Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [16]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2012.050.246 |
Object Name |
Clipping, Newspaper |
Date |
06/06/1921 |
Scope & Content |
Newspaper clipping from the front page of the Tulsa Daily World published June 6, 1921, and containing four articles. The first article is entitled "Roberts Tried to Commandeer Tulsa Hostelry." The article claims that Oklahoma Governor James Brooks Ayres Robertson threatened to allow the Oklahoma National Guard to take over the Hotel Tulsa for the use of troops during the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The governor made the threat because he was initially denied a room in the hotel during his visit to Tulsa. Only by the persuasion of Adjutant General Charles F. Barrett did Robertson change his mind. The second article is entitled "New Protective League Formed." This article provides information on the organization of the Merchants' Protective League, a new force of men numbering 250 organized by businessmen in Tulsa, OK following the event later known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. The new force was formed to function independently of other enforcement bodies and to provide protection to businesses in the event of another disturbance. The article also reports upon the search for the African American instigators of the recent "riot." The article states that one such instigator, Ed Howard, died in the fighting. Another instigator, J. B. Stradford, is currently held in jail at Independence, KS. A search is still underway for a third man, A. J. Smitherman, the editor of a local African American newspaper. The third article is entitled "Black Agitators Blamed For Riot." This article states that Bishop Ed D. Mouzon of Boston Avenue Methodist Church of Tulsa, in his sermon delivered Sunday, June 5, 1921, blamed W. E. B. Du Bois, the editor of the magazine "The Crisis" for serving as an agitator of the African American community in Tulsa prior to the event now known as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Mouzon described Du Bois as "'dangerous'" and "the most vicious negro man in this country." The article continues with Mouzon's explanation that mob violence is always wrong. He defended Caucasians's actions during the Tulsa violence stating, " . . . if it is true that our wives, our children and the people of Tulsa were threatened with being at the mercy of armed negroes, then the white man who got his gun and went out in defense with it did the only thing that a decent white man could have done." Mouzon also cited the African American section of Tulsa as being in open violation of the law due to its vice. The bishop also spoke against racial equality by stating that, "There never has been and there never will be such a thing. . . . This is something that the negroes should be told very plainly. Steps toward social equality are the worst possible thing for the negro man. . . ." Mouzon stressed the idea that only belief in Jesus Christ is the hope of civilization. The fourth article is entitled "Cause of Riots Discussed In Pulpits Sunday." This article highlights sermons of church ministers in Tulsa, OK, given on Sunday, June 5, 1921. The sermons include the topic of the event now known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. The article includes highlights from the sermons of the following individuals: Reverend J. W. Abel of First Methodist Church, Reverend Rolfe Pomeroy Crum of Trinity Episcopal Church, Reverend S. S. Kaufman of the First Lutheran Church, Reverend C. W. Kerr of the First Presbyterian Church, Ira Crabtree of Grace Methodist Church, and Reverend L. S. Barton of Boston Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The sermons name the several causes of the "riot," and agree that the event was a "stain upon Tulsa." Reverend Able's message laid partial blame for the "riot" on the African American community. He stated, "There is not a negro to whom I have spoken (and I have purposely talked to many) who does not blame his own people for instigating it." The article also cites that the African American community in Tulsa is too ready to protect crime. |
Search Terms |
Blacks Boston Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church crime & criminals equal rights movements First Lutheran Church First Methodist Episcopal Church First Presbyterian Church Grace Methodist Episcopal Church Hotel Tulsa law enforcement merchants Merchants' Protective League Oklahoma National Guard racism sermons Trinity Episcopal Church Tulsa Race Massacre |
People |
Abel, J. W. Barrett, Charles F. Barton, L. S. Crabtree, Ira Crum, Rolfe Pomeroy Howard, Ed Kaufman, S. S. Kerr, C. W. Mouzon, Ed D. Robertson, James Brooks Ayers Smitherman, A. J. Stradford, John the Baptist "J. B." |