Up Against the Real Thing
February 14, 1903
Summary
An Oklahoma newspaper weighs in on the case against Planet editor John Mitchell. Instead of generating conflict, they believe “colored brothers” should “help to build up rather than tear down.
Transcription
“Up Against the Real Thing”
[The Oklahoma, Ter., Freeman.]
Deacon Nelson Williams ran up against the real thing when he sued Editor John Mitchell, of the Richmond Planet, ten thousand dollars for libel. The jury, without any taxing of the brain, brought in a verdict for the Deacon of one cent damages. We hope this will teach all deacons and “windy” jackleg preachers a lesson, not to be too hasty in making war upon newspapers because they don’t blow a dale to suit their thoughts and opinions. Let the colored brothers help to build up rather than tear down.
[The Oklahoma, Ter., Freeman.]
Deacon Nelson Williams ran up against the real thing when he sued Editor John Mitchell, of the Richmond Planet, ten thousand dollars for libel. The jury, without any taxing of the brain, brought in a verdict for the Deacon of one cent damages. We hope this will teach all deacons and “windy” jackleg preachers a lesson, not to be too hasty in making war upon newspapers because they don’t blow a dale to suit their thoughts and opinions. Let the colored brothers help to build up rather than tear down.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Rose Williams
Citation
“Up Against the Real Thing,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed October 9, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/566.