officials, “when a white man
came bursting into the room and told me to flee for my life; that Red Brown and a gang
were coming to kill me. Lalois let the white
man out the back door and as he left, the gang surrounded the house. One white man knocked at the door but I told the
girl who was staying with us and Lalois and Coonie to keep quiet or they’d kill all
of us. The white man finally ripped out an
oath and called out “John Brown, we know you’re in there and we’re going to
murder you and lalois tonight.” Lalois
and I slipped out the back way and crawled don our hands and knees until we got out of the
danger zone. I was going to come to town and
get the police. When I got to the depot, I
saw a crowd and started to go the other direction. Someone
shouted there’s the black___________ _________.
Three of the crowd threw rocks at me and I warned them to stop before I
fired. I shot them in self defense.”
Brown then made a complaint against several the parties he claimed were in the
crowd and six were arrested. These named in
the complaint were Leonard Baldridge, ???? Brown, Lee “Red” Brown, Wm.
Dolan, Elzy Pickerel Jr. and Eddie Roberts.
Baldridge when arrested stated that he had not been to Brown’s house and Wm.
Dolan denied having even been in the vicinity of the trouble. Elzy Pickerel Jr. states that he had gone to the
vicinity of the C. & A. in the belief that there would be a possible fight and wanted
in on it. He stated that he was not at
Brown’s house.
“I was standing in the north areaway of the C. & A. depot when the
shooting started,” stated Pickerel. “I saw three negroes and they were all
armed. They came from behind the Shea Apple
House and called out to the crowd before the Burns Grocery Store to come and get us now. One of them came toward me and ordered me to come
out. I didn’t like the idea of getting
filled with lead and started to run. The
negro cut loose a couple of times at me before I finally got out of range behind a
building.”
Feeling against the negroes was remaining high Sunday and a crowd estimated at more
than one hundred formed in the vicinity of the C. & A. depot Sunday night according to
reports. The members of the mob wanted to go
down and clean out the negroes. Eddie
Roberts who received the most serious injuries in the affray of the evening before
requested that the members of the crowd desist from starting anything further that might
lead to serious consequences. Saner counsel
prevailed and the crowd dissolved content for the time to give the law a chance to adjust
the difficulty.
The hearing of the white men who were arrested in set for next Monday before
Justice Thatcher and the hearing for the negroes was waived by them Tuesday. The whites are charged with rioting and the
negroes with assault with intent to kill. John
Brown was released on $1000.00 bond and Lalois Brown on $500.00 bond for appearance before
the March grand jury.
Jerseyville
Republican: 12 Jan 1922
NEGRO
WAS ARRESTED ON CRIMINAL CHARGE
Complaint was made January 1st by Mrs. Nettie Godar before Justice of the Peace
Thatcher charging Lalois Brown (colored) wit assault with intent to commit rape.
The date of the assault is designated in the complaint as the night of the 31st of
December of the past year.
“I had gone from the house to the store near our place to get some
groceries,” stated Mrs. Godar, and Lalois Brown was in there at the time. I returned home and remained in the house for a
short time. I had previously carried
in the coal and kindling for the next morning. My
husband had been gone during the day and had not yet returned home. I went to the coal shed to lock the door for the
night.
“As I reached up to take hold of the padlock the door was opened and Brown
seized me and dragged me into the shed. I
fought the negro for some time and was about giving out when my husband came to the shed
in time to save me. When the negro realized
that my husband was coming he thrust me out of lthe shed and ran.”
Floyd Godar, the husband of Mrs. Nettie Godar, stated that he had just retiurned
home after being away for the day. He came
int he front door just as his wife went out of the back door to go to the coal shed.
“Where’s Nettie?” he inquired of his brother-in-law, Frank Miller,
who was in the house.
“She just went over to the store, I think,” was the reply.
Godar had occasion to go into the yard and approached near the coal shed. His attention was attracted by unusual lsounds
form that direction which seemed to procede from the building. He advanced toward the shed as his wife was
ejected from the place and he saw the negro, according to his statement, run from the
building at full speed.
Brown was arrested by Sheriff Catt Tuesday evening and arraigned before Justice
TYhjatcher and a bond of one thounand dollars for his appearance at a preliminary
examination was required. In default of bond
Brown was lodged in the county jail. Owning
to the illness of STates Attorney Hamilton no definite time has been fixed for a
preliminary hearing.
