Carroll Napier Langston, Jr.

Over on my genealogy blog, I’ve just posted some information on my overall impressions of FootNote.com and some of the potential I see with it. As I was exploring the site, I decided to do a search for information on Carroll Napier Langston, Jr. His paternal grandmother, Ida M. Napier Langston, was a sister to James Carroll Napier.

One of the collections I noticed in FootNote was one titled, Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) of the U.S. Army Air Forces, 1941-1948. In the course of my research, I knew that Carroll N. Langston Jr. had gone missing during WWII and his body was found a couple of weeks after he went missing. Wanting to see if I could find him in this resource, I did a search. His name is rather unique, so I was able to readily identify him in the results. I am deeply moved by what I found.

A report from September 19, 1944 provides an account from the person that found his body, Captain Samuel R. Center. While he was on reconnaissance with 5 others, he found a body that had washed up to the beach of the Adriatic Sea near Pineta, Italy on June 26, 1944. The account describes everything that they found on his body, information about how they buried him and a detailed description of where they buried him. On his person were items such as his ID tags, his pilot wings, a metal cigarette case, and his watch. They buried him “…about 750 feet south of railroad flag station no. 331, 200 feet from railroad track towards sea; 65 feet towards sea from second concrete post of barbed wire fence. Wow.

There were witnesses to the incident. — Lts. Maurice V. Easters, Ulysses S. Taylor, and Harold E. Sawyer. Lt. Sawyer reported that Carroll called in saying that he had engine trouble. Carroll was unable to keep up in flight, so Saywer left his route to fly with Carroll. Carroll was not able to keep the plane up, so decided to bail out, but something went wrong with his chute. It did not inflate all the way and Sawyer saw Carroll hanging on to the side of the plane. Sawyer could not stay with him because of low fuel, but notified Air Rescue. Carroll’s plane crashed about 10 miles off the coast of San Benedetti, Italy. The paperwork even includes a hand-drawn map of where his plane went down.

I really feel like I need a moment of silence after reading through all of this. Can you imagine finding this level of detail for a relative? These documents were previously confidential - I am so glad they have been opened up for public use.

If you have a FootNote account, you can view the images here.

 

Bishop Evans Tyree - part 2

I have continued to do some research on Bishop Evans Tyree. I have constructed the beginnings of his tree as part of my Nashville genealogies database. His specific information is here.

Since the previous post, I think I have finalized the list of all of his children. In addition to Evans Tyree Jr., Carrie B. Tyree, Anna Alberta, and Herman F., he had two other children - a girl named Eugenia and a son named Wayman.

So far, I’ve located Evans and his family in the 1900 & 1910 census records, but none others yet. Evans Sr. died in 1920 and I have found one obituary for him so far from the Chicago Defender.

I’ve also discovered that he’s had associations with the Rev. L. Napoleon Merry, brother of Nelson Merry. This is not surprising to me since they were both clergy. In the July 13, 1876 of the Christian Recorder, an African-American newspaper, Rev. Thomas Whitlock writes in a letter to the editor

…My third Quarterly meeting Conference was held on the 20th and 51st inst. The Presiding Elders, L.N. Murray, Evans Tyree of the Santa Fee mission, and M. Howard of the Ashwood circuit were with us. We had quite a good meeting. We had ten persons added to the church this quarter and we left about forty anxious souls seeking the way of salvation. Our financial report was very poor. My support this quarter all told was $45., and the Presiding Elder’s $40.25; total $55.25. I have baptized 11 this Conference year, and but one of these was slipped; and the Presiding Elder baptized for me five infants. I think sir, that African Methodism has a firm footing now in this hard shell Baptist country. Pray for us. Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., May 20, ‘76.

That L.N. Murray should be L.N. MERRY.

 

Bishop Evans Tyree

The 1903 issue of Meharry News (see the Meharry Library Archives page) features a short article about Bishop Evans Tyree giving a short talk “full of practical suggestions and and humor.” Recognizing the name, I looked through some of the previous posts here on this blog. I found mention of him so far in two places here and here.

