Category: African American History

PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

7/26/2020

PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

Monday, August 17th at 5:30 pm via Zoom: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

This is an important book for those concerned about racial equality to read and discuss. If you don't have time to read the book and join our discussion, we suggest you listen to the interview with the author described below.

In an 8 minute interview, NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with author Richard Rothstein about his new book, The Color of Law, which details how federal housing policies in the 1940s and '50s mandated segregation and undermined the ability of black families to own homes and build wealth.

Note: We will skip the October Book Club discussion. We want to choose a book for November at our October discussion. Please come with suggestions!

Monday, September 21st at 5:30 pm via Zoom: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe was published in 1958. Considered his masterpiece, it is the most widely read novel in modern African literature.

Quoting from a teaching guide at Penguin Random House:

"Things Fall Apart tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around Okonkwo, a "strong man" of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first story traces Okonkwo’s fall from grace with the tribal world in which he lives. It provides us with a powerful fable about the immemorial conflict between the individual and society. The second story, which is as modern as the first is ancient, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo’s world through the arrival of aggressive, proselytizing European missionaries.

These twin dramas are perfectly harmonized and they are modulated by an awareness capable of encompassing the life of nature, history, and the mysterious compulsions of the soul. Things Fall Apart is the most illuminating and permanent monument we have to the modern African experience as seen from within."

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Click on my name here Alta Price for a link to the Zoom meeting. Please tell me whether it is the August or September discussion that you want to attend so I send you the correct link.

Alta Price

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Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883

2/14/2020

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Did You Know That Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883?

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As part of PACG's on-going fu ndraiser to pay for a large kiosk display at the MLK Interpretive Center, the Davenport visit of African American aeronaut [1] Professor John Byrd in 1883 is the subject of this week's blog post about local cultural and ethnic history.

Local historian Craig Klein has gathered the following information from newspaper articles in Davenport. We have decided to post them here in their original format because their colorful language and descriptions are an integral part of this rich history.

It should be noted that, as in all of our Blog posts on local cultural and ethnic history for the MLK Interpretive Center fund drive, PACG did its own quick search for Professor Byrd. Not surprisingly, there was no information available, including in the History of Ballooning. This online listing includes hundreds of aeronauts, dating back to the 1700s.

[Craing Klein note: This intriguing articles below were graciously contributed by Jack Martens of Winnetka, Illinois, who found them while doing research on Davenport’s German immigrant community.]

August 30, 1883 (Thursday)--Davenport Democrat--News article entitled “The Aeronaut's Flight”:
Between 4 and 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon the first balloon ascent that has been made from Davenport in a long time was accomplished by Prof. John Byrd, the colored aeronaut.  His balloon was filled at the gas works, and required 12,000 feet of gas to round it out to its full proportions of 25 in diameter and height of 30 feet.  It was then conveyed to the fair grounds and made ready for the ascent. The professor seated himself in the basket, gave the word, the ropes were loosened, and up the ship of air arose, gracefully, steadily, beautifully.  After reaching a height of a thousand feet it veered to the northwest a little, but as it mounted into a higher atmosphere, it was carried eastward, continually ascending until the professor says he was nearly two miles above the earth—so high, at any rate, that he became very cold. When over east Davenport, some of the ropes on the globe of the balloon became entangled and some broken and he clambered out of his basket and up to the cords, repaired the damage, and regained his basket for safety. People in East Davenport who were watching the balloon with glasses witnessed this hazardous feat. Having sailed in the high atmosphere until he was nearly benumbed, the professor began to descend, and between 6 and 7 o’clock he landed on the farm of Mr. E. R. Wright, about six miles north-east of the city, in safety, though the top of the balloon was rent some by bushes. His balloon stopped within about twenty feet of a hundred stand of bees; had it gone among them there would have been a sight worthy of the view of gods and men.

The professor makes another flight this afternoon, and to-morrow afternoon. Had his exhibition been known abroad, it would have been a great attraction to hundreds of people, and increased the attendance at the fair.

August 30, 1883--Davenport Daily Gazette--Excerpt from a long news article entitled “The Fair”:
A very popular feature of yesterday’s programme was the BALLOON ASCENSION
which occurred at 4:30 from the space just north of the Floral Hall. The balloon had been filled at the Gas works, and was brought to the grounds through the streets inflated, avoiding the telegraph wires by an ingenious way of handling the ropes. The ascension was entirely successful in every respect, the balloon with its captain, Prof. Byrd, rising gently from the ground, and starting first in a northwesterly direction. After reaching a considerable height it struck a current of air going in an opposite direction, and was carried slowly to the southwest, finally disappearing from sight about 6 o’clock. A team was sent in the direction, and brought the aeronaut safely back to the city.

