CHAPTER XXXIV.
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.
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, PRESIDENT.
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, SECRETARY.
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.
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."
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.
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.
MR. J. C. FARLEY.
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.