Cortland
Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 15, 1896.
BY A NEGRO
AUTHOR.
"SELENE," THE FIRST PUBLISHED WORK
OF KENNETH YOUNG.
Something About the Slave Life of the
Author's Parents—How Young Came to Write the Novel—Writes For Pure Love of
It—His Life at College.
South
Carolina has an Afro-American novelist, certainly the first one of his race in
that region. His name is Kenneth Young, and he is what is known in the southern
states as a "white folks' nigger." This is a term which carries much
respect with it, and thoughtful colored people are proud to have it applied
either to themselves or to their children. It simply means that the one to whom
it is applied is unpopular with the lowest element of his own race, popular
with the best element, and that because he fashions his life and ways and
thoughts after the best white people of his acquaintance he gains their confidence
and esteem.
Mr. Young
is 36 years old and is a barber by trade. "Selene" is the title of
his book, and thrilling is an adjective that can be applied to every chapter
from the first to the last. Mr. Young loves his race as much as does Booker T.
Washington, and in much the same way. This racial pride and love are evident throughout
the little volume.
An incident
of the slave life of the author's parents will give an idea of the stuff that
he is made of, for those who know him best say that he is a chip off of the old
block. Joe Young, the father, was born in upper South Carolina, and was the
property of Dr. Young, father of the late General P. M. B. Young. The Youngs
migrated to Georgia about 1854, when General Young was 10 or 12 years old. Joe was
about the same age and had about one-fourth or perhaps one-half white blood in him.
Some time after that Colonel Joel Foster, an old friend and neighbor of Dr. Young, went with his family to Georgia and settled
near the doctor. When Joe arrived at manhood, his chief duties consisted in
serving the person of "handsome young Pierce Butler Young," as the
doctor's son was called from one end of Georgia to the other end of South
Carolina. At Colonel Foster's house there was a little handsome colored girl
not far from Joe's age. They met, saw each other often and fell very much in
love with one another. A marriage, approved by both the Youngs and the Fosters,
followed. Of course, Joe lived on with his master, Dr. Young, and his wife with
her mistress, Mrs. Foster, but their nights and Sundays were spent together.
Their
union was on a high plane. In the old slave days a marriage contract between slaves
was not recognized by law, and often not by owners. But these two led pure lives,
after the manner of the best white people. Joe was industrious, ingenious and
apt. He picked up several profitable trades and was considered very valuable.
His wife was respected for her virtues and for the interest she took in the
affairs and children of her mistress.
About
1858 Colonel Foster concluded to return to South Carolina. One obstacle was in
his way—he could not bear to separate Joe and his wife. He went to Dr. Young and said that as he was going to return to
his old home he would buy Joe at any price rather than separate him from his
wife when their affection was so true.
Foster offered $4,000 on the spot for the man slave.
Young refused the offer. They then left the price to a committee of neighbors. After
discussing the matter a long time the committee named $4,000. Dr. Young refused
to accept the decision. He loved Joe too well for any money to buy him and so
refused to give him up. Colonel Foster, with his family and servants, went to
South Carolina, leaving Joe heartbroken and taking his wife away in the same condition.
Ono morning after they had got settled who should appear at the Fosters' place
but Joe.
"Marse Joel," he said, "I've come to stay."
"But
you can't, Joe," said Colonel Foster. "Dr. Young wouldn't let me have
you at any price. You must go right back."
"No;
I've come to stay," said the slave with sturdy independence.
Colonel
Foster pleaded and remonstrated, but not even threats moved Joe, who finally said:
"Marse
Joel, you jes' keep right on talkin tell judgment day if you's er min to, but I'm goin to stay." And stay he did. When the
colonel understood fully that Joe would not be separated from his wife, he
wrote to Dr. Young, stating that Joe had arrived and with his mind made up not
to live away from his wife and suggesting as a solution of the difficulty that
Dr. Young should hire Joe to him if he would not sell. After a few letters had
passed the agreement was reached that Colonel Foster should board and clothe
Joe and pay Dr. Young $300 a year for him. That was equal to $5,000 at 6 per
cent. Joe remained, and by plying his several trades made with his own hands
every cent of the money to pay his hire and had a balance at the close of each
year to his credit. In that shape matters remained until the close of the war.
