Kathleen,

Thank you for sharing your find. This has been a pleasure.
Is it possible to get a higher resolution copy (color, if possible) of the card itself?
I have questions about the spelling of the names and how much overwriting was done. It might also give us more information about the kind of pen (or pens) and typesetting technique was used.
If we can identify one or both names, we may want to be able to compare signatures.

This is in the Washington Post Aug 8, 1888
It's mostly about congressional amendments to the Ohio Centennial Exposition
However, this section says: Mr Henderson's amendment appropriated $250,000 to aid the exposition to be held by the colored race in Augusta, Georgia in 1889 and 1890 under the auspices of the Colored World's Fair Association of America.

I located this in some archives

The Christian Recorder, Feb 23, 1888
A Great Exposition Proposed. The Latest Prokect of the Colored People
In an interview with a reporter of the Washington Post recently he said(Philip Joseph): The Colored World's Fair Association is incorporated with a capital stock of 200,000 dollars. It is to be assisted by commissioners from each of the States and Territories appointed by the President of the United States. We propose to hold the exposition for three months, commencing November, 1888. It will include everything, works of art, field products, manufactures, machinery invention, works of skilled labor - in fact, we will make a display of samples of everything colored men have raised, fabricated, owned or produced throughout the United States.

I paraphrased some of this because I had technical problems posting it in full.

HI, I am the lady who has this card. I just wanted to thank everyone for all their work on this. I have been trying to find information on this for quite a few years, and always ended up with dead ends. Again, thanks to everyone!!

I'm sorry, I'm just not finding anything in between those dates, even in the Atlanta papers. I'll keep looking. But if we're really not finding anything, might that not tell us something in itself?

Stephanie, the timeline is really helpful.

On October 20, 1888, the New York Age reported:
"...opposition in certain quarters prevented the passage of the [WCF] bill by the present Congress."

Then, on October 13, 1890, The Daily Inter-Ocean reported:
"The "Colored World's Fair Association," ... has forwarded a petition representing their desire that a proper exhibit ... be provided for in connection with the World's Fair in 1893"

So if there is an answer to the riddle "What happened to the CWF?" it might have been published between October 1888 and October 1890.

Posted by The History Detectives Team on October 27, 2009 2:26 PM

And then there is this by Ida B. Wells, The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World's Columbian Exposition:

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1495.html

Thanks, Stephanie! That looks great!

I've started a timeline here. http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/list.aspx?id=109200

Click the "Become an editor" link if you want to add to it.

I found this journal article:
http://negroartist.com/writings/Negro%20Participation%20in%20Southern%20Expositions.pdf.

As I said before, there were two groups working simultaneously, but independently. The different groups (the "Colored World's Fair" and the "Cotton Expo." people) were doing at each point. Both were represented together in the when the U. S. Senate resolution we keep seeing passed, but separately in other places.

"Colored World's Fair" suggests it's from one of the "Colored World's Fair Associations" that we keep seeing chartered. They would have still worked on the exhibits for the other World's Fairs that were going on. Unfortunately, the phrase itself doesn't tell use which World's Fair it refers to.

It might help if we had a timeline where we could keep track of what's going on.

Yep, I'm assuming he means Jackson Park in Chicago, as that was where the 1893 World's Columbus Exposition was held. I would read that as meaning what we've already been seeing: that starting in 1890, the CWFA started to lobby for an exhibit at the 1893 Fair, rather than a separate colored fair. So something changed between Jan. '89, were we were still seeing newspaper references to a planned fair in Atlanta, and '90, when it seems like the CWFA put all of their efforts into establishing a presence at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. What happened in the intervening time?

I did come across that little reference to a 1887 fair planned in Birmingham, but didn't see any other mentions of it, which made me wonder if the planners simply switched locales?

Nice digging, Steve!

I ran across an exerpt from a book entitled: "All the World Is Here!" -The Black Presence At White City, by Christopher Robert Reed. This book is about The 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

In this exerpt Christopher writes:

"Not all efforts emantating throughout the nation reached the halls of the Capitol, but an extensive network of interest developed among African Americans that found it's strength in local and regional activities. According to Cassell, "as early as 1890 a Colored World's Fair Association had been incorporated in Georgia with the purpose of assembling an exhibit at Jackson Park. ...In March 1891 black leaders from virginia and North Carolina convened in Norfolk and passed resolutions supporting their idea of a separate black exhibit." ...In the end, nothing tangible came from these efforts, but they did alert many people to the growing influence and potential power of African Americans."

