Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office at Durham, North Carolina, under Act of March 3, 1818.
FOR 28 YEARS THE OUTSTANDING WEEKLY OF THE CAROLINAS
VOLUME 29 — NUMBER 20 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY, MAY 19th, 1951 PRICE: TEN CENTS
Mass Meeting For Burlington Rape Victim Sun.;
Citizens Aroused Over Efforts To Shield Man
Prepare For Ministry To Migrant Workers
Shown in the picture are
James T. Jones, middler and
James G. Crowder, Junior in
Hood Theological Seminary, Liv
ingstone College, Salisbury, with
the Home Missions Council of
North America Harvester they
will us this summer in connec
tion with their ministry to
migrant workers in the eastern
part of the state.
This marks the third summer
Mr. Jones has worked with the
Home Missions Council of North
America while Mr. Crowder is
11 ———————aa—8a8388S88888
now' receiving his training tor
his first year in the ministry to
migrant workers.
They are working under the
supervision of Miss Frances
Query, executive secretary of the
North Carolina Council of
Churches.
Last Rites Held For
DePriest In Chicago
Ex-Congressman
Passes After
Sudden Illness
Chicago — Ex - Congressman
Oscar DePriest died here Satur
day at the age of 80, at Provident
Hospital following a sudden at
tack of illness on Thursday.
Mr, DePriest was born in Flor
ence, Albania, and upon moving
to Salina, Kansas received his
education in the public schools.
He came to Chicago in 1889,
conducting a painting and dec
orating business until 1904. His
entry into politics began when he
served as County Commissioner
of Cook County for ten years,
1894-1904. He began what is now
a lucrative real estate business
in .1909, and over a period of
years, the DePriest holdings have
vastly increased.
Oscar DePriest was destined
for many firsts for his race, for
in 1916 he became the first Ne
gro member of the Chicago City
Council; and between 1912-1922
was Alderman, member of the
Illinois Commerce Commission;
Committeeman, Third Ward,
Chicago. He reached the apex of
his career'in 1918'when he was
elected U. S. Congressman from
Illinois’ First District on the Re
publican ticket. He was the first
Negro in the halls of Congress
since Reconstruction Days.
He returned, to private life in
1935, after an illustrious career
in politics, and to his real estate
business which he ran with his
son, Oscar Stanton DePriest
who survives. Also surviving are
Mrs. DePriest and two grand
sons.
J. S. STEWART, Secretary
Treasurer of the Mutual Build
ing and Loan Association of
Durham, who will deliver the
Commencement Address at
W. C. Chance High School at
Parmele, N. C., on Thursday
morning, May 24 at 11 o’clock.
Bunche, Gilkey A. & T. Speakers
These men have been selected
to be the principal speakers at
the A. and T. College Com
mencement Exercises. Dr. Ralph
J. Bunche, Pulitzer Prize Win
ner, will give the regular com
mencement address at 4 P. M.,
Monday, May 28.
Dr. Charles W. Gilkey, Dean
Emeritus of the Chicago Univer
sity Chapel, will deliver the
Baccalaureate Address at 11 P.
M. Sunday, May 27. Both will
speak in the Richard B. Harrison
Auditorium.
THREE KILLED IN QUARRY
BLAST NEAR MARTINSVILLE
martinsviiie, va. — «ionn rin
ney, 38, of Bassett and Lee Hairs
ton, 40, of Martinsville, were
killed in an explosion at the Fort
Trial quarry near here Tuesday
afternoon. Also killed at the time
was a white worker, and part
owner of tlic mine, Fern Lam
Deri ox xvnoxvuxe, xenn.
Winfred Hairston, 37, also of
Bassett, was seriously injured
in the blast.
As in a similar explosion
which claimed three lives at the
same spot last November, there
was no explanation of the cause.
Pepsi-Cola Starts New Advertising
Campaign In Newspapers, Magazines
New York City — The Pepsi
; Cola Company, which pioneered
among large American compan
ies in using Negro subjects and
models in advertising, next week
opens a full scale advertising
campaign in thirty-five of the
leading national weekly newspa
pers and two of the leading
monthly magazines, according
to Edward F. Boyd, Assistant
Sales Manager of the Pepsi-Cola
Company.
The ads appearing in the
weekly newspapers will depict
various scenes of young people
in a “fun” setting, reflecting
quality and dignity. Full page ad
using portraits, to appear in
“Ebony” and “Our World” start
ing next month, will continue the
series originated by Pepsi-Cola
four years ago called “Leaders
in Their Fields.” This series por
trays prominent contemporary
Negro leaders, though frequent
ly not nationally publicized, and
gives a concise summary of their
important achievements.
Gordon Park, outstanding Lite
photographer, now on leave in
Paris, will be the first subject ih
the new series. So great were
the request in the past for copies
of ‘ Leaders in Their Fields” ad
reprints from individuals,
schools, and organizations that
on two different occasions, the
Pepsi-Cola Company reprinted
these ads in brochure form for
national distribution.