Since then Joe and his wife have been leading quiet, happy, useful lives and
are now growing old together. And so it was by chance that South Carolina,
instead of Georgia, boasts this negro novelist, the son of Joe Young.
Is it any
wonder that the son of such a union should be full of strong feelings and sentiments
and of affection not only for those near to him, but for his entire race?
When
asked how he came to write a novel, Kenneth Young replied: "Because I
wanted to read one in which the characters were all negroes. I 'm tired of
reading about the things that white people have done and do and will do, about
their feelings, passions, aspirations and inspirations. It's time for the
colored people to know something of the feelings, capabilities and higher aims
that they may attain to, and they must learn this through books about
themselves, and these can only be written by men or women of our race. I shall
write many more novels. 'Selene' is the first that I've had published, but I've
written other romances and am now at work on one which I hope to have ready for
publication soon. The hero of 'Selene' was a college mate of mine, and so was
the heroine. I have tried to recount the hero's entrance to the institution, his
college career, his precipitous flight, his encounter with the Sioux in their
uprising in 1890-1, his temporary mental eclipse and restoration, faithfully
and graphically. The records of the battles with the Indians were given me by
the hero and are authentic."
When
asked from whom he got his literary talent, Mr. Young answered promptly and at
the same time modestly: "If I have any real talent, I guess it must have been
granted by a power not human, but I got my inspiration from my good mother. She
and my father are both illiterate, but she was always ambitious for me and told
me what a great thing it was to 'know things' like white folks. I went to a common
free school until I was 10, and then I entered the preparatory class in the
South Carolina university. I studied there three years,
taking the regular classical course.
"Where
did I get the money? Why, I earned every dollar of it myself by teaching and by
working on a farm during vacation. Then I went to the Atlanta university and
studied there two years. Negroes were not admitted to the Georgia State
university, so this Atlanta university was established by the state to
accommodate them. It had a normal department, and Selene was a student there
when I met her. I paid my way through this institution by barbering, as my
father had taught me that trade. Latin and psychology were my favorite studies
as a boy and are today, and I always stood first in the studies that were
pronounced the driest by other students.
The last
half of my first novel is purely psychological. I should write right on even if
1 only paid my expenses, which is not the case, for the sale of my first novel
has been excellent, because I have some things to tell my people. I want to
make them better morally, mentally and physically. It took me a whole year to
write 'Selene,' but I wrote it in my barber shop as I found leisure between
shaves, and the only reference book I had at hand was an unabridged dictionary.
I hope, however, to get out of the barber shop into a more congenial atmosphere
soon, for I've applied for a professorship in a college for colored people in
my state and stand an excellent chance of getting it, so I've been told.
Anyway, if I was a street sweeper I should go on writing. There are three
things I can't live without—my books, my pen and music."
Young is
well built, has light brown skin and large, luminous eyes with a most melancholy
expression. His face is exceedingly sad, but this sadness is corrected by a
smile that changes his whole expression. He has a kindly manner and a dignified
bearing. His vocabulary is very large and unusual in one of his race, and his
easy, graceful flow of words is the envy of every black and the wonder of every
white who hears him.—New York Sun.
GIVES ITS
OWN AIM.
NEW TORPEDO TERROR WHICH CAN STEER ITSELF.
Device
of C. D. Haskins of Boston—A Chicago Man's Contrivance to Aid Coast Defense—Two
Electricians Push Work Along Similar
Lines.
If the
war talk in this country during the last two years has done nothing more, it
has at least set the minds of two men of inventive genius at work in an effort
to aid in solving the problem of American coast defenses, and by a strange
coincidence these men, in devising two appliances for entirely different uses,
have based their calculations on the same physical fact—viz, the influence the
proximity of a mass of metal, such as is found in a steel armored ship, may
have upon electro-magnetic apparatus subject to induction.
One of
the inventors is C. D. Haskins of Boston. The invention of Mr. Haskins is an automobile torpedo, or a torpedo fitted with a device connected with its
steering apparatus which will cause it when in motion to be diverted directly
toward the object which has had a magnetic effect on the device.
