Chapter VII: Part 7

The most original and beneficial researches and discoveries in the American Negro field of chemistry have been made by Prof. G. E. Carver, Director of Agricultural Research in Chemistry at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Ala. Chief among his twenty and more discovered chemical products that are today being used as practical farm and household necessites are as follows: dressing for canvass shoes, made from Macon County clays; dyes made from dandelion, black oak, wood ashes, sweet gum, willow, swamp-maple, sweet potatoes, pomegranate, peanuts, sage, orange, muscatine grape, onions, velvet beans and tomato vines; cotton-stalk fibre for rope, cordage, mats and carpets; furniture stains made from native clays and vegetables; feathers for millinery purposes, secured from native wild and barn-yard fowls; laundry blues, 20 varieties; okra fibre for paper, rope, cordage, strawboard, matting and carpet; poplar bark for artificial ribbon; Tonic stock feed, made of snap corn, velvet beans, cotton-seed meal, and china berries, containing protein, 14.5 per cent., fats, 4.5;, crude fibre 12, and carbohydrates 52; Ultramarine Dyes, made from Macon County clays and used for cotton, wool, silk, and leather; White and Color Washes, made from clays; Wistaria for basketry work. One of his chemical products that attracted the widest attention was Prof. Carver’s Sweet Potatoes Flour that was successfully used during the World War by the Tuskegee Institute (which has a population around two thousand students and instructors) as a substitute for wheat flour. (Ref. Work’s Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, p. 42).

Quite a number of Colored men and women have graduated in chemistry and physics with high honors from some of the leading universities in America, and are today holding responsible and high salaried positions either as professors in colleges or as consulting chemists in private commercial corporations. Among such professors in colleges are St. Elmo Brady and E. Chandler who have attracted unusual attention to their chemical experiments and for their accurate conclusions have received their Ph. D. degrees from the University of Illinois. Dr. Brady is author of a book on chemistry.

For the past twenty-five years a Colored man by the name of O. W. Collins has been employed by the R. W. Hunt Bureau of Inspection, said to be the largest engineering corporation in America. Mr. Collins is an analytical and consulting chemist for that corporation.

Harry Keelan, a Harvard graduate, during the World War resigned a $300 a month position as consulting chemist in a New York white firm, in order to join some other Colored men in organizing a company for the manufacture of dyes. In this industry he was ably assisted by E. L. Davidson, another Harvard graduate, and the quality of their dyes was of such high grade and standard that their firm was unable to fill the rush orders for their products.

Miss Deborah Henderson graduated from the Central High School, Detroit, Mich., attending the Oberlin College where her scholastic achievements won her the much coveted “key”. Then entering the University of Chicago she attended there until her graduation as a ranking bacteriologist and chemical technician, as well as serving during her senior year as president of the Alpha Kappa Sorority. Miss Henderson is only one among numerous Colored women who have successfully invaded the highest chemical fields. After reaching that stage of advancement, they have experimentally as well as theoretically peeped and peered into many scientific secret lanes and avenues until they learned much of the hidden and inexhaustive mysteries therein. And with the proper encouragements, facilities and surroundings, it is not impossible for some American Colored women scientist some day becoming a second Madame Curie by finally discovering and giving to the world another hidden force of the elements, like Radium, that will greatly benefit humanity and add much to the store of man’s scientific knowledge.

The following quotation is part of an article that appeared in the April 9, 1921 issue of the Chicago Defender:

“In the various fields of learning the race has wrought and has its representatives; but not until now have we had a graduate doctor of metaphysics. The pioneer in this instance is Dr. Adene C. E. Minott, founder and head of the Clio School of Mental Sciences, Inc., 3543 State street, this city.

“While yet a girl in her teens, Miss Minott showed exceptional ability. She graduated first in her class from Grammar School No. 80, New York City, and won the prize for general excellence from her teacher, Miss Mary E. Eaton. Miss Minott then entered the Girl’s Technical High School of that city and, after receiving necessary academic counts, entered the Mac Donnall College of Phrenology and Psychology, Washington, D.C. Because she was a Race woman, she was not permitted to study with the regular classes, but forced to take the course by private instruction. Despite this disadvantage, Miss Minott completed the studies in one-half the regular time, graduated with honors and received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.

“Returning to New York City, she next forced admittance into the world-famed American Institute of Anthropology, perfecting herself as a teacher in five branches of anthropology, as follows: Phrenology, physiognomy, practical psychology, physiology and anatomy of the brain. When she graduated from this institution, as a mark of distinction for an excellent record, she was presented with a membership medal and received the degree of Fellow of the American Institute of Anthropology, this making her the only Race woman in the United States to graduate from this institution or holding such a degree.

“Two years ago Prof. Minott began an intensive course in metaphysics and business psychology at the College of Metaphysics, St. Louis, Mo. She completed the courses and took the midwinter examinations recently, passing with honors and receiving the title and degree of Doctor of Metaphysics, being the first again of the Race to receive that degree in this country.

“The first years of Dr. Minott’s practice were confined to an exclusive clientele among the whites of New York City. Five years ago, however, she was prevailed upon to establish a branch of the Clio School of Mental Sciences in Chicago, and to centralize her efforts somewhat upon the developing and improving of her own people. This she did, and her efforts have met with enviable success and gratifying appreciation.”

Miss Minott’s unusually successful career proves that a Colored girl has the same brain power to reach the mental heights a white girl is able to attain, even when that Colored girl is given only half the encouragement, half the privileges and half access to the proper environments. It is true that all Colored girls cannot soar as high in education as Miss Minott, but all Colored girls can improve themselves from day to day if they will only decide to study. A cook can elevate herself to a hairdresser; a chambermaid can elevate herself to a dressmaker; a waitress can elevate herself to a stenographer and typewriter; a factory girl can elevate herself to a bookkeeper and a child’s nurse can elevate herself to a school teacher. But such girls cannot reach such successes if they go to ball rooms and cabarets to elevate their skirts instead of going to night schools to elevate their minds. It all depends upon each girl herself whether she will do drudgery work all her life or whether she will do it a few years as a stepping stone while she is preparing herself for something higher.

