Nashville Retrospect – the new newspaper in town

Nashville has a new newspaper and I love it!  Last month, my husband came home with a copy of the Nashville Retrospect and I thought it was one of the best ideas I’d seen in awhile.

The Nashville Retrospect was just started a few months ago and each issue contains several newspaper articles from Nashville’s newspapers of past.  It includes a variety of stories and pictures from old news headlines and makes for entertaining reading.  As a proponent of the genealogical and historical value of old newspapers, I was ecstatic to see this paper and plan on sending off for a subscription at the beginning of the new year.

Contributions to the paper come from a number of Nashville residents, a few whose names I am already familiar with.   There is a nice  ”Contents Timeline” feature as well which displays all the stories in the issue in chronological order.  There are marriage notices, death notices, interviews with elders in the community, and advertisements of all kinds.  The librarian in me immediately wants to start indexing it, but alas, it is not a project I can even think of having time for right now.  I wonder if there is a library in town that will?

I can’t wait for my next issue!

News from Jackson

The following items are from the Afro-American Sentinel, a newspaper published in Jackson, Madison County, Tennessee.  The Tennessee State Library & Archives has only one issue on microfilm – October 11, 1890.  The following news items are excerpted from page 3.

Afro-American Sentinel
October 11, 1890

Local News

• You must register today or lose your vote in Nov.
• Colored people pay your pole taxes and get a recept for the same, so you can vote in Nov.
• All the books needed for Lane Institute and the public schools will be found at Harris’ Book Store.
• Rev. A.W.  Wayman, D.D., Bishop of the diocise of Kentucky and Tennessee, will preach at the A.M.E. church Thursday night Oct. 16, ‘90.  Let everybody turn out and hear one among the greates preachers of the age.
• The Sentinel desires all its readers to send in for publication personal notes, notices of parties, and all entertainments.  This is news, and we want to print the news.
• The contract for plastering Berean Baptist Church was awarded to Mr. J. Wesley Banks.  West is one of our boys, he always get there.
• Just look how Walter Mitchel smiles, it is another little 10lb brakeman, about a week old.
• Mr. W.H. Day of the 10th district was in town Thursday and left his subscription for the Sentinel one year.  That tells what he think of colored interprises come again.
• The Saw Mill, for Mose Black and ond 2 miles east was started successfully today.  The builders are in the Southern Engine Works at Jackson, Tenn, all credit to them.
• The law compels every voter living in the city of Jackson or in the 15th civil district to register in order to vote.  Today is the last day.
• Have you heard the news? If you have not, you are way behind the times.  Well, here it is. B. Friedlob has just received his mammoth fall stock of dry goods, notions, bats, caps, boots, shoes, clothing, ladies’ and gents’ underwear, millinery, etc.  Nothing like it was ever seen in Jackson before.  If you don’t believe it come and see and be convinced for yourself.  Seeing is believing, and if you see you are bound to believe.  Don’t forget the firm.  — B. Friedlob
• The Sentinel must be in the hands of 2,000 readers in this town and county before January 1st.
• Republican candidate for Governor Louis T. Baxter, of Nashville.
• We call attention of our readers to the large and well selected stock of books of all kinds for sale at Harris’ Book Store, 115 Main street.
• The fair grounds is rapidly getting into shape.  It will be a daisy.  Wonder if the street car company will extend their tracts to the gates.  It will be big money in their pockets if they do.
• There will be a Savings Bank established by the colored people of Birmingham.
• The colored people of Lynchburge, Va. has established dry goods store.  It is conducted by Jas. Mitchell.
• Be sure to tell every one you see, to pay his pole tax.  Let <…> pull out in November.
• Say boys if you are dry call around boys and see Davis and Cain, they have the stuff to wet you with, corner Shannon and Lafayette Sts.