Jerseyville
Republican: 1 Feb 1923
KU
KLUX KLAN HAS BEEN SENDING MANY LETTERS TO VACATE
ONE CITIZEN REPORTED TO HAVE
LEFT TOWN AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE
MANY OTHERS RECEIVED LETTERS
Two Men Report Witnessing
Imitation Ceremonies of Klan Last Week in Place Southwest of Jerseyville
The subject most discussed in Jerseyville at the present time is the Ku Klux Klan. That a Klan exists is a definitely established
fact. That they purpose to become active has
already been demonstrated by the number of letters sent out of certain citizens who
apparently have been picked out the Klan as undesirable from the Klan’s standpoint of
thinking.
On citizen, according to reports, quit his position with a local business firm
after the receipt of a letter thought to have been sent by the Klan, giving him so many
hours to leave town.
The charge contained in the letter reported to have been sent by the Klan was one
of illicit relations between the man and a certain married woman in the city of
Jerseyville.
The man in question has ever been a hard working individual and has been the sole
support of this mother who is the widow of a veteran of the Civil War. The man left Jerseyville and his position rather
that to face the wrath he might expect to be meted out by the signers of the letter. It is very doubtful, however, that the letter was
written by the Ku Klux Klan.
Another individual who was arrested on a charge of violation of the prohibition act
some time ago and entered a plea of guilty, according to reports, received a letter signed
with the three K’s to get out of town and stay out.
The party in question upon receipt of the letter went home to get a revolver. He stated to friends that he would not leave.
The keepers of two separate business places have been given warning it is said to
leave town. At last reports they were still
in business and had not left.
Up to date the activities of the local Klan, it is said, have been directed against
individuals who are thought to have been law violators, either in fact of upon suspicion.
A couple of young men coming into Jerseyville a few evenings ago to attend a
meeting of a local order report another initiation ceremony of the Klan.
The automobile in which the two were riding broke down. While they were working on their car a score or
more of automobiles bearing hooded figures passed in the night.
The initiation ceremonies were taking place in an adjacent piece of the country and
the two got a far away glimpse of the flaming cross and weird ceremonies.
Jerseyville
Republican: 29 Nov 1923
MT.
OLIVE COLORED CHURCH PASTOR IS WED
Rev. Kane Lockwood pastor and “Pulpit Supplier” for Mt. Olive Baptist
colored church of Jerseyville, and Mrs. Jennie Whitesides, were united in marriage Sunday,
Nov. 25th, just as the orb of the day was crossing the zenith of its daily pilgrimage.
The marriage ceremony was performed by Justice of the Peace Thatcher at the home of
the bride in the last house on West Exchange Street.
About twenty-five friends, of the bride and groom were present for the ceremony.
Following the ceremony a chicken wedding dinner was served.
The marriage of the couple brings back in itself a faint shadow of the days of
slavery. The return on the back of the
certificate made by the presiding official reveals some facts regarding terrible
conditions that endured in the southland during those days when human chattels were sold
and handled after the fashion of other animals.
The groom, Kane Lockwood, was torn from his mother’s bosom when he was but a
baby. When questioned by the presiding
official as to the name of this mother he replied, “I doan know my mammy’s name. I doan even ‘member her. They took me from her when I was just a little
feller.
About the same reply was made by the bride regarding the name of her father. Much of the history of the slave trade int the
past century of American life is considered by the present generation as in the light
almost of a myth. We have been told it
existed. These last dim reminders of the few
who lived under slavery are getting almost extince.
Lockwood
is employed by Dr. A
Jerseyville Republican ~ 14 Feb. 1924
Jeff
King sold his blacksmith shop on east Prairie Street to Mott Brown and the new owner
assumed charge Monday morning. King has been
blacksmithing in Jerseyville ever since 1865 following the close of the Civil War. He was born in slavery and as a boy learned the
trade of blacksmith. Following the war he
came to Jerseyville. When he first arrived,
he was employed by a Mr. Bell who had a blacksmith shop in Jerseyville. In a few months King opened a shop in the east
part of Jerseyville across the street from his present residence in a brick building. Later he moved to another location. King at the present time is 86 years of age and
has continued longer at his anvil than any blacksmith in Illinois.
Jersey Republican ~
12-11-24
The
will of William Jefferson King filed for probation September 20 admitted to record
December 8 in county court. Bequeaths
residence and personal property to widow, Annie King.