Well, our research shows that the "Colored World's Fair Association of America", in fact, was incorporated earlier than 1890 ...July, 1887, per Dennis's research ...Also, not sure who "Cassell" is that Christopher refers to ...or, "Jackson Park" ...I don't see a reference to a Jackson Park in Atlanta ...I'm thinking he means Jackson Park, Chicago, IL

Sill searching for Clarke and Pearson ...Cheers ...

Hi Folks...

I am seeing 2 ea) distinctly different events now. The "Colored World's Fair" we've all been researching that's tied to Atlanta in the Fall of 1888 ...Additionally, I see a House Joint Resolution corresponding with what they are referring to as the "World's Exposition for Colored People" ...This event was to last for 4 months, commencing on September 22, 1887 in Birmingham, Alabama. Here's a URL that mentions it. From there you'll find a link that'll take you to a pdf. of the resolution:

http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/exhibits/blackhistory/legislation/45th.htm

Of further note is a a blurb in the New York Times that refers to this event as the "Colored People's World's Fair" ...Read it here:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A0DE4D61F3BE532A25751C0A9679C94669FD7CF

What's clear to me is that there are two separate constituencies involved here.

1. One group wanted a "National Industrial Exposition of the Arts, Mechanics, and Products of the Colored Race in the United States of America“ to showcase the accomplishments of blacks since emancipation. They must have begun using "Colored World's Fair" in print because it took fewer letters and continued to use that phrase. ( in an earlier comment, Dennis Lohr documented "Philip Joseph, of Mobile, Ala" as a member of this group before and after 1988)

2. Another group wanted a Fair to promote commerce in Atlanta and the U. S. South, but had little, or no, interest in improving the conditions of blacks. These are the people who organized the "Cotton States and International Exposition." (Charles Collier was headed the event before and after the date the "Colored World's Fair" was suppose to occur.

Whoever issued the card would have belonged to the first group.

Ah, you are right, Dennis. The committee on education approved the loan of $400,000, but nothing said that Congress approved it. Thanks for pointing out the ambiguity of the wording!

... we did find evidence that the federal government had promised a loan of $400,000 ....

Jessica,

While it's true that Congress brought up the fact that monies should be appropriated for a Colored World's Fair, look at the wording of those articles very carefully. None were ever passed!

I have found numerous articles stating various dollar amounts being brought up in Congress between 1887 and 1892. This was my first clue that nothing was actually done. It was all just idle talk!

Best Regards,
Dennis

Very neat observations about the types of inks/pens used, Dennis! I really don't know much about the effect of different writing instruments. I was assuming that the "N. E. Clarke" was a stamp, due to the odd shape of the second period (after the "E"). Did they use stamps for official signatures at all then?

I see what you're saying about the "a" in "Trail car". I wondered, considering the fact that the dot is so far to the right of the "i" in "Display", could it be possible that the second word is "TRIAL"? "Display Trial car"? Not that "Display Trial car" makes more sense..."

Steve, that interview I mentioned to was with a woman named Sharlottie Carr. She lived 1892-1983. This interview was conducted in 1974, when she was 82 years old, so a memory lapse of dates might be forgiven!

That's an interesting article, Dennis, but I'm interpreting it a different way. I didn't see mention of colored citizens being prevented from holding a world's fair of their own, but only that they weren't given representation in planning the upcoming world's fair in Chicago in 1893. And we did find evidence that the federal government had promised a loan of $400,000 for the colored fair planned in 1888. I'm thinking this particular article is referring specifically to the 1893 world's fair, where I know there were a lot of ill-feelings from the CWFA for being denied participation in that particular fair.

EDIT: I meant to say, "citing ... 'DISPLAY' and 'Trail' as examples...."

I'll also clarify and state the name clearly looks like NE, and not KE, Clarke. Apologies!

Also, one quick set of observations, lest I dominate this thread further:

The signature for both KE Clarke and Montie Pearson are uneven and relatively heavy in places, which would seem to indicate a dip pen, ink well, and blotter. That should mean that both signatures took place in an office-type setting. In my personal experience, this type of ink well signature wouldn't be seen much after 1910.

