PORTLAND, OREGON, sXtURDAY, OCTOBER 4. 1924
VOI,. XXII.
NO. 6
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PRICE 5 CENTS
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WHITE BOY KILLS AUNT; COLORED MAH HELD
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N. A. A. C. P. PLEADS FOR LOUISE THOMAS’ LIFE
GOVERNOR PINCHOT ASKED TO COMMUTEÎ
DEATH SENTENCE TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT;
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION BELIEVES THAT
RACE OF WOMAN PLAYED PART IN SIGN­
ING OF HER DEATH WARRANT; PROMINENT
PEOPLE URGE CLEMENCY.
YOUTH TELLS VIVID STORY OF “TALL, SLIM
NEGRO” ATTACKING WHITE WOMAN IN
HOUSE AND ASSAULTING CHILDREN; MOBS
SEARCH WOODS ALL NIGHT FOR MAN; SEV­
ERAL SUSPECTS ARRESTED AND LATER RE­
LEASED.
WHITE AND COLORED PEOPLE AND THREE GREAT RELIGIONS
HONOR THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Mrs. Thomas Sentenced for Killing Her Husband; LfElac*
trocuted Will Be First Woman In Pennsylvania for
35 Years to Pay Death Penalty; New York Daily Says
“It Is An Outrage to Kill This Woman."
Young Wessinger Confesses Guilt to Questioning Police;
Admits He Slew His Aunt In Fit of Anger; Mobs
Anxious to Connect Up Colored Men With Crime.
Death warrant fur execution in the I imprisonment both because of ttje feel­
electric chair of Louise Thomi*, the | ing that her race playa a part in the
firn woman to be executed in Penn-. «igning of her death warrant, and he-
aylvania in 35 year«, lias elicited strong | cause of the growing humanitarian
protest to Governor Pinchot from the feeling against the putting to death of
National Association for the Advance- a woman."
ment of Colored People, Ui Fifth
Clemency was also urged upon Guv-
Avenue, New York, and from Penn-\ rrnor.Pinchot by Emanuel Celler. Rep-
syhania branches of the Association,
on the ground tlial the woman is col-
ored and would not be permitted to go
to the death chair If she were white.
The N. A. A. C. P. sent the follow-
mg telegram to Governor Gifford
Pinchot
"The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People with
a memlierslup of lot),(MX), conijKised of
white and colored people, respectfully
urges you to recall the warrant (or ex-
ecution on Qftober ¿Oth of Mrs. i
Louise Thomas, a colored woman of
Philadelphia which you signed on
September 15th As has been pointed ■
out editorially by several newspapers,'
resrlnaiive in Congress from the 10th
District of Brooklyn. N. Y., wlio
urged commutation of the death sen-
tence to life imprisonment.
Editorial charges that the woman
was being sent to he» death because
of her color were made in the New
York Evening Bulletin of September
19. which said:
" I he truth is that Louise Thomas
is a Negress. That is why she is the
first woman to be executed in 50 years,
If she were white she would not be in
danger of electrocution.
"When was the last white woman
electrocuted?
"How many while women liave been
there is reason for feeling that Mrs.
Thomae would not have lieen sen
fenced to death had she not been a
colored woman. We urge you to recall
your decision and at least commute
convicted of murder since!
"It is an outrage against justice to
kill this woman, because it is the color
of her skin that is sending her to the
t^iair."
Columbia, S. C., Sept. 25.—Asbury
Wessinger, 14-year-old white b»y,
confessed today to the brutal murder
of his aunt, Mrs .Lina Wessinger and
the wounding of his three young
cousin», after
raging
mobs had
searched all night for a “(all, slim
Negro” who the boy had first described
as the perpetrator of the crime.
Mrs. Wessinger’» death had stirred
the entire community, and when the
fourteen-year-old nephew came for­
ward with a vivid story of how a col­
ored man in blue shirt and overalls
had chased him away from his aunt's
house and then attacked the woman
and the children the usual Negro
baiting famous sport of the South, be­
gan.
