RICHMOND, VA.
This chapter is devoted to the business interests of the colored people
in Richmond, and I am sure my readers will find it a valuable addition
to my book.
RICHMOND BENEFICIAL AND INSURANCE COMPANY, CAPITAL STOCK $5,000.
In July, 1894, a company of twenty men was formed and began this work
with $200. They started against many odds; their chief opposers were
the agents of white insurance companies.
[Illustration: REV. W. F. GRAHAM, PRESIDENT.]
[Illustration: MR. JOHN T. TAYLOR, SECRETARY.]
Three years have told the story. They now have a membership of 15,000,
and employ seventy persons as managers, clerks, and agents. They own
their own property, a handsome three-story building, valued at $6,000,
and every cent of it paid for. The worth of the company is $13,000.
They are beginning to branch out in all cities of Virginia, and are
very cautious and careful with their money, their intention being the
founding of an organization that shall "stay" permanently, and are
doing a business now of $30,000 yearly.
Rev. W. F. Graham, the founder and president of this company, was born
of slave parents, in the State of Mississippi, attended school in
Arkansas, and finished at Wayland Seminary, Washington, D. C. He is
also pastor of one of the largest and finest Baptist churches in the
South, and is what I regard as a splendid type of manhood.
Mr. John T. Taylor is secretary and business manager for the company.
Mr. Taylor taught school for several years, and gave up that work to
accept his present position. He is regarded as a very competent and
energetic business man.
WILLIAM ISAAC JOHNSON.
Richmond has one of the most successful colored undertakers in the
country in the person of William Isaac Johnson. His place of business
and residence is located at 207 Fonshee Street. Mr. Johnson owns a
magnificent brick building, three stories high. The basement is used
for his workshop and stables for his horses. The ground floor is used
as an office and storeroom for ready-made coffins and trimmings. The
second story is used as a residence for his family, and the third
story is divided into lodge-rooms, which are rented to different
colored societies that hold monthly meetings there.
The horses and hearse, also the carriages, used in Mr. Johnson's
business are as fine as any owned by the leading white undertakers in
Richmond. I found him a pleasant and a very thorough business man.
A. D. PRICE.
Mr. A. D. Price, of Richmond, is also an undertaker, who owns good
horses, hearse, and carriages for his work.
PAUL C. EASLEY.
Mr. Paul C. Easley has an ice-cream parlor, also manages a steam
ice-cream manufactory, and has a large trade, both wholesale and retail.
THOMPSON & BENSON.
One of the best drug stores owned by colored men in the country is at
Richmond, carried on by Thompson & Benson, two young and intelligent
men, who are both, as the result of a splendid education, competent
to manage just what they have--a splendid drug store. I was very much
impressed with the cleanliness, neatness, and perfect system that I
found throughout the entire building. Of all places that ought to be
clean and neat is a drug store.
G. W. BRAGG.
Richmond Steam Laundry is owned by G. W. Bragg, a very progressive
colored man, who has, beyond doubt, the largest and best-equipped
steam laundry owned by a colored man in the United States. Every
modern machine for doing first-class laundry work can be seen at his
establishment. He employs the most intelligent colored girls he can
secure, and has so far had but very little trouble in teaching them
to handle the different machines. I am pleased to note also that his
patrons are made up of the best white families in Richmond. Mr. Bragg
has a brother in Farmville, Va., who also owns a laundry, but on a much
smaller scale.
NICKEL SAVINGS BANK,
at 601 North Thirtieth Street, Richmond, Va., is a splendid enterprise,
that has been put on foot by such men as Rev. Evans Payne, R. F.
Tancil, Rev. W. S. Christian, E. A. Washington, Anderson Evans, R. J.
Bass, J. Henry Jones, who are the board of directors. In order that my
readers may get some idea of the method adopted by the Nickel Savings
Bank, I reproduce some matter that appeared on a circular handed me by
the cashier:
"The bank safe is a nickel-plated brass bank, with combination lock,
and is highly ornamental and convenient. All sizes of coin or paper
money can be put into it.
"These banks are loaned to anyone free of charge who has or will
deposit $1.50 with us (for which we give a pass-book); it being
understood that if you lose the bank, or fail to return it in
reasonably good condition when we call for it, we charge you $1.50 for
the box, but you may return it at any time and get all the money you
have on deposit. It is understood that in consideration of our loaning
you a bank free of charge you will deposit your savings with us once in
three months or oftener.
"Money deposited in this safe can be taken out only at the Nickel
Savings Bank, as they keep the key. When brought to us the safe is
opened and the amount is counted in your presence, and placed to your
credit on your pass-book.
