BLACK HISTORY NEWS & NOTES

FEBRUARY 2004 NUMBER 95

Society Library While in prison, Knight began to including: A Comprehensive Survey write poetry and submit his writings of Black Writers of America, The Has Poet’s Papers to publishing houses. He has been Norton Anthology ofModern Poetry, For the past few years, the quoted as saying, “prison is my New Black Voices, New Canadian- Indiana Historical Society has been major metaphor.” He further said: American Poetry, and Black World. the home of the Etheridge Knight “In prison your superficialities are Etheridge Knight often expressed Festival of the Arts. Those interested stripped away. You act and think as the importance of speaking and in the poet and the festival that you naturally are. It does nothing to performing poetry. He said, “Poets honors his life and work should be help people or rehabilitate them.” are sayers, singers, and chanters.” aware that the Society’s library has Following numerous rejections from He referred to his writing as the Etheridge Knight Papers, publishers, Knight received his first “poeting.” Themes in his poetry M0798. The collection was donated acceptance letter from Negro Digest included family relationships, by Knight’s sister, Eunice Knight- editor Hoyt Fuller. Appearing in the prisons, life and death, love and Bowens. There are also significant July 1965 issue of the journal, his connection, addiction, and Etheridge Knight collections at first published piece was a reflection incarceration. Butler University and the University on a major rhythm and blues singer. He served as poet or writer-in­ of Toledo. Titled “To Dinah Washington.” the residence at several college poem was written soon after Knight campuses including University of BIOGRAPHICAL learned of Washington’s death. Pittsburgh, University of Hartford, Knight’s talent also came to the and Lincoln University (Missouri). SKETCH attention of poet Gwendolyn Brooks He also worked with the Butler Etheridge Knight Jr. (son of during his confinement at the University Writers Studio. Etheridge Sr. and Belzora Cozart Indiana State Prison. Knight gave many poetry Knight) was born in Corinth, After his release from prison, readings throughout his life. He Mississippi, on 19 April 1931. Knight married fellow poet Sonia Growing up in Corinth and Paducah, Sanchez. They divorced, and in Kentucky, he attended local schools 1970 he married Mary McAnally. and dropped out after the eighth Knight was father to her two grade. He joined the United States adopted children, Mary TanDiwe Army in 1947 and saw action during McAnally and Etheridge Bambata the Korean Conflict. He was McNally Knight. He also had one seriously wounded while in Korea son, Isaac “Bushie” Blackburn and became addicted to drugs and Knight, with his third wife, Charlene alcohol. After Knight’s discharge Blackburn. from the service, he turned to crime Knight authored five books of in support of his habit, and in 1960 poetry: Poems from Prison he was arrested for armed robbery. (Broadside Press, 1968); Black He was incarcerated at the Indiana Voices from Prison (Pathfinder State Prison from 1960 to 1968. In Press, 1970); Belly Song & Other commenting on his transformation Poems (Broadside Press, 1973); from soldier to convict to poet, Born o f a Woman (Houghton Knight penned: “I died in Korea Mifflin, 1981); and The Essential from a shrapnel wound, and Etheridge Knight (University of narcotics resurrected me. I died in Pittsburgh Press, 1986). He has also 1960 from a prison sentence, and been published in a wide range of poetry brought me back to life.” periodicals and anthologies, Etheridge Knight