Bishop Evans Tyree was born in De Kalb County, Tennessee on August 19, 1854 to slaves Harry & Winnie Tyree. [1, 2] He progressed rapidly in the African Methodist Episcopal church, becoming an elder by the age of 22. The wonderful Documenting the American South collection of the University of North Carolina, has a picture of him from a book by Horace Talbert titled The Sons of Allen: Together with a Sketch of the Rise and Progress of Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.

So far, in about 30 minutes of searching, I have learned that he was married to a woman named Ellen and they had at least the following children - Evans Tyree Jr., Carrie B. Tyree, Anna Alberta, and Herman F. I know they had at least one other daughter from Anna’s obit whose first name is not mentioned, but she married a Eugene Allen. It appears that Evan Sr. died here in Davidson County November 12, 1920 [3] It is getting late tonight, so I’m not going to go into the census records quite yet, but let’s just say I have added the Tyree family to my persons of interest now in Black Nashville history

One last departing image from the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America digitized newspaper collection. This sketch of Bishop Evans is from the July 28, 1900 issue of The Colored American, a newspaper of Washington D.C. It is amazing that they are digitizing their old newspapers like this!

[1] State Library of North Carolina. Selections from An Era of Progress and Promice, 1863-1910. Bishop Evans Tyree, DD, MD - http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/iss/EraOfProgress/Bios/tyree.gif
[2] Leonard, John William and Marquis, Albert Nelson. Who’s Who In America. 1903. http://is.gd/aN3.
[3] TN State Library & Archives. TN Death Index 1920. http://is.gd/aNu.

 

Petition is Dismissed

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

The petition of Ida Cartwright to secure her release from the county jail by writ of habeas corpus was heard by Judge Cartwright in the Circuit on Thursday. The petitioner alleged that she had been arraigned before Judge Baker in the City Court and bound over to the Criminal Court without testimony. Judge Cartwright held that it was not denied that Judge Baker had jurisdiction of the case and that the remedy was in a court of appellate jurisdiction. The petition was dismissed.

 

A True Friend of the Race

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

Prof. Helen C. Morgan, a teacher at Fisk University who has labored there for nearly thirty-eight years, is the guest of the Principle and Mrs. Washington at their home, “The Oaks,” having come here to see something of the work of the school on the first vacation she has had since her connection with the University. She bears the further and unique distinction of not having missed a recitation until her present absence, since being at Fisk. Miss Morgan spoke for a few minutes to the teachers and students at the regular evening service in teh Chapel last Sunday. — Tuskegee (Ala.) Student.

 

Frances Williard Memorial

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

The women of the colored W.C.T.U. met in Howard Congregational Church Sunday afternoon to rejoice over the Segregation Bill, which removes saloons from the vicinity of our two universities dear to our hear, Fisk & Walden. Now it will be a delight to live in the suburbs, as the saloon nuisance will be removed.

Mrs. C.H. Phillips gave an address on The Life and Influence of Frances Williard, also a glimpse of “Rest Cottage” built by Miss Williard. Impassioned speeches were made in the discussion, which followed by Miss Nannie Perkins, who took the ground that the bitter taste alone of beer makes it replsive to children and they would never drink it if their parents did not encourage it by example. She owes her abhorrence to all such habits from the example and training of her sainted mother.

Mrs. Sawyers spoke of her love for the work and her intention of sticking to the W.C.T.U. Mrs. Clark and others spoke on the coming W.C.T.U. convention to Nashville.

After Rev. Mr. Bond’s instructive remarks on the temperance legislation, Mrs. John Work said that the recent great crime was fostered by the drink habit. She then sang feelingly, “We’ll overcome some day.” Mrs. Phillips; Chairman of the Committee on Homes for the Convention, calls a mass meeting the third Sunday in March. The Sarah J. Early section will discuss the “cigarette habit.”

Signed by the Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. D.W. Crutcher.

 

Twentieth Century Whist Club

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

The Twentieth Century Whist Club met at the home of the president, Miss John D. Blackwell, 89 1-2 Wharf avenue, Thursday evening, February 14. The meeting was the second of the season, the club being recently organized the previous week at the home of Mrs. Robt. C. Eason. After the business of the evening was over, a collation of sandwiches, cake, wine and black coffee was served. The club adjourned with thanks to the hostess for the pleasant hospitality. Those present were Mesdames. Robt. C. Eason, Eugene Clayton, and Thos. Ewing. Misses Bettie Warren, Willie Mai Turner, Anna Dunlap, Alberta Dunlap, and Annie Cheek, Messrs. T.A. Ewing, J.W. Foster, R.C. Eason, Eugene Clayton, Guy Bordenhammer, Wymon Brady, John Russer and Eben Hudson.

