Trouble on a Street- Car-Emancipation Celebration.
January 9, 1904
Summary
The Planet details injustices inflicted on black passengers on the local streetcars.
Transcription
Norfolk, Va., Jan. 13 1904
A million dollars having been subscribed by the people of Tidewater Virginia, including the many corporate and capitalist to the perpetuate the character of Jamestown Exposition, Congress will be doot at which these people are knocking and an appropriation in the millions is needed. As the Congress is republican and Congressman Slemp is the only republican allowed in Congress from Virginia he is very sought after and without his assistance no appropriation will not be available as the exposition is to celebrate the landing of the first white settlers in 1607. Of course the “colored” man will of necessity be the guest of the nation.
One dollar and cost is what Justice Taylor imposes on a “colored” for spitting in a street car. This being the second arrest under the ordinance, although the habit is commonly indulged in.
A “colored” woman the other day entered a crowded street car in which several white men were standing on the the rear platform and owing to the sudden starting of the car she lost her balance, catching herself in falling against one of the men who rudely pushed against the car saying: “ Get off of me nigger.” If this same class of white men would keep out of our homes and let our girls alone much of the race question would regulate itself.
One of the worst cases of alleged cruelty was aired in a Corporation Court this week when a Mrs. Annie Whaley was given five years in a penitentiary for malicious maiming Lillie Davis, a girl about 15 years old claimed by her as her niece. She owns Mrs.Whaley as her mother and claims that her father, a Mr. Davis, is still living in Norfolk about two years, coming from North Carolina.
A series of revival meetings are being held in St James A. M. E. Church about three nights every week since the first of the year. The meetings are not well attended when the importance of revival meeting is considered…..
A million dollars having been subscribed by the people of Tidewater Virginia, including the many corporate and capitalist to the perpetuate the character of Jamestown Exposition, Congress will be doot at which these people are knocking and an appropriation in the millions is needed. As the Congress is republican and Congressman Slemp is the only republican allowed in Congress from Virginia he is very sought after and without his assistance no appropriation will not be available as the exposition is to celebrate the landing of the first white settlers in 1607. Of course the “colored” man will of necessity be the guest of the nation.
One dollar and cost is what Justice Taylor imposes on a “colored” for spitting in a street car. This being the second arrest under the ordinance, although the habit is commonly indulged in.
A “colored” woman the other day entered a crowded street car in which several white men were standing on the the rear platform and owing to the sudden starting of the car she lost her balance, catching herself in falling against one of the men who rudely pushed against the car saying: “ Get off of me nigger.” If this same class of white men would keep out of our homes and let our girls alone much of the race question would regulate itself.
One of the worst cases of alleged cruelty was aired in a Corporation Court this week when a Mrs. Annie Whaley was given five years in a penitentiary for malicious maiming Lillie Davis, a girl about 15 years old claimed by her as her niece. She owns Mrs.Whaley as her mother and claims that her father, a Mr. Davis, is still living in Norfolk about two years, coming from North Carolina.
A series of revival meetings are being held in St James A. M. E. Church about three nights every week since the first of the year. The meetings are not well attended when the importance of revival meeting is considered…..
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Megan Brooks
Citation
“Trouble on a Street- Car-Emancipation Celebration.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 21, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/161.