BHNN_2004-02_NO95 began his reading career in 1969, Michigan Council for the family as a tribute to her brother. A when shortly after his release from Humanities. The following month, youth poetry component was added prison, poet David Hall invited he collaborated with painter and in 1994. The festival is an annual Knight to the University of sculptor, Stephen Stoller, and celebration bringing together local Michigan. After the publication of produced “Fame and Freedom.” The and national individuals who The Essential Etheridge Knight for program was billed as “an event of perform for the community and which he won a 1987 American the heart: The celebration of the life serve as mentors to help develop Book Award, he began a fifteen-city and body of work of two major emerging artists. tour to promote his book. He did American artists living in poetry readings and/or led Free Indianapolis.” Essentially an art SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE People’s Poetry Workshops that exhibition and poetry reading, the The Etheridge Knight Papers are were open to anyone in several U.S. Indianapolis event included music contained in four manuscript boxes, cities. and dance. A booklet, “Freedom and fifteen oversize folders, two The recipient of numerous Fame,” was produced in conjunction audiocassettes, four videotapes, and awards, Etheridge Knight was the with the event. twenty-three folders of photographs, winner of the Shelley Award from On 19 January 1991, numerous arranged by subject heading, the Poetry Society of America. local and nationally known poets pertaining to Etheridge Knight. During the 1970s and 1980s, he gathered in Indianapolis to pay While Knight was incarcerated at received fellowships from the tribute to an ailing Knight who was the Indiana State Prison during the National Endowment for the Arts suffering from cancer. Over seven 1960s, his mother sent him a (1972 and 1980) and the hundred people attended the typewriter that is contained in the Guggenheim Foundation (1974). program at the American Cabaret collection. The collection also In November 1988, Etheridge Theatre and heard poetry readings includes some of his unpublished Knight was injured by a hit-and-run from Robert Bly, Samuel Allen, writings as well as several books- motorist in Philadelphia. He Christopher Gilbert, Galway three authored by him and several suffered a broken w rist and a Kinnell, Haki Madhubuti, Dudley inscribed to him. hideous leg gash. A group of poets Randall, Elizabeth McKim, Mari Knight graduated from Martin came together and gave a benefit. Evans, and Jared Carter. Etheridge University where he was Returning to Indianapolis, he spent Knight died in Indianapolis on 10 commissioned its first poet laureate. time in the VA Hospital. March 1991. He is buried in Crown A copy of his commission is in the In August 1990, Etheridge Knight Hill Cemetery. collection. He participated in several was a featured writer at the The Etheridge Knight Festival of poetry readings, collaborations, and Michigan Festival sponsored by the Arts was started in 1992 by Michigan State University and the Eunice Knight-Bowens and her (Continued on page 8)

Black History News and Notes is a quarterly publication of the Indiana Historical Society Library. Intended in part to highlight the activities of the library’s Black History Program, it is issued during the months of February, May, August, and November. Essential to the Black History Program’s success is community involvement and commitment to the study of Indiana’s African American heritage. Along with Black History News and Notes, membership also includes the quarterly Indiana Magazine of History, published at Indiana University; The Bridge, the Indiana Historical Society’s bi-monthly newsletter; and many of the special publications as they are issued - all for only $35.00 a year. To become a member or for further information, write the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 (317) 232-1882. Correspondence concerning Black History News and Notes should be addressed to Wilma L. Gibbs, Editor ([email protected]).

