Post St. Blues-Fiona at the library

[jon]

At the Police Station Thomas said that several men were in that place. When it came 12 o'clock and he asked for a drink the proprietor struck him a blow on the face. Thomas said he went up the stairs to the restaurant and as soon as he had reached the room Mrs. Robbins started for him, and as he did not know whether she had a weapon or not he picked up the chair and struck her.

A few minutes after the fracas occurred Officer Reagon heard of it and went to the house. He notified the Police Station and word was sent to the Officers on duty. Thomas left the house as soon as the occurrence took place and quickly made his way to the New York Central tracks. Officer Schaffer having been informed of the affair watched the depot and saw two men board the 1:10 a. m. train. He found Thomas between two coaches, and placed him under arrest.

UTICA SUNDAY TRIBUNE - 1901

[jon]

SUCH A HURRY

Big Negro Ran Through a Glass Door - It Surprised Him[/size]

A new plate glass was put in the front door at Smith's liquor store on Charlotte street yesterday and the reason therefore is as follows:

A big negro, who said he'd thrash the reporter if his name was used, was playing a little game of craps on Post Avenue Friday evening about7 o'clock. Things came his way and, after careful playing for some time, he accumulated fifteen cents.The bank could not stand this run and so the game was called off with the big negro winner. In a frenzy of joy he rushed into the house and got a pail and started over the street for the liquor store. All summer long that door with its full length glass has been left open until after dark and they got into the habit of running right in. So the big negro with the pail and fifteen cents, ran across Charlotte street and into the store. He went clear through that thick plate of glass and got out of it with just a little cut on the head. How long it will take the big negro to pay for the glass he broke is not part of this story. The story with the hero walking slowly back over Post Avenue, with a pail, bottom side up, under his arm and so astonished that he even forgot to buy the liquor for which he made his splendid run.

UTICA SUNDAY JOURNAL - 1903

[jon]

MINOR POLICE CASES
___________________________


"Spider" Vigors Arrested Again - Had Just Returned From Auburn[/size]

"Spider" Vigors, whose Christian name is Thomas, was last evening arrested by Officer Clark, for drunkenness and disorderly contact in John street. Only on Friday was he released from Auburn prison after serving a ten years' sentence. He served the long term for robbery of the Syracuse Cathedral.

Richard Wormworth and Robert Thomas, both colored, were arrested in Post Avenue, last night, for creating a disturbance and incidentally flooding the street with profane language. Officers Clarke and Regan made the arrest.

[jon]

A young man who gave his name as William Wallace and his residence, New York, was arrested by Sergeant Carren last evening. The charge was drunkenness and fighting on the street. About 9 o'clock.Wallace in company with two other young fellows, started out to do the city. When they reached the corner of John and Broad streets, a colored man was engaged in sweeping the street. The strangers grew quite pugnacious. The latter, however was too much for them and objected on the strongest terms to being interrupted in his work, and later gave vent to his feelings by giving the strangers a severe pounding. He handed the trio in fine style, and they left him to continue his work. Later, however, Wallace returned alone and this time received a thrashing that he will not soon forget. A large crowd collected and in the bunch was the sergeant. He arrested Wallace, but the latter resisted and succeeded in getting away, but was recaptured after a chase.

________________________________________________

[jon]

For sometime the police have been endeavoring to break up the practice of crap shooting among the newsboys in the lower part of the city. A number of arrests have been made,but the game has been going on just the same. A person walking along Division, Water or Whitesboro streets, at any hour of the day, can see small boys spending their time in the yards or near the side of some building, where they think no one can see them, shooting craps. Yesterday afternoon Officer Kerwin was acquainted with the fact that a group of boys was engaged in playing their favorite game in a yard on Water street, adjoining the express barn, and he immediately started in pursuit. Members of the gang were on picket duty, however, and the officer was seen first. The lads had a good start and being able to scale fences, were soon out of sight. The officer gave chase but was obligated to abandon it.

UTICA SUNDAY JOURNAL - AUGUST 11, 1901

[jon]

COLORED MAN SHOT

Wounded in a Row by Assailant Who Escapes[/size]

As a result of a stance on Post Avenue, a colored man, known as Zim White, was shot in the neck and seriously wounded by another colored man, who made good his escape. The shooting occurred near the corner of Elizabeth and Charlotte streets shortly before 2 o'clock this morning. According to White's story, he and another colored man had been on Post Avenue and had just left there, going up Charlotte street. Near the corner of Elizabeth street they met another colored man who accused White of taking his girl away from him and drew a revolver and fired.