Personal Mention

• T.B. Davy of Hardin was in to see us this week.
• J.G. Parker, of Carrol paid the Sentinel a visit while attending the Convention.
• D.S. Anderson of the 12th district of Madison, gave us a call.
• D.W. Ellis of Denmark, gave us a plesant call Monday and left his subscription.
• Rev. W.M. Cowen, is in the city visiting home folks.
• Rr. Wash Currethers and family moved to Memphis, Tuesday, where they expect to make thier future home.
• F.H. Nichols, delegate from Hardin county, was in to see us.
• T.H. Bledsoe, delegate from Carrol county, paid us a call, and left his subscription for one year.
• Rev. F.M. Hamilton editor of the Christian Index left, Monday morning for a weeks stay in Atlanta.  He expected to stop in Birmingham.
• Mr. Tom Stegall was circulating among his friends this week.
• B.D. Daulton, of Carrol, gave us a call.  Reports Carroll as being a reliable old county.
• Mrs. Chilton who has been confined at her home for sometime, we are glad to note is able to be out again.  She gave us a pleasant call Thursday morning.
• Mrs. Sarah J. West and Mrs. Maria Austin gave the Sentinel a very pleasant call  and left their subbscription.  Thanks. Call again ladies.
• Miss Laura B. Thomas  is confined to her bed, but is better this week.
• J.M. Cooper of Henderson county was in to see us Tuesday.  He gave a good report of the colored people.
• Mrs. Nannie Miller has returned from Canada where she was visiting relatives at her former home.
• Miss Mamie Parker a handsone young lady; who has been attending Lane Institute, will leave Saturday for Fulton.  Miss Bell Moore will accompany her.

Biographical Profile: George Washington Moore

MOORE, George W •• hlngton, clerCYman;

born at Nashville, TeDD., Nov.

9, 1864: son of William Moore and

Elizabeth Corry, slaves, who were

leplly married after slavery was abol·

Ished: A.B., Fisk Unlv., 1881, A.M.,

1884: B.D., Oberlin Theological Semi·

Dary, 0., 1883: (D.D., Howard Unlv.,

1908); married Ella Sheppard, of

Nashville, Dec. 20, 1882; she was of

the original Jubilee Singers; 2 children:

George S. (M.D.), ClintoD Fisk

R. Began to exhort In little mission

connected with first echool he attended:

preached ID Howard Chapel,

Nashville, 1876: ordained Congregational

ministry, 1877: while In Ober·

lin Seminary past’lred 1st Congregational

Church, Sullivan, O. ; In

charge 3 churches under Ohio Home

Missionary Society, summer, 1882:

pastor LlncolD Memorial Church,

Washington, D. C., 1883-92: professor

of biblical history and literature, How·

ard Unlv., 1887-92; delegate to

World’s Sunday School Convention,

1889, and delivered address in City

MOORE, George Washington, clergyman;  born at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 9, 1864: son of William Moore and Elizabeth Corry, slaves, who were legally married after slavery was abolished: A.B., Fisk Univ., 1881, A.M., 1884: B.D., Oberlin Theological Seminary, 0., 1883: (D.D., Howard Univ.,1908); married Ella Sheppard, of Nashville, Dec. 20, 1882; she was of the original Jubilee Singers; 2 children:  George S. (M.D.), Clinton Fisk R. Began to exhort in little mission connected with first echool he attended: preached in Howard Chapel, Nashville, 1876: ordained Congregational ministry, 1877: while in Oberlin Seminary past’lred 1st Congregational Church, Sullivan, O. ; in charge 3 churches under Ohio Home Missionary Society, summer, 1882: pastor Lincoln Memorial Church, Washington, D. C., 1883-92: professor of biblical history and literature, Howard Univ., 1887-92; delegate to World’s Sunday School Convention, 1889, and delivered address in City Temple, London, Eng.; began as field missionary with American Missionary Assn, New York, 1892, later appointed supt.  in charge southern church work with headquarters at Nashville. Trustee Tillotson College. Fisk Univ. Republican. Address:  926 17th Ave. N., Nashville, Tenn.

Source: Mather, Frank Lincoln. Who’s Who of the Colored Race; A General Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women of African Descent. <http://books.google.com/books?id=RFZ2AAAAMAAJ>

Biographical Profile: George Sheppard Moore

MOORE, George Sheppard, phyal·

clan: born at NashvUle, Tenn., Sept.