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2 S il e n t E ra on T h e A v e n u e The Madam Walker Theatre Barton Pipe Organ and Mary Singleton, Organist Carlton B. Smith & Shawn D. Chase

The year was 1927 in the bustling for its invention was to accompany Midwest city of Indianapolis, and silent films. Paying one musician to the popular entertainment of the day accompany a film was far more was jazz. Radio was still in its economical for a theater than having infancy and the average Hoosier was multiple musicians. A pipe organ entertained mostly by live could also make a more effective performers rather than recorded musical impression in the room than music. Each of the major hotels had a single piano or even a small band. orchestras playing daily in their The first theater pipe organ dining rooms and ballrooms. appeared in 1919, becoming better Additionally, some hotels, as well as perfected around 1924. They were most Indianapolis theaters, had pipe considered an essential and organ installations. This period in prestigious part of the furnishings in history was interesting in that an early 1920s movie theater. By late musicians were able to make a 1927 when sound film was invented, steady living in the local daily theatrical use of the entertainment scene. However, the instruments quickly declined. As a film industry was about to introduce result, the organs and their Mary Singleton, 1927 sound films, or “talkies,” which musicians had short careers before would greatly affect some musicians talkies became popular. This was the and the unique instrument on which fate of the pipe organ in the Walker fact, the entire instrument was they performed. Theatre. located on the left side of the The instrument called a “Unit During 1927 a newly constructed auditorium with the console located Orchestra,” commonly referred to as factory and office building directly below the organ chamber. a theater organ, was adapted from containing a movie palace was On opening day at the Walker the basic technology of the pipe opened on Indiana Avenue. The Theatre, 26 December 1927, the organ. Whereas the pipe organ could structure was built by the Madam feature silent film was The Magic synthetically produce the sounds of C. J. Walker Manufacturing Flame staring Ronald Coleman and many instruments of an orchestra, Company, and the new Walker Velma Blanky. The Barton pipe these organs, designed for theaters, Theatre quickly became the center organ was premiered with twenty- contained specialized pipe work of entertainment for the African two-year-old Mary Singleton as the different from the average church American community. It should be featured organist. Just as the theater organ. In addition, they contained noted that the Walker Theatre was itself was unique for the time, so too actual tuned and nontuned unique for the period, being a very was Singleton as a musician. She percussions such as a xylophone, prestigious theater built solely for was a premier theater organist and a glockenspiel, and marimba; and the black community by an African celebrity in the African American orchestra trap effects such as a wood American business. community. block, bass and snare drums, The new Barton organ was As were the duties of all of the tambourine, and cymbals. These comprised of a two-manual gold theater organists during this period, musical elements normally ornamented console and six ranks of Singleton’s daily performances on comprising an orchestra were pipes with a full complement of the Walker Theatre’s “silver-toned” contained within one instrument and tuned percussion and sound effects. Barton organ were to accompany the controlled by a single musician. Built by the Bartola Musical silent films, play solo vignettes of With this vast repertoire, the theater Instrument Company in Oshkosh, popular and classical music, and to organ was perfectly capable of Wisconsin, the Walker’s organ was accompany stage acts. With near playing light classical and orchestral constructed and installed in the certainty it can be said that she was transcriptions as well as being well theater for approximately $15,000, also asked on occasion to play with suited for playing popular music of as reported in a February 1928 the stage band, Reginald DuValle dance bands. edition of the Indianapolis and his Blackbirds. Although the theater organ Recorder. The interior decor of the Singleton, the daughter of Tom possessed the capability of theater gave the appearance of two McDonald and Susie Coleman producing tremendous diversity in organ chambers with grilles located McDonald, was born in musical styles, the primary reason on either side of the proscenium. In Montgomery, Alabama, October 3 1905. She was named Helen Mary celebrity status she, as well as many early 1930s. She may have taken a McDonald. The McDonalds were a theater organists of the day, had a short vacation in 1929 as Marie very large family. Helen Mary was local following and she most Williams and Seleta Pettiford appear raised by her aunt, Annie Singleton. assuredly encountered many “stage in ads for September and October Archie and Annie Singleton moved dates of that year. How often Mary from South Carolina to Ithaca, N.Y.. continued to perform on the Barton =§ Every MATT, =§ Body Helen Mary moved to Ithaca and her = Wei­ SAT. in the early 1930s is not known. name