Even going so (ar as to give the
name of the colored criminal as Frank
Walker, the boy declared that he
wqpld know the man and he accom­
panied the mob in the search for
awhile.
A colored man named Frank Walk-
*er, on learning that police were seek­
ing a man answering to his name,
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quickly gave himself up to the offi­
cers but denied any knowledge of the
crime. Two other suspects were ar­
rested and state constable T.*A. Ber-
ley brought the Wessinger boy to the
jail to identify the men, but the boy
said that the murderer was not among
them.
The officers growing suspicious, be­
gan to question the boy and soon he
broke down and confessed that he
had killed his aunt in a fit of anger
because of the loss of a pocket knife
that he prized. He told the officers
how he crept up behind the woman
and struck her with an axe just as
she turned towards him. The -chil-
d'en, one four years old, another two
and the third a one-year-old baby,
were knocked down with the handle
of the axe.
Even alter the boy had confessed,
however, mobs still scoured the dis­
trict looking for some colored man on
whom the critfte might be fastened.
In explanation of his act the boy
merely says that he lost hia temper.
Rev. Magruder Closes Year’s
Work
Colored Man Saves Town
From Possible Ruin
the sentence of Mrs. Thomas to life
LOCAL and FOREIGN
NEWS BRIEFS
Dr. J. D. Duback
Dr. J. D. Duliack, who has an­
nounced himself as a candidate for the
office of city commissioner, subject to
the action of the voters on November
4, is a business man of proven ability
and has taken the lead in a numtyr of
important movements in the interest of
the people. He is well versed in the
conduct of city government, having
made a deep study of its affairs. He is
a successful Optician of many years’
standing and his character and repu­
tation are beyond question.
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St, Phillips Mission Buys
Property
The officers of the St. Phillips Mis­
sion, closed a deal Monday for a
church edifice on Knott and Rodney
streets for a cash consideration of about
$5,000 The church is modern in every
respect, however, it will be remodeled
to conform to the Episcopal services.
The Mission now holds services at
Twenty-fifth anti Soviet # streets, bill
will move to their new church just as
soon as alterations are finished.
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P. M. Tuesday. Interment will be held
in Oakland, California.
—
Mario Chamlee and Ruth
Miller Charm Large Audi­
ence In Opening Elwyn
Artists Series At Munici­
pal Auditorium Monday
Night.
Mario Chamlee. tenor, -assisted by
Rath Miller, soprano, "fired the open­
ing guns" in the F.lwyn Artist Series,
Monday evening. September 29th. at
the Municipal Auditorium.
The program was just right—versa­
tile, well balanced and tbove all—new
New in that the program of songs had
not been “sung to death" by previous
artists; and. of course, this alone was
refreshing to the audience, to say
nothing of the wonderful voices of
the artists.
Chamlee, who is a leading tenor of
the Metropolitan Opera Company,
is a native son of California. He
possesses a firm, robust voice, with
warmth and feeling, capable of mov­
ing one to tears or laughter at the will
of its owner. Chamlee handles his
voice like the artist he is. He sang
his program wonderfully and with lov­
ing care modeled each detail. It is dif­
ficult to say which number above an­
other was better.
Chamlee appeared as fresh in his
closing as he did in his aliening num­
bers and rendered additional pleasure
to his Urge audience when he respond­
ed so generously with e\jras, including:
"Matinatta” (Leoncavallo), "parted"
(Toati), "E lucevan le stelle" (Puc­
cini), "Bouquet" (Curd), "Wing Song"
(Rogers),
"A
Memory"
(Ganz),
"Dawn" (Curran), "Otr Sunday" (Wal­
ler), and in ¿ue the "Vieni. vieni!"
ler), and in duo the “vienti, vienti!"
' from act 1 of “Butterfly."
