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John Watley Dobbs (Negro)
Gr. Maxtor, Prins* Hall Masons
Pres., Atl. Civic -Political League
Retired Railway Mail Clerk
Of. 252 Auburn Ave. RI
Res. 540 Houston St., NI
By Geneva Tensill
Deeember 2, 1939
I SAW MR STABS
eWhen I was two years old my father and mother *operated. There
were two ahildren, my sister, four years old, and myself. We went to
live with our grandparents while my mother went to Savannah, Georgia, to
work. My father went away too. Smattered in another direction.
*I was born Marsh 21, 1822, three and a half miles north of Marietta,
Cobb County, Georgia, at the side of Renneilli Mountain. Judge Kennesaw
Mountain Landis was named for this mountain. Judge Landis was a federal
judge and an outstanding figure in baseball.
His father was killed in
the Rennes= Mountain. I was named for my grandfether, who had fourteen
children, of which my father was the eldest.
*For seven years we lived with our grandparents who had, as I told
you before, fourteen childfen. A good many of them were grown and at
times they would have other children. For instanee the oldest bey married,
brought his wife and children there, and there was also an aunt whose
husband took deem sisk and died and they same out there with their faintly
to live with my grandfather. This sant and her husband had seven boys
living and one mere child ems born after the husband died. I merely mention
this to give you an idea of what a large family ours was. And all of
the.. people lived in two log 'gibing that had three rooms and a hall.
Ms family was very, very poor and with so many you can perhaps Imagine
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that we merely existed. This is about all I can remember about the
family.
Of what I can remember of life for those first seven years is that
we went to a country school three menthe in a year, walked several miles
to this school, and I was in the first reader. One teacher taught all
of the pupils frau what we considered the first reedier to the fifth
reader and that was about as high as they went.
Most of the things I remember learning during that seven-year
period were things about nature and its surroundings. I beam* in-
terested in birds, animals, settle, trees, and even the mountain that
was *lose by. I doubt that I learned anything in a literary way during
those seven years, except such things that were in the first reader. I
remember that.
"My mother never forgot us. She used to oome ones or twice a year
and bring us sloths.. She was only twenty years older than I yea. I
was very fond of my mother and cried after her all of the time. I think
it touched her heart and she hated to go aegy and leave we.
"When I was nine years old she earns and took us, my sister and we,
to Savannah, Georgia. I was put in the second grade in Savannah. As I
remember it was kinds hard for we to catch on to the things in the second
grade. At the end of the school term I was promoted. I was then there-
after leader in the class, from the third grade on up.
"One of my early impressions of things that linger was that my
mother dressed we very nicely, put clean clothes on me, and took we to
Sunday school and *lurch. I still remember the impressions that were
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made upon me by the shureh influence. Shen I was about eleven or twelve
years old I found out that ay nether wasn't going to Ices') me in school
as she was unable to buy se clothes, shoes, and keep me in school. There
was a white lady who had a lob forms. I was in the fifth grads then.
I was willing to work but I couldn't help but break down and cry when
she told me she would hire me, as I vented to go bask to 'shoal. She
watehed as sympathetisally and than she told my mother to let ae go to
school. I found out if I went bask to school I would have to go to work
to buy my shoes and clothes. So I began to sell newspapers on the streets
in Savannah, and I got one or two odd lobs. The first job I remember
getting paid se $1.50 a week. This was in the sumer time and I worked
in a barber shop awhile, shining shoes. My lob etweWedwhenI began to
carry a regular route for the Savannah Press, the afternoon paper.
"T$e paper put on a contest and gave as a prime a watch to the boy
that made tho best record for collections and distributions over a eertain
period of ties, and I won the watch. This was the first watch I ever
had. Bosons* of the showing I made I was given another route. This made
me carry two routes: the first in the business section of town and after
that delivery was made I would go bask sad take an the last route, which
was an the outskirts of town. I forgot to tell you that this was in
1891 when I went to Savannah to live.