August 31, 1883 (Friday)--Davenport Democrat--News article entitled “Up In The Balloon”:
Why didn’t you make another ascension yesterday? was the question addressed to Prof. John Byrd, the colored aeronaut, this forenoon, by one of the directors of the county agricultural association. "We had an immense crowd on the ground, and you would have made money.”

“Well, sir,” replied the professor, “in the first place, all we got for the ascension on Wednesday was four dollars, and that was discouraging enough for it didn’t pay for the gas; besides, nobody encouraged us to make an ascension yesterday; and besides, too, when we were filling the balloon yesterday at the gas works, the bag tore open at the top and let the gas out, and every foot of gas had to escape before we could mend it.  There was another loss. The next time we go up in that balloon it will be because money is held out to us before we go.”

Professor Byrd is a slightly built colored boy of mulatto-tinge, and looks as if his weight would not balance more than a hundred pounds.

As he was talking a group twenty to thirty persons had gathered about him, all expressing a wish that he would make an ascension in the afternoon.  “Well, gentlemen,” replied the professor after listening patiently to their urgings, “business is business. How much will this crowd give to see us go up in the balloon?”  And that crowd dwindled to a very small group in less than ten minutes.

“Why on earth did you leave your basket and climb up on the outside of your balloon to fool with those ropes for, as I saw in last evening’s 'Democrat,'” asked one of the gents who remained.

“It wasn’t 'on earth' at all,” replied the professor with a laugh in which the group joined; “if it had been we would have been safe enough without it; but we were a mile and a half above the earth, and we saw the ropes flying loose, and then saw a rip in the canvas which bid fair to let the gas all out pretty soon.  Now you know it wouldn’t do to let that balloon collapse and fall with us clear down to the ground from more than a mile high; you know that yourself; just fall eight or ten feet once, and you’ll be mighty careful how you fall that little distance again.  Suppose we had come down on a fall for mile and a half.  We is a small man anyhow, but by the time we got to the ground we’d be so little nobody could find us.  We had to get up and mend that rip, had to do it, and tie the flying ropes, too.  And we climbed up, and first took some sticking plaster and covered the holes, and then tied the ropes.  Had to shift the ballast though to even up the other side of the balloon, and then when we came down had to even up the ballast before we could settle down again.  It was skaery getting out there, but we had to do it or die, and any man will take mighty big risks rather than die, and you know that yourself!”

The professor has the habit of speaking of himself in the plural.  It is “we” all the time with him.  In answer to other questions he said the balloon was made of cambric, and that it cost him $160 [2].  The ascension on Wednesday was the sixteenth that he had made, and about the “prettiest,” he believed.   When he was at the highest, the earth looked all alike, save the Mississippi river was like a narrow ribbon.  He went on up until he couldn’t see the river for the great clouds that were moving beneath him like “great rolling hills of snow”; and, what was strange, people on the ground could see the balloon all the time, notwithstanding the clouds, while he could see nothing but clouds beneath him.  He couldn’t understand it.  One can have a very interesting talk with the professor about his ascension.


August 31, 1883--Davenport Daily Gazette--News note in “Davenport Briefs”:
Prof. Byrd, the colored aeronaut, goes from here in a few days to Macomb, Ill., where he will make two ascensions, and from there he will go to Iowa City.  His ascension here was a success in every particular.

You can help preserve this history like this by making a donation to purchase a display screen for the Martin Luther King Interactive Center.

For other Blogs in support of this project, see also:

Did You Know About African American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Did You Know That Frederick Douglass Visited Davenport in April of 1866?

[1] aeronaut: one who operates or travels in an airship or balloon
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeronaut
[2] If purchased today, the balloon would cost about $4000.

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Frederick Douglass' Visit to Davenport in 1866

2/14/2020

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Did You Know That Frederick Douglass Visited
Davenport in April of 1866?