27, 1883: son of Rev. George W. aDd

Ella (Sheppard) Moore: A.B., Fisk

Unlv., Nashville, Tenn., 1906: M.D.,

Northwestern Unlv. Medical College,

Chicago, Ill., 1910: Interne Freed·

men’s Hospital, Washington, D. C.,

1910-11: married Julia Alberta Merrill,

of Nashville, Oct. 13, 1906: a

children: George C., Sarah E., Julia

A. Practiced In Nashville slnee June

1, 1911: professor of mental and nep

vous diseases Meharry Medical College

(WaldeD Unlv.). Republican.

Congregationalist. Member Tenn. Col·

ored Medical Assn., Rock CIt7 Medical

A88n., KDlghts of Pythlas. Home:

10a4 17th Ave. N. Ofllce: 424 Cedar

St., Nashville, Tenn.

MOORE, George Sheppard, physician: born at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1883: son of Rev. George W. and Ella (Sheppard) Moore: A.B., Fisk Univ., Nashville, Tenn., 1906: M.D., Northwestern Univ. Medical College, Chicago, Ill., 1910: interne Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington, D. C.,  1910-11: married Julia Alberta Merrill, of Nashville, Oct. 13, 1906:  3 children: George C., Sarah E., Julia A. Practiced In Nashville since June 1, 1911: professor of mental and nervous diseases Meharry Medical College (Walded Univ.). Republican. Congregationalist. Member Tenn. Colored Medical Assn., Rock City Medical Assn., Knights of Pythias. Home: 1034 17th Ave. N. Office: 424 Cedar St., Nashville, Tenn.

SOURCE: Fisk University. Catalogue of the. Nashville, Tenn: The University, 1898 <http://books.google.com/books?id=tfE2AAAAMAAJ>

Colored Member of the Capitol Police Force

From the October 1, 1867 issue of the New York Herald

James M. Murphy, a colored man from Nashville, Tenn., was today appointed by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate a member of the Capitol police force.  He was recommended as a first rate man for the place.

Murfreesboro Notes (1 Mar 1907)

From the Nashville Globe – March 1, 1907

• The pupils of Bradley Academy celebrated George Washington’s birthday last Friday, February 22.  A very interesting programmed was rendered.  Those on the programme were Misses Sallie R. Anderson, Vera Lee Coleman, Maggie Eules, Mary and Amanda McClain, Annie M. Prim, Darrow Reed,  Willie Todd.  Messrs. Percy Jordan, Richard Burks, Thos. Lillard, of seventh grade;  Lela Anderson, Laura Meeks and Henry Lee Brown, fifth grade;  Master Charley Howse and Lavada Brooks, fourth grade;  Elizabeth Murray and Whitmore Carney of third grade; Ada Lee Alexander and Burrus Miller, of second grade; Nick Patterson, Betha Meeks and Samuel Rucker, of first grade.  The decorations were of red, white and blue flags.
• Mrs. Annie Ransom entertained the Ladies’ Embroidery Club Saturday evening, February 23, 1907, at her home.  After the business meeting was over an elaborate luncheon was served by John Ella Bass, consisting of chicken, beaten biscuit, salad, fruit salad, cake and coffee.  Those present were Mesdames Mamie Vaughn, R.B. Meeks, H.P. Scales, G.B. Brady, Walter Page, Horace Mitchell, Misses Nannie Ransom, Beulah Miller, Dilsy Butler, Matilda Green and Elma A. Williams.
• Mrs. Clara Ewing and Mrs. H.P. Scales are on the sick list.
• Mrs. Ollie Officer, of Sparta, Tenn., who has been at the bed side of her mother, has returned home.
• Mrs. Harden is convalescent.
• Mr. P.A. Bently, of Nashville, Mr. Williams and Mr. Ewing, of Franklin, were the guests of Mrs. Clara Ewing.
• Misses Nannie and Bettie Keeble have returned to Chicago.
• Rev. James Moore has returned from Paris, Ky., where he has been carrying on a series of meetings.
• Rev. D.P. Pearson had a successful rally Sunday, raising $19.00
• Mrs. Lula McMurray, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who has been very ill at the home of her mother, is improving rapidly.