National Sales Staff
Nine members of the Pepsi
Cola national sales staff are now
working in Mississippi, Louis
iana, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Within the past two months,
William E. Payne of Chicago, 111.
and formerly of North Carolina
State College and the University
of Iowa, was assigned to the
Pepsi-Cola Regional Office in
Chicago, 111., and Jean F.
Emmons of Chicago, 111., a grad
uate of the University of Chicago
School of Business, was assigned
to the Pepsi-Cola Regional Of
fice in Columbus, Ohio.
Durham To Honor War Hero
With Gala Celebration
A mammoth parade and pro
gram will be held here soon, un
der the auspices of the Weaver
McLean Post of the American
Legion, honoring 1st Lieutenant
Ellison C. Wynn, hero of the
Korean War. Although no de
finite date has been set for the
big celebration it is definitely re
ported from reliable sources that
the event will take place within
the next several weeks with the
blessings and cooperation of the
War Department. Some of the
top- brass have • indicated that
: they would like to see the oc
casion made one of the biggest in
the history of the State.
Lt. Wynn arrived here from
the West Coast last Friday on a
30-day leave and will spend the
i most of the time with his fam
ily, composed of his wife, the
i former Miss Meneva Holman
i and two daughters, Ellisine, 7,
and Faye, 4. The Wynn's reside
j at 1205 Fifth Street.
The occasion in which Lt.
Wynn proved himself a hero was
during fighting in Kuneri. North
Korea on the morning of last
November 26. It was during the
drive which was then reported
by General McArthur to “get the
boys home for Christmas.” Lt.
Wynn and Baker Company had
driven l'ar up a rugged terrain
j with other UN troops.
Suddenly the Chinese Com
munist launched a terrific drive
that broke through every UN
unit except Baker Company
which was left surrounded on a
hill with its commander wound
ed. Lt. Wynn took over the com
mand.
With the nose of the hill only
large enough for three men to
dig in, Lt. Wynn said he put his
men in a circle about the hill.
“We held until I slipped a mess
enger through to see if he could
contact the battalion and tell
them we were running out of
amunition. Regimental head
quarters ordered us to with
draw.”
The seige lasted 12 long hours
and when Baker Company with
drew at 2:30 P. M., 90 of its 125
men had either been killed or
wounded.
Wounded himself in the face
from mortar fire, Lt. Wynn led
the withdrawal back to the UN
lines, where he was taken to the
hospital for treatment.
In speaking of the courageous
stand at the time, Col. S. L.
Marshall, roving expert on in
fantry operations in Korea said:
“The company’s stand was per
(Please turn to Page Eight)
Councilman
Dr. William Hampton who was
elected Greensboro’s first Negro
member of the City Council, in
the City election May 8. He
finished in fifth place with 5,
219 votes in a field of thirteen
candidates.
Wynn Family Enjoying War Hero's Return
Above photo shows Lieutenant
Ellison C. Wayne, war hero at
home with his wife and two chil
dren. Lt. Wynne is spending a
30-day leave with his family
here and will be honored with a
gala parade and program
here soon. Daughter Ellisine,
age seven, plays a difficult num
ber on her toy organ for her
father while Faye, age four, even
though listening holds tightly
to her rag doll.
Final Rites Held
For C. C. Craig
In Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill — Last rites for
Charles Christopher Craig, 56,
of Chapel Hill were held at the
Saint Paul A. M. E. Church,
Monday, May 14 at 2:30 P. M.
The Reverend R. L. Upshaw, pas
tor of the church, officiated.
Mr. Craig died at Duke Hos
pital Friday, May 11 at 4:00 a.
m., as the climax of an illness
which began in October 1949.
He was born in Orange Coun
ty, the son of Manuel and Mrs.
Sarah Craig. He attended the
! public school of Chapel Hill and
j A. and T. College, from which
j he graduated in 1916.
In 1919 Mr. Craig was married
to the former Miss Lucy M.
Stroud of Chapel Hill who sur
vives him together with one son
Charles C. Craig, Jr., and one
daughter, Mrs. Mary Doris Far
rington, both of Chapel Hill.
During the greater part of his
life he was engaged in the con
tracting and building business,
and as a citizen of Chapel Hill
contributed much to the civic
life of the community.
Up to the time of his death
Mr. Craig was president of the
Civic Club, Orange County Par
ent-Teachers Asssociation, the
Orange County Ushers Associa
tion and was an ardent supporter
of several other local organ
izations.
In addition to a large number
of local people, his funeral was
attended by representatives of
the North Carolina Ushers As
sociation from Raleigh, Fayette
ville, .Wendell, Greensboro, Dur
ham and Oxford.
Interment was in the Chapel
Hill Cemetery.
Funeral For F. L.
McCoy Held Here
| mmam ■ ■
Funeral services for Frank L.