was changed to Mary ss come AND What is known, however, is that H Ri. 4827 WALKERTHEATRE SUN. Kirkpatrick Singleton. Henry and Mary Hummons moved Archie and Annie Singleton were C, B. ERWIN, Maniftr to Buffalo, New York, in 1935 where instrumental in founding the Alpha 3 DAYS--BEGINNING Henry worked for the New York Phi Alpha fraternity at Cornell SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12-13-14 Central Railroad. In Buffalo, Mary University in 1906. Annie Singleton THE PICTURE OP ALL TIMES taught piano and organ, served as was later designated officially the "SHEPARD t£ HILLS W 1 organist at Lincoln Memorial “Mother of Alpha Phi Alpha” by the Methodist Church, and performed fraternity. locally at the Castle Restaurant. TASKIANA FOUR Mary remained in Buffalo until her With her new name and family, Formerly Featured with Ethel Water* Mary Singleton grew up in Ithaca, Broadway Success “ Afrlcana” passing in December 1954 at the age where at the age of sixteen, she Mary Singleton at the Mighty Barton of forty-nine. She is fondly graduated from high school and the Duvalle and Blackbirds- -Nuff Sed remembered as a strikingly beautiful Ithaca Conservatory of Music. At the COMING! FEB. 15-16-17-18 lady, vibrant, intelligent, and fun conservatory she studied piano JOHN GILBERT in loving with many, many friends who technique, harmony, public “ THE BIG PARADE” miss her dearly. speaking, theater orchestra, As for the Walker Theatre’s FEB. 22-23-24-25 “ BEN HURR-’ J Shakespeare, conducting, ensemble The House of High Class Entertain- 5= “silver-toned” Barton organ and playing, and other aspects of the ment-Pictures DeLuxe §§ how often it was heard through the musician’s art. Judging by Vaudeville Supreme years, no one recalls. It did remain statements made in the 1922 THE THREE CYCLONES-IN J in the theater until 1963 when it was “SIX FEET OF JAZZ” | yearbook, she was clearly respected purchased and removed to be sold by her classmates. These included, off for parts. “she has common sense in a way door Johnnies” awaiting her after a In 2002 the Central Indiana that’s uncommon,” and “Mary is a performance. Chapter of the American Theatre conscientious worker, and there is It is said by family members that Organ Society (CIC-ATOS) no question as to her future success. Mary met her beau and husband at contacted the Madame Walker We wish we could learn her secret the Walker Theatre, and perhaps he Theatre Center to negotiate the of concentration.” Within Mary’s was indeed one of her admirers. In installation of a three-manual, ten- studies it is very likely the theater any event on 8 August 1928, Mary rank Wurlitzer pipe organ. An orchestra courses included theory of Singleton married Henry L. agreement was signed with Cynthia film accompaniment. Hummons Jr., the oldest son of H. L. Helms-Gardner, director of the Following her graduation, the and Rose Hummons. The elder Walker Theatre, in July 2003, next five years took Mary from Hummons was a very popular starting a three-year project to Ithaca to several areas of the country physician, leader, and philanthropist restore and install the Wurlitzer. where she embarked upon a teaching in Indianapolis. career. She taught music at In January and early February Tennessee State College, 1929 Mary was still playing for Wilberforce University and Wiley silent films at the Walker Theatre, College, well-known African as noted by a large ad appearing in American institutions. Sometime in the Indianapolis Recorder early 1927 the Walker Theatre announcing the showing of the very management may have requested popular silent film by Cecil B. assistance from these colleges in DeMille, King of Kings. This is the identifying a qualified staff organist/ last time she would get billing in the pianist. This most likely is what Walker ads, which was not brought Mary Singleton to uncommon since most of the movie Indianapolis. palaces were beginning to show Singleton was widely popular sound films. Mention of the organist with the Walker Theatre patrons and in the public advertisements became was given billing in the Walker quite rare. It is likely that Mary was Theatre newspaper advertisements playing solo spots on the Barton through all of 1928. With her organ through 1929 and into the Mary Singleton Hummons, 1949

4 This installation will make the The contributions of many M ary’s niece. Additionally, the Walker Theatre the first Indianapolis people made this article possible, authors wish to thank Mary downtown venue having reinstalled and the authors wish to extend Rogers, historian for the Madame a pipe organ. appreciation for their help to Walker Theatre Center; Wilma The Walker Theatre’s original members of the Hummons family, Gibbs, archivist, African American two-manual Barton console was each of whom supplied details of History at the Indiana Historical discovered in mid-2003 by CIC- Mary's personal history; Ann Society; Gilbert Taylor, curator of ATOS. The console will be Hummons-Powell, the daughter of the Crispus Attucks Museum; and aesthetically restored and put on Mary Singleton-Hummons; David John Hickey, of the Ithaca College display in the museum located in the F. Hummons, Mary's nephew; and Archives. Finally, gratitude must Walker Theatre building. Rosemary Anderson-Davis, be expressed to Evelyn Merriweather, publisher of the Buffalo Criterion.

