The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 26, 1923 Page: 1 of 8
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FINAL
EDITION
THE HOUSTON INFORMER
PRICE:
7 CENTS
‘HOUSTON’S COT ’EM”
VOL. V.
HOUSTON, TEXAS, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1923
NO. 1
OUR FIFTH YEAR BEGINS.
This issue marks the beginning of
the fifth year in the journalistic ca-
reer of The Houston Informer, whose
first issue appeared May 24, 1919.
Many unseen obstacles and unnec-
essary impediments have been encoun-
tered by our journalistic barque, but
the old ship has weathered the rough
and tempestous seas and reached port
safe and sound, despite fears of some
and evil designs and maliwious ma-
chinations of others.
During the past four years The In-
former has religiously striven to chron-
icle wholesome and elevating news
and editorialize on the issues of the
day according to its own opinions and
observations.
The best proof that such a course is
the meet and proper one has been
demonstrated by the adverse criticism,
condemnation and pseudo-duress un
dertaken and resorted to by not a few
kaisers, both within and without our
racial group.
Such human instrumentalities are
necessary, perhaps, in our human
fabric. If they are not necessary, they
serve their purpose, for they certainly
popularized The Informer and thus to-
day The Houston Informer, only four
years old, has the largest and widest
circulation of any secular race news-
paper in the Southwest, and is con-
sidered and regarded as the mouth-
piece and spokesman for all forward-
looking colored Americans in this sec-
tion of the country.
Without gloating or boasting, wa
wish here to thank our many thousand
subscribers and readers who have aid-
ed us so materially in building up and
maintaining such a large circulation.
To those advertisers, both local and
foreign, who employ space herein, The
Informer management is grateful and
hopes to merit a continuation of their
patronage by producing a better news-
paper and establishing a larger -bona
fide circulation. ~
What The Informer has accomplish-
ed in its brief career, we shall not con-
sume the space to chronicle here.
The Informer’s face is set to the
morning and its ship flies no doubtful
flag, nor does it trim any sail to catch
the passing breeze.
In the future, as in the past, The In-
former shall speak the truth and decry
and denounce unrighteousness in both
church and states as God gives its edi-
torial force to see the right.
No apology is necessary for our past
labor and we shall strive to so con-
duct “YOUR PAPER’’ that none will
be necessary at the termination of this
year or any other year.
To all who have materially and
morally aided us, we thank you! The
Informer is YOUR PAPER and we are
striving to serve you.
Do not hesitate to offer any sugges
tions or constructive criticism; we so
licit and invite both, for neither jour
nalistlc nor human infallability main
tains its habitat in our sanctum sane
torum.
Let’s all pull together for a greater
and grander year for the people’s pa-
per; mention it to your friends; trade
with our advertisers and tell them you
saw their ad in The Houston Informer.
We thank you!
Houston Post-Office Carriers Team
“YETH THUR,” GAME’S ON!
In trying to get you told in this col-
imn last week something about the
liamond career of some of the baseball
varriors and constellations that will
>e seen in action when the Colored
Commercial Club team meets the local
>ostal carriers at West End Park,
Wednesday, June 6, we did not have
ipace to mention all of the stales who
vill cavort on the diamond in this
nemorable classic for the benefit of
Jnion Hospital.
Through the courtesy and big-heart-
•dness of Mr. Charles Caffey, manager
>f the Houston Black Buffaloes, the
West End Park has been secured for
his occasion at a nominal rental, and
he promoters confidently expect the
Houston public to turn out en masse
ind help a worthy cause, to say noth-
ng about seeing a sensational, scintil-
ating and thrilling ball game.
The managers of the two opposing
dubs state that some of the additional
itars to be seen in action are: Dr. T.
3. (“Teddy’’) Bryant, stellar slabman
it Wilberforce in bygone years and
vhose salary whip has been bathed at
he fountain of perennial youth; J.
r. Meridith, the long, lanky contractor
ind builder, who won fame as a “shoe-
ess” outfielder at Weimar when Gen-
sral Sam Houston was chasing Mexi-
;ans; R. L. Isaacs, who starred at
Prairie View, graduated to Atlanta and
ater returned to Houston as a mag-
late; John H. (“Shano”) Collins,
whose war club is wont to wreak
iavoc upon the old horsehide and give
:he gardeners plenty of exercise; Dr.
