Josiah H. Blount
Josiah H. Blount was born a slave in Clinton, Jones County, Georgia on September 17,1860 to father Madison Blount and his mother owned by a family named Anderson. Since Blount’s parents were owned by different families they were separated during the Civil War after their white owners became refugees. By the time Josiah parents found…
Correspondence to H.F.H. Eberts from the Arkansas Council of Defense, 1917 July 3
The Arkansas State Council of Defense is asking H.F.H. Eberts of Pulaski County Council of Defense to do something about the circulation of the “Chicago Defender.” The State Council believed that this publication was causing a change in the overall attitude of the black servants in Little Rock, Arkansas. Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense,…
Read more Correspondence to H.F.H. Eberts from the Arkansas Council of Defense, 1917 July 3
Correspondence to Victor Olander, Illinois State Council of Defense, 1917 July 5
Victor Olander from the Illinois State Council of Defense suggested that the Arkansas State Council of Defense suppress the spread of the “Chicago Defender” in Arkansas. Olander states that this paper influenced the exodus of the black population from the south. Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_01_05_47, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas Rights:…
Read more Correspondence to Victor Olander, Illinois State Council of Defense, 1917 July 5
Correspondence from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1918 October 10
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote to the Arkansas Council of National Defense asking them to ban the showing of “The Birth of a Nation” in the interest of national morale. Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_03_11_27, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas Rights: Use and reproduction of images…
Correspondence from Judge G.B. Ewing to Arkansas State Council of Defense, 1918 October 23
This document was written by Judge G.B. Ewing from Desha County, Arkansas to the Council of Defense asking about black labor shortages. Ewing is claiming that white women were suffering for the war effort while black women are refusing to work as domestic help. He claims that black women were being supported by their male…
Read more Correspondence from Judge G.B. Ewing to Arkansas State Council of Defense, 1918 October 23
“Scipio Jones to Give 200 to War Fund Drive,” Arkansas Democrat
The Arkansas Democrat, 1918 November 8, states that Scipio Jones was giving $200 of his own money to the war fund drive on top of what he had already given. Scipio Jones was an influential black attorney and community leader that served as the State Chairman of the Colored Auxiliary Council where he was tasked with…
Read more “Scipio Jones to Give 200 to War Fund Drive,” Arkansas Democrat
Correspondence to J.L. Bond, 1918 December 19
The Arkansas State Council of Defense wrote to tell John L. Bond that they would wait to make any decision on the recommendation made by P.L. Dorman. The black council members were not allowed to manage themselves, they were under the direct supervision of John Bond and Wallace Townsend. Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense,…
“Colored Patriots of Arkansas, Attention!,” Arkansas Democrat
This article from the Arkansas Democrat, 1918 November 2, showcases the different black leaders who worked with the Council of Defense on the Colored Auxiliary Council. The leaders of the community were trying to raise a minimum of $400,000 dollars during the month of November. The Auxiliary Council had its first meeting on August 10,…
Read more “Colored Patriots of Arkansas, Attention!,” Arkansas Democrat
“Negro Bishop at Pike,” Arkansas Democrat
Bishop Isaiah Benjamin Scott was a reverend with the Methodist Episcopal Church, editor for the Southwestern Christian Advocate, and he was the first black President of Wiley College, Marshall, Texas. This article from the Arkansas Democrat, 1918 December 21, states that Bishop Scott traveled to Camp Pike to work with the black soldiers stationed there. Rights:…
