Illinois Mob Lynches Two Men

Nov. 12, 1909: A mob in Cairo, Ill., goes on a murderous rampage, lynching a Will “Froggy” James, an African American, and Henry Salzner, who was white. Sheriff Frank Davis tells Illinois Gov. Charles S. Deneen: "The streets are filled with people and they are crazy. They are storming the jail now and are trying to batter down the doors. I called for volunteers to help suppress the rioting and not a soul would help me. I must have troops."

Matt Weinstock, Nov. 9, 1959

Those Quizzes     Clearly it's no more possible to control the gags about the quiz show scandal than it is to control the mushrooming scandal itself, and the other day a group of coffee break philosophers of my acquaintance got around to the subject.     A man named Marvin contributed the subversive thought that in addition to handling out its annual Emmy awards next year the television business should offer a special Ananians award, on the occasion of which the band should strike up with "Pony Boy."     A cynic named Jerry suggested a Stoolie award, but he was quickly smothered on the grounds that this was strictly a police matter.     A MAN NAMED PETE compared Charles Van Doren's ordeal with that of thicker-skinned politicians caught with soiled money in their hands.  What this country needs, he argued, ineffectively, is a measuring stick for corruption.      Away from the coffee percolator, Seymour Mandel keeps remembering the pompous business with the armed guards, the trust company executives and the sealed envelopes.  He is intrigued with the thought that while the show was on nobody at the bank watched the vault.     Bob Cole thinks it would be appropriate for the networks to re-run the quiz shows this summer with the title, "Watch My Lyin'".     And so on. ::    THE HEARINGS also reminded Victor Borge of the time in 1948 that he flunked his big quiz -- his citizenship examination.     He was doing fine until the L.A. immigration officer asked if he could ever become president.  Borge, born in Denmark, knew the answer but overwhelmed by a frivolous impulse replied, "I don't plan to run for president because I have too much to do.  Besides I doubt if anyone would vote for me."     The interrogator not in the mood for humor, said coldly, "The right answer is that you cannot be president because you were not born here.  Come back in three weeks and try again."     Chastened, Borge, now performing in Las Vegas, returned three weeks later and passed the exam. ::     WHILE TUNED IN to radio station XERB, waiting for the race results, an Olive St. horseplayer became entranced by a woman astrologer who warned certain listeners to be careful between now and next March because of adverse influences in their birth signs.     The horseplayer was so impressed that he repeated the information to a friend, only he put it this way:     "So this dame says you got to play it cool until everything is downhill and shady with Saturn again and Mars gets Jupiter off its back." ::     A MAN WHO applied for a job with a big firm was briefed on procedure and assured he would be called in a few days.  When nothing happened he phoned.  He was told, "We have you on our available list."       "I am glad to hear that," he said, "but I don't know if I'm going to be that available."     These are the conditions which prevail. ::     JAMES A. MACLEOD, information officer of the British Consulate, who is being transferred to Munich, asked Tom Cassidy of KFAC which recorded version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" he considered best.     Tom recommended the one on the Library Of Congress special project titled "The Union,"  but was curious about the inquiry.     MacLeod said he wanted a copy to take along.  He added, "I think it best describes the American spirit and personality.  In fact, if I may be permitted to venture an opinion, I think it should be your national anthem.  After all, you know you don't have bombs bursting in air, old fellow." ::    AROUND TOWN -- Troy Garrison is worried about a new sign for the Golden Age Convalescent Home, showing a nurse standing behind a man in a wheelchair, at the foot of 13th St. in San Pedro.  An arrow on it points into the harbor's main channel . . . Add property tax outrages:  A man who owns seven acres of undeveloped land in Calabasas, representing his lifetime investment, received a tax bill of $835.  Last year it was $175.

Deputies Protect Black Suspects From Lynch Mob

Nov. 4, 1909: The daughter of Leonard Dunmore is shot to death while trying to rescue her father from being burned alive. Dunmore was dragged from his home, doused with oil and set on fire over suspicions that he had burned several houses in Knoxville, Miss.

Black Soldier Refuses to Pass as White

“You don’t have to pass as a Negro in California. If you aren’t black you can pass for anything.”

Oct. 31, 1919: A fascinating glimpse of African American life in Los Angeles surfaces in divorce proceedings. A black soldier says he sent his wife money to buy a home in Los Angeles, which was segregated at that time. Instead of locating in an African American area, she bought a house in a white neighborhood, passing as white and telling her husband that he could pass as a Mexican or some other ethnicity. He said: “I don't desire to pass for other than I am.” A Senate committee endorses a bill that would deport about 500 men and four women held as enemy aliens during World War I.  People in custody include spies, anarchists, revolutionary radicals and convicted criminals, The Times says.

Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

Oct. 23, 1909: The editor of the Antelope Valley Gazette is cleared on charges of pulling a gun on the editor of the Antelope Valley Ledger. It’s a nasty dispute involving a woman with a horsewhip who has bad aim … and Gaddy Munford, 12, runs away from home rather than sit next to African Americans in school.

Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

Oct. 21, 1959: African Americans are invited to the Arkansas Democratic Harmony Dinner – but they must sit at their own table.

Omaha Mob Burns Courthouse, Tries to Kill Mayor Before Lynching Black

Sept. 29, 1919: A mob in Omaha sets fire to the courthouse after trying to lynch Mayor Mayor Ed P. Smith when he appealed for law and order. Rioters finally lynch William Brown, an African American accused of raping a white woman. Federal troops were sent to restore order. Oct. 1, 1919: An editorial in The Times draws a novel parallel between lynching and union activists. Then again, in 1938, The Times editorialized against a federal anti-lynching law. The women of Omaha support the lynching and refuse to apologize for nearly hanging the mayor. They say he should do more to protect their virtue.

Matt Weinstock, Sept. 22, 1959

Sept. 22, 1959: How the city library saves money in tough times. "Sometimes I think many people only think they think for themselves," Matt Weinstock says.

Paul V. Coates -- Confidential File, Sept. 21, 1959

Sept. 21, 1959: Paul Coates writes about the damaging effects of Little Rock, Ark., closing its schools over integration.

Black Man Fined for 'Indecent Proposal' to White Woman

Sept. 3, 1909: Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws C.J. Wade.

Henry Weaver, an African American, is fined $50 ($1,183.74 USD 2008) for asking a white woman to go out.