The shot was heard by a police man who arrived at the scene too late to apprehend the assailant. White was taken to the General Hospital where the bullet was removed and at last accounts he was said to be resting comfortably. The man who did the shooting is said to be a stranger in town and no one seems to be able to give a very accurate description of him.

SATURDAY GLOBE - 1909

[jon]

POST AVENUE TROUBLE
______________________________________

Two Cases From opposite Sides of Street in Court[/size]

Post Avenue came into City Court this afternoon, being represented in the first instance by Daisy Williams and James Upeur, both colored, who have been living together at 16 Post Avenue, until yesterday, when according to Daisy Williams, James Upeur violated his rights to further domesticity by striking her over the eye. On Upeur's promise to keep away from the woman, he was allowed to go free.

On the second case Floyd Jackson, colored, was accused by Florance Jackson, colored, not a relative, of 17 Post Avenue of creating a disturbance. Payment of the broken window was all that was demanded of Jackson and on his promise to settle his case was adjourned until to-morrow afternoon.

UTICA HERALD DISPATCH - JANUARY 16, 1912

[jon]

MRS. SUSAN TOUSSAINT
_______________________________________


For Nearly Three-quarters of a Century a Resident of Utica[/size]

Mrs. Susan Toussaint, one of the oldest colored residents of this city, died at her home, 12 Post Avenue, at 1:30 o'clock this morning. About three weeks ago she suffered a paralytic stroke, and since that time she had been confined to her bed. The second stroke came early this morning,resulting in her death. Mrs. Toussaint's maiden name was Susan Smith. She was born in this city about 75 years ago and her entire life had been spent in the vicinity of where she died. She had resided on Post Avenue for a number of years and had also resided on Elizabeth street. Mrs. Toussaint was one of the best known colored residents of this city. Her husband died a number of years ago. She is survived by two sons, John Toussant of Casenovia and Pete Toussaint of Chicago, and two daughters, Mrs. Georgia Lock and Mrs. Emma Freeman of this city. She is survived by seven grandchildren. The deceased was a devout member of Hope Chapel.

UTICA HERALD DISPATCH - MARCH 20, 1903

[jon]

POLICE BUSINESS
______________________________________

Daniel Bred, an Indian, was locked up last night. it is perhaps unnecessary to say that Bred is ill bred for he gains his bread in a manner prohibited by law. It is alleged that the prisoner has been in the habit of sleeping in bars in Clinton, Waterville and New York Mills. He is an early riser, and his custom has been to take three or four plump chickens and his departure just a little before daybreak. The fowls secured in this manner he ha sold to the colored residents on Post avenue, and as his investments have been small his profits have been particularly large. It is to be presumed, however, that his business affairs will be seriously complicated by the recent developments.


UTICA MORNING HERALD - OCTOBER 24, 1885

[jon]

JUSTICE JONES' JUSTICE
__________________________________


Utica Has a Board of Charities. The Board has won public commendation for its administration of affairs from people of all classes. The latest move of the Board was to bring

A SUIT

against Charles Henry. who keeps a saloon at 45Charlotte street. The saloon has not borne the best reputation, as saloon reputations go, and has not ranked among the

GILDED PLACES OF VICE

which are supposed to adorn every city of the size of Utica.In fact,many complaints have been made against it as a nuisance. - When the Board of Charities moved it was as against a nuisance. A nuisance may be indiored; the person maintaiming a nuisance may be competted to abate it.

[jon]

The suit was brought before Justice Jones, of this city, and henry was duly sited to appear and answer the charge against his place. This morning he did appear in Justice Jones's office. The suit was

PUT OVER

conditionally of course. There was a bargain made. Henry was to stop selling liquor. No more liquor, no more suits. If Henry should resume selling liquor the Board would resume the suits. The arrangement seemed satisfactory to all parties, and there is now a prospect of one less "place"in the vicinity of Post Avenue. Whereat there will be rejoicing in sundry respectable homes which are situated in that neighborhood. The prosecution was represented by E. J. Stoddard, and he affirms that the suit will be carried on vigorously if Henry does not fulfill his part of the contract.