"After getting these two newspaper routes it kinds solved ay financial
problem. I was able to bay my own these and sloths', which I did ths rest
of my life. Nobody bought me anything from that time on. I sonnet recall
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anybody buying me one article of clothes or shoes from that time.
"I remember I always kept a job. I was never idle, nor have I been
sines that time. I remember a man coming in to tell me about his not
having a lob and said he couldn't find one. I couldn't understand it
then, nor can I understand it now that men go around saying they cannot
find work. It is just something I cannot understand because ever since
I first worked as delivery boy for the newspapers in Savannah, I have had
more jobs than I could do. If it wasn't one thing it vas another; if it
wasn't the kind of work I liked and was all I Gould get, I did that until
I could do better and I usually found a better one.
"now in buying my clothes I would go into a stare, pick out a pair
of shoes that suited me for $3, $4, or $5 and then I'd pay $1 down on
that pair of shoes, let them weep them up, and give me a bill for them,
and then I would pay $1 until I got them out. I did the same way with my
suits. I began to buy my suits of clothes at B. H. Levy lc Company, a
firm on Broughton Street, in Savannah. As I tell you this I am reminded
of the fast that I have two daughters who are teaching at the Georgia
State College there in Savannah and they go to the same store and get
any amount of clothes they want. They get them on their name and this
because of my record I established there. They trade at the very same
store.
"Well, I worked for the Savannah newspaper until I finished grammar
school, completing the elementary comma at the ,eat Broad Street Sehool
in June 1897. After that I came to Atlanta. My mother had moved back to
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Atlanta, having preceded ma. I worked in Salm-moth until I finished school
and then came to Atlanta to join my mother. I vented to go to school some
more but there wasn't much visible opportunity at that time. After I got
here I wont out on a farm in the summer of 1897 and worked. Although I
was only fifteen years old, I worked in the field as a farm hand, chop-
ping cotton, picking peaches, and any other work that was done by the
farm hands. I was paid fifty cents a day like the other farm hands for
sueh common labor. I remember I was working out there barefooted, with
nothing but a cap on my head, out in that sunshine all day long and I
worked right along keeping up with the men and received the same the:), re-
ceived for the work.
"I saved my money that summer and came back to Atlanta, expecting
to go in school that fall. 14y mother took down sick and I had to use the
money I had saved for my mother. Then a thing happened which you might
call a 'break'. Reverend E. S. Fisher was pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist
Church here in Atlanta. He later went to Chicago as pastor of the Clivet
Aaptist Church, where he remained until his death. This is the same
church which Reverend L. K. hilliams, President of the Dational Baptist
Convention pastored. well, Reverend Fisher was a wonderful character.
He was a great humanitarian. Reverend Fisher took ma along with his
childrun out to Lor-house College, which was at that time the Atlanta
Baptist College, in the fall of 1897. He paid my tuition to enter the
first year academy. It was an academy than. I was able to get a lob with
Dr. J. F. McDouga.1.1, college physician, who also ran a drugstore in the
city. I worked in the drugstore, opening up in the morning at six o'clock
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and working until eight o'clock. I would then ride my bicycle to school
and come back and work in the afternoons until ten or eleven o'clock at
night. I did this for four years through academy. I won a scholar-
ship which paid my tuition for the other years. I finished the academy
in 1901. I went back to school that fail in the Freshman Glass. I
stayed a rev months and because of my .other's failing health and many
needs 1 dropped out of sheool and went to work to help her.
"I took a civil service examination, was certified for an appoint-
ment as a sub -railway mail clerk in ieptember of 1903, and I remained in
the railway mail service for thirty-two years, starting in at grade Ill
end for the last eight years in the service I was clerk in charge of my
crew at grade '6', highest grade in the railway mail service, qhich carried
Aith it the maximum pay.
'June 1, 1935, I voluntarily accepted optional retirement from the
railwa, mail service. This was optional retirement after thirty years or
more of service.
"The fact that I stopped college didn't stop -ay thirst for knowledge.
