Black History Notebook
Chicago; My kind of town
by Allred E. Caln
It w m work that attracted many
immigrant» to Chicago. A fter the Civil
War. the promiae of good-paying jobs in
industry caused numerous Black Ameri
cans to migrate here from the South
Though many of them found their pro
spects of opportunity misguided, or at
least short-lived, Chicago's infectuous
energy claimed most of the newcomers
forever. In time, some would themselves
become entrepreneurs, turning their
early disappointment and dejection into
economic victory.
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Historically. It was a Black entrepre
neur who holds the distinction of being
Chicago's first settler.
Jean Baptiste
Pointe Du Sable, a fur trapper and
trader, set up a small trading post on the
river we know as the Chicago River about
I 1790. Born in Haiti, the son of a former
, slave mother and a French merchant
| father, Du Sable first came to North
I America in 1765 after completing studies
J in Paris. He plied his trade in places
along the Mississippi River and on the
J Great I-akc passages to Canada. In his
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travels he had often passed the area
which the Indians called Chicagou or
Eschikagou, terms denoting the strong
smell of wild onion and/or garlic said to
hover over the area.
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In short order after becoming estab-
lished here. Du Sable added more build
ings to the trading post, and soon he was
joined by other settlers. A t the turn of
the century, Du Sable sold his Chicago
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business and moved to Peoria and from
there to St. Charles, Missouri - the place
where he is buried. The story of his
experiences certainly validates the old
saying: from one little acorn (Du Sable's
trading post) grows a mighty oak (the
Chicago’» first settler, Jeaa Bartiat«
Pointe Du Sable set up a small trading
post on the Chicago River circa 1790. A
tribute to its founder in Chicago's Wash
ington Park is the Du Sable Museum of
African-American History. IPhoto cour
tesy of the Du Sable Museum of African-
American History, lnc.|
j great city of Chicago).
In 1837 the settlement by Du Sable had
, grown into a village of 4,170 residents
I and was incorporated as a city. Today,
with a population of 3.369,357 and sprawl
ing over a 228 mile area. Chicago is the
nation's second largest city.
Despite the statistical status of “Se
cond City," Chicago ranks first in many
spheres. It's the busiest transportation
center (rail or air) in the world. I t is the
veritable fountainhead of modem archi
tecture, for Chicago boasted the world's
first skyscraper and three of the world's
ten tallest buildings have been erected
I there, including the 'Sears Tower, the
I world's tallest. It's ala? a cultural oasis,
1 offerings its citizens a symphony that is
often called America's greatest, a galaxy
of splendid museums, and an outdoor
gallery of modern sculpture rising in
many of the city 's public spaces, including
fine examples of the work by Picasso,
Chagall, Calder and Oldenberg among its
prizes.
Chicago derives much of its special
J character from its people who represent
I an intact ethnic diversity - one that has
I resisted the homogenizing effects of the
I so-called "great American melting pot".
• The people who have congregated here
1 from all over the world have proudly and
J steadfastly retained many of the cultural
I traditions of other lands as they engage
I in - and make their mark on - many
I facets of the city's life.
la 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale William»
¡■erformed the first successful o,sen-heart
surgery ever re,sorted.
Understandably then, a proud page in
Black history has been w ritten in Chi
cago. In 1891, medical history was made
in Chicago when D r. Daniel Hale W il
liams and an interracial group of support
ers received a charter for the Provident
Hospital and Training School Association.
Provident thus became the first interra
cial hospital in the U.S. and the first
training school for Black nurses in the
country. "D r. Dan” and Provident gained
international fame in 1893 when he
performed the first successful open-heart
surgery ever reported.
Political history was made in Chicago
in 1928 when Oscar De Priest was elected
to Congress. De Priest was the first
Black person elected since the departure
of George H. W hite in 1905 and the very
ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH
806 N.E. Alberta Street
Reverend Bertram Griffin, Pastor
1
281-4429
1
5dM ¡T» Vigil - Saturday
10:00 »JU. Chair - Sunday
12:00 p.m. Folk
Sunday
ST. ANDREW C O M M U N IT Y
SCHOOL
1
Phone: 284-1620
Gradee 1 through 8
4919 N.E. 9th Ave.
Norita Kelly, Principal
A menu
from Chicago
The festive menu that we are suggest
ing in this installment is a distillation
from some of the most memorable meals
first from a Northern state. That same
I've enjoyed in Chicago.
As expertly
South Side district, the 1st, has been
interpreted by the K raft Kitchens, this is
represented by Black legislators ever I
banquet fare that takes second place to
since. The incumbent now is Congress I
none. Homemakers who elect to dupli
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man Ralph H. Metcalfe, who has since
cate the suggested menu will likely be
been joined by Congresswoman Cardiss I
asked for the names of their caterers.
Collins, representing the West Side's 6th I
W ith this menu, the festivities can
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District.