McCoy, 76, chairman of the
boai'd of directors of the local
Mutual Building and Loan Asso
ciation were held here at White
Rock Baptist Church at four
o’clock Tuesday afternoon.
Dr. Miles Mark Fisher, pastor
of the White Rock Church, of
ficiated at last rites. He was as
sisted by Dr. E. T. Browne, pas
tor of the Mount Vernon Baptist
Church.
Mr. McCoy died at his home
311 Umstead Street around ten
o’clock Friday night after a
lengthly illness.
He had lived in Durham since
1920. Before coming here he was
a supervisor of the Southern Aid
Society in Richmond, Va. Short
ly after arriving in Durham, he
became associated with the
North Carolina Mutual Life In
surance Company and the Bank
ers’ Fire Insurance Company.
(Please turn to Page Eight)
W.-Salem Man
Appointed To N.
C. Parole Board
Raleigh — Reverend Kenneth
R. Williams was appointed to the
State Advisory Board of Parloes
by Governor Kerr Scott on
Wednesday.
Rev. Williams succeeds Mrs.
Walter G. Craven of Charlotte,
whose term expired. He will
serve the three-year term which
expires January 12, 1954. In ad
dition, he is a member of the
Winston-Salem Board of Alder
(Please turn to Page Eight)
Coming Home
Major Mary L. Mills, native of
Durham, who for the past several
years has served with the United
States Public Health Service in
Liberia, West Africa. Major Mills
has been relieved of her duties
there to return to the United
States.
Durham Lawyers
Employed To
Assist In Case
By CALVIN JOHNSON
Burlington — You have got to
come here and see and hear for
yourself before you will believe
that a thriving and growing city
this size would attempt through
its law enforcement agencies and
its local newspaper to prevent
a rank and rabid rapist, who
committed his crime at the point
of a gun, from being brought to
justice.
You guessed it right, the man
is white and the victim is a Ne
gro woman.
Mass Meeting Sunday
Aroused as never before, be
cause of refusal of the local
white press to print even a word
| about the crime and because of
I the lack of cooperation on the
. part of local police authorities,
Negro citizens will hold a
mammoth mass meeting here
Sunday afternoon, May 20 at
four o’clock, under the auspices
of the Citizen’s Committee at the
Jordan Sellars School. The Com
mittee is attempting to raise
funds to assist in the prosecution
of the case.
The story is one of those sordid
and revolting things that some
times occurs in the South where
white supremacy reigns in all its
terror and tyranny.
I The rapist, Eugene Reed, a
; textile worker, married and the
! father of two small children, one
| two years and the other 10
! months. The victim, Miss Mil
dred Wagstaff, a highly respect
ed young woman and a sopho
more at Shaw University.
According to the facts, as
gathhered by representatives of
the CAROLINA TIMES, Miss
j Wagstaff, who was home from
j school for the Easter holidays,
was baby sitting in the home of
the Reeds in the place of her sis
ter. Mrs. Mamie Day, on (he
night of March 27 when she was
alleged to have been wantonly
raped by Reed at the point of a
gun.
As the story was unfolded it
was disclosed that Reed who
works at night, left his home,
located about one mile and a
half from the city, early in the
afternoon but did not return be
fore he was supposed to go to
work on the same night shift
with his wife at a local textile
plant.
Mrs. Reed left for work some
time prior to 10:30 P. M., leav
ing Miss Wagstaff in the home
alone with the children.
According to Miss Wagstaff,
she retired to the back room of
the four room dwelling shortly
after Mrs. Reed left where the
children were sleeping and went
to bed. About eleven o’clock or
sometimes thereafter, while she
was sleeping with her face to the
wall, someone nudged her In
the back. When she awakened
and turned over she discovered
Reed sitting on the bed attired
only in his underwear.
Raped At Point Of Gun
Miss Wagstaff stated when the
man made improper advances to
her, offering her $5.00, she told
him he had better get out of the
room and leave her alone. When
he insisted she said she stood up
in the floor and Reed grabbed
her arm and threw a pistol on
her and stated “oh yes you are."
He then put the gun in her chest
and backed her at gun point in
to his own bed room up against
a hollywood bed. He then push
ed her across the bed and accom
plished his aim while still hold
ing the gun on her.
Reported To Sister And Mother
Miss Wagstaff stated that ’
when she was able to get loose
from the man she grabbed her
clothes and escaped out the back
door and went to the home of her
sister and reported the act to her
and then to the home of her
mother where she again told
what had happened.
When attempts were made to
get a warrant for the man, local
police authorities flatly refused.
It was' only after being turned
down by several Justices of the
Peace that the mother of the
young woman was finally able to
get a warrant issued by Magis
trate R. E. Harden.
Bond Only $3,000
When Reed was finally ar
rested on a charge of rape, he
was placed under a bond of only
$750. After the hearing before
(Please turn to Page Eight)
Welcome Home Lieutenant E. C. Wynn!!