I went to the libraries and read intensively along three lines of my choice:
literature, history,and philosophy.
"I married, i Tune 1906, tiss Irene Ophelia Thompson, a native of
Colunbus, 2fiseissippi. TO this union were born six daughters. All are
living. After their birth I was determined that the enould have every
advantage, every one I missed, and more. I guess my denial of many things
during my youth caused me to be more determined. The first four daughters
are graduates of Spelman College. Two of these girls were graduated from
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Spillman as valedictorian of their class. All four of theLI have earned
masters' degrees two from Columbia University, one 2roea Atlanta University,
and the other from European universities. This daughter, my oldest, be
car e head of the French Department at ..;pelman College, a position she kept
until her sarriage. nother of my daughters was head of the English
Department et Jackson College in Jackson, Mississippi, and she held this
position until her arriave. One of my single daughters is head of the
English Department and Dramatics at the Georgia State College, Savannah,
Georgia, and the other is head of the Home Economics Department at the same
school. My two younger daughters are in high school. One of my daughters
finished Spelman College at the age of nineteen years and held her masters'
degree at twenty years. She was able to est a job because of that right
away at the age of twenty years.
*Well, let's see. Another phase of Ay life I forgot to tell you back
there 1.7 that T joined the church early, at the age of fourteen or fifteen
years, in Savannah, Georgia, and have since been continually identified
with soae Christian church. kt the present time I &A trustee of the First
Congreeational Church in etlenta.
In 1911 I joined the easonic Order and became greatly enthused in the
working of this fraternal organization. In three years, in 1914, I was
made a Grand Lodge officer which position I held for ten years. In 1924
I was made secretary -treasurer of the Masonic Relief A.,sociation, which
was the financial department of the Grand Lodge. This position I held elikt
years, until 1932. That position paid me a salary which was larger thee
the salary I was getting from the government as a railway mail clerk. I
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held both jobs jointly and satisfactorily to all parties concerned. 14
work was satisfaatory to the government, and the fraternal order was
satisfied with my work. I needed this increase in income in order to
give my children the type of education I wanted then to have. I would
rrequently go directly from my orrice to tho train, where I would work all
night as a railway clerk.
144 run was from Atlanta to Nashville, Tennessee. All of my service
for the thirty-two yea rz wee anent on that line between Atlanta and Naehville.
I don't know whether it would be interestin6 or necessary to loention here that
all of the workers on this line, except me, were uhite men. When I was
made clerk in charge there was never any friction between me and the white
men. Our relations were always pleasant, and whatever difficulties arose
were ironed out between us to everyone's satisfaction. We worked together
beautifully.
"Speaking again of my position with the lwasonic Order as secretary
treasurer, I held this position until 1932, when Dr. R. R. Butler, Grand
;Aster for thirty-one years, died and I uas elected to sucoeed him as
heed of the order in the Jtate of „74orgia. Eaving prepared yself for a
public career through my activities and reading, I found myself circum-
scribed because of my work in the railway mail service, and because of a
desire for a larger sphere for usefulness in order to help my race secure
ballot, I resigned fro l the railway „call service in .,ume 1935, accept-
ing opt,onal retirement. I as then free to give wri full time to the
activities of the i:sisonie Order and to civic and pJlitical affairs.
"On Yebruary 12, 1936, 1 cslled a public meeting at Bin Bethel A.U.Z.
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Church and organized the Atlanta Cllie and Political League, and became
its first president ,h1ch position I still hold. This organization,
founded on Lincoln's birthday, has for its goal, or ambition, the inter-
tion to awaken the Atlanta Negroes to their civic and political con-
sciousness, mostly the benefits to be derived from the exercise or use
of the ballot. At the time of the organization of the Atlanta Civic and
Political League there were less than six hundred registered Negro voters
in Atlanta, Georgia. LA the three years that number has been increased
to nearly three thousand.