Ink Spots quartet origins in Indiana Jack Hanna

Between mid-1934 and the early Kids.” Later, other groups with Indianapolis on 11 June 1928 and 1950s, the Ink Spots were various combinations of Ink Spots states that a group of local boys international stars of radio, the and non-ink Spots members known as the “Coffee Pot Band” recording industry, and vaudeville. continued to perform out of sang, danced, joked, and played The original Ink Spots were Orville Indianapolis. unique instruments in a “way that “Hoppy” Jones, Ivory “Deek” seemed to please.” Watson, Charlie Fuqua, and Jerry The Percolating Puppies One member of the Percolating Daniels. Their NBC national radio The Percolating Puppies was a Puppies appears to have been Ivory show was broadcast over the blue “coffee-pot band” that performed on “Deek” Watson who was an original and red networks and more than four street corners where a collection was member of the Ink Spots. He was hundred Ink Spots radio listings taken up from passers-by after each born in Mounds, Illinois, and came have been found in addition to guest performance. While the quality and to Indianapolis where he attended appearances on dozens of other size of these bands varied widely, school. In his book his comments shows. the object was to imitate the popular about being a member of this group Attendance and gate receipt bands of the day. They would sing, that wore chef’s hats and aprons records were frequently set in major imitate band instruments, and play seems to fit with the picture in the theaters where the Ink Spots stringed instruments such as R ecorder. Therefore, we can performed in vaudeville and ukuleles, bass fiddles, tipples, conclude that he was a member of nightclubs. In many cases, they were banjos, and different guitars. The this group. He also claims the the first black performers to name “coffee-pot band” came from following about the group’s headline in a particular club or the fact that some band members activities2: theater. Their recordings for Decca would blow kazoos into different - performed at the Indiana Roof sold millions of copies and were sized coffee pots to simulate ballroom, often on jukebox and hit-parade different reed instruments. - broadcasted nightly over listings. They also starred in movies A picture in the Indianapolis WFBM (Indianapolis), and and television where they may have Recorder of 26 May 1928 shows the - toured Indiana and Ohio billed been the first black stars to perform seven members of this group as “The Harlem Hot Shots with when they appeared on an NBC performing. Six members are Deek Watson and his Percolating experim ental broadcast in wearing white chef’s hats and Puppies.” November 1936. jackets. They are playing strings and While the Ink Spots base of coffee pots. The other member is Jones and Campbell operations was New York, their dressed in dark clothes and appears The second group was comprised origins were much farther west in to be dancing. They must have been of Orville Jones, who later became Indiana. Beginning about 1928, one of the more successful bands an original Ink Spot, and Mifflin three separate black musical groups because the caption states that they Campbell. A short article by were formed in Indianapolis that were, “touring the state and playing Campbell, that was written in 1987 included future members of the Ink at various theatres.” One brief when he was eighty, states that they Spots. These groups were “The review of a performance by this met in a candy store in Indianapolis Percolating Puppies,” “Jones and group has been found.1 It is for an where Campbell waited tables and Campbell,” and “The Patent Leather appearance at the Walker Theatre, Jones made ice cream. They formed

5 a dance team and traveled the region Later Groups 19 June 1931 and continued until 28 doing their act in vaudeville, About 1929, Fuqua left the Patent June 1932. This group must have carnivals, and small clubs.3 Leather Kids to form an unnamed had some success because there are While Campbell says he started coffee-pot band whose other about one hundred broadcasts listed with Jones in the early 1920s, the members were Daniels, another for them. We have found nothing to only reference found to date is for future original Ink Spot, and Bernie support their vaudeville an annual Easter event and dance Mackey. Mackey was not an original appearances, which are reported to held at Tomlinson Hall on Easter Ink Spot but he did fill in later for have