Race and Place Newspapers

The Reflector

Newspaper Information
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Date of Publication: January 27, 1934 (Wednesday)
Frequency: weekly
Article Transcripts

Page 01

Column 02,03
In the Land of the Blind

Transcript of Article

There is a story told, by a fantastic writer of fiction, about a weird land of strange people. Now the general conditions of that land, do not differ from those of any other small island. The trees bud in springtime and b lossom forth in the summer. Snow covers the ground in the winter and there are flowers and fruits in due season. Yet, it is a weird place, for all of that.

There are many people on this little island, as the story goes, and many children too-but every single one of them is completely BLIND. The ruler of this miserable little kingdom has only one eye, one leg and one arm-but, he rules. His reign has been a successful one because he has nothing to do, and he does that in a kingly fashion. They couldn't use a playground in that strange place. They wouldn't need a public library because none of them can read. They never give public choice a thought because the one-eyed, one armed, one legged ruler is satisfactory to a kingdom of BLIND SUBJECTS, and the ruler is satisfied also.

In a city like Charlottesville, things should be somewhat different from the way which they are in the Land of the Blind. Over three thousand Negroes live here, together with over twelve thousand interested whites, who stand ready to cooperate in any movement for civic betterment. Our youngsters are in need of a playground. We are in need of a public library. Our taxpayers should be using the ballot.

Are these things being attended to? No. Unfortunately, there is a striking similarity between conditions here and those in the Land of the Blind. Our people are blind to the need for civic betterment. Our so-called lead ers have the one eye of PUBLIC SHOW which becomes as closed when all novelty of a fresh movement dies. The Land of the Blind is a weird place, full of strange people who are blind and ruled by a king who is minus one eye, one arm and one leg.

Our little city is an unusual place, where people look on, unseeingly while disinterested "leaders", speech-anxious, fight sin, fumble five years with Washington Park and scream the evils of segregation.

Summary of Article
An allegorical story about a land where all the people are blind and thereby unable to conduct their affairs to their advantage.

Page 02

Column 03
The Best You Could

Transcript of Article

When the lowering clouds of trouble Make life's path seem dull and gray; And you behold no silver lining In their wake, to light your way; When you've strained your heart and body, And even then you've not made good, It is well to look within you And say, "I've done the best I could."

It is hard to know you've striven, And people smile at you and say, "He is but a drifting failure, No good has ever come his way"; Yet you know that you have struggled, And life to them is "as they" would Wish to have it, easy coming, Tho you've done the best you could.

But the Soul that dwells within you, The Soul no mortal eye can see; Is ever proud to know you've tried it In spite of all necessity. So let the world smile, never sadden; There's no reason why you should, With head held high and eyes straight forward, You have done the best you could.

Mrs. Beatrice Seay.

Summary of Article
Asserts the uplifting sentiment that "when you've strained your heart and body, and even then you've not made good, it is well to look within you and say, 'I've done the best I could.'"

Column 01
Do You Know This Pne

Transcript of Article


1. What is meant by "dual personality"?
2. What American Statesman is author of: "For want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; For want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; And for the want of a Horse the Rider was lost".
3. What is meant by E pluribus unum, and of what is it the motto?
4. Name six wars in which U. S. has had part?
5. What is a Calory?
6. What letter occurs most frequently in the English language?
7. Which sentence is grammatically correct in referring to the condition of one's health, "I feel bad, or I feel badly".
8. What are the four chief forms of English Composition?
9. What well-known French Novelist of the nineteenth century was a Negro?
10. What art is supposed to be the first developed?

Answers
1. The manifestations of two different personalities or characters in the same individual.
2. Benjamin Franklin-Poor Richard Almanac
3. "One out of many", and it is the motto of the United States.
4. The American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the World War.
5. In Physics, a unit of heat, in food, it is the heat valuation unit of nutritive power.
6. The little e.
7. I feel bad. (I feel badly means your sense of touch is impaired.
8. Narration, description, exposition, and argumentation.
9. Alexander Dumas.
10. Dancing.

Summary of Article
A quiz that tests the knowledge of Charlottesvillians on political, social, and historical trivia.