However, the notation along the left is fine and crisp. Because the scan is in B&W, I'm guessing it's either a fountain pen or a pencil. Regardless, both methods would seem to indicate it happened while on a remote jobsite and not an office Additionally, I believe the second word to clearly be "Trailcar" rather than "Trailer", citing the identical weakened style of the letter "a" in both "Rail" and "Trail" as examples of the author's penmanship.

A-ha! now it makes perfect sense!


Congress refused to appropriate the monies to the Colored World's Fair, because it was tied to black suffrage. The right of African Americans to openly and freely (quite literally, e.g. ''poll taxes'') vote in the South would've been a huge boost to any Republican candidates, and detrimental to the Democrats.


So while the CWF Association was able to incorporate and raise $200,000 through the sale of stocks, it was never able to get an appropriation from Congress to hold its own expo before the World's Fair in 1893 in Chicago.

BITTER PARTISAN TALK.


__________


THE HOUSE BECOMES SCENE OF WILD CONFUSION.


__________


The World's Fair and Negro Representation Enable a Republican Member to Reopen Old Sores.


__________


FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS


__________


House


__________


WASHINGTON, May 25.--There was a surprise in the house to-day when Mr. Henderson of Iowa arraigned President Harrison and the governors of states for their failure to give representation to the colored people in connection with the world's fair.


He was followed by Mr. Johnson of Indiana in a speech eulogistic of President Harrison, denunciatory of the south and strongly in favor of a force bill. There was great excitement and confusion during the delivery of Mr. Johnson's speech and the chairman was at times unable to preserve order. Democrats crowded into the aisles, raising their voices and gesticulating wildly and house became a perfect bedlam.


Mr. Henderson of Iowa said that the colored people of this country numbered about one-eighth of our entire population and yet the evidence taken by the special committee at Chicago disclosed the wonderful and amazing fact that neither the president of the United States [he said it with mortification and shame], nor the governor of a single state, nor the government commission, nor the local corporation, nor the woman's committee--not one of these had given representation to these eight million of [sic] people. President Harrison had given them no representation. He could answer for himself. In all the state commissions not one single governor had remembered his God and his country nor these people. Not one head of a department, not one officer of the vast army of employees had been selected from that element of our people. It was a shame, and he proclaimed it with indignation in the American congress that it had not been done. He believed that there were two or three petty little places held by colored men--places that did not rise to the dignity of a barber--''only that and nothing more. '' The civilized world was interested in knowing what was coming from freedom to these people.


Mr. Johnson of Indiana replied to what he characterized as ''the remarkable speech of the gentleman from Iowa'' in regard to the failure of the president of the United States to appoint a colored man on the board of management ... It ought not be forgotten that the president had stood in favor of a just measure of national relief, which, if passed by congress, would have provided for the supervision of national elections whereby the colored people of the south would have the right to cast their votes and to have them counted. The president had stood for the measure known as the force bill when men with less courage failed to up for the pledge of the republican party.


The allusion to the force bill brought a number of democrats to their feet and Mr. Johnson was deluged with questions, but the confusion was so great that the only question heard was once propounded by Mr. Richardson of Tennessee as to whether the president was in favor of the force bill now.


Mr. Johnson replied that the president was in favor of any constitutional legislation that would guarantee to the lowliest man of the south the right to cast his vote without fear, favor or intimidation.


Mr. Chentham of North Carolina (the only colored man in the house) suggested that this debate had taken a political turn. It had not been intended that any partisan feeling should be interjected. The colored people should have this appropriation. They were waiting and watching the movements of congress to see whether this body would do this for them.


Pending further action the committee rose and the house adjourned.




(''Bitter Partisan Talk'', Galveston Daily News [Galveston, TX], 26 May 1892, Page 4, Column A.)

The correct reading of the 1st name might be: "Hon. E. Clarke"
I think it refers to Edward Alexander Clarke

Hey There, Dennis ...Great background research on the Colored World's Fair Association of America, My Friend ...It gives us more names and clues to jump on...

Hiya Jessica...

Indeed, that is an interesting interview ...and, yes, we need to find out more date info ...Who is this interview with? ...And, how old was this woman when she was interviewed? ...That could get us closer to knowing what fair ...However, the 1893 fair was "The World's Fair", held in Chicago ...That's the one that Dennis is referring to at the end of his post ...The one that
had a "Colored People's' Day" ...and the one in 1933 was, also, a "World's Fair"...