included a tour with the Fuqua as an Ink Spot when Fuqua Whitman Sisters Show. Monday of 1928.4 Jones and was in the army from 1943 to 1945. Campbell were reported to be the Based on an interview with Mackey, The Four Riff Brothers backbone of this show. Their dance Fuqua ran a shoeshine stand across Sometime after May 1931 and number followed an opening chorus from the Stutz Bearcat automobile before the end of 1932, Reed left the and they also closed the show, “in a factory in Indianapolis and this Three Peanut Boys. Watson, series of fast steps” with the entire group got together to sing and play according to his book, had left the cast joining them at the curtain. guitars for the factory workers8. Percolating Puppies and worked for Jones and Campbell may have the Walker Theatre as a part-time continued until 1931 when they The Three Peanut Boys singer, dancer, and stage manager formed the Three Peanut Boys (see Probably in the spring of 1931, while still attending Shortridge High below), although no later references Jones and Campbell added a third School in Indianapolis. He was to this group has been found. member, Leonard Reed, and recruited as a replacement for Reed. changed their name to The Three About the same time a fourth The Patent Leather Kids Peanut Boys. Whether they were member, Oliver “Slim” Green, was About 1928, Charlie Fuqua, a formed and performed in added, and the group’s name was Indianapolis is unknown. changed to the Four Riff Brothers. guitarist and future original Ink The only known performance of Their first known appearance was Spot, started out in Indianapolis as this group is for a half-hour radio at the Walker Theatre on 31 a member of a ten-piece band called show on 13 May 1931 over WFBE December 1932 at a “Special the Patent Leather Kids.5 The group (Cincinnati). This appears in the Midnite Ramble.” They also was formed by Syd Valentine who radio listings of Cincinnati appeared at the Walker Casino on 12 played trumpet. Other members newspapers. A note in the Pittsburgh and 13 January 1933 where they apparently included “Doc” Wheeler Courier dated Cincinnati, 23 May were listed under a “Your Favorite Moran,6 James “Slick” Helms 1931 reported that the group added Radio Stars” heading. This indicates (piano), Fred Wisdom, Charlie a pianist, Willard (Lord) Hamby, and that they were broadcasting Fuqua (guitar), and Paul George performed a singing and dancing act. (probably over an Indianapolis (banjo). This band played in the It also stated that they, “are now station) at this time but no radio Indianapolis area until Valentine and broadcasting over WFBE.” listings have been found. Moran left sometime in 1928 to Although only one broadcast By February 1933 they appeared accept a job offer from Bernie listing could be found, it should be on WLW (Cincinnati) where they Young who was leading a band at noted that there were other made almost one hundred Milwaukee’s Wisconsin Roof. broadcasts listed for unnamed broadcasts of the Riff Brothers and To confuse matters a little bit, groups, including male trios, about the Rhythm Club (as regulars) Valentine formed a trio that he this time on WFBE. Certainly some shows from 9 February to 8 named Syd Valentine’s Patent groups, especially black groups, September 1933. While they Leather Kids sometime in 1929. In were often not named (even many probably appeared on stage in the Ink Spots radio show listings in Indiana/Ohio area, nothing is known addition to Valentine, members newspapers in the mid-1930s were of these appearances except for the included Helms and George. One simply shown as “male quartet” or two Indianapolis appearances. recording session for this trio was “black male quartet”). in Richmond, Indiana, on 2 October The King, Jack, and Jester 1929.7 John Wilby stated that this Jerry and Charlie Although it did not happen in trio had little in common with Meanwhile, Daniels and Fuqua Indianapolis, it should be mentioned Valentine’s earlier band. There is dropped Mackey and formed a duet that one other pre-ink Spots group little about the music and songs of called Jerry and Charlie. Daniels was formed. Sometime in late 1933, the first Patent Leather Kids group sang tenor and played tenor guitar/ Daniels and Fuqua met Watson in to which Fuqua belonged. To date, ukulele while Fugua sang baritone/ Cleveland and formed a group first we have been unable to find any tenor and played guitar/banjo. called either the Swingin’ Gates references to the ten-member Patent Although we don't know when this Brothers or just the Gates Brothers Leather Kids group in Indiana group formed, radio broadcasts which was later named the King, newspapers. began on WKBF (Indianapolis) on Jack, and Jester. This group