I begin in the living room. Around a punch
Glory has also come to Chicago from I
bowl, family and guests can limber up
the achievements of some of its many I
their appetites for the main event by
Black w riters and historians. Richard I
nibbling on hors d'oeuvres that are
W right made his first literary efforts I deceivingly easy to prepare and delicious
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there before going on to win world
I ly easy to eat. M iniature Ham Puffs can
acclaim for his Chicago-based novel, I
be made a day in advance and refrigerat
“Native Son," and his autobiographical I
ed. For variety, fill the bite size cream
memoir, "Black Boy.”
In 1950, poet I
puff with any of your favorite sandwich
Gwendolyn Brooks, now Illinois Poet I
salad fillings - egg, tuna, shrimp or crab.
Laureate, became the first Black person I
To serve warm, heat at 375° for 10
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to receive a Pulitzer Prize for “Annie
I minutes.
Allen.”
I
Souffleed Appetizers are tangy cheese
John Hope Franklin, distinguished pro I
triangles. Cut the toast into any shape
fessor of history at the Univeristy of I
you wish - fingers, circles, diamonds,
Chicago, has seen his survey of Black I
squares. Melba toast or crackers can also
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history “From Slavery to Freedom” read
I be substituted for toast, with bacon, olive
for almost a generation. Another prolific
slices, anchovies or pimento for garnish.
commentator on Black history is Lerone I These appetizers are best served right
Bennett, Jr.
His book, “Before the I
from the oven.
Mayflower,” is one of the most popular I
To round out any collection of hors
histories of Black Americans ever pub I d'oeuvres, offer a Frosted Chicken L iver
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lished.
P a te .
A well-seasoned chicken liver
That stalwart institution, the church, is I
I mixture, this decorative selection is sure
alive and well in Chicago, where 957
Remind your guests
I to be popular.
houses of worship from 74 denominations I
there’s more to come!
serve the Black community’s spiritual I
Roasted poultry is always an entree
needs. Located here, too, is the national I
favorite. But if you’ve been stuck in a rut
headquarters of the church-related but I of turkey, goose or duck, you may find
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interdenominational Operation PUSH.
capon a pleasant alternative. Even if it’s
Chicago's singular place in blues, jazz, I
I true that “chicken ain’t nothin' but a
folk and pop music has been widely, and I
bird," chefs, gourmets, and even garden
justly, recognized. Therefore, it should I
variety food lovers will attest that capon
come as no surprise to learn that this is I is special.
This elite relative of the
also the capital of the Black sacred music I
chicken is bred to provide lots of moist
genre known as gospel music. I t may I
and tender meat. Stuffed with a fiavorful
surprise some people to learn that the I
I oyster dressing, don't be surprised if lady
man who refers to himself as “the grand
I guests succumb to the vapors and their
father" of this lilting musical idiom, the I
gentlemen have seizures of rapture -
venerable Professor Thomas A. Dorsey I
they recover instantly if you make an
(composer of “Precious Lord") is still I
attempt to remove them from your table.
going strong, as one of the associate I
Onion, which some authorities trace
ministers and musicians at the Pilgrim I
back to Egypt of the Pharoahs, has long
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Baptist Church.
I been a popular seasoning ingredient. W e
I t would be easy to carry on for much
I have followed the example of wise cooks
longer about Chicago and its accomplish I
in the past and have combined delicately
ed citizens, and though we have only I
sweet w hite onions in a cream sauce with
looked at a few facets, it is hoped that I
a subtle nutmeg accent. For a crispy
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the reader begins to feel some of this
I topping, sprinkle with croutons or toast
vibrant city's fascination.
I ed almonds just before serving.
In addition to its abundance of food for
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Our recipe for spoon bread is the
thought, food for nourishment and satis I
ultimate transfiguration of corn meal
faction has always been a major part of I
mush. This baked Southern speciality,
Chicago's economy. For instance, in 1975 I
which ranks with a fine souffle', is made
the food industry here grossed $8.1 I
I with cornmeal, milk, eggs, margarine and
billion and was outranked only by the
| served with a spoon. I t can be traced to
city’s prim ary metals industry.
An
the first Virginia colonists who learned
International Food Festival, held here
methods of cooking with cornmeal from
in Chicago last July, resembled a culinary
the Indians.
W e leave to your own
convocation of the United Nations. V ir
judgements what other vegetable side
tually every part of the globe was
dish to prepare; however, boiled green
tastily represented and the food did all
string beans or broccoli all come to mind,
the “talking.”
as does a wilted lettuce or spinach salad.
Newcomers to the city are often
Fancy dinner desserts need to be
surprised to find that contrary to its
outstanding and plentiful, and they seem
“meat and potatoes" reputation, Chicago
even better when wrapped in tradition.
restaurants provide a superbly cosmopo
We offer a selection that meets all these
litan variety of foods. Its ethnic res-
criteria.
taL-r.’ nts are legion and the quality of the
Baked Lemon Pie is another Southern
foods served is authentically superb.
favorite brought North. I t has a custard-
The numerous Black restaurants range
type filling with a delightful citrus flavor.
from many simple stands purveying
This lip-smacking treat will provoke
carry-out orders of chicken, ribs, fish and
many requests for your recipe.
sandwiches to several elegant, sit-down
Dried-Apple Turnovers featured here
dining rooms offering some of the best
are today's descendents of what were
food available anywhere.
called half moon pies. Even earlier in the
American colonies, they were beloved
and frequently called crab lanterns. One
improvement over the ancestral recipe is
the flakiness of the crust. According to
the K raft Kitchens, this is the result of
Parkay margarine and baking powder.