The History Detectives team is correct ...We need to find something conclusive that resolves the operative question ...What happened to this fair? ...We have evidence of an organization ...Funding ...An Employer's Pass that was issued ...So, a lot of effort went into this fair ...And, yet ...To this point, the trail seems to grow cold by around 1890, as it seems that the CWFAA apparently turned their attention to the upcoming "World's Fair" that was to be held in Chicago in 1893 ...Dennis has given us more names to work with. Perhaps if we run those we might find the evidence we are looking for corresponding to the efforts of the CWFAA at this time ...And, yet ...We still don't have a date associated with this Employer's Pass ...Clarke and Pearson still loom large as our most important names to research ...As, they are directly tied to what we are attempting to get to the bottom of ...Who's to say that a different "Colored World's Fair" didn't take place? ...And, when that migh've been ...I don't think we can conclusively pin down which fair it is we're dealing with until we solve who N.E. Clarke and Montie Pearson were and when they were alive ...Keep on keepin' on, Gang ...I'll do the same....

Hon. Philip Joseph of Mobile, Ala., was in town last week and spoke hopefully of the prospects of favorable action this winter by Congress on his scheme for a Colored World's Fair to be held at Atlanta, although opposition in certain quarters prevented the passage of the bill by the present Congress.

(''Local Gossip'', New York Age [New York, NY], 20 October 1888, Issue 2 : Column A.)


The ''Colored World's Fair Association,'' a body incorporated under the laws of Georgia, through their president, Philip Joseph, of Mobile, Ala., has forwarded a petition representing their desire that a proper exhibit of the arts, mechanics, and products of the colored people in the United States, which shall be illustrative of their progress since emancipation, be provided for in connection with the World's Fair in 1893. With their petition is also submitted a printed document setting forth numerous instances of individual wealth, enterprise, and advancement possessed by the colored people in all parts of the country.

(''Afro-Americans'', Daily Inter Ocean [Chicago, IL], 13 October 1890, Issue 202 : Page 6, Column B.)

Articles of incorporation were filed at Georgia in July of 1887, forming the Colored Worlds Fair Association:

2d. The object of said association is to establish and hold a national industrial exposition of the arts, mechanics and products of the colored race throughout the United States, at which premiums may be offered and awarded for excellence ... with the privilege of charging admission and entrance fees....


3d. The chief office of the corporation and its place of doing business will be in the county Fulton, with power to establish agencies elsewhere.


4th. The capital stock of said corporation shall be twenty thousand dollars, 20 per cent of which has already been paid in, with the privilege of increasing the same to fifty thousand dollars.... Petitioners desire to be incorporated for the term of five years, with the privilege of renewal....


Filed in clerk's office, July 15, 1887.


(''Georgia, Fulton County'', Constitution [Atlanta, GA], 28 July 1887, Page 6, Column E.)

Election of Officers--The President an Atlanta Man. The Colored World's Fair association met at 3 o'clock yesterday for the purpose of accepting their charter and effecting a permanent organization. R. J. Henry, acting chairman.

The following officers were elected: President, Jacob McKinley, of Georgia; first-vice president, Hon. Jere Harlson, of Alabama; second-vice president, Rev. C. O. Fisher, of Georgia; third vice-president, Hon. C. C. Antoine, of Louisiana; treasurer, Felix Audry, of Alabama, secretary, L. Lamaniere, of Louisiana, secretary pro. tem., J. N. Blackshear, of Georgia, director-general, Philip Joseph, of Alabama.

And the following board of directors: Philip Joseph, Felix Audry, J. B. Guison, Rev. J. A. Foster, Hon. C. C. Antoine, T. Thomas Fortune, C. H. Tandy, W. W. Henderson, S. A. McElwee, Jacob McKinley, R. J. Henry, Wesley Darden, and one vacancy to be filled by a representative from Augusta.

Jacob McKinley, who has been made president of the association, is one of the best known colored men in Georgia. He is a well-to-do merchant of Atlanta and is highly respected not only people of his own race but by all know [sic] to him.

Director General Joseph, who has just returned from a trip to the north and north-west, reports that the greatest interest in the fair is felt by colored people everywhere. A strong delegation will visit Washington to aid in the passage of a bill appropriating money for the proposed exposition.


(''The Colored World's Fair'', Constitution [Atlanta, GA], 6 November 1887, Page 15, Column B.)

