Activities Among Negroes
One of the local events of the, past week was the marriage of one of the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burrill of Oakland, which was solemnized at their residence Wednesday evening, December 3, when Marjorie Mildred Bethel became the bride of Henry Claude Ledford, formerly of Harlan, Ky., now employed by the Key System Transit company of Oakland.
The bride was born in New Orleans, but was partly reared in Mexico City, coming to Oakland with her parents several years ago. She entered the public schools, and notwithstanding she could only speak Spanish and French, was graduated in English with honors from the Technical high school of Oakland, with the class of June, 1921, Her scholarship was thorough. She was given a position as bookkeeper and stenographer with the Dunlap dining service of the Oakland and Antioch R. R. company. This position she retained until her marriage. The company, in appreciation of her services, furnished her entire kitchen with aluminum ware, and there were handsome gifts from individual members of the company. The bride was one of the original Philomathian club of girls, out of which grew the Linden street branch Y W. C. A. Her father is the president of the Louisiana Commercial Association of the Eastbay cities.
Preceding the wedding march, Miss Fredia Phillips sang "The Sweetest Story Ever Told." Leading the procession to the strains of Lohengrin's Wedding March. played by Lester Hart, a cousin of the bride, came Miss Ouida Burrill the bride's sister, who acted as maid of honor, and Miss Gladys Wysinger as bridesmaid. They were followed by the ring bearer. Master Wallace Smith. He was followed by Doris Mitchell, who served as flower girl, the groom, accompanied by Bert Watkins as best man, and the bride, accompanied by her father.
Rev. Father D. R. Wallace, of St. Augustine Episcopal church of Oakland, officiated at the ceremony. The ceremony was held in the east bay window. which had been draped with garlands of ferns, palms and yellow chrysanthemums, giving the appearance of a pergola. The bride, carrying a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley and white rosebuds was dressed in heavy white satin. She wore a veil heavily embossed in white silk, with a head dress of orange blossoms. The bridesmaid and maid of honor were dressed in the pastel shades of pink and blue crepe and carried bouquets of pink La France roses, making a rainbow of color. The newlyweds left for a trip to Southern California and will be at home to their friends after December 14, when they will occupy a bungalow which has been built for them by the parents of the bride.
The writer wishes to acknowledge the receipt of copies of the following publications: "The Half Century" magazine, published in Chicago; "The Boston Guardian." "The Detroit Independent" and the "Pittsburgh Courier," all of which contain news of interest. The following appeared in the "Boston Guardian": "Attorney Julian D. Rainey and the race have been signally honored by the recent appointment of Rainey to the faculty of the Suffolk Law School." This is the first time in the history of the race that a colored man, has been placed upon the faculty of a white law school."
The publication also gives an account of the musical training of a Miss Goldby of West Africa; who recently sang in Symphony hall in Boston. She has been trained in voice culture in Milan, Italy, and the paper said: "Miss. Goldby is proclaimed by the press of Europe to be the greatest colored singer ever produced. She sings in six languages. She is also a poet and composer, and comes to America for the first time to give concerts from religious, grand opera and folk songs. It has been said by the press that Miss Goldby's singing has turned the human soul, and her folk songs are specially fine."
The "Detroit Independent" tells of the election to the legislature of Pennsylvania of the following colored members: Samuel Hart and William H. Fuller. They were elected on the Republican ticket from the seventh and thirteenth districts of Philadelphia.
The following news items appeared in the "Half-Century" magazine. "The Pullman Porters' Benefit Association of America recently announced the completion of their home and farm for porters and other railroad employees near Milan, Tenn. Those on the retired list as well as sick employees in need of rest and good care will be cared for there. The aged members of the association with no relatives to care for them may spend their declining years at the farm."
Another interesting article appearing in this publication is the following: "Miss Jessie Covington of Houston, Texas, is a 'winner of a Juilliard musical prize of $1000 which entitles her to one year's study under a famous Russian teacher. Miss Lydia Mason of New York is the only other colored girl winning a Juilliard scholarship. More than 150 students from various parts of the United States took the tests for the scholarships," The writer will add that Miss Covington is the daughter of a leading colored physician of Houston, is an exceptionally well educated man and a leader in the community.
The "Pittsburgh Courier" brings the intelligence of the death of Charles Cottrill, a former collector of internal revenue at Honolulu. The article says: "Charles A. Cottrill, nationally known politician and business man, died at his home In Toledo, Ohio, the result of a paralytic stroke last August."
Cottrill served as collector of internal revenge, at Honolulu from 1911 to 1915 by appointment of President Taft. He served as an alternate delegate at large to the Republican National conventions of 1916 and 1920, and was reading clerk at the Cleveland convention this year. At the age of 17 he obtained a position in the local internal revenue office of Toledo. Shortly afterward he was appointed a clerk in the county treasurer's office. Following this he was given an appointment as corporation clerk in the office of the Secretary of State at Columbus Ohio, which position he held for five years. Upon his return to Toledo, he was named deputy recorder under County Recorder Wendt and served under succeeding recorders as chief deputy recorder for eighteen years. He was especially active in social and fraternal organizations. He was at one time president of the Toledo branch N. A. A. C. P.
He leaves a widow, one son, two sisters and a host of friends, many of whom live on this coast and in land. Cottrill visited the Panama Pacific Exposition on Ohio Day.
Mrs. H. E. De Hart, secretary of the Northern California branch of the N..A. A. C. P. is still confined to her home as the result of fractured ribs from an automobile accident. The branch will hold its annual election of officers Monday evening