6 broadcast briefly over WHK influential black quartet are found in contributions of African Americans (Cleveland) and then moved to the Indianapolis area. It is hoped that to Missouri, to offer new resources WLW and WSAI (Cincinnati) where more information about these pre­ to historians and others who are they were quite successful making ink Spot groups will come to light in studying the history of African about two hundred broadcasts from future years so that the many gaps Americans in Missouri, and to late December 1933 to 1 July 1934. can be filled. All Hoosiers should be provide new tools for primary and No evidence of stage appearances by proud to claim the original Ink Spots secondary teachers in Missouri’s this group has been found. as true sons of Indiana. schools. The 2004 African American Unanswered Questions and ENDNOTES History Internship project will focus Concluding Comments 1 Indianapolis Recorder, 16 June 1928. on research in Civil War records Sometime before 3 August 1934 2 Deek Watson, with Lee Stephenson, The held by the Missouri State Archives Jones was added to the King, Jack, Story of the Ink Spots, New York: (Vantage pertaining to African Americans. and Jester group and they changed Press, 1967), 14-15. After initial study of the Civil War their name to the Four Ink Spots. 3 Claire Keefner, “Remembering the Big and the role of African Americans Time,” Alaska Ruralite: (January 1987) 4 - Their first known appearance under in Missouri, the intern will 5. this name was for one week at the 4 Indianapolis Recorder, 7 April (advance undertake limited archival Apollo Theater in Harlem beginning write-up) and 21 April (review), 1928. processing of selected Civil War 3 August 1934. 5 John Wilby, CD liner notes, Gennett records and assist in prepublication One of the many mysteries that Rarities, 1998 Jazz Oracle, BDW8009. work on things such as indices or surround the Ink Spots’ origins, 6 “Doc” Wheeler Moran later lead the Sunset guides designed to help researchers. relates to the question of what Jones Royal Orchestra that toured with the Ink In addition, educational activities was doing (probably in the Spots in the early 1940s. based on the role of African Indianapolis and/or Cincinnati 7 Gennett Rarities Americans in the Civil War will be areas) after the Riff Brothers broke 8 Marv Goldberg, More than Words Can developed for the office web site. up about September 1932. We also Say: The Ink Spots and Their Music. Three thousand dollars will be Lanham, Md.: (Scarecrowe Press, 1998), 5. don’t know if Jones joined the King, awarded to the successful candidate 9 One reference to the King, Jack, and Jesters Jack, and Jester (requiring a slight was found in the Cincinnati Post, 9 March for ten weeks of work, at forty hours name change to the King, Jack, and 1934. We assume this was just an error since per week during the summer of Jesters) as some have reported, or all subsequent listings show Jester. 2004, at the Missouri State Archives. whether he joined the Ink Spots Nevertheless, it is possible the name was This monetary award is intended to directly. We do know that radio retained but Jones was added to the group defray travel and living expenses, listings in Cincinnati newspapers while they were broadcasting over WLW and other work-related costs. show only the King, Jack, and Jester and WSAI. Applicants must either attend a right up to the time of their last Information on the activities of Missouri college or university or be performance on 1 July 1934.9 all pre-ink Spot groups is limited. a Missouri native. Interested One month seems a very short Dr. Hanna would welcome students must submit a letter of time to move from Cincinnati to additions or corrections at: application, a curriculum vitae, a New York, change their name, add ihanna @ uwaterloo. ca or in college transcript, and a description Jones, and make the necessary writing care of Wilma Gibbs at the of any research conducted in related changes in their music arrangements Indiana Historical Society. fields. One letter of recommendation to accommodate a fourth group is requested that describes the member. It would have been easier applicant’s qualifications for this if Jones was added to the King, Jack, award. and