CHICAGO, Aug. 25--This is colored people's day at the World's Fair. The weather is clear and bright. A large number of the black race from the city and surrounding country and from far south are present. There is gathered in the Festival Hall the finest specimens of this race in the country. The venerable Fred Douglass delivered the oration. Sissieretta Jones, ''Black Patti'', sang delightfully, and there were various other exercises of an interesting character. Buffalo Bill's Wild West paraded through the grounds for their benefit.

(Associated Press, ''Colored People's Day'', Reno Evening Gazette, 25 August 1893, Page 1, Column D.)

What an amazing amount of information you've all compiled in less than 24 hours! To clarify for Clinton and anyone else who might be wondering about the purpose of this DIY investigation: throughout the production season, we'll select a few stories that intrigue our staff, and hand them over to you to investigate, instead of pursuing them for the TV series. Since this is a new experiment for us, we're not exactly sure how it will play out. But our aim is to keep these investigations active until a smoking gun is found. In short... no, we don't know the answer to this one, we're hoping you'll find it.

You've already solved the first half of the mystery: "What was the Colored World's fair?" We've learned that it was "...to show the result of the industrial progress of the colored race during the past quarter of a century at a fair to be held next autumn in Atlanta, Georgia." But in order to bring closure to this case, somebody will need to produce evidence that confirms that the CWF was either canceled or subsumed by another event. Keep it up.

Posted by The History Detectives Team on October 21, 2009 6:05 PM

To add: Someone with access to geneology records could try to find the woman, Tara McCullough, mentioned in the interview. She mentions how her mother went to Chicago for three weeks for the Fair, had to come back down to Danville, IL for Tara McCullough's funeral, and then went back to Chicago. That could help pinpoint the year.

Interesting. Found a reference in an oral history of a woman who grew up in Springfield, Illinois. She mentions how her mother goes up to Chicago for the "colored World's Fair". When pressed for a date, she tells the interviewer that she doesn't remember, but surely he can look it up. As this woman wasn't born until 1892, it can't refer to anything before then. Is this the 1933 Fair in Chicago or something else completely different?

http://www.uis.edu/archives/memoirs/CARRS.pdf

Good posts, Jessica ...Another thing to keep in mind ...Though, all the clues and research corresponding to fair planning and/or event occurence lead to the general date time frame of 1887 to 1890, we really have no idea when it might've occurred. Afterall, the term "Colored" didn't fall out of favor until the 2nd quarter of the 20th Century ...It sure would be nice to find any details concerning "The Colored World's Fair Association of America", as they are continually referenced ...Keep hunting ....Cheers...

Clinton has an interesting idea about "Employer's Pass" being a card allowing the employee to get to the worksite rather than on the worksite. However, it specifically says "Colored World's Fair" on it and is signed by a member of the "Fair Committee", leading me to think it's not a general work pass.

I wonder if, since the Atlanta Fair of 1888 was in planning up until November, cards for employers/employees had already been printed and signed in preparation for the event. Just because the card exists, doesn't mean it was used.

A theory as to why the planned fair in Atlanta didn't take place in November. Scanning through references to Piedmont Park in 1888, I see mentions of all sorts of activities at the park: expositions, concerts, performances. Then, come August, news is quiet and it is announced that the Piedmont Park Driving Club, which owns the park, has run out of money to pay the interest on their mortgage and might have to foreclose on the property. The next month, the city proposes to purchase the park from the driving club, but they don't actually do so until January. If the park was closed during that time, it might be a reason why the fair didn't take place that autumn.

Of course, we could be looking at the wrong fair. But I don't see the term "Colored World's Fair" used as frequently as with this fair planned in Atlanta, 1888.

From everything I've read, it sounds like the "Colored World's Fair Association" began in Alabama. So I'm thinking it's the same national organization, but the second quote gives a nod to the organizations organization/headquarters.

Yeah, I saw that article referencing a National Industrial Exposition of the Arts, Mechanics and Products of the Colored Race in the United States of America to be held between Nov. 1888 and Feb. 1889. However, to this point, I have yet to find any supporting evidence to show that it actually took place at that time. In fact, the following article that appeared in the New York Sun during January of 1889 would seem to show that that time frame reference doesn't correspond with whatever way things played out.