Colored cooks, waitresses, etc., who think it is no use to develop their minds, or study for more education just because they are Colored and will not get a chance to use such education, should remember that:

They would never have grape fruits, oranges or bananas to prepare and serve if those fruits refused to grow and develop because of their yellow skins; they would never have coffee to serve if it had refused to grow because it is brown; they would never have steak to broil and serve if yellow alderney or black holstein cattle had refused to develop from calves to cows because of their colors. Thus, if fruits, vegetables and dumb animals keep right on growing and developing into their fullest bloom of power and usefulness regardless of their colors; why should not Colored girls, who have brains to think, hands to work and God to guide them in right, do the same?

IN MEDICINE.

THE MEDICINE MAN

(The fellow who makes you one minute cry
To give you more years of health and spry.)

At least once a year he ought to test
Heart, lungs and kidneys for your best.
LOVE, air and water you’ll longer enjoy,
If doctors thus you’ll timely employ.
--_Harrison._

IN order to help look after the general health, advise and encourage good physical conditions and thereby save and prolong the lives of the several million Colored people residing in the United States, and to assist in easing the pains and sufferings of all humanity; there are between four and five thousand Colored physicians today practicing medicine in America. While the majority of these professional men are located in parts of this country where they do business exclusively among their own people, there are hundreds of Colored doctors residing in many other states where the number of their white patients is as large as among their own race.

In 1767 there was born in Philadelphia, Pa., a slave by the name of Jas. Derham, who in his early life was taught medicine by his white owner, a practicing physician. After Derham had saved enough money to set himself up in business and had secured his freedom, he moved to New Orleans, La., where in a few years he built up both a large practice and an independent fortune. It is said that Dr. Derham was the first Negro in the United States to be recognized as a practicing physician.

Dr. Daniel H. Williams of Chicago, Ill., not only is spoken of as being in the front rank of the foremost physicians and surgeons of the Negro race but he is also classed with the first medical men of any race or nation. He is the founder of the celebrated Provident Hospital and Training School of Chicago and was Surgeon-in-Chief of the famous Freedman’s Hospital, Washington, D.C., under President Cleveland’s administration. His medical ability became so widely known that he has been called to nearly every important part of the United States for consultation. His skill in being the first surgeon to make a successful operation on the human heart has won him world-wide reputation. As a result of his deep medical studies and most delicate surgical operations he has been honored with the first Negro membership in the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Algernon B. Jackson, Phila., Pa., has the distinction of receiving a Fellowship in the American College of Physicians, as a result of his great all-around medical skill and especially his first discovery of a cure for articular rheumatism. He is Head of the Mercy Hospital, which is one of the most practically and beautifully located Colored institutions of its kind not only in Philadelphia but in the United States. The results of Dr. Jackson’s medical experiments and discoveries have been published in leading medical journals and have won a name for him here and abroad.

Aside from teaching as a professor in one of the leading white medical schools in Boston, Mass., Dr. S. C. Fuller, a Neuropathologist of nationwide fame, is also serving as a member on the medical staff of the Massachusetts Hospital (white) for the insane. In this capacity he has from time to time made some very valuable discoveries and suggestions that have been accepted and put into practical and beneficial uses for the treatment and care of the insane.

The honor of being the first Colored physician to be accepted as an interne in the Bellevue Hospital, a New York City white institution of world-wide renown, rests upon the capable shoulders of Dr. U. G. Vincent. A few years ago he graduated with such high honors from the University of Pa., that he was not compelled (as is usually the case) to take the interne entrance examination when admitted to the Bellevue Hospital.

Dr. Louis T. Wright, of Atlanta, Ga., now of New York, graduated from Harvard University among the brainiest men of his class. As a young physician both in age and practice, he is making wonderful strides along medical paths and has already discovered a new method of vaccination that has been tested and used by the United States Government.

On account of some extra special and greatly beneficial medical efforts having been spent in their unusually successful careers, the following names have been handed to the writer as belonging to a few of the Colored physicians who are recognized as standing among the very highest in their profession. E. A. Balloch, Washington, D.C., H. R. Butler, Atlanta, Ga., J. E. Cannady, Charleston, W. Va., A. M. Curtis, Washington, D.C., U. G. Dailey, Chicago, Ill., J. J. France, Portsmouth, Va., S. A. Furniss, Indianapolis, Ind., J. H. Hale, Nashville, Tenn., Geo. C. Hall., Chicago, Ill., J. A. Kenney, Tuskegee, Ala., N. F. Mossell, Phila., Pa., H. M. Murray, Wilmington, Del., W. L. Perry, St. Louis, Mo., C. V. Roman, Nashville, Tenn., E. P. Roberts, New York City, N. Y., H. A. Royster, Raleigh N. C., York Russell, New York City, N. Y., W. A. Warfield, Washington, D.C., and A. Wilberforce Williams, Chicago, Ill.

As the result of often handicapped and hurried researches in the hundred or more following named cities, the writer was only able to secure the few names listed below from among the thousands of doctors unlocated but who are just as skilled in the healing powers and just as learned in the medical science whereever they may be practicing:

Atlanta, Ga.
Dr. R. A. Carter, Drs. J. W. Burney,
H. R. Bulter, C. H. Johnson, H. E. Nash, J. A. Slater.

Atlantic City, N. J.
Drs. R. E. Harris, C. McGuire.

Augusta, Ga.
Drs. T. W. Josey, G. N. Stoney.

Baltimore, Md.
Drs. H. F. Brown, J. C. Brown, D. E. Campbell, H. White, W. H. Wright.

Birmingham, Ala.
Drs. J. W. Anderson, H. C. Bryant, U. G. Mason, J. B. Clayton, E. R. Dudley.

Boley, Okla.
Drs. J. D. Nelson, W. A. Paxton, J. W. Young.

Boston, Mass.
Drs. C. Garland, C. Harrison, I. L. Roberts, B. Robinson.

Buffalo, N. Y.
Drs. M. A. Allen, H. Lewis.

