The Economic and Community Development of African Americans In
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THE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN MUNCIE, INDIANA FROM 1870-1920 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MASTER OF ARTS BY JAMI L. HERRING DR. CAILÍN MURRAY - ADVISOR BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, IN JULY 2015 THESIS: The Economic and Community Development of African Americans in Muncie, Indiana from 1870-1920 STUDENT: Jami L. Herring DEGREE: Master of Arts COLLEGE: Science and Humanities DATE: JULY 2015 PAGES: 100 This study focuses on the economic and community development of African Americans in Muncie, Indiana following emancipation, specifically 1870-1920. The following thesis uses i primary and secondary sources to explore the advancement of African Americans within the city of Muncie; a city located in Delaware County, Indiana. It explores the economic choices that African Americans were pursuing shortly after slavery and demonstrates the overall community growth of African Americans in Muncie during the rising industrial era that transformed this area. The economic change from agrarian to industrial in Muncie helped to create pockets of opportunity for many migrants. This thesis explores the influence of African American migration into Muncie, while also pointing out the type of economic and social choices that African Americans were selecting due to their newly found freedoms; a progression from mainly manual labor to specialized types of employment and business ownership. It discusses some of the factors found within Muncie that allowed for African Americans to establish their livelihood, and be a part of the growth of the Muncie community overall. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank my thesis committee chair, Dr. Cailín Murray. Without her guidance and support, this thesis would not have been possible. Through many types of avenues, Dr. Murray introduced me to ethnohistory and the importance of what this type of research can bring to anthropology as a whole. She is a remarkable scholar with an ability to push one’s mind further into questioning what is in front of them in order to uncover something greater. I cannot thank her enough for her patience and encouragement throughout this process and am grateful to have had her accept the position of committee chair. I would also like to thank my thesis committee members. Dr. Mark Groover’s approach ii and comments were greatly appreciated in that they always inspired me to think more critically. Dr. James Connolly’s background and expertise in regards Muncie was a welcome addition, and helped to give strength to my understanding of Muncie as a town worth exploring. Both committee member’s reviews and edits are greatly appreciated and only helped to enhance this thesis overall. Although not a committee member, I would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Erickson for her editorial remarks, and initially opening my eyes to the “repetitive” nature and verbiage that I tend to overlook. Furthermore, I would like to thank Dr. S. Homes Hogue, department chair, as the fourth reader of this thesis. Her final notes were needed, much appreciated, and helped to further improve this thesis. Equally important, this thesis would not have been possible without the late Dr. Elizabeth Glenn’s original findings of the McWilliams court case. While I did not have the pleasure of taking classes from Dr. Glenn, as she retired before my time at Ball State University, I was able to meet with here on a few occasions in regards to this study. Although a retired professor when ii first introduced, it was immediately understood, and admired, that she had not retired from the passion of research. The Ball State University Archives and Special Collections, as well as the GIS Research and Map Collections, deserves a large amount of gratitude for their help in this research. Each employee was very gracious and patient when I would try to explain what it was I was looking for, but could not articulate the request well. Their knowledge of the documents found within the archives and map collection is profound, and their suggestions of what may also be beneficial for my thesis were of great importance. Gratitude is also due to my family. Thank you to my mother, Rochelle, and my father, iii James; specifically regarding the time I believed all was lost when my laptop suddenly crashed. They were thoughtful enough to drive 6 hours to bring me theirs, while mine was being repaired, so I did not fall further behind. Their generosity is not something that has gone unnoticed or underappreciated. I would also like to thank my brother Jeremy, his wife Anisha, and their children, Kalyn, Kasen, Kennedy, and Keyton. Their visits to Muncie were a blessing and relief when I needed a moment to relax and refocus. I would also like to briefly thank my Aunt Janice (a.k.a. Ducky). When I was eleven, and realized that I wanted to further study anthropology, she exclaimed that my decision was “so cool”, even when some family members looked at me like I had lost my mind. Betsy Whaley deserves distinct recognition, in that she has helped me realize that balance is an important part in accomplishing goals. It was with her guidance that I remained focused and committed to finishing this project. There were many times I thought I was falling short; however, she assisted in funneling my negative thoughts and feelings into the realization that iii those feelings are related to the past, and I should to continue to push forward. Her assistance is greatly valued and held in high regard. I would like to thank my friends Chris, Courtney, Jen, Scotty, Ashleigh, Alison, David, Kristi, Chuck, Patrick, and Becky. Although they may have been more interested in my finishing this project rather than the actual subject matter, they have remained engaged throughout and their kindness and support will not be forgotten. When I would lose faith in this project, each one of them reminded me that I am much stronger than I would often give myself credit for. Special thanks also go out to Mike Stults who helped me create and fine-tune a map in this thesis; his patience with the mapping software was much appreciated when my patience diminished. iv Lastly, but equally important, I find it necessary to thank God, and all of the blessings He has bestowed upon me; often times those in which I selfishly take for granted. I believe that my religious outlook and personal faith in God helped to keep me sane when words of encouragement fell short. I am relentlessly hard on myself and my faith and persistence was often tested throughout this process. By His grace, I am grateful and blessed to have been protected and guided in many aspects of my life. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ ii TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 Why Muncie? ...........................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 2: AMBITIOUS BEGINNINGS: THEORY, METHODS, & LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................................11 Understanding Ethnohistory: Methods and Social Theory ....................................11 Emancipation, the Great Migration, and Economic and Community/Social Development: v Literature Review...................................................................................................15 CHAPTER 3: AFRICAN AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY IN MUNCIE, INDIANA FROM 1870-1920 ............................................................................................24 Muncie’s African American Community (1870-1900) .........................................26 Muncie’s African American Community in 1890 .................................................34 Muncie’s African American Community in 1910 .................................................37 Muncie’s African American Community in 1920 .................................................44 CHAPTER 4: AFRICAN AMERICAN ECONMIC POWER, SOCIAL CHOICE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN MUNCIE, INDIANA FROM 1870-1920 ............53 Economic Power and Property Ownership ............................................................53 Education ...............................................................................................................60 Collective Action ...................................................................................................62 Muncie’s African American’s Overall Community: Early Years through Times of Struggle ..................................................................................................................67 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................71 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................74 APPENDIX A: MUNCIE, INDIANA CENSUS STATISTICS IN 1870 .........................80 APPENDIX B: MUNCIE, INDIANA CENSUS STATISTICS IN