Answeres Appear on Page 04 column 03

Page 03

Column 01-03
Society Notes of Charlottesvillians

Transcript of Article

The funeral of Mrs. Kitty Rea, of Fourth St., was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church last Monday afternoon.

Mrs. Ione Seay Edgar was hostess to "The Smarter Set", at her residence on Sixth St., last Thursday night. After the usual routine of business, those present were served. The first half hour, prior to the beginning of the regular meeting, was devoted to instruction in the technicalities of Contract Bridge, with Mesdames Edgar and Carter acting as teacher. After this, those present played auction bridge. Mrs. Izetta Williams won the first prize and Mrs. Glennie Murray, the second. Mrs. Bentley was guest to the club.

Mrs. Janie Greene died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Viola Porter, on Gasport Hill road.

Mr. and Mrs. William Actie, Miss Sarah Actie, Mr. Wilson Arnette and Mr. Ivan Brown spent the last week end in Washington, D. C.

Mr. Effort Harris, who is an employee of the C. & O. Railway Co. in Ansted, W. Va., is in this city visiting his wife, Mrs. Ola Harris, and relatives on Tenth St.

Mrs. J. F. Bell entertained the "Contract Bridge Club" at her residence on Sixth St. After a brief business meeting, the members and guest played cards. Dr. J. A. Jackson won the club prize for men and Mrs. J. J. Brooks won the club prize for ladies. Mr. J. M. Edgar received the guest prize. At the conclusion of the card game, the hostess served a very palatable supper.

Miss Christine Newman celebrated her eighteenth birthday at the residence of her uncle, Mr. Willie Newman, on Ridge St., Wednesday of last week. Many of her friends and acquaintances were present to help celebrate this fete. The evening was spent in dancing, revelry and feasting. Those present were: Misses Evelyn and Helen Lightfoot, Mary Harris, Jean Preston, Virginia Reed, Emma Brown, Inez Jackson, Edna Newman, Eva Ahart, Eva and Cora Powell, Sadie Meade, Mary Angell, Lottie Terry, Antis Quarles, Constance Kelly, Bertice Carey, Mabel Sampson, Eloise Taylor, Louise Yancey, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mayo, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bowles, Messrs. Earl Sampson, William Carrington, Charles Fagans, Leonard Barbour, Lawrence Perkins, James Woodfolk, Holbert Wicks, Lorenzo Price, Roy Lee, Richard Fields, Arthur Wars, Thomas Martin, George Harris, John Lockett, Isaac Kennedy, Alfred Bynum, Robert Kennedy, Harry Reid, and Herbert Preston. The hostess received many lovely gifts from her friends.

Mrs. Mildred Jones is indisposed at her residence on Grove St., extended.

Mr. Louis Reaves of Ridge St., spent Sunday in Clifton Forge, Va.

Miss Nettie Kennedy, who is instructor in the public schools of Wildwood, Va., was dinner guest Saturday of Miss Geneva P. Knox.

Mrs. Sadie Pennington and Mrs. Florine Anderson were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Wicks, last Sunday evening.

Miss Annie Hughes gave a farewell party last Friday night at her residence on Eighth St. She, accompanied by her sister, Percolia Hughes, left Saturday for Connecticut to join their mother, Mrs. Norma Cooper.

Mr. Isaac Powell, brother of Misses Eva and Cora Powell, visited them last Sunday at their residence on Fifth St. His home is in Faber, Va.

Mrs. Adelaide Burruss, of Staunton, Va., was the houseguest of Reverand and Mrs. E. D. McCreary of Anderson St., last week. While here she visited other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Matilda Watson is quite ill at her residence on 6 1/2 St., S. W.

Mrs. Bessie Cosby and her daughter, Miss Beulah, of Eleventh St., entertained at a buffet supper in honor of Dr. E. W. Stratton, Jr., Sunday evening. The following were present: Mesdames Nannie Luck, Beatrice Fowlkes, Mary Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Newton Howard, Mr. and Mrs. George Goodloe, Mr. Denwood Reeves of Baltimore, Mr. William Lewis of Culpepper, Mr. William Jackson and Mr. Frank Keys.

Mrs. Virginia Monroe, of Page St., is indisposed at her home.

Mrs. Margaret Houston, who has been ill at her residence on Preston Ave., is able to be out again.