Brooklyn, N. Y.
Drs. R. Birnie, F. M. Jacobs, R. Johnson, O. M. Waller.

Camden, N. J.
Drs. C. T. Branch, I. Wilson.

Charleston, S. C.,
Drs. M. M. Edwards, W. H. Johnson, J. M. Thompson, W. H. Miller

Charleston, W. Va.
Drs. J. E. Cannady, H. F. Gamble, R. L. Jones.

Charlotte, N. C.
E. F. Tyson, J. T. Williams.

Chattanooga, Tenn.
Drs. T. A. Key, W. A. Thompson.

Chester, Pa.
Dr. J. H. Miller, K. L. Kurd, E. E. Raven.

Chicago, Ill.
Drs. U. G. Dailey, S. C. Dickson, W. S. Grant,
G. C. Hall, E. B. Ramsey, A. Wilberforce Williams, Daniel H. Williams.

Cincinnati, O.
Drs. E. B. Gray, F. W. Johnson.

Cleveland, O.
Drs. E. A. Bailey, C. H. Garvin, E. J. Gregg, O. A. Taylor, J. T. Sykes.

Columbia, S.C.
N. A. Jenkins, F. B. Johnson.

Columbus, O.
W. W. Cooper, W. A. Method, W. R. Morrison, W. Woodlin.

Danville, Va.
F. W. James, A. L. Winslow.

Dayton, O.
L. H. Cox, B. A. Rose.

Denver, Col.
S. A. Huff, J. H. Westbrook.

Des Moines, Iowa.
Drs. A. J. Booker, A. Jefferson.

Detroit, Mich.
Drs. Northcross and Turner.

Durham, N. C.
Drs. C. Donnell, A. M. Moore.

Evansville, Ind.
G. W. Buckner, H. Thompson.

Fort Smith, Ark.
Drs. S. W. Harrison, N. H. Lockhart.

Fort Worth, Texas.
Drs. A. B. Borders, J. W. Tildon.

Gary, Ind.
Drs. Baskett and Blackwell, C. E. Hawkins.

Greenville, S.C.
Dr. A. E. Boyd.

Hampton, Va.
Drs. W. E. Atkins, C. S. Bassette, Burl Bassette, J. J. Jones.

Harrisburg, Pa.
C. L. Carter, C. H. Crampton, M. H. Layton, A. L. Marshall, J. T. Warrick.

Hartford, Conn.
Dr. H. W. Furniss.

Helena, Ark.
Drs. A. D. Beacly, S. H. Horgoods.

Hopkinsville, Ky.
Dr. B. O. Moore.

Houston, Texas.
B. J. Covington, H. E. Lee.

Indianapolis, Ind.
Drs. H. W. Armistead, S. A. Furniss, J. H. Ward, H. L. Hummonds.

Jackson, Miss.
Dr. R. S. Johnson.

Jacksonville, Fla.
Drs. C. F. Duncan, M. F. McCleary, J. S. Hills, A. H. Kennibrew.

Jersey City, N.J.
Drs. G. E. Cannon, P. F. Ghee.

Kansas City, Kan.
Drs. J. N. Sohns, S. H. Thompson.

Kansas City, Mo.
Drs. E. C. Bunch, T. C. Brown, C. M.
Kane, J. E. Perry, J. F. Shannon, W. J. Tompkins, T. C. Unthank.

Knoxville, Tenn.
Drs. D. W. Crawford, S. M. Clark, H. M. Green.

Leavenworth. Kan.
Drs. C. M. Moates, Silas Jackson.

Little Rock, Ark.
Drs. J. T. Clowers, G. W. S. Ish, J. G. Thornton.

Los Angeles, Cal.
Drs. C. Ballard, Anna Leggett, J. S. Outlaw, L. Stovall.

Lexington, Ky.
Dr. J. E. Hunter.

Louisville, Ky.
Drs. J. M. Hammons, A. C. McIntyre, E. D. Wedbee, W. H. Pickett.

Memphis, Tenn.
Drs. A. N. Townsend, C. A. Terrell, J. T. Wilson

Milwaukee, Wis.
Drs. F. Boget, H. B. Stokes.

Mobile, Ala.
Drs. T. N. Harris, H. R. Williams.

Montgomery, Ala.
Drs. R. T. Adair, F. D.
Boswell, H. P. Dawson, F. C. Cuffey, J. A. Deramiur, Wm. Washington.

Mound Bayou, Miss.
Dr. D. H. Broomfield.

Muskogee, Okla.
Drs. H. L. Meckelroy, R. H. Watterford.

Nashville, Tenn.
Drs. L. A. Fisher, J. H. Hale,
A. L. Herron, J. T. Phillips, C. V. Roman, J. N. Holman, F. A. Stewart.

Newark, N.J.
Drs. S. S. Bruington, Green and Wolfe.

New Orleans, La.
Drs. A. W. Braizer, L. T. Burbridge, R. Fredricks.

Newport News, Va.
Drs. W. P. Dickerson,
C. A. Easton, W. T. Foreman, J. H. Robinson, C. W. Scott, P. S. Scott.

New York City, N.Y.
Drs. E. P. Roberts, York Russell, U. G. Vincent,
L. T. Wright, W. M. Wilson, A. S. Reed.

Norfolk, Va.
Drs. P. L. Barber, J. D. Jackson.

Omaha, Neb.
Drs. L. E. Britt, J. H. Hutten.

Philadelphia, Pa.
Drs. F. C. Antoine, Eugene Hinson,
Chas. Lewis, A. B. Jackson, N. F. Mossell,
P. J. Taylor, J. D. Turner, Minton, Lennon, McDougall, Sinclair.

Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr. W. C. Hackett.

Pine Bluff, Ark.
Drs. H. L. Jordan, J. W. Parker.

Pittsburgh, Pa.
Drs. F. F. Bishop, J. T. Allen, J. B. Shepard, G. G. Terfley, A. C. Kyles.

Portland, Oregon.
Dr. J. A. Merriman.

Portland, Me.
Dr. Herndon White.

Portsmouth, N. H.
Dr. C. A. Randolph.