The other
invention is the creation of Francis B. Badt, secretary of the Siemens &
Halske company in Chicago. It is an electro-magnetic sentinel, to be used in
connection with submarine mines placed for coast defense or in any other place where
it is desired to have an automatic contrivance to announce the approach of a mass
of magnetic material such as is found in every armored vessel.
In both
instances the genius of the electrician is pitted against the genius of the engineer,
who made the war vessels a thing seemingly invincible, and the very armor
placed about the floating arsenal to add to its safety is made the agent to set
in motion the power that is to destroy it.
The
problem of making a projectile which would do damage to a steel armored cruiser
or warship, to launch the projectile effectively, make it hit its intended mark
and explode when it would do the most harm, is one with which inventors have been
wrestling ever since naval architects, on the other hand, began spreading armor
plates over the sides of their seafaring fortresses.
The
greatest difficulty experienced in tussling with the problem has been to hit or
come near the mark. This is due to the fact that in most cases the torpedo boat
and the target boat, or hostile ship, are moving either in opposite directions
or at different rates of speed, or subject to change in direction, making the
position of the target ambiguous or marksmanship ineffective.
There are
two ways in which the percentage of successful attempts at hitting the target
may be increased, by making the aim more exact or by making the target larger.
The latter is what, in effect, the invention of Mr. Haskins accomplishes. Instead of aiming at the vessel direct, the operator
of one of his automobile torpedoes need only aim to throw the projectile within
the range of the magnetic influence of the vessel—say within 300 feet of it in any
direction, thus increasing the actual diameter of the target aimed at by 600
feet.
That his
device will do this is the claim made by Mr. Haskins and his friends. After a
series of laboratory tests with models it is reported that one of the devices was
taken out in Boston harbor on five occasions, where it "found" a big
Cunarder coming into port, as well as several other vessels from 200 to 300
feet in length. Later the device was shown at Newport, when tests
were made of several torpedoes before the naval board, and was exhibited in
action.
The
Whitehead torpedo, which in Europe particularly is looked upon as the best known
prior to Mr. Haskins' invention, is expected to average only one hit in ten
trials. This is owing to the difficulties confronting the submarine
sharpshooter already referred to.
Mr. Haskins
claims that his invention practically endows the torpedo with a self-directive
power as great as though it were a sentient being. He says it is only necessary
for the torpedo equipped with his invention to come within the radius of the
target's magnetic influence, and it will straightway make a beeline for the
target.
The
operation of the invention is somewhat as follows: The torpedo is first thrown in
a straight line for the target or in its direction. The steering apparatus is
not set in motion until the torpedo arrives in the vicinity of the target
vessel. The device once in motion, the Haskins invention is ready for action.
As soon as it reaches the area affected by the attractive force of the iron or
steel hull of the vessel the delicate mechanism of the invention operates upon
a motor which controls the rudder, steering the torpedo in the direction of the
strongest magnetic attraction. If the momentum of the projectile carries it
past the line of strongest attraction as the target vessel moves, the rudder
will be deflected to the right or left, as the case may be, and the course of
the torpedo corrected to conform to the changed position of its object. Varying
conditions may result in the course of the torpedo being along a sweeping
curve, or a zigzag line, if the vessel
tacks.
To secure
for the gunboat throwing the torpedo immunity from its attack, which might
ensue if no precautions were taken, the steering device is so arranged that it will
not begin operations until the projectile is far enough away from the torpedo
boat to be outside its magnetic fields.
The steering
device invented by Mr. Haskins weighs about 125 pounds and can be attached to
any torpedo.
Francis B. Badt's Invention.
The invention
of Mr. Badt, like that of Mr. Haskins, aims to increase the efficiency of
agencies of destruction already established. Instead of being applicable to
torpedoes which roam abroad in their search for prey, it is designed to serve
as an ally to the submarine mine of explosives, which lies in wait for the passing
of its adversary, to spring upon it from ambush.
For the
defense of a seaboard city the submarine mine is one of the most common expedients.
Large quantities of powerful explosives, stored in suitable airtight and water
tight structures, are anchored beneath the surface of the water at points in
the entrances of harbors most likely to be passed over by vessels seeking to
make the port, generally at narrow passages.
MORE TROUBLE FOR SPAIN.
The
Rebellion in the Philippine Islands is Spreading Rapidly.
