HARRIET TUBMAN

The exercises were scheduled for 9 o’clock, but it was after 10 when all the colored belles and their escorts had arrived. It was too late for extended, exercises; and in the absence of Bishop Harris of Binghamton, who was scheduled to speak, extempore remarks were made by several members of the committee.

Following a short concert by the Ithaca colored band and several selections by talented vocalists, the floor was cleared for the dancers who enjoyed a program lasting till the morning hours.

The Ithaca band left for Syracuse, and tomorrow will be in Rochester, giving concerts in both cities.

Among the clergymen present at the afternoon exercises was the Rev. E.U. A. Brooks of Utica, who comes here next Sunday to take up the duties of the local pastorate of Zion.

Bishop C.R. Harris, D.D., of Salisbury, N.C. , is the president of the board. Several of the pastors of the Western New York conference were present yesterday, and took part in the ceremonies. It was an occasion of great rejoicing on the part of the colored people gathered at the home. “Aunt Harriet” Tubman the founder of the home was the most conspicuous figure at the ceremonies. She was the subject of many eulogies for her self sacrifice in her long years of labor for the establishment of the home. Her remarks were listened to with great interest. Addresses were delivered by Bishop C.R. Harris, Rev. T.A. Austin, E.H.A. Brooks, Dr. A.J.E. Mason, M.H. Ross, C. A. Smith, J.C. Roberts, Mrs. R. Jerome Jeffrys of Rochester, and Rev. J.W. Brown. At the business meeting of the home held after the opening exercises a constitution was adopted and the home is ready for the reception of inmates.

A sketch of the home may be of interest to the readers of the Advertiser. Just 12 years ago this month Harriet Tubman bought the property at a surrogate’s sale at the Court house by Judge Turner. The property was bid off to Harriet Tubman for $1,350. The money was to be paid in a few days and Harriet Tubman came to the conference then being held at Syracuse, and desired the Bishop to send a committee to Auburn. The committee consisted of Rev. W.A. Ely, Rev. J.E. Mason and Rev. G.C. Carter. After looking around for someone to take a mortgage the Cayuga County Savings bank finally agreed to take one of $1,000 if the balance of $350 was provided for. The work of raising the $350 fell to the lot of Rev. G.C. Carter and in ten days he had the entire amount raised, and paid into the bank.

The property was then deeded to “Aunt Harriet” and for seven years Harriet Tubman looked personally after the property. Mr. Eddy the real estate dealer, had the buildings fitted up for rent. It sometimes puzzled “Aunt Harriet” to know where the money was to come from to pay the taxes. At one time she had to surrender her cows to get the money to pay taxes. Four years ago Mrs. Tubman deeded the property to the A.M.E. Zion Church in America to carry out her cherished wishes, the establishment of a home for aged and infirmed colored people of this state. Several times it was thought the home would be open, but it was not until Rev. G. C. Carter came on the ground that any real step was taken to open the home.

Less than two years ago, Rev. Mr. Carter came and found no funds in the treasury. The friends of Aunt Harriet had lost all hope of ever seeing the home open, but Rev. Mr. Carter is not the man to surrender to obstacles without a strong effort. After a hard struggle the work of fitting up the building was commenced nearly a year ago, but owing to the stringency of money matters the work was delayed until a few weeks ago, when the board of lady managers took hold of the work with the result that the home was so auspiciously open yesterday. Much credit is due the board of lady managers under the direction of Mrs. C.A. Smith. Rev. G.C. Carter, is well known in central New York, for the faithful, service he has given to Zion church. He has paid debts on churches at Norwich, Johnstown, Gloversville, Little Falls, Wilkesbarre, Pa., Binghamton and Watertown.

The local colored people are working hard for the establishment of the Harriet Tubman home for colored girls in this city. The home has been in existence for a number of years, but of late interest in the work has lagged. This year will see the completion of the home and it will be under a new order of running. Heretofore it was to be a home for indigent colored people, but now it is planned to have it a school for colored girls, where they may learn the methods of cooking, dressmaking, etc., in which their white sisters have the advantage. The work is progressing rapidly and many contributions are coming from citizens to help defray the expenses of the home.

Article appeared in the Auburn Daily Advertiser Wednesday, June 24, 1908, and included a photo of Harriet Tubman dressed in a long flowing gown, wearing a knee-length cape and her favorite small brim hat. The words--HARRIET TUBMAN AT 98 was printed under the photo. This article was stored in the Harriet Tubman Historical Society’s files since 1983, and was retyped as it appeared.

Special Thanks to Nona and Margaret, Cayuga County Community College, Auburn, New YorK