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The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 14

The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 14

Location:
Decatur, Illinois
Issue Date:
Page:
14
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

THE DECATUR REVIEW Friday, December 3, 1937t PAGE FOURTEEN SON OF SLAVE FORMER JUDGE Clinton Farmer Will I Reach 87 Years Today By Staff Correspondent CLINTON Pratt Nelson, living southeast of Clinton, will observe his 87th birthday anniversary Saturday. Despite his age, Mr. Nelson con Mattoon Negro Former Trial Judge in South Documents of Reconstruction Days Attest Claims of Styles Hutchins By Staff Correspondent MATTOON Slightly grayed at tinues active and is in good health. A Boost for Farmers Who Raise Your Vitamin Foods vrr auiw Until recently, when his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.

Charles E. Balsley. came to reside with him. Mr. Nelson was actively engaged in farming.

Since then Mr. Balsley has had charge of the farm, which has been in the family 74 years. 70. died at 9 p. m.

Thursday in her home near Weldon. PEAS 225e the temples but otherwise giving! no outward sign of the age of 85 to which he lays claim. Styles! Hutchinj. Mattoon Negro barber, is' a man who lives in the past. To the customers who come toi VITAMIN Quaker Oats ft.

17c She leaves two daughters, Mrs. E. T. Gray, Weldon. and Mrs.

William Olson, Argenta. Her husband is dead. Funeral arrangements 8M. PKG. VITAMIN 3i25c VITAMIN his little shop in 1200 Richmond avenue he is just a good barber and they have no reason to suppose that he has ever been anything else.

Carefully preserved in a cupboard in his shop, however, is a mack of impressive documenis. faded and stiff with age. which attest that in former days Hutchins was engaged in work not even remotely related to his present occupationand that, moreover, he was a person of distinction in his earlier field. Was Attorney at Peoria. tk ONLY MILK (Irradiated) 3 23 "document bearing his name, admitting him to practise before the South Carolina supreme court.

(Staff Photo) Styles Hutchins, Mattoon barber, who claims to be the first Negro lawyer admitted to the Georgia bar, surveys an ancient VITAMIN CCUUfk cbtjop Hampton's "Legion." famous South medicated with throat-soothing ingredients land county. South Carolina, andJ garah Coffman For Hutchins for many years was Carolina fighting unit received a document from Gov. of Vicks VapoRub. Dies Near Weldon By Staff Correspondent WELDON Mrs. Coffman.

To South Carolina Bar His service later was rewarded when Hampton served as governor. Hutchins said he was admitted to a practising attorney and jurist: he was admitted to the bar in several states, and in 1906 was admitted to federal law practise by the supreme court of the United States. -Drink Plenty of Ward Off Cold! Wade Hampton, appointing him trial justice. At that time "reconstruction" still was in progress. Hutchins said he judged many cases of white persons, though the bit LIBBY'S DOLE the South Carolina bar the year Living in Illinois for the last 31 he was graduated, and later was LIBBY'S TOMATO JUICE 4 25c ORANGE JUICE 2 25c Pineapple Juice 2 Tl 25c years.

Hutchins last practised in Peoria. He retired from law 17 years ago. he said, because the work was too strenuous fur one of his advancing years. As he put it. other lawyers with whom he had to compete were "getting too slippery." Father a Former Slave.

It was the "reconstruction" period ft the South, following the Civil war. which gave Hutchins his first important position in law. but behind that was a family background unusual for the times. Hutchins said he was born Nov 1. in Laxvrenceville.

a son pf one Dougherty Hutchins. a former slave. The father, according to Hutchins. bought his own free- admitted to the Georgia bar. He claims the distinction of being the first Negro admitted to the bar of Georgia.

As he grew older, he achieved distinction in his profession. His hand steady as he carefully unfolds yellowed documents, his eyes sparkling with the memory of honors achieved, Hutchins will show you papers that offer proof of his legal career. Given Secret Tutoring The first attests his admission to the South Carolina bar in 1868. the year of his graduation from the state university. His admission to the school, he related, followed five years' secret tutoring from a white man secret because at the time it BUY SAVE NOW svSJnMONEY terness against Negroes and Northern "carpetbaggers" made it dangerous to do so.

While the South raged with raids by Ku Klux Klan night riders and Vigilantes. Hutchins escaped attack, he says, because he was "a fair and square judge." Federal Court Lawyer A final document, issued by the supreme court of the United States in 1906 and signed by James Mc-Kenney, clerk, gives Hutchins authority to practise in federal courts. Prior to that date. Hutchins had taken up residence in Tennessee, and he claims to have been a member of the Tennessee Igisla-tur during the session of 1888-1890. He married Maddie Smith in Chattanooga.

in 1895. They have two children: Styles. now 44. a Mattoon sign painter, and Viola. 50, who lives in Julietta.

Ind. gA SALMOW 2 27c sOTY PE ACMES 1SC HALVED PEACH STOCK UP WEEK DECEMBER 3-M dom from slavery when 21 years, was unlawful for Negroes in the old. about four years after Styles South to be tutored hv whites. was brn. and about six years be Following his graduation he practised law in Richland county.

SPRY l-LB. TIN 17e 47C fore the Civil war. Learned Trade from Father. South Carolina, and displays a for While he still was a boy. Styles midable document from the su-was taught the barber's trade byjpreme court of South Carolina, his father, and he has kept in prac- dated Dec.

7. 1876, and signed by LOOSE-WILKS KRISPY CRACKERS 9c tise throughout his life. He is Albert M. Boosee. clerk, and Frank-thankful for that, because it has' tin J.

Moses, chief justice, granting given him something on which to, him authority to plead cases in the rely for an income in his declining South Carolina supreme court. Holiday Candies! QTJICK T0KDAM Blfftid l' enp sifted confection 4X sugar frdully with cup EirU 'Brand Sweentcned Cot.dnd Milk. Add i tempoon vanilla and mix until imooth and creamy. Ou btwea salved not meats, at atufllnr far date; or form into Valla and roll la chopped nuta or ahrddd coconut flavor with peppermint winterfwn. tint with TocetafeU eolorinc and form inta yatties.

Eagle Brand Magic Milk i qr (SWEETENED CONDENSED) I SM. PKG. 10c LUX FLAKES 23c RINSO MED. PKG. lc; LGE.

PKG. He 25 French-Fold CHRISTMAS CARDS With Envelope! Name Printed 75c 50 Cards and Envelopes $1 Large Stock of Christmas Cards, 6 for 5c and up Sheaffer Fountain Pens Name Engraved FREE H1nl 429 KlSSS Water Street LUX AND enter of Controversy Another document, issued in 1878 by the Georgia supreme Court, grants him authority to practise in that state. Going to Atlanta he became the object of a statewide controversy, in which he was bitterly assailed by several newspapers. After a fight of nearly a year, he won admission to the years. "I abhor the idea of indigent relief." Hutchins said, "and I am thankful that I still can be self-supporting Entering the University of South Carolina the year the Civil war ended.

Hutchins four years later was graduated with a law degree. During the latter part of the war. LIFEBUOY SOAP 4 25c SCOT TISSUE 3 23 though still but a boy. Hutchins Georgia bar. aid he served with General Wade! Then in 1887 he returned to Rich- "ABSORBENT SOFT FOR HEALTH sir iGiTirfrfs SCOT TOWELS Roll I0e WALDORF TOILET TISSUE 6 Roll 25c JOHNSON'S 59 PINT TIN.

GLO-COAT JOHNSON'S WAX I Lb. Tin 59c A Gift Sensation! a SLIPPER "buy" without parallel in Decatur 3L9( SWIFT'S SELECT POUND CHUCK ROAST FINEST QUALITY TENDER AND DEUCIOUS FISH HADDOCK PERCH POUND 16c n95 Meat is rich in protein and inm essential elements that develop energy that living cells of the body require for growth and repair that helps build good, rich blood. AGAR CELLO WRAPPED BACON SQUARES 20c I A backward season compels us sacrifice these fine Suits and YJfHI Overcoats. Carefully selected 100 Tf sty'es' materials, patterns. I Aturfie No Extra OTHERS $25 Charge for jt AND $30 Credit FRESH OYSTERS Solid Park FRESH.

MEATY NECK BONES 8c a POIND PINT TIN 25c YOIXG AND TENDER PORK LIVER roi-xD 10c Seldom, if ever, Sold below 19c PORK ROAST POUND SMALL LEAN BOSTON Bl'TTS "V-x v. Vitamins and as well as iron, lime and phosphorus are found in fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Their bulk makes them of value in preventing constipation and makes them a necessity in a well-balanced diet. TEXAS THIN SKJN- JUICY, SWEET Men's! Women's! MADE OF FINE, SOFT KIDSKIN For Men: DOZEN LARGE 200 21 SIZE SL For Women: JVI H.ird Street Leather Snlest Leather Lined! Neatly Piped to HM Shape! Nnilcs Rubber Heels! Sires to 12; Half-Sizes! Hard Leather Sole! Sateen Lined! a 1 Heel! Sie 4 to 9 and Half Sues! Black Red! Blur! BANANAS a POUND 5c CAULIFLOWER head 10c Black! Brown! Blue! RED RIVER OHIO Other Gift Slippers for Men and Women, to $5.50 yalues that speak for them- selves. Marvelous selection.

I 1 "CHARGE IT" I I i OTHERS $18.98 $24,981 I POTATOES 15-LB. PECKS BAG $1.35 MaflhGPi "Shoes that Satisfy 129 E.MAIIN ST.o.c.a. id 11 it i2Jl North Water SL 11.

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About The Decatur Daily Review Archive

Pages Available:
441,956
Years Available:
1878-1980