UTICA DAILY OBSERVER - SEPTEMBER 25, 1874

[jon]

STIRRING ADDRESS BY
THE REV. STROTHERS
_________________________________

Gives an Entertainment at Hope Chapel Last Evening - A Tom Thumb Wedding[/size]

The Rev. R.J. Strothers gave an interesting address on the position of the colored people of the city and their attitude towards their house of worship on Elizabeth street last evening, at an entertainment which included a Tom Thumb wedding. The pastor spoke of certain repairs of which the building is in need and said that if the colored people would do their part, as they should do it, the chapel would be kept in better condition. He alluded to certain statements that have been made relative to the Post Avenue section of the city and urged the colored people to so conduct themselves as to command the respect of the newspapers and the public generally. Appreciative reference was made to what the white people have done for the work. Mr. Strothers's speech was attentively listened to.

[jon]

The pastor told of the work being done by Mrs. Nellie Charles Wilcox, who for every Friday teaches the young people to sing free of cost and of the efforts of Mrs.w. C. Scranton, Mrs. A.H. Ballou, Mrs. J. H.Reese and others who come there on Saturdays to teach the girls how to cook, sew and keep house and then on every Sabbath at 1:30 o'clock when they come there to give religious training. The pastor also said:

"Did you see a piece in one of the papers last night? What is said, speaking of that glorious Avenue which faces Hope chapel on the back? This short street is characterized as being a forest of ash cans and garbage barrels with which that section is densely crowded. Then it is called the great black way, and then the home of colored queens, highballs and clouds. Then it pictures a lady sitting on a beer keg and calls her the dusty queen of Post Avenue. Now, my friends, do you know a lot of things said about us are true, and not only of us but some other places not a thousand miles from here? Do you want the papers to say good things about you? If so, change this state of affairs. Newspapers of to-day delight to publish the dark side of the race. Very few speak of the good we do.I don't say anything about the newspapers of Utica, because they try to speak respectfully of the colored people whom we let them, more so than in any city I ever lived in. Do you want to change this state of affairs? If so, now is the time.

[jon]

Philanthropic hands are waiting to help you, when you show a proper appreciation; when you show that you are trying to help yourselves. Look at the men and women of our race in this city. Can we as a race afford to stand idle and see our children drifting away, our sons and daughters characterized as 'queens and angels' and not seek to ameliorate things by word of prayer or exhortation? And then we will not have any ash barrels or tin cans or black queens sitting on beer kegs. Don't let us be fooled all the time I'm thinking that the white people need us in their churches. They may treat you kindly in a brotherly and sisterly way, but at heart they would much rather you would be by yourselves. Are you willing to freeze here in winter and suffocate with the heat in the summer? God help somebody to help us change this state of things. God will yet raise up up anybody to help the colored people in Utica. Some day we will have a place to worship in with water and sanitary conveniences. The people are here, the money is here, the land is here. God is able to untie the purse strings and help will be forthcoming when you show the right spirit and stand united. Think, only one church in this grand and beautiful city and that with no water, no sanitary conveniences, no light.

[jon]

"I speak of these things not in anger, but with the best of feelings to you,my brothers and sisters and with thanks to our white friends who have charge of it simply to awake in you desire to try to be something and do something to get a place where at least, if it is an old cabin, there is everything necessary for conveniences. When we held our installation, did you hear Dr. Bigelow when he said to you, "Stand together and be united and you shall have a place to worship in if this is sold. Let us stand together so as to get the place. If this is not to be sold, let us ask that it at least be provided with water and sanitary conveniences."

The little participant in the Tom thumb wedding were as follows: Bride, Miss Ariel Blair; Groom, Burlin Blair; Bridesmaid, Miss Anita Fletcher; Best man, Theadore Sacnder; Flower girl, Miss Edna Moover; Minister, John Ryan. The diminutive bride wore a white nun's veiling gown, with a long veil, and the whole party was decked out in wedding finery. The bridal march from Lohengrin was played as the party proceeded up the isle. The wedding proved so interesting that it was repeated in the course of the evening.


UTICA HERALD DISPATCH - JANUARY 21, 1909