MADRID, Dec. 15.—A dispatch to the Imparcial
from Manila, the capital of the Philippine Islands, says the rebellion in those islands is
spreading and bands of
insurgents infests the outskirts of the city of Manila. Advices from the Caroline and Marians Islands say uprisings are
imminent there. The cabinet council which was held yesterday decided to
purchase the English transport steamer, Prince of Wales, in order to expedite
the transportation of troops to Manila and it was also decided to purchase a
complete equipment of new rifles for the troops.
 |
| Fireman's Hall, Main Street, Cortland. |
FIREMEN'S ELECTION.
Size of
Ballot to be Used To-morrow Night—Nominations Ratified.
The annual election of officers of the Cortland
fire department will take place in Fireman's hall at 8 o'clock to-morrow night.
At the meeting of the board of engineers
last night it was decided that the ballots used should be uniformly 2 by 3
inches in size and of white paper, the names to be either printed in black ink
or written with a black lead pencil.
The board received and acted favorably on a
petition signed by the members of the conference committee recently appointed
by the Water Witch, Orris, Excelsior, Emerald and Hitchcock companies. The
petition asked the board to ratify the nominations of L. A. Arnold for chief
and George B. French for assistant, which were made by the committee while in
session last Thursday night, and also to ratify the nominations of H. P. Davis
for second assistant, M. V. Lane for secretary and J. H. Phelps for treasurer,
which have been made by the committee since its meeting Thursday night.
BREVITIES.
—New advertisements to-day are—I. Whiteson,
Clothing, page 8; Bingham Bros.
& Miller, Furnishing Goods, page 7.
—The Eureka Dancing club will give a closing
ball in Empire hall Friday night. McDermott's orchestra will furnish music.
—Chief of Police Linderman has in his
possession a key which the owner can have by calling on him and proving property.
—Mr. Patrick Kane died Saturday evening at
his home in McLean, aged 90 years. The funeral was held this morning at 10
o'clock from the Catholic church at McLean.
—Lincoln lodge, No. 119, I. O. G. T., will
serve a ten-cent supper in the lodge rooms in the Martin building to-morrow
evening beginning at 5 o'clock. A short literary program will be rendered.
—William Newton, a former Cortland boy, died
at his home in Cardiff, Dec. 13, at 7 A. M. of consumption. His age was 10 years.
Funeral services were held at the house this morning at 10 o'clock and at the
church at 11 o'clock. Burial occurred in the Cardiff cemetery.
—The Hose Owners' National Protective
association offers a reward of fifty dollars for the recovery of a horse and buggy
driven from the stable of John Mack, Clyde,
N. Y., and now supposed to be stolen, also for the arrest and conviction of the
thief for grand larceny.
—Mr. Josiah Stephens, brother of Miss Editha
Stephens, and a former resident of Cortland, died this morning in Albany. His
age was 49 years. The remains will be brought to Cortland for burial in the
family lot in the cemetery, and the funeral which will be held here will be
private.
—Rev. E. E. Davidson, who in the winter and
spring of 1889 conducted union revival meetings for some weeks in Cortland, is
now engaged in similar work in Fulton and the reports are that he is having
great success there, and that Fulton people are all stirred up over his work.
—The value of hospitals is all over the country
becoming more and more appreciated and hospitals are becoming a popular and at
the same time altogether worthy object for bequests. The latest instance of this
kind comes from North Adams, Mass., where Mayor Houghton has given his $1,000
salary to the local hospital.
—Trustee Warfield is to-day taking a vacation
from his duties in directing the affairs of the Second ward of the village and
is instead watching over the cradle of a certain young lady who has come to
gladden his home. He is meanwhile practicing his part in some lullaby duets which
he anticipates singing with Trustee Glann of the Third ward at future meetings
of the board of village fathers.
—Cortland girls who are proud of their
bicycling achievements will be interested in knowing that Mrs. Herman Davis of
New York has ridden her wheel over the great St. Bernard Pass. She is the first
woman who has accomplished this difficult and picturesque bit of riding, and not
many men can duplicate it. Accompanied by her husband she has travelled 2,000
miles on her wheel during her summer vacation in Europe, making between sixty
and sixty-five miles a day.