Jester group sometime before The primary purpose of the they left Cincinnati. ARCHIVES African American History It is fortunate that pictures of six Internship is to conduct research in pre-ink Spots groups - The INTERNSHIP the Missouri State Archives Percolating Puppies, Jones and The Missouri State Archives holdings. The successful candidate Campbell, The Three Peanut Boys, invites applications from graduate must be able to lift and carry a forty- Jerry and Charlie, The Four Riff or advanced undergraduate students pound box and climb a ladder to Brothers, and The King, Jack, and in 2004 who are interested in retrieve materials. Jester exist.10 Unfortunately, in spite working with the many collections Completed applications should be of the many radio and other of material related to African addressed to Dr. Shelly J. Croteau, performances by these pre-ink Spots American history in Missouri held Assistant State Archivist, groups, no audio for any of these by the Archives. Missouri State Archives, P.O. groups is known to have survived. The African American History Box 1747, 600 West Main St., While the Ink Spots achieved Internship is part of the Archives’ Jefferson City, MO 65102 national and even international commitment to foster a broad public (Voice: 573/751-4303 or E-mail: fame, clearly, the roots of this awareness of the rich and important [email protected]).

7 Crafting Freedom (877) 438-1599. Application work. The poet was the recipient of deadline is 15 March 2004, so please several honors and tributes, many of Workshop do not delay. (Note: If you get them awarded posthumously. The The Thomas Day Education voicemail, please leave a home NPR taped program and many of the Project (TDEP), a national phone number and the best time to awards are in the collection. education project, is offering reach you so we can be sure to Etheridge Knight was the author expenses-paid five-day workshops connect with you.) and the subject of numerous articles for K-12 teachers and media center in various periodicals. Many of educators, with a special recruitment these publications are in the of teams of interdisciplinary collection and are arranged educators. alphabetically from Box 2, folder 20 Workshops feature presentations Poet Papers through Box 3, folder 4, and in OM 0409. A list of some of the articles by scholars of African American (Continued from page 2) history, Master classroom teachers, and their locations within the and tours to sites rich in 19th century conferences. There are many items publications follow the box and black history and culture. There are in the collection that reflect those folder listing in the collection guide. four sessions: 18-23 June, 25-30 activities. Of particular note is a Eunice Knight-Bowens and her June, 16-21 July, and 23-28 July. video program (VHS 1) of a Writers’ family worked with Martin Participants receive a $500 stipend Conference celebrating the 25th University to develop the first and up to $300 for a travel stipend. anniversary of Broadside Press. annual Etheridge Knight Festival of This opportunity is made possible There are materials in the the Arts. The festival has continued through a Landmarks of American collection that pertain to family with different sponsors at various History grant to the North Carolina members Belzora M. Cozart Knight venues. Festival materials are in Box Museum of History (NCMH) from Taylor, Isaac Knight, and Eunice 3. There are three videos related to the National Endowment for the Knight-Bowens, and poets Sonia the festival. VHS 2 contains the Humanities (NEH) Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks, and program for the 1993 festival held To receive more detailed Lamont B. Steptoe. at the West End Conference Center. information on the “Crafting Knight was a Korean War Break Away, a play about the parole Freedom” workshops and to veteran. His collection includes a of three female prison inmates, apply, go to the website: United States flag that was draped written by Leslie Sloan, and www.thomasday.net and click on over his casket during his funeral. performed during the 1993 festival Workshops & Presentations. You In 1991 shortly after his death, is on VHS 3. A 30-second may also contact us by E-mail at National Public Radio (NPR) aired promotional video advertising the [email protected] or call toll free: a commentary on Knight’s life and 1996 festival is contained on VHS 4.

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