William Waller Carson Reminiscence Letter, 1918.

Title

William Waller Carson Reminiscence Letter, 1918.

Description

In this letter, William Waller Carson, Professor of Mathematics at Davidson College from 1877 to 1883 and Superintendent of the Grounds, writes about rejecting a permit submitted by a local Black man to transport laundry to the student dorms.

Date

July 19,1918

Identifier

DC0166s

Format

Letter

Text

“But the professors themselves were not without their temptations. I well remember a struggle through which I passed. To stop some petty pilfering from the dormitories that had become a nuisance the Faculty resolved one day that no negroes should be allowed on the campus except such as were given permits. As I was the Superintendent of Grounds just then it developed on me to enforce this ruling. It soon appeared that a negro of shady reputation who had recently acquired a horse and car was planning a huge monopoly in tranportation. He had previously operated more or less successfully, possibly with a wheelbarrow, as the agent of several laundresses. But now he aspired to a wholesale business. So he came to me for a permit to enter the Campus for the weekly collection and return of the clothes. When this was refused he proceeded to argue the case with much more insistence but without success. At last in desperation he blasted out, “I tell you just how it is Mr. Carson. If you will let me go after that washing I will give you 25 cents.” The above reference to a negro reminds me that we also had our troubles.”

Source

DC0166s: Carson, William Waller, 1845- Reminiscences, 1918 and Undated