 

Nicely Arranged Dinner

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

Mrs. Minnie D. Woodard, entertained at dinner Sunday, February 17th in celebration of her birthday. A tempting menu of four courses was served from a beautifully decorated table. A color-scheme of red and white was carried out in the decorations and the place cards of red and white valentine hearts. Seated around the table were Misses Belma Mahan, Ethel Spence, Emma Owens, Bessie Chester and Mrs. Woodard.

 

The Jolly Six

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

The Jolly Six were entertained Friday night, February 15, by a number of young men at the residence of Miss Matilda Hargraves, 1106 Kayne avenue. Those present were Misses Celia Hendly, Mary A. Cheers, Matilda Hargraves, Ophelia Alexander, Sarah Garner, Iona Gant, Maggie Hargraves, Messrs. Robert Martin, Aaron Bradford, John Wesley Franklin, Hicks. Morton. Horace, James Watson and Dr. Reynolds. A beautiful collation was served and dancing was indulged in until a late hour.

 

City B.Y.P.U. Organized

Nashville Globe
22 Feb 1907

One of the largest missionary meetings ever held in Nashville for young people was held in the Sunday school rooms of Mt. Olive Baptist Church Sunday afternoon, February 17. The meeting was called to order at 2:30pm by Rev. W.L. Craft, who is the field secretary of the B.Y.P.U. Board. At this meeting a long step in the right direction was made which resulted in the organization in Nashville of what will be known as “The City B.Y.P.U.” Every Baptist church in the cit has been invited to join, and, in fact, all save one or two were represented either in person or by proxy at the meeting Sunday. Rev. C.H. Clark, the pastor, towering as he does above all others, encouraged the movement in the most hearty way possible. An excellent program was rendered. An opening chorus was sung by the Mt. Olive choir. Scripture was read by Rev. C.K. Wilson. Then came prayer. A song by the choir, then came the discussion, which was “The Union a Factor in the Missionary Development of our Denomination.” This discussion was led by Revs. Clark, Slaughter, Harding, Parr, Page and Matthews, and Rev. Draine and others were invited to make speeches on the subject. Miss Maud Roberts, of Walden University, was present and sang “Teach Me Thy Way” sweeter than it has ever been heard in Nashville.

“Our Needs” was discussed by the Dr. E.W.D. Isaac, the Corresponding Secretary of the B.Y.P.U. Board. Mrs. L.A. Davis played an instrumental solo. Possibly the most interesting and entertaining piece on the program was the trio by Miss Reed, Mrs. Henderson, and Dr. A.M. Townsend. Their voices charmed the audience. Every one strained their ears to catch every note of the sweet music made by them.

A committee on Organization was nominated and while they were out, Miss M.M. Kimball, of Louisville, who represents the Woman’s Auxillary Convention, addressed the audience. The committee reported the following officers as the first for the ensuing year: J. Blaine Boyd, Miss Mattie Matthews, Tabernacle Church, First Vice President; Mr. Jesse Voorhees, Kayne Avenue Church, Second Vice President; Mr. Wm. Cantrell, St. John Baptist Church, Third Vice President; Miss Maggie Stubbs, First Baptist Church, Recording Secretary; E. W. D. Isaac, Jr.; Spruce Street Baptist Church; Miss Matilda Williams, First Baptist Church, East Nashville, Treasurer; Mr. Wm. Sheffield, New Hope Church, Chorister; Dr. A.M. Townsend, Spruce Street Baptist Church, Organist.

It was agreed that the Union would meet once per month and that one month’s notice would be given for all churches to prepare special subjects and present their claims for those on program. The first monthly meeting will be held March 17, which is the third Sunday in March, at the Pleasant Green Baptist Church. The meeting will be called together promptly at 8 o’clock. Indications are that a large number of young people will be brought into this working organization.