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Frederick Douglass
(image courtesy of the Library of Congress)
During a lecture tour in Iowa and Illinois in late April 1866, black anti-slavery advocate Frederick Douglass spoke before a standing-room-only audience in Davenport's Metropolitan Hall on April 27, 1866. Addressing the question of What shall be done with the negro? during the period of Reconstruction, Douglass eloquently appealed for black male suffrage and full political equality before the law. Well received by his listeners, his extemporaneous talk lasted two hours.

Craig Klein shared this 1857 artist's sketch of Metropolitan Hall, where Frederick Douglass spoke. The Davenport Public Library special collections department located the image.

The Davenport Public Library special collections department also located the image below of an announcement in the paper regarding Mr. Douglass' upcoming presentation.

As part of PACG's on-going fu ndraiser to pay for a large kiosk display at the MLK Interpretive Center, Frederick Douglass's lectures in Iowa and Davenport are the subject of this week's blog post about local cultural and ethnic history.

Frederick Douglass (c. February 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, gaining note for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings.[1]

Local historian Craig Klein has gathered the following information from newspaper articles in Iowa. We have decided to post them here in their original format because the language and descriptions used by the articles' authors is definitely a part of this rich history.

April 25, 1866 (Wednesday)—Davenport Daily Gazette--Announcement of Frederick Douglass' lecture schedule:
By letters received from George S. Bowen, Esq. of Chicago, his Western Agent, we see Mr. Douglass has refused over thirty invitations to lecture in the West from lack of time.  He speaks in Moline Wednesday night, Muscatine Thursday, Davenport Friday, Morris Saturday, and Chicago next Monday, and is paid $100 for each lecture. [note: in 2020 this fee would be just over $3000.]

April 27, 1866 (Friday)—Davenport Daily Gazette--News item entitled The Lecture To-Night
The orator who to-night addresses our citizens at Metropolitan Hall was once and for many long and bitter years a slave-owned, held, and assessed as “chattels personal.”  At length he yielded to the promptings of his nature, gave scope to his ardent yearnings, and sought freedom in flight towards the North Star.  Then followed earnest efforts for knowledge; prolonged conflict with poverty; fierce contests against the hateful spirit of caste, which denied him his manhood; and, a length substantial victory.  In this at least, his triumph is complete in earning and winning for himself a confessed intellectual equality with the ablest and best logicians and orators of the country, and an undeniable superiority to thousands who in speeches in the legislative halls and on the stump have vainly tried to establish color of skin as a test of mental power, political rights, and moral worth.  This self-made man--if ever a man made himself by the industrious cultivation of God-given power is now one of the best, to say the least, public speakers in the United States.  Everywhere crowded audiences listen to and are profited by his irresistible arguments and eloquent appeals; and everywhere those who listen once would gladly hear again.  We need urge no friend of freedom to attend Metropolitan Hall tonight.  We would rather urge the attendance of those who have hitherto denied the capability of the colored race and would yet deprive them of full political equality before the law.  We could wish that every “anti-negro suffrage” man in this vicinity might hear Mr. Douglass tonight, and then tell us, if possible, why color of the skin should longer be the test of fitness to use the ballot.  There will be a crowded house tonight, sure, and we advise those who want good seat to go early.  Tickets at Luse & Griggs'.

April 28, 1866 (Saturday)—Davenport Daily Gazette--Newspaper article entitled Fred. Douglass on Suffrage that summarized and commented on Douglass' talk the previous evening:
The lecture of Fred. Douglass at the Metropolitan Hall last night, delivered to an audience which crowded every available seat and in part only found standing room, embraced and was mainly composed of a solid, logical earnest and unanswerable argument in behalf of impartial and universal suffrage.  “Reconstruction” was announced as the subject of the lecture, but that was but the text for the real theme.  Introducing text and argument by a rapid glance at the grave perils which now environ the country, with a President determined to enforce his policy if at all within the reach of possibility, with traitors where loyal men only ought to be and loyal men in places which traitors ought to fill, Mr. Douglass proceeded to state that the whole question of “Reconstruction” centers in and is embraced in the solution of the negro problem. “What shall be done with the negro” this lecturer urged is the question of the hour.  The answer was given by Mr. D. in a word--Give the negro the ballot; and to the support and defense of this answer the lecturer devoted the greater part of his effort.  He argued that the elective franchise should be extended to the negro because he is “a man;” because the ballot is necessary for his education; because it is essential to his protection; because he has earned it; because the Nation owes it to him for his help in the hour of trial and danger; because the Nation may need him again; because without giving it the National honor cannot be vindicated; because this is a country of universal suffrage; because the National peace will be hereby assured; and because sound Statesmanship requires it.  In enforcing these several reasons, Mr. Douglass presented argument after argument in a manner so clear and so convincing that it would seem impossible for any intelligent listener to escape his conclusions.  He showed how well and how nobly the negroes of the United States have vindicated their manhood, and how heroically they have attested their devotion to a country to which they owed nothing and from which they had received nothing but oppression and wrong.  He demonstrated the utter folly of the colonization scheme.  He exposed to deserved ridicule the idea that the negro must become annihilated and the whole race, in the United States, become extinct under the advancing tread of Anglo Saxon civilization; and made his hearers understand very clearly that the last hope of the extinction of the American negro expired with the death of that system under which alone there was possibility that they could “fade” out.