Portsmouth, Va.
Dr. J. J. France, W. T. Jones.

Providence, R. I.
Drs. W. H. Higgins, J. Robinson, J. Birch.

Raleigh, N.C.
Drs. C. A. Dunston, L. E. McConley,
J. O. Plumber, H. A. Royster, P. F. Roberts, J. T. Northam.

Richmond, Va.
Drs. H. A. Allen, W. H. Hughes, M. B. Jones, J. H. Blackwell.

Roanoke, Va.
Drs. J. B. Claytor, J. H. Roberts.

San Antonio, Texas.
Drs. W. M. Drake, C. A. Whitten.

San Francisco, Cal.
Drs. R. N. Arthurton, W. W. Purnell.

Savannah, Ga.
Drs. O. C. Clayborne, F. S. Belcher,
W. C. Blackman, W. A. Harris, G. W. Smith.

Seattle, Wash.
Drs. D. T. Cardwell, C. F. Maxwell.

Shreveport, La.
Drs. E. B. Liddel, D. A. Smith.

St. Louis, Mo.
Drs. W. P. Curtis, J. T. Caston,
R. C. Haskell, W. L. Perry, S. P. Stafford,
D. Weaver, J. A. Grossland, C. L. Thomas.

St. Paul, Minn.
Drs. W. D. Bloom, V. Turner.

Tampa, Fla.
Dr. J. A. White.

Terre Haute, Ind.
Drs. A. L. Cabell, D. A. Bethea.

Washington, D.C.
Drs. S. L. Carson, E. A. Balloch,
A. M. Curtis, W. A. Warfield, E. D. Williston, R. A. Burton.

Wichita, Kanin.
Drs. J. E. Farmer, F. O. Miller.

Wilmington, Del.
Drs. C. Banston, S. G. Elbert, H. Murray.

Wilmington, N. C.
Drs. F. F. Burnett, S. M. Key.

Hospitals and Nurses

Although American Negroes own and conduct over one hundred modernly equipped hospitals, even that number of buildings does not afford space enough to properly house the three thousand Colored graduate nurses now practicing in the United States, should all those angels of mercy at the same time apply for accommodations in the above institutions.

The writer regrets that as hard and patiently as he researched he was unable to secure a list of names of the Colored women doctors who are to-day practicing medicine in the United States. It, therefore, affords him great pleasure, at the very last moment on the eve of this publication coming from the press, to be able to rush in his book from the September 24, 1921, issue of the Chicago Defender, the following article regarding the distinguished abilities and works of one of the numerous Negro women physicians to-day following their profession in America:

“WOMAN DOCTOR RECEIVES FRENCH MEDAL OF HONOR.”

“Newport, R. I., Sept., 23.--Dr. Harriet A. Rice, prominent in
Newport circles, received from the French government this week the
Reconnaissance Francaise, a bronze medal, awarded her in July 1919,
for her work overseas during the war. The medal reached her through
the French Embassy at Washington.

“Dr. Rice is a graduate of Wellesley College and of the Women’s
Medical College of New York. She served in the French military
hospital during the greater part of the war from 1915 to the
signing of the armistice, and it is for these services that she is
decorated. The medal was presented her by Prince de Bearn, charge
d’affaires of the French embassy.

“According to the citation which accompanied the medal, the woman
is honored by the French government because of “her devotion and
ability in caring for the French wounded during the war.”

IN DENTISTRY

THE TOOTHACHE MAN.

(The fellow who loves your tooth to jerk
And then with a smile, asks: “Did it hurt?”)

Yearly to him folks ought to go
To learn of holes they do not know;
So toughest steaks to finely grind
With nature’s teeth and not false kind.
--_Harrison._

Among the five hundred or more Colored dentists in America, who are today practicing in offices furnished with their own surgical instruments as well as gas, electrical and other modern appliances, Drs. Chas. E. Bentley, Chicago, Ill., and Chas. H. Roberts, New York City, according to competent judges are considered two of the most prominent and best all-round authorities in their profession. And in nearly every other large city there are similar expert and successful dentists, a list of whom the writer was unable to get. (extracts from Work’s Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, pgs. 422-23-24).

IN INVENTIONS

NEW IDEAS--NEW THINGS.

Creative folks are oft jeered fools
For thinking things along new rules;
But when such folks invent things real
How foolish those who laughed must feel.
--_Harrison._

One of the chief reasons why the United States has made such rapid and wonderful progress along all lines of industrial civilization and today stands first among all countries in wealth is due mostly to the original ideas and inventive powers of the American Yankee. And to prove that the original ideas of Negroes have had a very important part in helping to make the United States such a leading and resourceful nation, the following citations are but a few of the two thousand and more inventions that Colored people in America have had patented and put on the market for practical use.

“The first Negro to receive a patent on an invention was Henry Blair, of Maryland, who, in 1834 and 1836, was granted patents on a corn harvester. He is supposed to have been a free Negro.”

“Benjamin Banneker,--Noted Negro Astronomer. Born free, November 9, 1731, in Baltimore County, Maryland. Received some education in a pay school. Early showed an inclination for mechanics. About 1754, with imperfect tools, constructed a clock which told the time and struck the hour. This was the first clock constructed in America.”

“William B. Purvis, of Philadelphia, has inventions covering a variety of subjects, but directed mainly along a single line of experiment and improvement. He began in 1912, the invention of machines for making paper bags, and his improvements in this line of machinery are covered by a dozen patents. Some half dozen other patents granted Mr. Purvis, include three patents on electric railways, one on a fountain pen, another on a magnetic car-balancing device, and still another for a cutter for roll holders.”

“Joseph Hunter Dickinson, of New Jersey, specializes in the line of musical instruments, particularly playing the piano. He began more than fifteen years ago to invent devices for automatically playing the piano. He is at present in the employ of a large piano factory. His various inventions in piano-player mechanism are adopted in the construction of some of the finest piano-players on the market. He has more than a dozen patents to his credit already, and is still devoting his energies to that line of inventions.”

“Frank J. Ferrell, of New York, has obtained about a dozen patents for his inventions, the larger number of them being for improvement in valves for steam engines.”