"In the fall of 1906 I accepted an invitation to join the campaign
for the re-election of ?ranklin D. Roosevelt as rreeilent of the United
States. I filled speaking engagements in the states of Rhode Island, New
Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, under the Speaker's Bureau of the Eastern
Division with headquarters in ,ashin ton, D. C., workine- under the Demo-
cratic 1.ational Co raittee, Honorable James A. Farley, Chairman. I ac-
cepted this asEignment and duty because of my 3incere belief in the
progressive principles advocated by the New Deal Administration, espe-
cially as they related and are interpreted toward the uplifting and bet-
terment of living conditions for poor people regardless of race, color,
or creed.
"I might add that I'm devotieff, quite a bit of my time to the platform
as a public speaker. I was Emancipation Day Speaker for 'Wings over Jordan'
a radio program heard ever Sunday morning over the CBS, through station
LMAR, Cleveland, under the direction of Dr. Uenn T.Settle,with the
Gethser see Choir of Cleveland, with .orth :tremor its conductor. This is a
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distinct honor granted my people through the CBS as it gives our min-
isters, educators, and leaders an opportunity which otherwise is not
granted us. I would like here at this Point to tell you some of the
tlings I said in this address, that is, if it 'won't telie too much of
your time.
"The subject was 'The Negro in America' I explained the signifi-
cence of 1-marcipatiox Day by saying: 'To the twelve million Negroes of
America this day has a higher sipaification to us it is Emancipation
Day. On January 1, 1863, in the City of Washington, President Lincoln
signed the Emancipation Proclamation which freed *million slaves. Today
their daccerdants pause to commemorate that historic event with profound
gratitude to God and to Abraham Lincoln.
/We first came to the New World with the early explorers. Black
seamen were with Columbus in 1492. Alonzo Pietro, a Negro, was in charge
of the pilot house on one of the three ships of the crew, the Nina. They
.,ere with 3,111boa in 1513; Cortez in Mexico in 1518. Estiveneco, a Negro,
led the expedition of 1b3? which opened up the regioo !low known as .krizona
and 14XiCO. A Naero member of the De Soto expedition of 1540 remained
in this country and became the second settler in what is new the state of
iaebems. The twenty slaves landed at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619,
arrived a year anead of the Pilgrim fathers at PlIrouth Rook. For the
next 240 years ileproes were forciblynrought to !merle& against their will.
'The sweat froLi the brow of our forbears fell in railroad cuts,
cotton fields, rice plantations, in the forests and along the mountain
sides. T:;egro labor became efficient and dependable by the way in which
it helped to Juild America.
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'The first man to fail in the Boston Massacre of 1770 was Crispus
Attuaks, a Negro, who died for died for American ideals six years before
the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Peter 6alem was another
to distinguish himself at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Five thousand Negroes
saw serviee in the Continental Army under General washington.
'In the Civil War, 200,000 fought in the Federal Army for their
own freedom and the preservation of the Union. Three million slaves
made crops by day and protected homes by night, of their masters who were
fighting to keep them IL bondage. Such loyalty and devotion have never
been surpassed by any piople in any period of history. In the World war
380,000 were enrolled 200,000 of whom saw service in France. The Negro
has fought valiantly in every American War and has yet to produce a traitor
to the flag!,
'In this abort time our race has accumulated two billion dollars
worth of property, including 22 million acres of farm land, an aggregate
area larger than the five states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut.
'In the midst of slavery, the Negro accepted from his master the
Christian religion with the faith of a child. Today he counts over
40,000 churches with a membership of 5i million souls.
'In 1860 90 per cent could neither read nor write. By 1930 this
illiteracy was reduced to 16 per cent. Today 2,500 are finishing
American colleges annually. Considering this achievement, we cannot
give too much credit to the white Christian missionaries who came South
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following the Civil war to help educate the Negro. Their task was one
of sacrifice and consecration. The memory of these good people should
never be forgotten.
'In turn Negro men and women became teachers themselves. Quite
a few, like Booker Washington, rose above tremendous obstacles to become
useful educators. I. B. Watson, reared on a Tema farm and unable to
finish high school until 25, worked few -more years, entered Brown Uni-
versity at 29, and graduated at 33. Today he is the honored President
of the State College for Eegroes of Arkansas.