The cottage known aa “The Holly­
wood” at Seaside will ba open all
winter. Phone J. W. Curry, Broad­
Ruth Miller, assisting artist, lent
way 1541—Adv.
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: color to the occasion, and was charm­
ing indeed in her several songs
Drug Dealers Arrested
At the close of her first group she
Tuesday the police arrested Mrs.
I was showered with bouquets of gor-
Bessie Kelly, 146 North Fourteenth
[ geous flowers. Miss Miller has a very
street and three •>! her guests on
sweet voice that is "different" and re­
charges of violating the Harrison Act.
freshing and which she handles fondly
Mrs. Kelly's bond wax fixed at $5,000.
and with understanding. “Hymn to
while that of her guests were $250.
the Sun" from Le Coq D'or," aria, was
They will be held for action by the
beautifully rendered and the youthful
J'ederal grand jury,
singer was compelled to respond with
q
a
an extra, the "Waltz Song" (Gounod).
St. Phillipa—Portland Sunday, Oc­
William Tyroller accompanied both
tober 26, II a. tn._ Holy Communion
singers.
with sermon. Rev. John G. Hatton.
The audience was a large one,
Lay services all other Sunday. Lay
sprinkled
here and there with colored
Reader, Mr. Blain B. Coles. Church
, «
School every Sunday after morning music lovers.
service.
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Will Bury Body in California
Restored to National
Committee
Robert R. Church, Jr., colored
Mesdames Coral Green of Oakland,
^California, and Minnie Usher of Sac­ millionaire of Memphis Tenn., who
ramento, sisters, left Wednesday with was recently dropped from the Ten­
the body of their deceased brother, nessee State Republican Committee,
Wjlliam Johnson who died in this city was restored to the committee through
on the 24th at 206 Sheridan St., of the suggestion of Wm. M Butler,
Bright» disease. F-uneral services were Chairman of the Republican National
held from the Finley Mortuary at 4 Committee.
G. O. Jackson for many years a resi­
With Sunday's activities. Rev. dent of Seaside, Oregon, and who con­
E. J. Magruder will close the sec­ ducts a shoe shining parlor, on last
ond conference year as pastor of Friday morning, the 26th, found him­
Zion Churfch. Splendid services self a hero, on whom a Carnegie Medal
will be held all day, and at night might well be pinned, when his timely
the Zion male quartette and aug­ fire alarm possibly saved the little
mented choir and other musicians town of Seaside from being destroyed
will give a special musical pro­ by fire of an undetermined origin.
While the loss, estimated at $20,000,
gram. The public is asked to come was a tragedy, it was not without its
out and help wind up the year '8 I humorous side. It is said that every
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.. September
.
.
_ and many other cities. _ At the statue : of
Emancipation
22. . was notably
celebrated in Chicago
Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in Chicago's Lincoln Park non-partisan tribute was paid tc “The Great
Emancipator." Progress of the colored race in three score years was brought out in tableaux. 'Absence cf racial
and sectarian prejudices was emphasized by the program. G. A. R.. Loyal Legion and American Legion officially
participated
The "broken chains'* wreath was emblematic of Freedom.
Above, left to right: Morris Lewis, executive secretary, Chicago Branch. National Association for Advance­
ment of Colored People; Sgt. Janies Dawson, World War hero with valor decorations, representing 8th Regiment;
Miss Hallie Q Brown, honorary president of the National Association of Colored Women, which sponsors the an­
nual celebration of September 22 as a Lincoln Day; Rev. Hugh J. O'Connor. C. M„ of De Paul University, repre-
-enting Cardinal Mundelein; Rev. William D. Cook, D. D.. a Protestant minister who is pastor of the Metropolitan
Community Church; Rabbi Tobias Schanfarber of the Synagogue Kehilath Anshe Maariv; and CoL Willis Hickman,
Commander of John Brown Post, G. A. R.
—Courtesy A. N. P.