The Sun, New York, NY, Tuesday, January, 15, 1889

"We are pleased to hear of the work of the Colored World's Fair Association of America and of it's preparations to show the results of the industrial progress of the colored race during the past quarter century at a fair to be held next Autumn in Atlanta, Georgia. The products of colored men are to be exhibited, their mechanical inventions, manufacturers, works of art and field products. And, there is already a prospect of a display that will be highly creditable to them. The project has reveived encouragement from the legislatures of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and other Southern States, as well as from several chambers of commerce and many industrial bodies. It has been offered the free use of a tract of land and suitable buildings. It has been cordially supported by tht Southern press. It is arousing the interest of energetic and progressive colored men. We trust that it will turn out to be a success, though we regret to see that some of it's managers are trying to get their hands into the United States Treasury."

This article indicates that the fair is to take place in the Fall of 1889. Still looking for evidence of that. Now, the following article from The Morning Call newspaper of San Francisco, I found to be rather curious:

The Morning Call, San Francisco, CA, Tuesday, November 18, 1890

The "Colored World's Fair Association" of Alabama are endeavoring to have established a "Colored Department Exhibit", which shall be illustrative of their progress since their emancipation. "Their ambition and enterprise are to be admired, and although their idea conflicts with the regulations, still their request will probably be granted."

Sort of a back-handed compliment. That said, note the reference: "Colored World's Fair Association" of Alabama. Is this an incorrect reference to "The Colored World's Fair Association of America"? I'm thinkin' yes, as it's doubtful that there were multiple organizations regarding this. And, the CWFAA was (according to the Saint Paul Daily Globe) was an institution incorporated under the laws of the States of Alabama and Georgia. Additionally, I have read a lot of other references to the CWFAA and their pursuit of representation at the The Chicago World's Fair of 1893. I'll keep digging.

I'm not sure I understand what's happening. It's not clear to me if History Detectives is looking for answers, already know the answer and are letting us guess at the "right one," or both.
Regardless, I have disabilities that reduce my ability to do the legwork myself. However, I think I can suggest some possible leads:

1888? Colored people? Money from the Federal Government?

My instinctive reaction is "there has to be a connection to Booker T. Washington."
I would compare coverage of his involvement in pro-Washington and anti-Washington black newspapers for an explanation about what happened.

In 1888, Reconstruction would have ended and as more white Democrats regained power influence in the Federal Government there would have been less willingness to celebrate black emancipation. It doesn't surprise me that it would have been postponed (not even for a few years).
The NYT reported that a National Industrial Exposition of the Arts, Mechanics, and Products of the Colored Race in the United States of America would be held in Atlanta from Nov. '88 until Feb. '89 to repay a loan from Congress. There was no "World's Fair" in Atlanta until 1895. By then, it seems organizers believed "Negro Day" was enough time to display whatever contribution they would admit blacks made to what became the Cotton States and International Exposition.
There clearly wasn't going to be a separate/independent "Colored World Fair." Although W. E. B. Du Bois and others (including, Booker T. Washington) would organize "Negro Exhibitions" in other world fairs in Paris (1900), etc.

My other instinct is not to think of the "Employer's Pass" like an ID card that a worker carries to get access to a work site.
Considering the time period, it might be more like a "passbook" (from Apartheid South Africa, etc.) that gives a worker the right to commute in order to work at all. Jim Crow laws may have been required by both employer and employee. The "Employer's Pass" may have kept in the physical possession of the employers.

Who the actual people are is where my weakness become more consequential. Maybe this information can help others in their efforts.

Although it doesn't shed any light on what happened to the proposed fair in Atlanta, I found a lengthy article in the Washington Post of Feb 13, 1888 interviewing Philip Joseph about plans for the fair, to be held that November. Reading about the general enthusiasm that seemed to exist for the fair, it is hard to believe that it wouldn't come to fruition. They had money (both private and federal, it sounds like), they had the support of the state legislatures of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee and of Atlanta's city council. They were even offered the use of 200 acres of Piedmont Park, free of charge, to use for their Exposition. With all this planning, what happened to this fair?

Some background on two of the founders of the Colored World's Fair association of America

The Daily Journal, Freeport Ill, Sept 20, 1887
Formal application for a charter for the Colored World's Fair association of America has been made and among the incorporators are named Philip Joseph, T. Thomas Fortune, the Rev. C.O. Fisher, Jacob McKinley and other prominent colored men of different parts of the United States. The capital stock is fixed at $20,000, with privilege to increase it to $50,000.