H. E. Lee, who says that he was “sum”
star in his college days (we must take
lis word, as they did not keep records
Ladies and gentlemen, we
have with us in the above pic-
ture the fast club, of the Hous-
ton Postoffice Carriers, who will
clash with the Galveston carriers
at West End Park Wednesday,
May 30, (Decoration Day). The
game will be called at 2 p. m.
Last year these two teams
fought in the Island City and
Houston made race horses out
of Galveston. The Islanders
have sworn eternal vengeance
and will invade Houston deter-
mined to cop the Decoration Day
encounter.
On Wednesday, June 6, the
Houston carriers will meet the
Colored Commercial Club team
at West End Park in a benefit
game for Union Hospital, and
judging from present interest
this game will be a humming
“humdinger.” This game will
be called at 4 p. m.
nor files in those ancient times); Dr.
J. R. (“Jimmie") Terrell, famed as an
athlete at Bishop and Meharry, who is
just “hossing” to get 'll healthy swat
at the old apple; Dr. A. E. Jones, who
was “Babe Adamed” to death when
hurling for Richmond in the defunct
Jaybird-Peckerwood loop; Dr. G. A.
Alien, who is one of the best ball play-
ers that ever represented the varsity
at Tillotson, College; Father W. P.
Stanley, who saved many a ball game
with his terrific clouting and match-
elss fielding, just like he is saving
souls and swatting the devil nowa-
days; Dr. R. O. Roett, unanimously
selected for position as either bat-boy
or “pig-tail”; Dr. G. R. M. Newman,
former star in the Pelican league,
et al.
The local mail carriers have so many
stars that it is difficult to pick them
out. Among some are Frank Gardner,
lead-off man, who never made the third
team during his college days; “Dea-
con” L. H. Spivey, who covers a world
of territory and can outpray the “Pray-
ing Colonels” of Center College, Ken-
tucky; “Parson” J. H. Watkins, assist-
ant pastor of Antioch, who needs no
particular introduction to the Houston
public; the venerable, ancient and
most worshipful Mott Anderson; J. M.
Burr, ex-teacher ar oright light dur-
ing college career; “Capt.” J. B. Tay-
lor, whose inside “stuff” is prima facie
evidence that what some people lack
in brawn they make up in brains; Wil-
lis Washington, who formerly south-
pawed for the Black Buffs and is a
real classy pitcher; S. D. Barclay, who
starred in that memorable game be-
tween the Hungry Eleven and the
Starving Twelve, when the game was
nothing to eight (ate); J. E. Armstead,
who has tried to maintain strict neu-
trality, but his former playing with
the 24th Infantry makes him eligible
for this hectic struggle; Horatius Mid-
dleton, former P. V. star and a “sweet”
performer.
The following physicians and nurses
have consented to give first aid to
those who will try to “come back” and
tease fate: Drs. B. J. Covington, R.
F. Ferrill, E. B. Ramsey, C. A. Jack-
son, G. W. Antoine, T. J. Hackett,
Misses Short, Fair and Edwards;
while ample drugs—first aid remedies
—will be on hand from Herbert's,
Jones Pharmacy, Climax Pharmacy,
Wilson’s Pharmacy and People's Phar-
macy.
There is talk of an injunction to
prevent T. M. Fairchild and J. M.
Frierson bringing their ambulances or
“black mariahs" to the park to care
for all casualties.
Judging from street talk and office
comment, this is going to be the “game
of the century” and it bids fair to be
the society event of the early summer
season. Get your tickets now and
avoid the rush. “Umps” McCoy will
call “Play ball” in that stentorian
voice of his at 4 p.m., Wednesday,
June 6, 1923. Place: West End Park.
“Nuf ced!”
PULLMAN PORTERS’
MEMORIAL SERVICES
HELD AT TRINITY
Local Association No. 30 of the Pull-
man Porters’ Benefit Association pf
America and the Ladies’ Auxiliary held
their annual memorial service at Trin-
ity M. E. Church Sunday, May 20,
where the following most excellent
program was rendered: Chorus, Trin-
ity choir; Scripture reading, Porter
Jas. Cox; invocation, Porter E. Bur-
rell; selection by choir. Address of
welcome was delivered by Hon. J. J.