The objections to negro suffrage were briefly but forcibly met, particular attention being given to those on which Mr. Johnson lays so much stress.  Mr. Douglass showed conclusively that no possible evil would or could result from the doings of justice to all men in the Republic and the carrying out of the great principles of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution.

Thus much as a faint outline of this very able lecture.  Of its delivery we need only say that Douglass has lost much of his fire since we first heard him, in Albany, nearly twenty years ago.  His utterance is very deliberate and at times unpleasantly slow.  He seldom indulges in pathos and his style is entirely free from labored attempts to arouse the feelings of his auditors.  As stern fact, a new idea or an old one presented in a fresh light, a strong argument, a fervid appeal or a happy hit, over and anon occasions an outburst of applause, but no metaphors, illustrations or anecdotes are introduced by the lecturer to that end.  The lecturer and his audience move steadily on from premises to argument and from argument to conclusion, under the pressure of words simple and well chosen for that end.  Here is his strength as a public speaker.  Even while listening to him and moved by his argument and appeals, one is inclined to deny him the praise of being a great orator; yet if the provinces of oratory is to convince and arouse those to whom its words are addressed, it would be difficult to name many living orators, in the United States at least, greater than Fred. Douglass.  With more of the fire of youth, he would entrance and inspire an audience as powerfully as he now instructs and interests.  Yet this “man” was once and long a slave in these United States, and today if a citizen of Iowa, native American though he is, could not vote for a town constable, while thousands who were ten, eight or six years ago in other lands in utter ignorance of American institutions are gladly welcomed to the ballot box!  “This ought ye to have done and not left the other undone!” Let us pray for and “work” for, and fight for the grand victory for Justice and Liberty when all men of every race and color shall enjoy that perfect equality before the law that is their just due.  In Iowa, at least, the battle has been well begun.  The victory is surely coming and cannot be delayed.

The lecture occupied two hours in delivery and was almost wholly extemporaneous; Mr. Douglass had several sheets of notes but referred to them but three or four times.

You can help preserve this history like this by making a donation to purchase a display screen for the Martin Luther King Interactive Center.

For other Blogs in support of this project, see also:

Did You Know About African American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Did You Know That Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenportin August of 1883?

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass

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The MLK Interpretive Center in Davenport, IA

2/8/2020

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What is the MLK Interpretive Center?

Donate Here to Preserve Local Cultural and Ethnic History

The MLK Interpretive Center is in downtown Davenport between Brady and Perry, just north of the railroad tracks. It is housed in a building that includes mixed income housing. The land adjacent to the Interpretive Center will one day become a memorial plaza. The Friends of the MLK Interpretive Center is a charitable, 501(c)(3) non profit that, as one of its missions, supports development and maintenance of the interpretive center and adjacent memorial plaza.

How Will the Funds Raised by PACG Help
the MLK Interpretive Center?

The MLK Interpretive Center will have large and small display screens (kiosks) with local African American history, as well as other cultural and ethnic history (eg, Mexican American, Native American). Some of the screens will be interactive. The picture below shows what the kiosks look like. One of the large display screens has already been installed. PACG hopes to fund the installation of one of the remaining large display screens.

Also notice the beautiful mural depicting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, as well as other figures and elements tied to the history of our community.

Donate Here to Preserve Local Cultural and Ethnic History

The History of the MLK Interpretive Center

The Martin Luther King Plaza and Interpretive Center was founded to commemorate the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2014 the Davenport City Council voted unanimously to use the 5th Street lot between Brady Street and Perry Street for the development of the Davenport, Iowa Martin Luther King Memorial Park.