Incorporators information:
T. Thomas Fortune (Oct 3, 1856-June 2, 1928) was an orator, civil rights leader, journalist, writer, editor and publisher. He was called the leading black American journalist of the late 19th century. He was born during slavery in marianna, Jackson County, Florida.
Wikipedia entry: biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Thomas_Fortune

Jacob McKinley (1828-1896) Born a slave in 1828, spent early life on a farm, in 1853 sold for $1550.00. After emancipation developed several successful businesses in Atlanta and at times employed over 150 laborers, both black and white. Prosperous merchant, real estate owner, and dealer in wood and coal.

In 1886, McKinley was one of nine courageous Black businessmen who petitioned the State of Georgia for a charter to establish South-View Cemetery. South View Cemetery is the final resting place for over 70,000 African Americans. many of whom have made significant contributions to American history and the struggle for freedom and peace. Two of the cemetery's most famous residents are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Benjamin Mays. Both men were laid to rest at South-View before being moved to the Martin Luther King Center and Morehouse College respectively.

Searching in the archives of the Atlanta Constitution for that time brings up a few references to plans for the fair prior to 1888, but nothing after that point. No review of a fair well done, which would be surprising had the fair actually took place.

I see what you're saying, Steve. That was how I was interpreting it, especially since it's how I make my own "r"s in cursive. The "s" is so hard to make out.

Sorry ...I didn't mean to imply that "Mortie" is not a viable name option, as a name, per se ...Clearly, it is a nickname for, among other possibilities, "Mortimer" ...That said, I meant that it didn't seem to be a viable option in this case because of the shape of the "r" in the surname, "Pearson" ...The "r" in that signature has the shape of a lower case printed "r", as opposed to one that is written in cursive script ...The two letters would look similar ...However, I believe would you are identifying as the rignt side of the "r" in "Pearson" is just part of the next letter, which is the "s"....

Indiana Progress, Nov 14, 1888 - The colored people of the United States are about to celebrate the twenty-fifth year of their emancipation by a national exposition to be held at Atlanta, Ga from November 12, 1888 to February 12, 1889 (which would have been Lincoln's 80th birthday). It will be a national exhibition of the inventions, productions and labor of the colored race, and will be conducted by a body corporate, known as the "Colored World's Fair Association of America"

Ah, R. Ritter has found an earlier mention to the proposal to allot space to the Colored World's Fair Association at the World's Columbian Exposition. So that would've been just a month after the article in the Sun.

If I were a fair organizer, it certainly sounds like less work (and less expense!) to just set up an exhibit or building at an existing fair than to go ahead with plans for a fair of my own!

Now here's a mention in the NY Sun, January 15, 1889:

"We are pleased to hear of the work of the Colored World's Fair Association of America and of its preparations to show the result of the industrial progress of the colored race during the past quarter of a century at a fair to be held next autumn in Atlanta, Georgia."

So it obviously hasn't happened by the beginning of 1889 and they are anticipating it occurring "next autumn", pushing it back yet another year. In the bill introduced in 1887, it was proposed that the fair would occur in 1888. In the 1888 newspaper article, it was described as planned for "next November" (November 1889). And in the 1889 newspaper article, it was described as planned for "next autumn" (autumn 1890)

It seems that they kept pushing it back for whatever reason.

Then, as early as October of 1890, we start seeing mentions in newspapers (ex., the San Francisco Morning Call, Oct. 21 1890) that the Colored World's Fair Association has petitioned the World's Columbian Exposition, planned for 1893 in Chicago, to have an exhibit set up showing the advancements of colored people.

I wonder if the Colored World's Fair never went off as planned and so the association formed to organize the fair (the Colored World's Fair Association, which I see mentioned as early as 1888) then directed their efforts to having a spot at the World's Columbian Exposition.

Burlington, Iowa, Feb 24, 1891 - A bill was introduced for space at the Columian Exposition was alloted for the Colored World's Fair Association of America - an institution incorporated under the laws of Alabama and Georgia. Along with the bill was submitted a memorial to the Colored World's Fair Association dated Mobile, Alabama, statiing the association had upon its roll of membership representative colored men from every state in the union, who do not want to be swallowed up as would be the case were they to exhibit in common with the white exhibitors.

Ah, to me the "r"s look similar in the first and last name (if it is an "r" and not a "n" in the first name). And Mortie did (and does) exist as a name.