"The Elite Social Club" met at the residence of Mrs. W. F. Monroe, Tuesday night of last week and elected officers for the coming year. Those chosen to lead the club for the 1934 season are as follows: Miss Rebecca Carter, President; Mrs. Beatrice Jones, Vice-president; Mrs. Annie Spears, Secretary; Mrs. Virginia Monroe, Treasurer; Mrs. Dorothy Coward, Journalist. After the business meeting the hostess served the guests.

Mrs. Amanda Barbour Butler of Philadelphia was the recent guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barbour, of Ridge St.

Miss Frances Ross and Miss Rosella Perry were the guests of Miss Louise Whitlock last Sunday.

Miss Eva Johnson entertained the "We Moderns" at the residence of Mrs. C. E. Coles on West Main St., Monday evening, Jan. 16th. The evening was a most enjoyable one, spent in card playing, dancing, and partaking of the delightful course served by the hostess. Members present were: Mr. and Mrs. Addison Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. James Martin, Messrs. Franklin Brown, Roy Lee and Robert Mosby. The hostess also entertained as guests, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Woolfolk, Misses Edwina Sellers, Louise Wyatt and Inez Jackson.

Mrs. Lula Bowles Carter died at her home in Bowling Green, Va., Friday, January,12. Those from this vicinity attending her funeral were her sisters, Mrs. Robert Whitlock, and Mrs. Lloyd Howard; her brother, Mr. Major Bowles of Ivy, Va., Messrs. Linwood, Kenneth and John Bowles, also of Ivy; and Mrs. Mary Bowles and Mr. Lloyd Howard of this city.

Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Conn announce the birth of a daughter, Marion Nannette, born January 7th.

Summary of Article
Various local announcements detailing the activities of Charlottesvillians, such as starting bridge clubs, planning musical events, and holding birthday parties.

Column 03
Lost! Lost! Lost!

Transcript of Article

Somewhere on life's highway an opportunity

I stopped and pondered, but all too late; For Fate, alas, had closed her iron gate.

(Mrs.) R. J. Hailstalk.

Summary of Article
A brief poem about lost opportunity.

Page 04

Column 01
Jefferson School Notes

Transcript of Article

The principal, faculty and student body of the Jefferson High School observed "Music Appreciation Week" all of last week. During the week Mrs. Hattie K. Henderson and Miss Rosemary M. Jones were in charge of activities. On Monday Miss Jones gave a few brief introductory remarks, explaining their plan of procedure for the ensuing days.

On Wednesday, Mrs. Henderson made a very interesting speech on "Why We Should Appreciate Music". Then the High School Chorus sang "Trees", from the poem by Joyce Kilmer.

On Friday, Miss R.M. Jones closed this week of activities with an inspiring address including the different types of music and the various ways of showing appreciation for such. After this, the High School Chorus sang.

On Monday of this week, Mrs. Alberta H. Loving and Mrs. E.B. Sellers were in charge. This was set aside "Literature Appreciation Week". On Monday, Mrs. Loving made the introductory speech on "Why Students Should Appreciate Good Literature". She closed her address with an appeal to the studetns to develop a taste for good, clean, standard literature. Miss Dorothy Randolph gave a recitation entitled "Names and Faces", by Edgar A. Guest. Miss Bettie Actie sang a solo and Mr. James Gault made a speech on "Literature Appreciation as a Social and Moral Necessity". Mr. Edward McCreary, Jr., led the groups in prayer and the student-body sang "In My Heart There Rings a Melody".

On Wednesday, the American Literature Class supplied the program. Miss Love Jackson recited and the Junior Class sang a group of "Southern Melodies". Miss Helen Sellers read a paper on "The Appreciation of American Literature".

On Friday, Mrs. E.B. Sellers closed this week's program with a brief discussion of the topic, "Literature---What of It"? Instrumental solo, Miss Elizabeth Harris.

The examinations begin Saturday morning at nine o'clock. The English and Mathematics classes will take theirs on this day. On Monday, History, French, and Science classes take theirs.

Summary of Article
Current news of activities at Jefferson School, including noted guest speakers, the dates of scheduled exams, and updates on appreciation month activities.

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