“Benjamin F. Jackson, of Massachusetts, is the inventor of a dozen different improvements in heating and lighting devices, including a controller for a trolley wheel.”

“Charles V. Richey, of Washington, D.C., has obtained about a dozen patents on his inventions, the last of which was a most ingenius device for registering the calls on a telephone and detecting the unauthorized use of that instrument.”

“The late Granville T. Woods, of New York, and his brother, Lyates took out some fifty or more patents. Wood’s inventions principally relate to electrical subjects, such as telegraph and telephone instruments, electrical railways and general systems of electrical control. Several are on devices for transmitting telegraphic messages between moving trains. According to Patent Office Records, several of Woods’ patents have for valuable considerations been assigned to the foremost electrical corporations, such as the General Electric Company, of New York, and the American Bell Telephone Company, of New York. Mr. Woods’ inventive faculty also worked along other lines. He devised an incubator, a complicated amusement device, a steam boiler furnace and a mechanical brake.”

“John Ernest Matzeliger, born Dutch Guiana, 1852, died, Lynn, Massachusetts, 1889. He is the inventor of the first machine that performed automatically all the operations involved in attaching soles to shoes. This wonderful achievement marked the beginning of a distinct revolution in the art of making shoes by machinery. Matzeliger realized this, and attempted to capitalize it by organizing a stock company to market his invention; but his plans were frustrated through failing health and lack of business experience and shortly thereafter he died. The patent and much of the stock of the company organized by Matzeliger was bought up. The purchase laid the foundation for the organization of the United Shoe Machinery Company the largest and richest corporation of the kind in the world.”

“During 1917-1918, Negroes made a large number of inventions. Many of these related to the war. Charles Stevenson of Amarillo, Texas, invented a glass war bomb. It was reported that L. A. Hayden, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, invented an airship stableizer which was adopted by the British Government and that he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the British aviation corps. Julius Hart of Columbus, Georgia, invented three war bombs which were reported to be of great military value and that for one the War Department gave him $15,000. Wm. D. Polite, of Charlotte, North Carolina, has patented an anti-aircraft gun.”

“Jacob W. F. Berry of Decatur, Alabama, invented an electrically driven submarine. H. A. Cooper of Sabetha, Kansas, invented a submarine detector. Henry Grady of Westbourne, Tennessee, has had patented a Torpedo-Catcher and a Mine Destroyer.”

“The ‘national safety helmet’ or hood, invented by Garrett A. Morgan of Cleveland, is reported to have been used by the United States and the Allies to combat poisonous gases and as a safety device on Submarines. The ‘Safety Hood and Smoke Protector’ was originally invented for firemen.

“In addition to seven American patents on this device, Mr. Morgan holds patents for Canada, England, Germany and other countries. This invention received a gold medal prize from the American Museum of safety and the first grand prize at the second Inter-National Convention of Safety and Sanitation which was held at New York City. In 1914, the Inter-National Fire chief’s Association in session in New Orleans, voted Mr. Morgan a gold honorary membership badge. ‘The safety hood’ is manufactured by the Safety Device Company of which Mr. Morgan is the general manager. As a protection for firemen, it is in use in a large number of cities.”

“H. C. Webb of Bradentown, Florida, is the inventor of the Webb Palmetto Grubbing Machine, which removes the stumps from 5 to 10 acres of land per day.”

C. J. Perry, of Cincinnati, O., has invented a hydro-carbon device that saves 10 to 20 percent of coal fuel and also consumes 85 percent of the smoke. This invention is now in use on the Milwaukee Railroad and in the Metropole Hotel in Chicago, Ill. C. H. Jackson has invented a diving outfit with which the world record for deep-sea diving has been broken. Miss Alice H. Parker, of Washington, D.C., has received a patent on a heating furnace. Wm. Solder, Boston, Mass., has been given a patent on a cooking stove and water heater combined.

“The largest number of patents received on inventions, by a Negro, was by Elijah McCoy, of Detroit, Michigan. McCoy obtained his first patent in July, 1872, and his last one in 1917. During this period of forty years he invented one thing after another and has some fifty-eight patents to his credit. His inventions cover a wide range of subjects, but relate particularly to the lubricating of machinery. He was a pioneer in the art of steadily supplying oil to machinery in intermittent drops from a cup so as to avoid the necessity for stopping the machine to oil it. McCoy’s lubricating cup was famous thirty years ago as a necessary equipment for all-up-to-date machinery.” (quotations from Work’s Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, pgs. 5-6-7-8-341-2-3-4)

IN POETRY

THE POETS

As the artists see, so the poets feel
Inspiring powers that make them steal
Away to write some pictured scene
So to help the world to get serene.
--_Harrison._

The first Colored poetess in America to win national and international fame was Phyllis Wheatley, who was brought from Africa in 1761 and sold as a slave in Boston, Mass. Finding Phyllis to be an unusually quick and apt child to learn, her owner spared no pains to give her the best of education. Her poetry writing began at an early age. She became so intelligent and self-cultured that the most wealthy and refined white people of the day entertained her. All the time she was writing verses of the highest quality. Finally going to Europe her success was even greater there to such an extent that she appeared before the Royal Courts of England and received high honors. Her literary works were reviewed by some of the best scholars in England where much of her poetry was published in London under the title “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral”.

The late Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Negro Poet-Laureate, is considered the greatest poet the Negro race has produced. Starting as an elevator boy he struggled through one disappointment after another to get an education. All that time he was writing poetry and finally after his works came under the notice of such great white writers as William Dean Howells and James Whitcomb Riley, the genius of Dunbar and the value of his writings became world known. He traveled all about giving recitals of his poetry that took the country by storm. His prose works won just as much admiration and comment. His writings were based on the American Negro in and out of slavery and the pen pictures he has drawn are masterpieces of literature. Chief among his compositions are; “Lyrics of Lowly Life”, “Lyrics of The Hearthstone,” “Heart of Happy Hollow”, “Folks From Dixie,” “Oak and Ivy”, “Uncalled”, “Love and Landry” and “The Sports Of The Gods.”