I do agree with you on the "no. 88".

I don't think that "Mortie" is a viable name option ...If it were, the "r" would be shaped like the "r" in the surname, "Pearson" ...Also, "88" is clearly the number associated with the i.d. card issued, as there is a "No." (meaning "number") that seems to have been created by one of those stamp machines. Look at it. It's printed at the same angle as "88"

So here's a timeline based on the articles that Dee Dee, Stephanie and Jessica found:

Feb 17, 1887: Senator Blair introduced a bill to appropriate $400,000 for the CWF and that "the majority of the committee appears favorably disposed toward the amount"

March 3, 1887: the President is granted authorization to appoint CWF Commissioners.

April 18, 1888: The CWF is to be opened "in Atlanta next November"

It's clear that a lot of planning went into the CWF. But it's odd that nobody's found an article describing the event - nothing that would indicate that it was actually held. Ideas?

Posted by The History Detectives Team on October 20, 2009 3:20 PM

Could be an "H". I was also wondering if it could be "Mortie" rather than "Montie".

By the way, I agree that the 88 probably is some type of ID number, not the year.

Does anyone else think that it looks like H.E. Clarke, not N.E. Clarke? I think it could go either way.

The Omaha daily bee, April 18, 1888 reports that "The senate committee on education has reported in favor of lending $400,000 to the Colored World's Fair association to be opened in Atlanta next November, the loan to be made under the same restrictions as were placed on the New Orleans exposition. It is sincerely to be hoped that the colored fair will pan out better financially than the great New Orleans fizzle."

So there are two for consideration, one in New Orleans and one in Atlanta, both which received federal funding.

This same info is probably covered in DeeDee's find, but from "The Ohio Democrat," published 3 March 1887 in New Philadelphia, OH:

The Colored World's Fair

Washington, Feb. 23.--The bill reported by Senator Morgan from the Committe[sic] on Foreign Relations to-day to encourage the holding of a Colored World's Fair in 1888, authorizes the President to appoint six commissioners upon the reccommendation[sic] of the Directors of the Colored World's Fair Association five additional commissioners upn the reccommendation[sic] of the subscribers to the enterprise in the city in which it may be located, to constitute a board of management of the exposition. The President is also authoized to appoint one commissioner for each State and Territory. The bill provides further that the commissioners appointed shall not receive compensation from the United States, and that the United States shall not be liable for any exbense[sic] attending the exposition.

This 1887 newspaper has a short article on the proposed exposition. You can search the scan for the word "colored" to help you find it in all that newsprint.

http://fultonhistory.com/Process%20small/Newspapers/Rochester%20NY%20Democrat%20Chronicle/Rochester%20NY%20Democrat%20Chronicle%201888/Rochester%20NY%20Democrat%20Chronicle%201888%20-%200374.PDF

One of the big names involved with the exposition was Phililp Joseph. I found him mentioned in more than one of the articles on the LOC Chronicling History pages.

I'm still searching for Montie Pearson in the 1880 and 1900 census, but no luck so far... at least not anyone who looks like THIS Montie Pearson.

(I hope HD decides to make this a regular feature! I'm having so much fun.)

I'm guessing he was employee #88, and that "Display Trailer" was the area he was attached to. I found some interesting newspaper bits that brought the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the Colored World's Fair Association to my attention, but I have to dash! Have fun looking, all!

Kaji, you're absolutely right about the "No. 88." What could that be in reference to? Does anybody have any thoughts on the "Display Trailcar/ Trailer" phrase?

Posted by The History Detectives Team on October 20, 2009 1:13 PM

Nice work DeeDee. According to the records you found, "several petitions seek support for national and international expositions, such as...the Colored World's Fair Exposition in Atlanta, 1888 (50A-J2)."
But did the Federal government actually finance the exposition?

Posted by The History Detectives Team on October 20, 2009 1:05 PM

According to google and reunion.com, there is a 79-year-old Montie Pearson living in Oklahoma City...there was also a Montie Pearson who fathered a child in May of 1946 in Texas who is a more likely candidate. I read that as "No. 88", not just 88. I think I'd try putting N.E. Clarke on a World's Fair committee and go from there....

It appears to have been financed by the federal government if it's the Colored World's Fair Exposition held in Atlanta in 1888.

http://www.archives.gov/legislative/guide/senate/chapter-03.html