Hardeway, to which Mr. James Cox
responded on behalf of the association
and auxiliary. Porter M. L. Robinson
gave the object of the meeting. Por-
ter J. B. Bren delivered the eulogy of
the dead in honor of the deceased
member of local No. 30, Mr. U. N.
Valry, who met his death in New Or-
leans last November. Mr. W. S. De-
leston rendered “Melody in F” on his
violin; piano solo by Miss Lula B. Wil-
son and vocal solos by Mrs. A. R.
DeBose and Porter D. Toliver. The
memorial sermon was preached by
Rev. E. O. Woolfolk. .
This organization is a national one,
having 39 local associations with 9000
members who are employes of the
great Pullman Company. This asso-
ciation was organized March 10, 1915,
and on February 4, 1921, the constitu-
tion was so revised as to provide a pol-
icy of $1000 for the beneficiaries of de-
ceased members.
The local association, with J. H. Zol-
lah, chairman, and M. L. Robinson,
secretary, has a membership of 71 por-
ters, while the Ladies’ Auxiliary, of
which Mrs. M. L. Robinson is presi-
dent and Mrs. Mary Estorge is secre-
tary, has a roster of 25 members.
WILEY’S COMMENCEMENT.
The commencement week of Wiley
University, Marshall, Texas, will start
Wednesday, May 30, and end Wednes-
day, June 6. The baccalaureate ser-
mon will be preached by Dr. I. Garlani
Penn, corresponding secretary of the
board of education for Negroes of the
M. E. Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Prof.
H. J. Mason will address the graduates
of the normal and commercial depart-
ments, while graduating address will
be delivered by Rev. W. J. King, pro-
fessor Old Testament and sociology,
Gammon Theological Seminary, At-
lanta, Ga. Bishop R. E. Jones will pre-
side at the annual meeting of the board
of trustees.
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
BROKEN AT LINCOLN;
TWO SUFEjjp COMING
All previous attendance records
were smashed to smithereens at the
Lincoln theater, beginning Sunday and
running through Wednesday night.
The chief cause of all this establish-
ment of new attendance record was
the wonderful film, “The Town That
Forgot God.”
Booked originally for three days, so
insistent and persistent were Hous-
tonians on seeing the great film spec-
tacle that Manager O. P. DeWalt was
forced to hold the picture over an-
other day. The unanimous verdict Is
that it was one of the best offerings
ever shown at the Lincoln.
“Tess of the Storm Country,” fea-
turing the popular idol, Mary Pick-
ford, which is booked for Sunday, Mon-
day and Tuesday; and “Monte Crlsto,”
to be shown later, are pronounced as
being as good, if not better than, the
production which drew capacity houses
for four days and nights.
TEN-PAGE PAPER
SETS HIGH MARK
BENDER HOTEL WAITERS
STAGED SPRING PARTY
One of the swellest, most odd and
unique entertainments of the season
was pulled off at Emancipation Park
last Thursday night by the Hotel Ben-
der waiters, with Mr. Alvin Smith,
head waiter, as manager and director.
The stunt was a shirt and shirt waist
spring party and enjoyed the largest
attendance of any invitational affair
ever staged in the city.
The features of the evening were the
singing of the waiters’ quartet, com-
posed of Messrs. James Brunner, Scott
Hines, Sol Reece and Charles Hodge,
and sleight-of-hand tricks by Charles
Hodge, who proved himself an artist
in this line.
An ice course was served and the
Louisiana jazz orchestra furnished lat-
est syncopated airs for tripping the
light fantastic toe, which all engaged
and indulged in to their hearts’ com-
plete satisfaction, leaving rather re-
luctantly when the finale was played
by the orchestra.
The Bender hotel employs more col-
ored waiters than any hostelry its size
and standing in the state, thirty-one
race men serving in this capacity at
the Bender, and they seem to be giv-
ing entire satisfaction.
This social event, something novel
and new, is one of the many enter-
tainments planned by the Bender wait-
ers for the summer months.
