Post by Dave on Nov 7, 2010 14:30:55 GMT -5
More about Mrs. Lavender, an interesting character. Evidently, she was a preacher and reformer. I believe she was also known as Mother Lavender, but Fiona can probably tell us more.
Mrs. Lavender in City Court
She demands That Post Avenue be “Cleaned Out”
GIRL CHARGED WITH THEFT.
Results of a Growler Party – Judge O’Conner says That all He wants is evidence against disorderly plces – Custom of Syracuse Colored Girls
Miss Ada Mingo, colored, 22 years old, was in City Court this morning, charged with petit larceny. The complainant was William Rogers, white, and he alleged that she stole $12 from his person and that he did not miss the amount until after he had said au revoir to Ada for the night. Ada was arrested by Officer Mullen last evening. When searched at the Police Station the only thing found in her possession was cash to the amount of $1.50. She strenuously denied the theft and was real provoked at being locked up.
Just as she entered the court room this morning, escorted by an officer, another colored woman came ni by another entrance. She occupied a chair near the Judge’s desk and was an attentive listener during the arraignment of Ada. The Judge told Ada to tell her story and she answered that early last evening she met the man in question (she did not know his name)in Pell’s “Post Ave” saloon. He asked her to have a drink. She consented and then he told her that he did not like to drink in the saloon, but mentioned going to her apartments and “rushing the can.” She was agreeable to this and the two left Pell’s resort for her home. Upon reaching there the “white man’s” idea was carried out. Ada secured a pail and after receiving the money from her guest, she left the place and in a short time returned with the pail filled with a beverage. After the beer drinking the man, who turned out to be Rogers, left the place. He was absent for about two hours and then he returned with a friends, whose name Ada did not learn. During the course of his absence a friend of Ada’s, Minnie Sprue, called. She remained and the quartet had a “growler” party, which, according to Ada’s statement, was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The Judge asked Ada if she kissed the fellow. She quickly answered, “No, sir,” and added that she had related all that had taken place.
The men left the place, and it was then that Rogers missed his coin. His suspicions pointed to Ada, and he reported the matter to the police. Officer Mullen was dispatched after her and in a short time she was behind the bars. She pleaded not guilty to the charge. “Honestly, Judge, she said, “I didn’t take it, and I know nothing at all about it.”
Just then the other colored woman who entered the court room earlier stood up and said she was sure Ada had not taken the money, because she was a good girl. Then she said to the court, I’m Mrs. Lavender, perhaps you don’t know me.”
The court replied he didn’t know whether he did or not.
The thought that she had distinguished herself by telling her name, seemed to encourage Mrs. Lavender, and she began one of her old familiar talks regarding the degrading “Ave.” “I wish the Lord,” she said, “something would be done with Post avenue. It is a disgrace to the city. I have fought against and preached against it for years, but it does not good. That place is the ruination of many young boys and girls. They come there 15 and 16 years old, and in a short time they become bad. I wish the dirty white trash would stay away. If they did they would be better off, and so would the colored people. I want to see th dirty street cleaned out.”
Judge O’Connor said he also wanted it cleaned out and that he would do it, just as quick as he could. “I’ll send Ada away and her partner, and also the white men who go there,” he said.
This came unexpectedly for Mrs. Lavender and the prisoner at the bar. The latter again pleaded not guilty and begged not to be sent “over the road.” She said, “You bet this is the last time I’ll ever be here again.”
Mrs. Lavender now being through with the street itself, attacked the saloon. “Why that saloon,” she said, ”is a regular hell-hole.”
Here the Judge remarked that no one would complain, so he could do nothing. “Well,” replied Sister Lavender, who was now in her regular camp meeting mood, “I don’t uphold that dirty hell-hole, and (solemnly) I wish to God it would be cleaned out. I’m sorry we haven’t a better colored class here.”
Mrs. Lavender then addressed Ada as follows. “See, are you not sorry you went there? I told you all along to stay away from that dirty hole, but you wouldn’t. I fought against you going there, didn’t I?”
Ada answered “Yes,” and tearfully added that she never would go there or be found there again.
Mrs. Lavender concluded her remarks by saying that the law should take its course with the place.
The Judge answered that all he wanted was a case against it.
The case was then put over until tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock, when the others in the party will be present. Ada promised to appear in court at that time and was allowed to go. Mrs. Lavender said Ada would do as she agreed.
Ada Mingo’s home is in Syracuse, but of late she has been residing here. Doing house work, as she said. She sprained her wrist two weeks ago and has been unable to work since. She lives at 17 Post avenue. It is said to be the custom of certain Syracuse colored girls to come to this city for a short stay. While here they meet a “mark,” take his money and then make a hasty retreat to the Salt City.