City Items – March 1, 1907

From the Nashville Globe – 1 Mar 1907

• Mrs. P.R. Burrus, Mrs. N.J. Anderson, Mrs. Ligon, Mrs. R.S. White, Mrs. Ferguson and Miss Lena Jackson, representing the esteem and love of many of their friends, came laden with good things Saturday night to the parsonage of Howard Church, making the hearts of the pastor and wife glad.  Rev. J. Bond says  ”Come again.”
• The Misses Franklin, of 78 Claiborne street, were called to North Nashville Tuesday morning to attned the funeral of their cousin, Carrie E. Cleveland.
• Mrs. Elizabeth Becton, of 819 Stevens street, left for Battle Creek, Mich., Saturday night.
• There will be a parlor concert on Wednesday evening, March 6, at the residence of Miss Mattie Matthews, 440 Eigth avenue, North, by the Willing Workers Club for the benefit of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
• Miss Zenith McKatherine, who waited on her sick father until his death, never wearied, her kind hands were willing to do all they could to add to his comfort.  One year ago she left Walden University, and went to Lake Providence to attend her father, Mr.  Thom. McKatherine.  She did her duty lovingly and faithfully until the end.
• Mr. I.W. Hydye, of 1606 Alberta Avenue, is suffering from influenza.
• Mr. John Watkins arrived from New Orleans Tuesday night.
• Mr. Jno. Langston Poole, of Meharry Medical College, leaves this week for Chicago.
• The Meharry commencement has been changed from the first of April to the 29th of March.
• Mrs. I.J. Jordan, of 514 Watkins street, who has been ill, is much improved.
• Mr. William D. Boger was called to Marietta, Ga., last Saturday to attend the funeral of his grandmother who died last Friday.  He returned to the city Monday.
• Prof. W.L. Cansler, though still confined to his room, is improving.
• Quite a large number of Meharry boys left last Saturday for Chicago.
• The Fisk Literary Club will hold its next meeting at the home of Miss Laura Stump, Twelfth avenue, North and Jackson street, March 7, at three o’clock.
• Mrs. Myrtle Hicks and children have returned to their home in Indianapolis after a visit to her mother Mrs. Hill.
• Mr. Eugene Clayton, of East Nasvhille, will leave in a few days for New York, Buffalo and Washington, D.C.  Mr. Clayton will be out of the city for about two weeks.
• Attorney G.F. Anderson took a brief trip to Gallatin, Tenn., on legal business and it was quite successful.  He also made a trip to Livingston, Tenn.
• The young ladies’ club of the First Baptist Church, East Nashville, will give their entertainment March 11.
• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carter were called to their home in Evansville, Ind., on the account of sudden illness of her mother.
• The young men’s club of First Baptist Church, East Nashville, gave an entertainment Monday night which proved quite a success.
• The death of Mrs. Mary Mason, mother of Miss Queenie Arnold, of East Nashville, was very sad.  The funeral took place Tuesday.
• The Ladies’ Imperial Needlework Club met in regular meeting with Mrs. Napoleon Ransom, Wedndesday afternoon.  Several important topics were discussed, after which an article on “What women are doing” was read by Mrs. Herrod, which was very effective.  The ladies adjourned to meet next week with Mrs. J.H. Smith, of Phillips street.
• Mrs. A.C. Gibson, of South High street, who has been reported very sick, is much improved.
• Mr. Louis D. Bumbrey, who for some time was in the employ of the National Baptist Publishing Board, is in town.
• Mrs. A.E. Montague, of 526 Fourth avenue, South, is slightly indispose this week.
• The many friends of Mrs. A.J. Dodd will regret to learn that she is confined to her bed again.  At this writing she is improving.
• Miss Annie May Neely has returned to the city after a month’s stay with her uncle in Columbia.  Mr. Harry McLawrine, who has been visiting his mother in Mt. Pleasant, accompanied Miss Neely back to the city.
• Mrs. William Dopson, of 1892 Fourth avenue, North, is going to spend the latter part of the month in Columbia, Ohio.
• Mrs. Ella Brown Beard passed away on the 22nd of this month.  Her funeral was held on the 24th at the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church.
• Mrs. James Dismukes entertained Wednesday at her home, 516 Fourteenth avenue, North.  Mrs. Wm. Richardson, of 1207 Phillips street, and Mrs. W.M. Cannon and little daughter, Glenora, with a one o’clock dinner.
• Born to Mr. and Mrs. George L. Stratton, of 1507 Fourteenth avenue, a girl.  Mother and daughter are doing nicely.
• Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jackson were entertained at her home 315 Eighth avenue, North, with her many friends, Monday night, February 25, she being thirty-four years old.  Those prsent were Mesdames Warmack, Frierson, Burrus, Dozier, Young, Overton, Misses Josie Thompson, Bell, Messrs. Jordan, Overton.  Dr. B.F. Davis spoke to the guests on “Life is what you make it.”  A number of presents were received by Mrs. Jackson.
• Mrs. Lyttleton Jones has been confined to her bed for several days, suffering from an attack of la-grippe.  Mrs. Jones and daughter, Mrs. Kate Steele are located at 707 Jefferson street and Seventh avenue, North.
• Mrs. Eliza Davidson, who has been sick for the last two weeks, is very much improved.
• Mr. Jno. L. Cheatham, of 819 Eighteenth avenue, is on the sick list this week.
• Mr. and Mrs. Prince, of Patterson street, spent Sunday and Sunday night in Franklin with his mother, who is very ill.
• Mrs. Whigsaw, of 1918 Broadway, is expecting her two sisters from Indianapolis soon.
• Mrs. Rueben O’Neal, who has been sick for several weeks, is up and out again.  She wishes to thank her many friends for their kindness during her illness.

