Comments on: In the Archives: “Freedmen’s Progress”

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:15:33 +0000

I’d be astounded if something about Elijah McCoy wasn’t included in the MMFP. He was certainly well known by then, as he is listed in Booker T. Washington’s 1909 “Story of the Negro.” A prolific inventor, he is best remembered for an oil-cup lubricator that revolutionized steam locomotion after WWI. He lived in Ypsilanti.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 04:33:35 +0000

Irene: A very specific guess! With even the year! I”ll post the answer next column.

By: Irene Hieber

Irene Hieber — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:52:52 +0000

More specifics about the artifact. It is for a 1889 model Singer. The box folds in the center to enclose the attachments.

Irene Hieber

By: Irene Hieber

Irene Hieber — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:32:08 +0000

The mystery artifact is definitely a kit with all the attachments for an old sewing machine.

Irene, with help from daughter Becky

By: Joan Lowenstein

Joan Lowenstein — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:21:56 +0000

Thanks, Sabra. I do remember voting, but didn’t remember the details about the neighborhood and the redlining. Very interesting, indeed.

By: Sabra Briere

Sabra Briere — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:59:57 +0000

Re #5. Joan should remember voting (twice) on whether the Traver/Broadway neighborhoods would become historic districts. Research on the properties along Traver, Broadway, Jones and adjacent streets indicates that the North side of town was populated by diverse people, living side by side. There was no red-lining on the North side. The North Central neighborhood -- where John Hilton lives, was also mixed, with railroad laborers' rooming houses and a variety of residents over the years. However, this part of town was impacted by redlining. (For those unfamiliar with this term, "redlining" was coined in the late 1960s by John McKnight, a Northwestern University sociologist and community activist.[6] It describes the practice of marking a red line on a map to delineate the area where banks would not invest; later the term was applied to discrimination against a particular group of people (usually by race or sex) no matter the geography. During the heyday of redlining, the areas most frequently discriminated against were black inner city neighborhoods. " (Wikipedia. See also this sample map: [link])

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:10:51 +0000

Joan: It would take a lot of analysis in the old city directories to be able to give you a good answer. Which I would be happy to do, but just saying I can’t give you a solid answer at this time. Also, there are so many excellent historians in AA who would likely have much better info than me…Ypsi is really more of my beat. In the meantime, the AADL has a set of old directories if you wish to check out the history of Traver. :)

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:07:41 +0000

John: Thank you for reading! I have news for you, sir: your home (if it was the same structure) was also the home of William Blackburn, the black AA policeman in the article:

1897 AA city directory: Blackburn, Wm. E (Clara) deputy sheriff, residence 701 4th Ave.

1917: Henderson, Ferdinand (wife Myrtle) porter Delta Chi fraternity, boards 701 4th Ave.; Henderson Wm. N. chef in restaurant, residence 701 4th Ave. (Ferdinand his son?)

1922: Davis Daniel S. (wife Iva M) contractor, 701 4th Ave, residence same (apparently he ran a business from the home).

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:56:59 +0000

Cosmonican: It IS a lovely box. This box is about 90 years old. Works perfectly. Fits exactly when closed. It’s a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:55:31 +0000

ABC: Hmm, interesting idea. If so this is a pretty detailed and diabolical kit, presenting at least 25 ways to inflict torture via marshmallow. Possibly a relic from the International Spy Museum?