Sparkling Gems of Race Knowledge Worth Reading Part 14

[Ill.u.s.tration: John Q. Adams, Chicago Ill.]

_Who was the first President of the Afro-American Press a.s.sociation?_

John Quincy Adams, editor of the "Appeal," was the first President of the Afro-American Press a.s.sociation.

_When did the Negro exodus take place?_

In 1879-80, when about 7,000 colored people left the Southern States and settled in Kansas.

_When did the last sale of slaves lake place?_

In October, 1859, Pierce Butler, of Philadelphia, sold 988 slaves at the race track, Savannah, Ga., for $303,850.

_How many Negro colleges in Mississippi?_

There are ten colleges in Mississippi for the education of Negro youths, and they are all well filled with bright, progressive students, who are fitting themselves for intelligent, worthy leaders.h.i.+p of the race.

_When was the Freedman's Bank established?_

In March, 1865. It was established in Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C., and had thirty-four branch banks in different parts of the United States.

_How long did this bank live?_

Nine years, during which time it handled no less than $56,000,000.

_How many colored Catholics in the United States?_

Colored Catholics have two priests and over 200,000 communicants.

_Who are among the leading poetesses of the race?_

Mrs. Francis E. W. Harper, Mrs. Charlotte F. Grimke, Mrs. M. E. Lee, and Mrs. Josie Heard.

_Who is the highest colored Mason in the United States?_

John G. Jones, who was recently elected Third Vice President of the Cook County Lawyers' a.s.sociation, a new but strong organization composed of those admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. He is a thirty-third degree Mason, the highest in the United States.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOHN G. JONES, CHICAGO, ILL.]

_How many colored lawyers in Chicago?_

There are thirty colored lawyers in Chicago, Lloyd G. Wheeler being the first, and was admitted in 1869. Miss Ida Platt is the only colored lady lawyer in Chicago. She was admitted to the bar about two years ago, and sought to make herself a first-cla.s.s lawyer in every respect.

_How many colored councilmen has Philadelphia?_

Six.

_Who is the richest negro bootblack in the United States?_

Thomas Gleason, of Baltimore, Md., is said to have acc.u.mulated $15,000 polis.h.i.+ng boots and shoes.

_Who is considered the best colored mathematician?_

Prof. Kelly Miller, of Howard University, Was.h.i.+ngton, is the finest mathematician of which the race can boast. He is the author of a text-book on geometry, which is taught at Howard University.

_How many colored public schools in Was.h.i.+ngton?_

In his annual report of the colored public schools of Was.h.i.+ngton, D.

C., Superintendent G. F. Cook accounts for 242 schools; 297 teachers, of whom 252 are females and 45 males; 12,876 pupils, with an average daily attendance of 9,767.

_How many Negroes on the police force in Chicago?_

Twenty-seven.

_Can you tell how many colored troops there are in the United States Army?_

The Negro soldiers in the United States Army number 2,400.

_When was the National Baptist Publis.h.i.+ng Board organized?_

This inst.i.tution was organized at St. Louis, Mo., on the 16th of September, 1896, and the Publis.h.i.+ng House established in Nashville, Tenn., January 1, 1897, with Rev. R. H. Boyd, D.D., as Secretary.

[Ill.u.s.tration: REV. R. H. BOYD, D.D., SAN ANTONIO, TEX.]

_Of what is this organization composed?_

This organization is composed entirely of Negro Baptists, and is said to be the largest Baptist organization in the world.

_How many colored men and women are employed by the city of Pittsburg, Pa.?_

The city government of Pittsburg, Pa., gives employment to 233 colored persons, 23 of whom are in the police department as clerks, patrolmen, turnkeys, etc., and 9 are clerks in the courthouse.

_Who was the first colored man elected judge in Florida?_

Hon. Joseph E. Lee, of Jacksonville, Fla., enjoys the distinction of being the first Negro to be elected to a judicial office in that state. He is a lawyer of high repute, and has served in the Legislature of his state for many years. He was elected city judge of Jacksonville in 1887, and has been collector of customs there for some time. He will doubtless serve in that capacity under the incoming administration.

DR. WILLIAM KEY.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DR. WILLIAM KEY.

Shelbyville, Tenn.]

No colored man in all the South is more highly esteemed for his integrity by all who know him than Dr. William Key. He is the very soul of honour, and is a living example of what every colored boy should strive to be. His word is his bond among all cla.s.ses wherever he is known. He is the inventor of Key's Liniment, so widely known and used all over the Southern States.