Colored Lawyers
December 19, 1896
Summary
Two black lawyers win a legal battle against some of the best known white lawyers of the time.
Transcription
Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 12, '86.
The True Reformer test case was tried here last Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8th and 9th.
The facts of the case are these: Mrs. Mary E. Ross of this city was a member of class B, Grand Fountain, United Order of True Reformers. She was delinquent for April quarter, 1895. On July 1st another quarter became due, on July 12. 1885 she paid for one quarter, the Grand Worthy Secretary sent her the usual notices on August 5th. 1895. She died without paying any more. The Grand Fountain declared her unbenefited and refused to pay the policy. The heirs of the deceased stated the case to Goldsberry and Armistead, our colored law firm, who decided to make a test case of it.
The Reformers employed two of the ablest white lawyers of this city, Messrs. D. H. Howard and John H. Lewis. The True Reformers and their lawyers laughed at the idea of Goldsberry and Armistead taking such a slim case to make a test case of it.
On Tuesday, December 8th, the time set for trial, a crowd turned out to see. as they said, the tho Negro lawyers go down in defeat from a single blow given by the two mighty giants employed by the great powerful corporation, but not so, for in the very beginning, in making up the issue, every one could see that it would be a hard fight.
The testimony consumed the best part of Tuesday; the witnesses were carried through very rigid cross examination by both sides. The whole question at last dwindled down to two points, vis: Had the Grand Fountain given Mrs. Robb such notice as to cause her to forfeit her policy? Secondly. Can a member become unbenefited in the class department?
It was a great legal battle. Those Negro lawyers shew forth more legal learning than any we have had the pleasure to hear before. The True Reformers were ably defended by that great legal giant, Mr. John H. Lewis. At 6 p. m. court adjourned and the Judge said he would instruct the jury the next morning without further argument.
Every one present could plainly see that Goldsberry and Armistead had the better of the fight On Wednesday morning, the crowd returned to see the end
The court after an able explanation of the law granted the instruction of the plaintiff. He also said that the notices sent out by the Grand Fountain are not sufficient and that there can be no such thing as an unbenefited member in the Class Department. The victory was so complete that the True Reformers' lawyers, able as they are, decided that it was useless to argue the case, but submitted to a verdict against them for the face value of the policy.
No one knows the extent of this victory, not only will it force the True Reformers to change their policies and mode of notifying their delinquent members, but will cause them to pay out much money; for Goldsberry and Armistead say they can collect on any of the class policies, where the party died unbenefited, within the last ten years.
Any one wishing to write them can do so by sending it to 912 Main Street, Lynchburg, Va.
Lynchburg is proud of its two able Negro Attorneys. They are well known throughout this section. We hope we may get many more such. They are respected in the court and every where by the white lawyers here. They have a good library and a nicely fitted up office. The other lawyers often visit them and associate with them in cases. Ethiopia is truly stretching out her hand to God.
The True Reformer test case was tried here last Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8th and 9th.
The facts of the case are these: Mrs. Mary E. Ross of this city was a member of class B, Grand Fountain, United Order of True Reformers. She was delinquent for April quarter, 1895. On July 1st another quarter became due, on July 12. 1885 she paid for one quarter, the Grand Worthy Secretary sent her the usual notices on August 5th. 1895. She died without paying any more. The Grand Fountain declared her unbenefited and refused to pay the policy. The heirs of the deceased stated the case to Goldsberry and Armistead, our colored law firm, who decided to make a test case of it.
The Reformers employed two of the ablest white lawyers of this city, Messrs. D. H. Howard and John H. Lewis. The True Reformers and their lawyers laughed at the idea of Goldsberry and Armistead taking such a slim case to make a test case of it.
On Tuesday, December 8th, the time set for trial, a crowd turned out to see. as they said, the tho Negro lawyers go down in defeat from a single blow given by the two mighty giants employed by the great powerful corporation, but not so, for in the very beginning, in making up the issue, every one could see that it would be a hard fight.
The testimony consumed the best part of Tuesday; the witnesses were carried through very rigid cross examination by both sides. The whole question at last dwindled down to two points, vis: Had the Grand Fountain given Mrs. Robb such notice as to cause her to forfeit her policy? Secondly. Can a member become unbenefited in the class department?
It was a great legal battle. Those Negro lawyers shew forth more legal learning than any we have had the pleasure to hear before. The True Reformers were ably defended by that great legal giant, Mr. John H. Lewis. At 6 p. m. court adjourned and the Judge said he would instruct the jury the next morning without further argument.
Every one present could plainly see that Goldsberry and Armistead had the better of the fight On Wednesday morning, the crowd returned to see the end
The court after an able explanation of the law granted the instruction of the plaintiff. He also said that the notices sent out by the Grand Fountain are not sufficient and that there can be no such thing as an unbenefited member in the Class Department. The victory was so complete that the True Reformers' lawyers, able as they are, decided that it was useless to argue the case, but submitted to a verdict against them for the face value of the policy.
No one knows the extent of this victory, not only will it force the True Reformers to change their policies and mode of notifying their delinquent members, but will cause them to pay out much money; for Goldsberry and Armistead say they can collect on any of the class policies, where the party died unbenefited, within the last ten years.
Any one wishing to write them can do so by sending it to 912 Main Street, Lynchburg, Va.
Lynchburg is proud of its two able Negro Attorneys. They are well known throughout this section. We hope we may get many more such. They are respected in the court and every where by the white lawyers here. They have a good library and a nicely fitted up office. The other lawyers often visit them and associate with them in cases. Ethiopia is truly stretching out her hand to God.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“Colored Lawyers,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 7, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1583.