As proof that The Houston In-
former is the best medium for
advertising purposes among col-
ored people, last week’s issue
consisted of ten (10) pages, due
to an unusual amount of local
and foreign advertisements. Most
of this copy just came in, as
there was no special effort made
by the advertising department
for more than the ordinary
amount of copy.
The advertisers realize that
The Informer is the paper that
reaches more colored people (po-
tential buyers and prospective
customers) than any newspaper
in South Texas, and, since this is
true, “The People’s Paper” was
their natural choice.
Another thing: Colored peo-
ple are learning to spend their
money with those advertisers
who seek their trade through col-
ored mediums and it is indeed
gratifying to see so many of The
Informer’s advertisers enjoying
nice colored patronage.
Without gloating, the manage-
ment feels highly gratified with
the volume of advertising in last
week’s issue and appearing in
the issue that marked the end of
the fourth year of the paper’s
journalistic career, made it all
the more significant and gratify-
ing.
By the way, have you noticed
that this issue is no slouch and
that The Informer carries more
advertising than any four color-
ed newspapers printed in Texas ?
This merely proves our oft-re-
peated slogan, “The Informer
leads, others attempt to follow.”
Moral—If you don’t want the
patronage of the colored people,
then keep your ad out of The
Houston Informer.
MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCHSHORTAGE
DUE TO TREASURER
To Whom It May Concern:
Thus the time has come that we,
the members of Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, must speak for ourselves. The
Texas Freeman, edited by Mr. C. N.
Love, has had much to say regarding
our business affairs for the past few
months and in every instance The
Freeman lias uttered many false state-
ments and thereby left many who read
under the wrong impression.
The church hereby sets its disap-
proval on the articles and the writer.
There is no "bug under the chip,” as
was said by the Freeman and E. W.
Scallion, ex-treasurer, lias made no
report clearing up matters pertainiTr-
to the church’s financial affairs, so
as to let the Freeman’s “bug” from j
under the chip. Nobody that is con-
nected with the church in any way
or manner is responsible for the de-
ficinecy in financial affairs of the
church but E. W. Scallion. This fact
has been made clear by the book now
held by the church secretary, which
DIXIE NEGROES
ANNEX HONORS:
TEXANATYALE
Joseph J. Rhoades, of Texas,
one of the fourteen colored stu-
dents at Yale University, won
second place in the first term ex-
aminations this spring. The
honor carries with it enrollment
as “Allis Scholar” and a cash
award of $150. Young Rhoads
went to Yale from Tuskegee In-
stitute, where he had been sec-
retary of the Student Christian
Association. He is a graduate of
Bishop College, at Marshall,
Texas, receiving his bachelor of
science degree in 15)10. He later
taught at Marshall, Waco, and
Prairie View. He is an accom-
plished pianist and recognized as
one of the country’s foremost
mathematicians of the yoanger
and educated in Marshall, pursu-
ing his elementary and high
school course at Central High
School.
Race Physician Adds '
Additional Equipment
To X-Ray Instrument
An Informer representative, while
perambulating in the Taborlan build-
ing, Wednesday, ran into the office
of Dr. H. E. Lee, one of our most
successful physicians, and was agree-
ably surprised at the wonderful equip-
ment, modern and complete in every
detail, that this race doctor has in-
stalled in his office.
Besides the X-ray machine, which
the doctor installed some bit ago, he
has recently added to this equipment
an electrical Intensifier, illuminator
and- high power tube, which enable
him to do any class of X-ray work. .
The doctor has fitted up a special
room for this work and is doing a
deal of special work along this line,
both for other physicians and dentists.
Dr. Lee said: “Our people deserve
the best in equipment for real scien-
tific research and proper diagnosis of
cases, and I have decided that I shall
try to satisfy the demand by installing
the best and most modern equipment
that money can obtain. I am now
getting more real, genuine joy and
pleasure out of my profession than
ever before in my medical tareer and
I am always glad to serve my people
with these latest scientific instru-
ments.”
Dr. Lee has, perhaps, the best fitted
office of its kind among local colored
doctors, and is enjoying a very lu-
crative practice, which is concrete evi-
dence that an artist or professional
who. "knows his stuff” and has the
right tools, will make good in his
chosen field of human endeavor.
came from the bank, showing how, | generation. He was born, reared
when, and by whom this shortage
came about, which ttie Freeman has
discussed so much. We wish to brand
as maliciously false the statement that
we ever held church meeting until
2 a. m.