These “fried pies" are filled with a spicy
apple mixture of dried apples for a moist
but not runny filling - an important
feature for turnovers.
Our last dessert suggestion is a com
pact, finely textured pound cake with an
exotic taste of orange and spices. Once,
cooks used a pound each of butter, flour
2 cups flour
and sugar to make this cake, hence the
1 tablespoon sugar
name. Our recipe retains that old-fas 1 teaspoon baking powder
hioned texture and deliciousness.
3/4 cup Parkay margarine
W hile these are more than enough
1/4 cup cold water
desserts for a single meal, making them
ee eeee ee
all is one way of assuring that no
Oil
unannounced caller w ill find your hospita
Confectioners' sugar
lity lacking. Besides, the keeping quality
of the fried pies and pound cake is good
Combine apples, w ater, sugar, marga
with the ordinary kind of care you give
rine and seasonings. Cook 5 minutes over
baked goods. The lemon pie? W e’ve
medium heat, stirring frequently.
never had enough left over for this to
Combine dry ingredients; cut in mar
cause us any concern, and unless there's
garine until mixture resembles coarse
only yourself for dinner, neither will
crumbs.
Sprinkle with water while
you...
mixing lightly with a fork; form into ball.
Divide dough in half. On lightly floured
surface, roll out each half to 16 x 8-inch
DRIED APPLE TURNOVERS
rectangle; cut each into eight 4-inch
circles.
Spoon level tablespoonful of
1 4-oz. pkg. dried apples, chopped
apple mixture onto each circle. Moisten
1/2 cup water
edges; fold pastry in half. Seal edges
2 tablespoons sugar
with a fork. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
1 tablespoon Parkay margarine
F ry in 1-1/2-inches of hot oil 3 to 5
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
minutes or until golden brown, turning
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
once. Drain; sprinkle w ith confectioners’
Dash of salt
sugar.
...iti time of need
CALDWELLS
COLONIAL
MORTUARY
N. E. 14th at Sandy
and Burnside
232-4111
THE MEMBERS O F THE N E W HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST C H U R C H
INVITE Y O U TO ATTEND OUR
JÍASTER
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ANNUAL SPRING
REVIVAL “197£
55
M AR CH 27th THRU M AR CH 31st
P R EA C H IN G N IG H TL Y W ILL
BE OUR GUEST EVANGELIST
REV. DR. CEASAR A. W . CLARK
Pestor of The G ood Street
Baptist Church, Dalles, Texes
Noon D ay Service 12:00 - 1:00 M o n d a y -F rid a y
Quest Speaker: R everend Larry M Devers, Son Diego
ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH
Corner of 8th and Skidmore
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.
Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00p.m.
(Second and Fourth Sundays)
REVIVAL
Reverend Thomas L. Strayhand, Minister
HI IRCH
SPRING
27TH
BAPTIZING
THRU
You are Welcome to Worshi;. at
N e w Hope Missionary Baptist Church
HI IRCH
HIST
THE ARK OF 8AFETY CHURCH OF GOD PENTECOSTAL, INC.
R E V E R E N D A. B E R N A R D D E V E R S , PASTOR
T H E C H U R C H D E S IG N E D TO M E E T YO UR N E E D
“A warm spirit of fellowship always”
The Honorable Bishop U.V. Peterson, D.D. “The Holiness Preacher,” Pastor
Sunday:
Sunday School
9:15 am
Morning Worship
11:16 am
“Showers of Blessings Broadcast”
KG AR 1550
U:30am-12:30,sm
V«»C
6:30 pm
Evangelistic Worship
8:00 pm
Tuenday-Friday
Noon Day Prayer
Bible Band/Jr. Church
Wednesday:
Choir Rehearsal
Friday:
“The Pastor S.teahs”
84 NF. KilUngsworth
281-0499
7:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
Sunday School
Morning Worship
Evening Service 2nd, 4th and
5th Sundays
Communion 1st Sunday
Wed. - Family Prayer Meeting
and Bible Study
Friday - Brotherhood
Fellowship Service with
Morning Star 3rd Sunday
Prayer and Pastor Phone: 281-6476
Church Phone: 281-0163
■
NIGHTLY
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
REV
/
SERVICE
APRIL
J
2ND
5 :00 P.M.
DR (E A S A R A. W (L A R K
Revival Speaker
7:30 p.m.
NEW HOPE MISSIONA RY BAPTIST CHURCH
7:00 p i
3725 N . GANTENBEIN AVENUE
REV. A . BERNARD DEVERS. Pestor
PORTLAND, O R E G O N 97227
Phono 281-447« or 281-0163
3 7 2 C N. Gantenbeln Avenue, Portland, Oregon 9 7 9 0 7
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