William Stanley Braithwaite, as editor of “The New Poetry Review” of Cambridge, author of “The Anthology of Magazine Verse”, editor of “The Contemporary American Poets Series” and annual reviewer of the poetry that appears in the leading magazines of America, is recognized as the leading Colored poet and among the foremost world poets of today. A few of his works are: “The House of Falling Leaves”, “The Book of Victorian Verse”, “Life of Lyrics and Love”, “The Book of Georgian Verse”, “The Book of Elizabethian Verse”, and “The Book of Restoration Verse.” He was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1918.

James Weldon Johnson is a poet and writer of first note, and his poem “The Young Warrior,” that was set to music by Harry T. Burleigh, almost became the national hymn of Italy during the World War. His poem “Fifty Years” that appeared in many of the leading white magazines and newspapers during the first part of 1913, brought forth high comment from all parts of the country. His poems have appeared in the Century, the Independent, the Crisis and other publications. He has published some of his poetry in a book titled “Fifty Years and Other Poems.”

“Mr. Johnson is a young colored poet of America. Some of his verse is in the cultivated English, some in the broken language of the American Negro. The latter rings true. They express with singular intensity the joys and sorrows of a subject race.” The above comment was made by The London Literary World regarding the poetic abilities of Fenton Johnson, Chicago, Ill. Aside from receiving high mentions from The New York World, and Poetry, a magazine of Verse, some of his works were also included in Braithwaite’s “Anthology of Magazine Verse for 1918” and “The Chicago Anthology”. One of his recent volumes of poetry that attracted praiseworthy attention on both sides of the ocean is “A Little Dreaming.”

While the facts, that short stories of the highest order are constantly flowing from her pen point (or typewriter) and that she is Literary Editor of The Crisis, have gained for her the distinction of being a foremost prose writer among Colored women in America today; Jessie Redmon Fauset, on account of the numerous outputs and unusual high quality of her poems, is also recognized as one of the best verse writers among Colored people on both sides of the ocean.

The father and son poets, Jos. S. Cotter, Sr. and Jr., have produced verse matter that stands among the best in the country among Colored writers. Information regarding the works of these composers will be found else-where in this book. But a praiseworthy mention regarding Jos. S. Cotter, Jr., who died in his early twenties and for several years before that had been confined on a bed of affliction, should be made herein. While other poets have had their health, strength and vigor to do their work, young Cotter was suffering almost constant pain in bed while turning out his poetry that came from the depths of his patient soul, and ring as true as a pure-cast bell.

Georgia Douglas Johnson was born in Atlanta, Ga., was educated in the public schools and at the Atlanta University after which she took a course of music at the Oberlin Conservatory. Her first book, “The Heart of a Woman and Other Poems” with an introduction by William Stanley Braithwaite, was published by the Cornhill Co. of Boston, Mass., three years ago; her second book, “An Autumn Love Cycle,” will be out shortly. Her third book, “Shadow Song” is entirely different to the other two, being entirely racial, treated in the over-tone style of suggestion. This book will appear some months after the “Love Cycle.” The above quotation is in part an editorial note that appeared in the May 1921 issue of Music and Poetry. The high standard and amazing numbers of Mrs. Johnson’s verses that appear in leading magazines are attracting wide attention and have already placed her in a class among the leading Colored writers before the public today.

Claude McKay, a poet of international reputation, enjoys the honor of being one of the first Colored writers to be made an associate editor on the staff of a white national magazine--The Liberator, which is published in New York City. Mr. McKay has for several years been writing poetry for many of the leading magazines in Europe as well as for Colored and white periodicals in America. His book, “Spring in New Hampshire and Other Poems” has brought forth high literary comment from verse critics in both countries.

“Miscellaneous Poems” and “Sketches of Southern Life” are two titles covering some of the verses produced by the poetess, Frances E. Harper, who also wrote first quality prose. Jas. E. McGirth wrote “Some Simple Songs” and other verse matter that has stood the test of the best critics.

The late J. D. Corrothers gained much distinction as a prose and verse writer and for several years his poems appeared in some of the leading white magazines. George R. Margeston’s book of poems “Songs of Life” has brought forth much favorable comment, and stamped him as a poet who is fast forging to the front.

All verse critics who regularly read the close-to-nature, true-to-life, heart-to-heart and cheerful little poems that weekly head the editorial pages of the Chicago Defender, join in acclaiming Alfred Anderson the Edgar A. Guest “Sunshine Poet” of the Negro Race. A few of the many other Colored verse writers whose poems frequently appear in leading magazines are Carrie C. Clifford, Sergt. Allen R. Griggs, Jr., Thos. M. Henry, Sarah C. Fernandas, Leslie P. Hill, Roscoe Jamison, Chas. Bertram Johnson, Winifred Virginia Jordan, Will Sexton and Lucian B. Watkins, the last named writer being considered among the foremost writers the race has produced during the past few years.

AMONG THE ARTISTS

THE ARTIST.

In everything, real artists see
Some good therein God made pretty:
Such finds they gladly then set free
So all can share the new beauty.
--_Harrison._

According to page 331 of the 1918-1919 edition of Work’s Negro Year Book, “Bannister, E. M., of Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the first Negroes in America to achieve distinction as a painter. He was the founder of the Providence Art Club, which is to-day the leading art organization in Providence. “Its membership, mostly, if not wholly white, includes many of the leading citizens of the city and state.” One of Mr. Bannister’s pictures “Under the Oaks” was awarded a medal at the Centennial Exposition of 1876. The picture became the property of the Duffe Estate of New York City.”

Henry O. Tanner, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and now living in Paris, France, is the greatest artist in the Negro race and among the best of all races. His early life along artistic lines was one of hard struggles, constant ambitions, unshaken determinations and final success, until today his works are known and treasured all over the world. His most successful paintings are those describing different incidents that are taught in the Bible. Among his many pictures that have won fame and fortunes for him are; “The Banjo Lesson”, “Christ Walking on the Sea”, “The Holy Family”, “Hills Near Jerusalem”, “Christ at the Home of Lazarus”, “Mary and Elizabeth” and “The Hiding of Moses.” Mr. Tanner is the son of Bishop B. T. Tanner.