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Mrs. S. Golden, accompanied by her
mother, Mrs. 'Vhitner, returned from
Los Angeles ast week where Mrs.
Golden was called to the funeral of her
sister, Mr». W. T. Bell.
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Re modeling and improving Home
i
Mr. and Mrs. Fred D. Thomas are en­
larging and improving their home at ;
366 Shaver Street.
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Mr. and Mrs. Q. M. Payne have pur­
chased a chicken ranch, with a four-
room house at 200 E. 88th Street, and .
have moved into their new place.
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PROF. MATILSKY PLAYS HIS OWN ACCOMPANIMENT
Furnished and Unfurnished room for
rent, 1228 E. 10th St. N. Wai. 6709 .
Adv.
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For Rent—Furnished front room.
-357 13th St
Phone in mornings be- 1
fore 10 o'clock and in evenings after 6 j
o’clock.
Mrs. Yates Howard.
AT
.1039—Adv.
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MRS. E. D. CANNADY
Presents
Prof. Abraham Matilsky
- VIOLIN WIZARD —
IN RECITAL
Monday, October 6, 1924, at 8 p. m.
— at —
STAG AUDITORIUM
381 1-2 EAST MORRISON STREET
—
BENEFIT FIRST A. M. E. ZION CHURCH
Piano Instructor
Beginners
time Mr. Jackson yelled “fire," as he
ran through the streets, hia dog which
was right at his heels, would bark
loudly as if in emphasis of Jackson’»
alarm.
A call for help was sent to Warren­
ton, but before it arrived the local fire
fighters had the blaze well under con­
trol. Buildings completely destroyed
were: J. W. Bartlett's Variety Store
and contents; E. W. Leppa's Plumbing
Shop and contents; the boathouse in
the Necanicum River, owned by I. N.
Tate, and the. Chowder Bowl Restaur­
ant.
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A Card of Thanks
work successfully. Rev. Magruder
has prepared a most excellent ser­
mon which he refuses to call his
farewell sermon. Come out and
hear this wonderful gospel speak-
er.
Rev. Magruder and family will
leave Wednesday. October 8th, for
Oakland, California, to attend the
conference. They will motor dowu
in their Chevrolet sedan.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks
to Mrs. Blanche Ross for the beautiful
flowers; Mrs. S. E. Stanfield for the
large basket of caudy and nuts pre­
sented to the company; Mrs. Fred
Mitchell, the ladies of the company,
Miss Frcita Shaw, the Misses Doris
and Dorothy Vinsgn; Attorney E. I.
Minor; Messrs. J. N. Manley, Clarence
Ramsey and Stanton Duke for their
kind assistance in making the Society
Minstrels a success.
LILLIAN B. MORROW.
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Prof. Matilsky plays hie own piano
accompaniment-—adv.
Hear the Hon. Marcus Garvey
Tuesday
October 14th,
8:00 P. M.
MT. OLIVET
Admission • 50 Cents
CHILDREN.......... —....... .......
MRS WALDO BOGLE
25 CENTS
Pupil of Pearl Mitchell
Studio 567 E. 35th St. S.
Sellwood 1678
RICHARDSON’S CONFECTIONERY
F. RICHARDSON, Prop.
NOTICE
in the
Regular meetings of the Port­
land Branch of the National As­
sociation for the advancement of
Colored People held every second
Monday evening at Bethel A. M.
E. church, Larrabee and McMillan
streets.
J. A. EWING, Pres.
LEE ANDERSON, Secy.
HOTEL GOLDEN WEST
All Kinds of Confection», Candies, Cigars, Cigarette», Etc, Newt paper»
and Magazine»—Courteous Treatment •
NEW SHIPMENT of PHONOGRAPH RECORDS
EVERY WEEK
BAPTIST
CHURCH
First and Schuyler Streets
THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEGRO
LECTURER
Will give you first-hand information about
’’Black Government in Africa and Steamship Company”
Admission 50 Cents *
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