Napier wins Councilman position

Tom Wood, writer of Nashville history over at NashvillePost.com sent me the following article from the September 29, 1878 issue of the Colored Councilman. 

Transcription:

J.C. Napier, the councilman elect from the fourth ward, is considered by the colored people to be one of the most creditable representatives of their race, and this great popularity was exhibited yesterday, in his defeat of Mr. Chas. H. Saunders, one of the most popular young men in the city.  Councilman Napier is about twenty-four years of age, a bright mulatto, and is a graduate of the law department of Howard University, Washington D.C.  He left last night for Washington City where he will be united in marriage at the Congregational church in that city, next Wednesday, to Nettie, the only daughter of Hon. John M. Langston, colored, the United States Minister to the Replic of Hayti.  Nashville has not had a colored man in her city council since the days of Alden rule.

Arsenic in their Coffee

Trenton Evening Times (New Jersey)
29 Jul 1889

Dastardly Attempt to Poison the South’s Richest Colored Woman.  Nashville, Tenn., July 29 —- Lucy Bedford, aged 85, and Emily Parsons, her niece, both colored,  have been poisoned by arsenic which was placed in their coffee.  Miss Parsons died last night and Miss Bedford is in a critical condition.  Lucy Bedford is probably the riches colored woman in the south, having been given an estate worth $100,000 by the will of her former owner.  Four negro servants of Miss Bedford are under arrest on suspeicion of the crime, the object of which is unkonw.   It is said that on Miss Bedford’s death her property is to revert to relatives of her former master. 

Catherine Small a negro woman who had formally been employed as a cook, confessed that she put arsenic in the coffee in order to kill Gracey Hunter, a negress who now cooks for the old women, and whom Catherine accused of taking her place in their employ.  She is in jail. 

Dr. Chalmers Hairston

Photo of Dr. Chalmers Hairston, graduate of Meharry Medical College, as published in the July 1919 issue of The Crisis Magazine.

Source: Military Intelligence on Negro Subversion, 1917-1940.