VISITOR FROM 'SUNNY SOUTH,' UNPREPARED FOR COLD, HELPS HIMSELF TO COAL
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Lendo Isley, a.k.a. Charles Randolph, according to The Evening Star, appears to be the latest victim of the coal strike. The unfortunate African-American from "the Sunny South" arrived in the Nation's Capital a few days ago "totally unprepared for the...disagreeable weather."
Mr. Isley made his way to Hyman Epstein's coal yard at 441 N Street where he "helped himself" to some coal. As he exited the premises with 15 cents worth of coal for which he had not paid, Isley was taken into custody by a watchful police officer.
At the police station, Isley was found to, in addition to the coal, have in his possession a revolver "for which he had no explanation."
At police court this morning, February 1, 1926, Lendo Isley was sentenced by Judge Schulat to 30 days in jail for theft and 240 days for "carrying the revolver."
JFK+50 NOTE
Obviously, the term African-American (my choice) was not used in the Star's front page 1926 story. The Star refers to Mr. Isley as "colored." Hopefully, for his sake, the jail was properly heated.
SOURCE
"Colored Man, Cold, Craves Comfort And Coal, Collects 270 Days In Jail," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 1, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