Upon her death a redivision of the property is provided for among the seven
children of the deceased first wife and his one child from second marriage. Witnesses to the will which was made the 27th
of April, 1909, were Charles F. Fabes, now deceased, and Frank L. Mundle, Rev. Stephen W.
Catt, now deceased, was named in the will as executor.
Jerseyville Republican
~ November 6, 1924
Colored
Church to hold a Revival at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, colored, with its membership of ten
worshipers, is planning for a series of evangelistic meeting, commencing Sunday, November
16. An attempt will be made to revive the
church, which has been pastorless for two years and on a decline in membership and
support, except in it’s Sunday school which has been maintained. Lack of financial support also caused the
organization to be dropped from the association and an effort will be made to restore it
to its former standing. The revival will be
in charge of Rev.Phillip A. Bosenell of Quincy. He
occupied the pulpit last Sunday evening to a comparatively large audience. He said he had faith and the efforts will be
rewarded by many new members being added to the fold.
Jerseyville Republican 1925
Jerseyville
Republican: 28 Jul 1927
STREET
SHOW IN KANE ROUTED BY EGG HURLERS
A medicine show operating in Kane faced a barrage of eggs laid down by parties
unknown or at least the parties hurling the offensive missiles have not been apprehended
by the village constable, Robert Brown.
The misdeed has been charged to the Klu Klux Klan, the Knights of Columbus, the A.
F. & A. M. and about all the other secret orders having membership in the Kane
vicinity, but the thinking people of the community are of the opinion that the “shell
game” was worked by some of the small fry of the community who took exceptions to the
manner in which the manager of the medicine show chased them away from his automobile last
Wednesday evening. A storm earlier in the
day had caused a cessation of lighting service in the village, and the miscreants
took
advantage of the darkness to commit their act.
The medicine show made its appearance some two weeks ago. Dr. So and So, selling medicine, curing most of
the ailments to which humanity is heir, had accompanying him two negro entertainers, who
sand and played to the great delight of many of the citizens. Now there was a time in the history of Kane when
no dark-skinned brother was permitted to show his person in the aforesaid village, the same
unwritten law which at present prevails in Calhoun county also being in force in the said
locality. In Calhoun they make the
“niggers” swim the Illinois, wh8ile in Kane they point the Macoupin creek,
north of the village, out to the descendants of Uncle Tom and Little Eva and bid them
cross over and never return.
The medicine show was lighted by gasoline torches the night of the offense, and all
of the rest of the village was plunged in darkness.
The village constable rang the curfew bell at eight-thirty and as that ended his
day of labor as an officer, he went home so was not present when the ace of egging the
show was committed.
Bombardment From Three Sides
According to the reports, the show was approaching its closing number for the
evening., The negroes were in the act of
singing one of their most popular song hits when eggs began to fly form three corners of
the show lot. A luscious egg smote one of the
actors full on the forehead and as he ducked he exclaimed: “I likes mah eggs fried,
not raw!”
Several other citizens not attached to the medicine show collect an egg or two
each, and one youth of fourteen, who was gazing ukpwart at the antics of the actors
received a large non-accredited egg right between the eyes, the exudations from the
aforesaid egg spoiling the rim of his straw hat.
The show broke up for the evening but the actors again returned to Kane Friday
night, and the Doctor announced in opening his show that he would offer a reward of ten
dollars to any person who would admit that he had hurled the eggs at his show as he wanted
to give him a whipping. It was hinted in
Kane Monday morning taht there might be several of the boys from the Macoupin Creek flats
who would claim the reward just for the pugilistic experience they might obtain from a
bout with the Doctor.
Saturday afternoon a number of eggs were placed as a warning on the platform being
utilized by the show. The eggs were removed
for analysis by the village constable who, with other citizens, fears that trouble may yet
reappear in a scrambled form of some kind before the medicine show stops selling corn
remover, stomach regulator and other remedies.
For more information on Jersey County's Black History, read the following Prairie Schooners:
Fall, 1982, pg's 8 - 9, 14
Spring 1984, pg's 5, 7, 12
Spring 1987, pg 18
Spring 1988, pg's 1, 27
Fall 1990, pg 32
Spring 1991, pg's 25 - 26
Spring 1995, pg 19
Spring 1997, The entire Schooner is dedicated to the history.
This page was last updated 15 April 2002
A very special thanks to Grace for
help in gathering and typing our Black History
© 2001 - 2002 Marty Crull