'Professor eletcher Heneerson, father of the famous band leader,
has been teaching continuously for 58 years at Cuthbert, Georgia. Pro-
fessor George H. Green, Douglas high School, Lexington, lassouri, has
been teaching continuously for 59 years. During the past 52 years he has
not been tardy or absent a single day from his post of duty. These are
but examples of many others. In South Carolina alone there are 14 Negro
teachers with mare than 50 years of service.
'Today osm, white people of the South, where most of the Negroes
live, are seriously interested in his education. Accredited high schools
and colleges are being rapidly equipped and financed from public funds.
The results are both encouraging and gratifying.
'Over the doorway of the nation's Supreme Court Building in Wash-
ington, D. C. are engraved four words, 'Squal Zustice -Under Law'. This
beautiful American ideal is what the Negroes want to see operative and
effective from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Great Lakes to
the Gulf nothing more or less. They want equal rights and protection
13
in the courts, i. thetrects, ane on the farnr; they wart eoual oppor-
tunities to vork at every honorab3e trade ard prefession; equal op7)ortu-
nity to cast a ballot in all elections, everywhere. These fundamental
rights and privileges, zuaranteed by the Federal Constitution and its
endtaents, constitute the aime, the hopes, an. the desires cf the Negroes
of America today and toviorrowt 9
"Ism the guest speaker for the Emancioetion Proclwaation Celebration
to be held in Baltirtore, Laryland on 3unday, January 14. At the same
time the Governor, Lonorable Herbert R. O'Connor of Maryland, and the Aayor,
Ecnorabic, lio,;ard liackson of Baltimore, will be present to extend
greetings.
"I tell you these things because I get a great deal of pleasure out
of coming in close association with the leaders of our great country, and
it gives me opportunity to let my race benefit by these associations.
"I have a great love for people's human rights; I believe in equal
opportunit'.1s for all mankind. I an a groat admirer of the lives of
Abraham Lincoln, Booker aashington, and Frederiek Bougla3, because they
pertray the lives of poor boys who believed in human rights and brother-
hood of all mankind.
"I forgot to mention that one time I lid insurance work. This was
after my family began to grow and I found I needed more money. I wrote
Insurance for a while and then I became a stock salesman for the company.
These things happened before 1 took the job with the fraternal organiza-
tion. Fren this work I learned a lot about people and earned money
enough to help me along. 6o you see I believed that there were many things
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one can do to help himself. I am a great believer in wolf -help. All I
wanted was an opportunity to work. To further oring out just how I have
always felt in this matter, I will Elva you an expression, an original
sayl n I wrote down twenty-five or thirty years ago, and I have used
somewhat as a motto: 91 cannot conquer death; all other fights I win.'
As yet I don't recall having lost any. They may have been hard fights
but I won them eventually. Another thing I've kept in mind and have
made a part of lay thoughts:
'You sow a thought and reap an act,
You sow an act and reap a habit,
You sow a habit and reap a character,
You sow character and reap destiny.'
Another expression I got a great lesson from is: 'Two prisoners looked
out from behind the bars of their cell; one saw mud and other saw the
stars.' That is true in life. One sees what one permits his eyes to see.
If he looks down it's the mud and if he looks up, it's the stars. I have
always tried to look pp.
41.4 most favorite poem is one by Edwin i4arkham, 'The an itb the Hoe',
said to be written by him after he saw the world famous painting by
I repeat that poem over and over from time to time and throughout my life
have gotten so much from it. (He recited the poem and he drew a beauti-
ful mental picture of that man who stood there leaning on his hoe. He
quoted the poem, every word of it, which proved that he has a most unu-
sual retentive memory).
"I don't see where I've done so much and, too, to talk about one's
self it takes away the actual thing and purpose for which it is said too
many I's detract but I will say 1 came from a very, very poor beginning