“Mr. William Scott is considered by critics to be one of the foremost artists in America. He excells alike in the difficulties of portrait painting and in the cleverness and subtlety of his cartoon work. In a time when artists are becoming more and more a necessity of modern life, his ability bids fair to lift him even more to the top of his profession. Mr. Scott led his class at the Chicago Art Institute.” This quotation is extracted from the November-December 1920 issue of Fenton Johnson’s Favorite Magazine.

The following extract about Mr. Scott is from Work’s Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, page 331: “He took the Magnus Brand Prize for two successive years. He studied in Paris at the Julian Academy and under Henry O. Tanner. Three of his paintings were accepted by the Salon des Beaux Arts at Toquet. The Argentine Republic purchased one of his pictures, La Pauvre Voisine. He has completed Mural paintings for public buildings in Evanston, Illinois; Chicago and Indianapolis. He is interesting himself in Negro subjects and is doing in painting what Dunbar has done in verse.”

The late Wm. A. Harper of Chicago, Ill., although a young man at his death had already won recognition for his paintings and himself. He had spent two year of study in Paris and has been successful in exhibiting his paintings at the Chicago Art Institute. Chief among his works are “The Last Gleam”, “The Hillside”, and “The Gray Day.”

A few of the many present day Colored artists who have also become recognized and prominent in this art are; Lulu Adams, Los Angles, Cal.; Ernest Atkinson, Baltimore, Md.; C. L. Boydkin, Boston, Mass.; C. L. Dawson, Chicago, Ill.; Arthur Diggs, J. B. Davidson, Washington, D.C.; W. M. Farrow, Frances Grant, Marcellus Hawkins, Chicago, Ill.; J. Hardwick, L. Harris, Louise Latimer, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Effie Lee, Wilberforce, Ohio; L. M. Rogers, Harvey Roseland, Washington, D.C.; A. A. Smith, New York; Frank Waltz, N. Y.; Hilda Wilkerson, Arthur Winslow, Chicago, Ill.; and Sidney Woodward, New York, (some of above names are extracts from Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, pg. 331.)

Miss Laura Wheeler’s painting “Heirlooms” won first place in New York City among 500 art exhibits at the Water Color Club. Aside from being an instructor in the art department of the Cheyney School, Cheyney, Pa., and illustrator for such national magazines as The Crisis, she is recognized as one of the foremost Colored women artists in America.

At the John Wanamaker Art Exhibition held in Philadelphia, Pa., not many months ago, K. G. Ganaway, a Colored butler in Chicago, Ill., entered his photographic picture “The Spirit of Transportation”, which won first prize out of 900 pictures exhibited by many of the country’s most experienced and expert white photographers residing in different parts of the United States. While other people in going to railroad stations saw nothing interesting there but hurrying crowds of people, truck loads of baggage and black sooty trains and sheds, Mr. Ganaway’s artistic eye and timely focused camera soared above those common place things as he saw and portrayed the wonderful beauty of the dust laden tapering and yellow beams of lights and shadows caused by the sun’s golden rays streaming through the dingy skylights of the Terminal’s high and arched ceilings.

Architects

In nearly every American city of importance where the Negro population is large there are Colored architects of recognized standing and ability. The following are just a few of those names that have come under the hurried notice of the writer: W. T. Bailey, Memphis, Tenn.; A. I. Cassell, Baltimore, Md.; W. C. Cook, Gary, Ind.; W. H. Hammond, Pittsburgh, Pa.; I. T. Hatton, Washington, D.C.; Benjamin and William Hazel, Boston, Mass.; Harry S. James, Seattle, Washington, now in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; H. N. Johnson, Norfolk, Va.; the late J. T. N. Minot, New York City; J. C. Norman, Charleston, W. Va.; J. W. Robinson and Henry Robinson, Hampton, Va.; Chas. T. Russell, A. M. Segoins, Baltimore, Md., V. W. Tandy, New York City, W. T. White, Kansas City, Mo. and P. R. Williams, Los Angeles, Cal.

AMONG THE SCULPTORS

MAGIC CHISELS.

We read in fairy tales of old
Of crude things wanded into gold;
But we have fairies of to-day
Who breath life into stone and clay.
--_Harrison._

Prejudice against her race and sex did not deter the colored girl, Edmonia Lewis, from struggling upward to honor and fame as a sculptor.” This is what was written about that great genius on page 64 in “Pushing To The Front” one of the books of Orison Swett Marden, who aside from being editor of the New Success Magazine is also known in all lands as the greatest and widest read inspirational white writer in the world today. Among the chief works of Miss Lewis are: “The Death of Cleopatra” that was exhibited in 1876 at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pa., “The Freed Woman”, “The Marriage of Hiawatha” and the bust of Robert Gould Shaw.

Residing in So. Framington, Mass., is Meta Vaux Warrick (Mrs. S. C. Fuller) who is considered a leading Colored sculptress in America today. What is known as her masterpiece, “The Wretched”, a sculptured group, was exhibited in Paris in 1903. Some of her other productions are; “The Silent Appeal”, “The Dancing Girl”, “The Wrestlers”, and “The Immigrant in America.”

Standing in the front ranks of this art is May Howard Jackson of Washington, D.C. In both the Vorhoff Art Gallery and the Corcoran Art Gallery the results of her talents have been successfully exhibited. Her recent bust of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, that was unveiled in one of the Washington High Schools, has aroused much interest and favorable comment not only in the national capital but throughout the country. (Ref.: Work’s Negro Year Book, 1918-1919 edition, pgs. 331-2)

IN VOCAL MUSIC

HEAVENS REPAST.