"This is one of the best plans ever devised for encouraging economy
and frugality in children, as money once placed in the safe cannot be
taken out except at our bank, and there it must be deposited. At the
same time it gives a child valuable business experience, and the first
lessons of economy are more easily learned if the savings are for some
fixed or definite purpose.
"Laboring men and women who are able to lay aside a small amount daily
or weekly will find these safes the most convenient and effectual means
of accomplishing that end."
My object in reproducing a part of their circular is to furnish the
matter that it may be the incentive or suggestion to people in other
cities to start similar institutions for the benefit of the poor.
THE PLANET.
[Illustration: THE PLANET BUILDING.]
_The Planet_, published by John Mitchell, Jr., has, without doubt,
the largest circulation of any paper published by a colored man.
Had the South a few more men who are as brave as John Mitchell has
shown himself, the lynchings of the South would not have been so
numerous. _The Planet_ has not only the largest circulation, but _The
Planet_ office is the best-equipped printing establishment owned by
a colored man in this country. Mr. Mitchell has recently purchased a
dwelling-house at 311 North Fourth Street, Richmond, Va., and had the
house entirely made over to suit his purpose.
John Mitchell, Jr., was born in Henrico County, Va., about three miles
from Richmond, Va., at a place called Laburnum. His parents were
slaves. He attended the public schools of Richmond, and graduated from
the Richmond Normal School, June 14, 1881, with the highest honors.
He received a gold medal for scholarship, and was awarded a special
gold medal for excellence in map-drawing. He taught public school in
Fredericksburgh, Va., two years, and also in those of Richmond one
year. His editorial career began in 1884. He has made a specialty
of lynchings and Southern outrages, etc. His efforts to prevent the
hanging of Simon Walker, a fifteen-year-old colored boy, was crowned
with success. He was threatened with hanging if he visited Charlotte
County, Va. His bold reply in the columns of the _Richmond Planet_,
supplemented by the arming of himself and going alone into the county
and visiting the scene of the lynching of the unfortunate Richard
Walker, caused the late Rev. Dr. J. W. Simmons to denominate him the
"bravest Negro editor on the continent."
[Illustration: JOHN MITCHELL, JR.]
Mr. Mitchell secured the release of Isaac Jenkins in 1893, the colored
man who was beaten, shot, and hanged, but still lives. His last great
feat was the saving of the lives of the three Lunenburg County women,
who were charged with the murder of Mrs. Lucy Jane Pollard, near
Fort Mitchell, Va. Governor O'Ferrall used the troops of the State
to prevent their lynching, and editor Mitchell employed Hon. Geo. D.
Wise, Hon. A. B. Guigon, and Hon. H. W. Flournoy to defend them. The
women--Pokey and Mary Barnes and Mary Abernathy--were acquitted and now
reside in this city.
The _Richmond Planet_ continues its crusade against these outrages.
In February, 1897, the present building, in which the plant is now
located, was purchased, and with the improvements cost $5,000. The
presses, type, engine, stereotype outfit, cost $4,000. The office force
consists of fifteen persons.
J. C. FARLEY.
[Illustration: MR. J. C. FARLEY.]
J. C. Farley, the well-known colored photographer of Richmond, Va.,
was born in Prince Edward County, Va., August 10, 1854. He came to
Richmond in 1861 and engaged in the bakery business. He entered the
photographic establishment of C. R. Rees & Co. in 1872. He left there
and labored in the service of Mr. G. W. Davis, with whom he remained
until 1895. It was while there that he became the operator, his rare
talent winning for him commendation and promotion from his employer. He
has been for years one of the most accomplished photographers in the
South, his work ranking with that of the best artists in this country
and Europe.
In August, 1895, he entered into the photographic business for himself,
under the style and title of the Jefferson Fine Art Gallery, and is
at present conducting a profitable business upon the most fashionable
business thoroughfare in Richmond. Some of the leading society and
business leaders in the State have sought Mr. Farley in order to secure
the benefit of his truly wonderful ability.
He married Miss Rebecca P. Roberts, of Amelia County, Va., in 1876, and
has a promising family of seven girls.
T. C. JOHNSON.
Among the colored lawyers at Richmond, Va., is Mr. T. C. Johnson, who
was born of slave parents. He attended Springfield (Mass.) Institute,
then read law and was admitted to the bar. Mr. Johnson has an office in
both Richmond and Petersburg, Va. He has the honor of being the local
attorney for two large white companies doing business in Richmond,
which is another evidence of the fact that a colored man can do
business in the South with white people.
THE TRUE REFORMERS.
Mention will be found of this order in Chapter XXI. of this
publication.