In the same edition of the Elizabethville Echo in which the editor, Milton A. Miller flippantly dismissed African American criticisms to the radio show, Amos ‘n Andy, an article appeared top and center of page one which emphasized that it was “negroes” who were arrested for stealing coal at the McClellan Storage Yards, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
It was a common practice of the time to identify African Americans as “negroes” or “colored,” but “whites” were never identified in the same way.
Note also that the article pointed out that a dog was used to assist in the arrest.
From the Elizabethville Echo, January 1, 1931:
NEGROES ARRESTED FOR McCLELLAN COAL THEFTS
Three negroes, all of whom gave their address as Steelton, were arrested early on the morning of December 21st, by Lieut. George Burmeister, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Police, for the theft of coal from the McClellan storage yards. The arrests were effected with the of his police dog, “Pal.”
The thefts had been known to the police officials for some time, and early that Sunday morning, Burmeister took his post. The three men were engaged in removing the coal from a railroad car on the siding, and carrying it in bags to their automobile parked nearby.
More than twenty bags had already been filled when Burnmeister made his appearance. One of the men was quickly rounded up by the dog when he tried to escape.
The trio were taken to Millersburg to be placed in jail for further questioning. After giving their names as Alec Chappell, Jack Johnson and Wallace Williamson, they divulged the fact that the coal would be taken away by an accomplice with a truck. The truckman, did not make his appearance, or perhaps not receiving a pre-arranged signal, realized his danger.
The men were given a hearing before Justice of the Peace, High, in Millersburg, the following day, and were held for court.
The railroad Company has sustained heavy coal losses by theft the past Fall and have increased its police force to check these raids.
No follow-up article was found in the Echo or in the Harrisburg newspapers that indicated the result of the court proceeding.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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