This site was chosen due to its significant history, including:

The property was the location of mixed race restaurant, entertainment, and rooming houses from at least the 1880's to the 1940's.
The first African American owned business was located on the property. Linsey Pitts was a former slave from Missouri and a veteran from the Civil War. Before his business he worked as a laborer and a barber. Eventually, Linsey opened the very first African American saloon at 120 E 5th St.
The area along 5th Street was derogatorily called "Africa Row," "Darktown Row," or "Ethiopia" by local newspapers.
The area was frequented by famished African American train passengers getting off the train at the nearby Chicago, Pacific, and Rock Island depot.
The property is possibly the location of the Blue Bird Tavern, a legendary hot jazz and dance spot in the "Black" part of town. Legend has it that young talents such as Bix Beiderbecke also performed here after hours.

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Did You Know About African-American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

2/8/2020

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Did You Know About African American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

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During the Progressive era (1890 - 1920) women of all backgrounds joined clubs to advocate for social and political change. These movements included women's suffrage and prohibition. Progressive reformers strove to end political corruption, improve the lives of individuals, and increase government intervention to protect citizens. Read more about female reformers in the progressive era.

In Davenport African American women formed their own women's clubs, as they were not welcome in white women's clubs. In addition to issues faced by women in particular and citizens in general, African American women had additional issues to confront. For example, many African American women's clubs wanted to demonstrate that black women were as moral and refined as white women, contrary to widespread negative racist stereotypes about them. Anti-lynching campaigns were promoted by some African American Women's clubs, also an issue of more concern to African American women.

Read more at this Wikipedia article on the Woman's Club Movement, which has a section devoted to African American women's clubs if you scroll down.

By 1919, African American women in Davenport had formed about 13 women’s clubs, starting with the oldest, the Silver Autumn Leaf Club founded in 1893, to the two newest, the Young People’s Progressive League and the Madame C J Walker Club, both founded in 1919.

You can help preserve this history by making a donation to purchase a display screen for the Martin Luther King Interactive Center.

Iowa Federation of Colored Women’s Club photo - 1903

Members of the Iowa State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs gathered in front of Bethel A. M. E. Church at 624 West Fourth Street in May 1903. (State Historical Society of Iowa--Des Moines) Organized in 1902 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the Iowa Federation of Colored Womens Clubs (IFCWC) worked to improve the home and social lives of African-American women in Iowa. Guided by their motto Sowing the Seeds of Kindness, the IFCWC also focused on the welfare of children and civil rights. Proud to host the clubs second annual meeting in 1903, the Davenport delegation was led by Ruth Richardson, who is seated in the front row on the far left.

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PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883

Did You Know That Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883?

Frederick Douglass' Visit to Davenport in 1866

Did You Know That Frederick Douglass Visited
Davenport in April of 1866?

Craig Klein shared this 1857 artist's sketch of Metropolitan Hall, where Frederick Douglass spoke. The Davenport Public Library special collections department located the image.

The MLK Interpretive Center in Davenport, IA

What is the MLK Interpretive Center?

How Will the Funds Raised by PACG Help
the MLK Interpretive Center?

The History of the MLK Interpretive Center

Did You Know About African-American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Did You Know About African American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Iowa Federation of Colored Women’s Club photo - 1903

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PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

PACG Book Club for August and September 2020

Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883

Did You Know That Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport​ in 1883?

Frederick Douglass' Visit to Davenport in 1866

Did You Know That Frederick Douglass Visited ​Davenport in April of 1866?

Craig Klein shared this 1857 artist's sketch of Metropolitan Hall, where Frederick Douglass spoke. The Davenport Public Library special collections department located the image.

The MLK Interpretive Center in Davenport, IA

What is the MLK Interpretive Center?

How Will the Funds Raised by PACG Help ​the MLK Interpretive Center?

The History of the MLK Interpretive Center

Did You Know About African-American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Did You Know About African American Women's Clubs in Davenport During the Progressive Era?

Iowa Federation of Colored Women’s Club photo - 1903

Archives

Categories

Did You Know That Aeronaut Professor John Byrd Piloted His Balloon from Davenport in 1883?

Did You Know That Frederick Douglass Visited
Davenport in April of 1866?

How Will the Funds Raised by PACG Help
the MLK Interpretive Center?