The church feels that it is time
to speak and let all who read know
that there is no truth in articles that
have been circulating through the
Texas Freeman. The church, officers,
paRtor and members have all been
very courteous to allow these false
statements to circulate through the
Freeman and have not heretofore re-
sented them, even though Mr. Love
has been saying many things in the
Freeman that were untrue.
It seems that all the Ananlases are
not dead: some are yet on the job
with the Texas Freeman for their 1
mouth piece. The ehunch hopes that I
the Freeman and its editor will set!
up and take warning and keep out
of the affairs that concern the church.
This article is not intended as a
newspaper controversy, but is only a
statement from the church setting
herself right before the public.
F. A. HICKS, Church Clerk
W. E. C. MATTHEWS, Layman
R. T. HORACE, Layman
Committee.
Frank S. Rankin, a Savannah
Negro youth studying medicine
in the University of Illinois, re-
cently took the examination for
the position of senior bacteriolo-
gist in the Chicago Health De-
partment. Out of 52 competit-
ors, only six passed the examina-
tion and Rankin came second
among the six.
PLANS LAID FOR
“JllNElIENTH”
MGR. CAFFEY EXPLAINS
SUSPENSION ORDER
Apropos the suspension of Charles
Caffey’s Black Buffs from the Texas
Colored League and the awarding of
the berth to Ben Patterson’s Black
Buffs, an Informer representative in-
terviewed Mr. Caffey Monday to as-
certain the facts, and here is his ver-
sion of the matter:
“My club played in San Antonio on
May 5, 6 and 7 and the home club
made us no guarantee, with the result
that we virtually went in a hole, due to
poor attendance. While in such di-
lemma I received a wire from the pres-
ident of the league ordering me to
jump with my team from San Antonio,
Texas, to Tulsa, Okla., despite the fact
that the schedule called for a three-
game series in Dallas on the 12th, 13th
and 14th (dates designated for my club
to play in Tulsa by league head). Hav-
ing lost money in the Alamo City and
not having any assurance regarding
the size of the guarantee Tulsa would
make, if any, I did not carry my club
to Tulsa and thus my team was sus-
pended, when the most severe punish-
ment should have been a fine. The
report that I failed to deposit my
money with league head is true, but
the understanding was that said de-
posit was to be made after receipts of
first series of games. Rain and poor
attendance made this impossible at
San Antonio, and before we could re-
turn home our team has been peremp-
torily suspended from the Texas Col-
ored League. I art perfectly williixT
for any man to pass judgment whether
this was a fair and square deal. I am
not whining, but merely stating the
facts in the case.”
At the mass meeting held at
Carnegie Library Monday night,
at which Prof. W. E. Miller,
member of Emancipation Park
Board, presided until officers
were elected by the citizens pres-
ent, it was decided to hold an
emancipation day celebration at
Emancipation Park on Tuesday,
June 19, 1923.
Several present spoke on the
importance of observing this day
annually and urged that the col-
ored citizens of Houston and
Harris County observe the
race’s natal day in Texas this
year.
The question of a parade was
discussed at length, and, after
much discussion a vote was
taken and the side opposed to a
parade this year won out, thus
the street pageant, which has
not been so creditable the last
few years, according to the opin-
ion of the parade opponents, will
not be staged.
C. F. Richardson was elected
chairman and J. Samuel Green,
secretary. The followng com-
mittees and chairmen were elect-
ed : Arrangements, J. Sam
Green; finance, J. H. Anderson;
publicity, Homer E. McCoy; pro-
gram and entertainment, H. H.
Lethridge.
It was voted to vest the above
officers and committee heads
with the power to select the
grand officers of the day, which
will be announced at a later date.
BASE BALL!
MAIL CARRIERS VS. COMMERCIAL COLORED CLUB TEAM
WEST END PARK, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1923. 4 P. M.
BENEFIT UNION HOSPITAL. ADMISSION ONLY 50 CENTS
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Richardson, Clifton F. The Houston Informer (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 26, 1923, newspaper, May 26, 1923; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth523798/m1/1/: accessed June 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .