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day, June 8,1940MENTION THESoldierComesHomeB Y CARLCRA WFORDHo wore the medaled khaki uniform of a Fergeant and carried an army hag. His rifle was strapped across his shoulder. He grinnedmost of the time showing decayedteeth und targe red gums. He was otic of the many American sol dfers returning from the far acrossthe sea. IIS;^; ' 1Like all the others, he had fought in defense of his country — a country where all men were nowproved equal and all spent their life-hi cod for the same cause. Hehad crawled with his white brothers into craters lit by bursting shells, to take pot-shots at the Huns with Short Lee Enfields'. He had carried his white fellow countrymen from the field of battle onhis broad back, to the safety of field hospitals. They had all foughttogether, died together, ate together, and successfully defendeddemocracy together. Now he was come iMMf*.Back home to America, to Jacksonville. Mississippi. Several white soldiers who had shared his canteen, and bade his judgment on the field of battle were segregated from him now. He sat in an isolated dirty ha!f-car of the train with other faces colored the same as his own. The Red Cap had seated him. And he had paid no attention. The thoughts of his homeand his beloved family awaitinghim blotted everything else. War had been he—. Rut he was homenow. ffKv - **'He got off the train in Jacksonville and boarded the street car.sitting on a vacant seat at the extreme front. After a few blocks'passed via the flying wheels, a whtfe woman, middle-aged, andhomely, came aboard the car andchose his seat; whereupon theconductor immediately demanded that the soldier move to the rear of the ear. He refused.“I won’t he Jim-crowed.” he retorted hotly. “If T am good enough to fight for this country, I'm good enough to livejln It!”“The wear’s over now. George.You’re Just another n— out ofplace in the uniform of an. American soldier! Go on hack to therear of the car. where you knowyou belong! Why. you’ve nothing to complain about. You’re free, and you know what you’ve come hackto—-*• /:,T'■*!“Ah. free eh? Where? Wherebullet on an European opponent,because we have no logical reason for doing it. But since it is done.merely and solely for the likes ofyou and not the likes of me, Iinost certainly don’t mind blowing your d— brains out, for you have given me more reason to do itthan any soldier in Europe!”The soldier adjusted his rifle to his shoulder. The womna ran screaming from the car in thecommotion. The conductor hackedaway from the soldier pathetically, pleading for his life. The soldier laughed at him, and told himto go on. A*s the Sergeant lowered his gun. the car got underway again.A car swung around in front of the street car. and four officerswith the woman who caused thecommotion, canie aboard. Two of the officers sat just in front ofthe soldier, and two just behindhim. The woman went to the rear of the car. When the car pushed on, the soldier was occupied with the welcome of his family.Suddenly, a blue-clad arm snaked about the Sergeant’s neck and he was immediately assailed by all tne blue-clad officers. They took his gun away and then punchedhim until he dropped to the floor.They kicked him in the face and it hurt like h—. He pleaded.“Men why are you doing this to me? I am a soldier, who has come home after winning the war. Why do you treat me like this? All that T ask Is the right to live with whatT fought for!” •“Shut up, you d—• n—!” And they dragged his struggling figurefrom the car amidst the tauntinglaughter of the gathering crowd. Other officers appeared to assist. A rope was thrown over a lamppost and tested. Then the knotwas made. The mob laughed atthe black Sergeant, standing quietly with his hands cuffed behindhis back.He voiced a prayer now as the rope was roughly forced about his neck. The blood from his bleeding face dripped over the tough hemp of his clothing.‘‘Men, please,” his voice appealed piously, “I traveled three thousand miles to win a war. Have Ireturned home to find death, when I expected life anew?”They just laughed at him, and forced him to stand atop a tra^hea!L The rope was drawn taut andthe can was kicked from beneath th# feet that vainly sought support for the hanging body.There he hung long after everyone had departed, in his khakiuniform. An American soldier hewas. a Sergeant deqorated with medals of honor and valor; a symbol of patriotism and loyalty andAmericanism.I Yes. there — hanging by his nock from a street l very quiet in the evening breeze; painted hv the last red of the Mississip-wpi evening sun.The Black Soldier had comehome. (SKsv?, . . * . ; 1Washington, Ind.!Lcali M .SimmonsThe Happy Hour chorus met with Mrs. John HeJernett’s Sunday for a rehearsal. Officers were elected and committees appointed. The next meeting will he June ♦ at the fte.Ternett home.Mrs. Margery Scott. Chicago, willhe the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Isom this week-end. * Rev. andMrs. Frank Estel attended the fellowship meeting in Terre Haute Sunday. * The Pastor and Sunday school Fuperitendent of the Baptist church entertained classeswith a party Friday.Mrs. Frank Estel entertained theXo-Ohi-Me-T’r-Culos club Thursday night. Abeautiful two-rourse tun-( heon was served. The next nieei-Gardner Johnson were In Marion Saturday. V *Mr. and Mrs. Ferrel Granger of Wheatland and Miss Audio Hightower enjoyed the excursion to Cincinnati. Sunday.James Bledsoe of Indianapolis Is spending the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Herb Bledsoe.Bernard Johnson spent a few days in Indianapolis Ibis week.Glenn Graham of Terre Ilaute spent Sunday afternoon with MissLea hi Simmons. ‘ “ \Mrs. Susie James, Los Angeles,Culifornia is the guest of Mrs. Lydia Hawkins.Mrs. Mi ley Hawkins. Parker and grandson Charley Lankford, Elkhart. are visiting Mr. and Mrs.Charley Harmon.Quite a few from out-of-town
Newspaper Details
Indianapolis Recorder
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Sat, Jun 08, 1940
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CO, USA 27 Dec 2019
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