No human sound is there on earth
To equal that of songful mirth
That sweetly flows from gifted voice
To feed the soul with Heaven’s choice.
--_Harrison._

Each new day echoes the triumph of some individual who has gloriously bridged chasms of earthly deterrents--racial, financial, mental, physical and moral--during which time that individual has been torn and left naked, bleeding and despondent; but to the brave these vicissitudes never weaken, but strengthen, and they fight with the tenacity of a savage, finally reaping conquest after conquest. Roland Hayes, tenor of Boston illustrates the result of being firm, holding on, fighting, and today he has achieved what every artist desires as a reward of their genius, their years of struggle to excell, the recognition of the world, of kings and queens. And May 2 the cables flashed word that a Negro tenor had been received at the palace to sing for the royal family, and was presented a diamond pin by King George, the significant manner in which royalty pays homage to great musicians of the world. They were delighted with the voice and manner of the singer, and the king observed how different the songs were from what the English were taught to believe were characteristic Negro melodies. We have always been caricatured, always portrayed as the jester for the world’s amusement, and Mr. Hayes did not overlook the opportunity to rescue our folk songs from the debasement they have suffered from the result of pernicious money mongers, and present them as the sorrow songs of a persecuted people filled with weariness and renunciation.

“His sojourn in London has been marked with success after success, beginning with his premiere recital, significant with concurrent praise from the critics. An appearance at the dinner given by the American Society to British women at the Hotel Cecil, on which occasion he sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” His appearances at two concerts given by the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society (Mrs. I. F. Coleridge-Taylor, patron; Sir. Charles V. Stanford, president, and Douglas M. Durston, conductor) in aid of the mayor’s unemployment fund and numerous concerts, the last of which, April 16, was a huge success financially and artistically. The critics said many lovely things of Mr. Hayes anent his voice, his style, his intelligence and manner; but to us who know and love him, who feel his very heart throb as he pleads through his art for his people, recognize and understand that his voice wails in eagerness for deliverance, freedom, the right to breathe and live untrammeled and unoppressed.

“A word is here appropriate in praise of Lawrence Brown, who has been his sympathetic accompanist and collaborator in the settings of a number of spirituals for concert use. Mr. Brown is also an excellent pianist, and the critics recognize his dual talent by always giving him a share in their notes.”

The above quotation is extracted from an editorial that appeared on page 13 in the May 1921 issue of Nora Douglas Holt’s monthly magazine, Music and Poetry, that is published in Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Hayes received his musical education in the New England conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., and today is acclaimed not only the foremost tenor in the Negro race but one of the greatest tenors in the world.

Colored and white song critics on both sides of the ocean have for many years recognized Harry T. Burleigh as the leading baritone soloist in the Negro race. For the past twenty or more years he has been a soloist in the choir of the St. George’s Protestant Church, which is one of the leading and wealthiest white churches in New York City, having on its membership roll such world-known names as Seth Low and J. Pierpont Morgan. Mr. Burleigh is also a composer of international fame, and his “Deep River” is frequently sung in different parts of the world by famous white singers. More mention of Mr. Burleigh’s celebrated compositions will be made elsewhere in this book.

“Guide to Voice Culture” is a book written by Madame E. Azalia Hackley. This book is soundly based on the ripe and rich experiences gained by Mrs. Hackley after an untiring and extensive preparation under the best voice culture masters in America and Europe. For many years she was the most prominent Colored singer in America. For several years past she has been devoting her time and energies in traveling throughout the country organizing and presenting chorus recitals dealing mostly or wholly with American Negro folklore songs. In thus constantly coming in personal contact with the masses of Colored people in all parts of the United States, Mrs. Hackley is doing more today than any musician in personally meeting and influencing so many Colored people to learn to love, sing, and preserve Negro plantation melodies.

Anita Patti Brown of Chicago, Ill., is today one of the most eminent sopranos belonging to the Negro race. She has made numerous and unusually successful trips throughout America and the West Indies, and those who have heard her remarkable singing instantly fall in love with her full round voice of natural richness and sweetness. Among her most catchy pieces is the one titled “Villanelle” which has been reproduced on Columbia Phonograph records with great success.

Florence Cole Talbert, aside from winning the diamond medal at the Chicago Musical College has also won national reputation as one of the leading sopranos among the American Colored people. Although high up on the ladder of songhood, she is continuing to climb to the top by taking special courses in Chicago under such famed teachers as Oscar Saenger and Madame Valerie. This great singer’s home is in Detroit, Michigan.

Cleota Collins, Columbus, Ohio, is a soprano of note, and, as the editor of Music and Poetry has so well said, “is a young woman with a frail body but such an enormous mentality and a voice that makes you close your eyes and listen to her interpretation of songs that set your senses titilating. But she has worked patiently to acquire this power and now condescends to tell young students how she did it.” She is associate editor of Music and Poetry.

Although he is at present living in New Zealand, where he has endeared himself in the hearts of all music lovers there H. Hodges can be rightly claimed an American product on account of his native home being Boston, Mass. His commanding and well trained talented voice is one of the wonders of Auckland where he conducts one of the most exclusive music studios.

After spending several years of personal sacrifices and hard study in America, France and England, Rachel Walker of Cleveland, Ohio was finally rewarded by receiving personal recognition and praise from kings and queens during her first successful appearance in Europe. And today she is classed among the best of American Colored song birds.

Worcester, Mass., and New England in general is justified in being so proud of Estelle P. Clough who has won for herself first place among great Colored singers. She has successfully appeared in most of the important cities in the United States.

Wm. H. Richardson of Boston, Mass., is one of the best Colored baritones in America. He has made numerous joint recitals with Maud Cuney Hare through the United States and has met with great success on all occasions.

In singing compositions of Negro, French, German, Italian and Russian musicians, Wilson Lamb of Orange, N. J., demonstrates in his recitals that he has a baritone voice of marked agreeableness and unusual control. Each year when he gives his big recitals his voice shows the favorable results of his continued hard study and practice, and white papers are unstinting in giving him praise.

For twenty years Sisseretta Jones has successfully managed a musical company of her own organization known as “The Black Patti Troubadors”. In all the European cities they visited they had over-crowded houses night after night. It must be said to the glowing credit and praise of Madame Jones that she is probably the only woman in America, Colored or white, who has been successful in organizing and keeping together for so many years such a high-classed group of musical entertainers.