From The Utica Herald Dispatch, Thursday Evening, December 15, 1900.
Mrs. Lavender in City Court
She demands That Post Avenue be “Cleaned Out”
GIRL CHARGED WITH THEFT.
Results of a Growler Party – Judge O’Conner says That all He wants is evidence against disorderly plces – Custom of Syracuse Colored Girls
Miss Ada Mingo, colored, 22 years old, was in City Court this morning, charged with petit larceny. The complainant was William Rogers, white, and he alleged that she stole $12 from his person and that he did not miss the amount until after he had said au revoir to Ada for the night. Ada was arrested by Officer Mullen last evening. When searched at the Police Station the only thing found in her possession was cash to the amount of $1.50. She strenuously denied the theft and was real provoked at being locked up.
Just as she entered the court room this morning, escorted by an officer, another colored woman came ni by another entrance. She occupied a chair near the Judge’s desk and was an attentive listener during the arraignment of Ada. The Judge told Ada to tell her story and she answered that early last evening she met the man in question (she did not know his name)in Pell’s “Post Ave” saloon. He asked her to have a drink. She consented and then he told her that he did not like to drink in the saloon, but mentioned going to her apartments and “rushing the can.” She was agreeable to this and the two left Pell’s resort for her home. Upon reaching there the “white man’s” idea was carried out. Ada secured a pail and after receiving the money from her guest, she left the place and in a short time returned with the pail filled with a beverage. After the beer drinking the man, who turned out to be Rogers, left the place. He was absent for about two hours and then he returned with a friends, whose name Ada did not learn. During the course of his absence a friend of Ada’s, Minnie Sprue, called. She remained and the quartet had a “growler” party, which, according to Ada’s statement, was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The Judge asked Ada if she kissed the fellow. She quickly answered, “No, sir,” and added that she had related all that had taken place.
The men left the place, and it was then that Rogers missed his coin. His suspicions pointed to Ada, and he reported the matter to the police. Officer Mullen was dispatched after her and in a short time she was behind the bars. She pleaded not guilty to the charge. “Honestly, Judge, she said, “I didn’t take it, and I know nothing at all about it.”
Just then the other colored woman who entered the court room earlier stood up and said she was sure Ada had not taken the money, because she was a good girl. Then she said to the court, I’m Mrs. Lavender, perhaps you don’t know me.”
The court replied he didn’t know whether he did or not.
The thought that she had distinguished herself by telling her name, seemed to encourage Mrs. Lavender, and she began one of her old familiar talks regarding the degrading “Ave.” “I wish the Lord,” she said, “something would be done with Post avenue. It is a disgrace to the city. I have fought against and preached against it for years, but it does not good. That place is the ruination of many young boys and girls. They come there 15 and 16 years old, and in a short time they become bad. I wish the dirty white trash would stay away. If they did they would be better off, and so would the colored people. I want to see th dirty street cleaned out.”
Judge O’Connor said he also wanted it cleaned out and that he would do it, just as quick as he could. “I’ll send Ada away and her partner, and also the white men who go there,” he said.
This came unexpectedly for Mrs. Lavender and the prisoner at the bar. The latter again pleaded not guilty and begged not to be sent “over the road.” She said, “You bet this is the last time I’ll ever be here again.”
Mrs. Lavender now being through with the street itself, attacked the saloon. “Why that saloon,” she said, ”is a regular hell-hole.”
Here the Judge remarked that no one would complain, so he could do nothing. “Well,” replied Sister Lavender, who was now in her regular camp meeting mood, “I don’t uphold that dirty hell-hole, and (solemnly) I wish to God it would be cleaned out. I’m sorry we haven’t a better colored class here.”
Mrs. Lavender then addressed Ada as follows. “See, are you not sorry you went there? I told you all along to stay away from that dirty hole, but you wouldn’t. I fought against you going there, didn’t I?”
Ada answered “Yes,” and tearfully added that she never would go there or be found there again.
Mrs. Lavender concluded her remarks by saying that the law should take its course with the place.
The Judge answered that all he wanted was a case against it.
The case was then put over until tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock, when the others in the party will be present. Ada promised to appear in court at that time and was allowed to go. Mrs. Lavender said Ada would do as she agreed.
Ada Mingo’s home is in Syracuse, but of late she has been residing here. Doing house work, as she said. She sprained her wrist two weeks ago and has been unable to work since. She lives at 17 Post avenue. It is said to be the custom of certain Syracuse colored girls to come to this city for a short stay. While here they meet a “mark,” take his money and then make a hasty retreat to the Salt City.
From The Utica Herald Dispatch, Thursday Evening, December 15, 1900.
