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2– Con

Forty-seven years ago the colored folks of Norfolk and Portsmouth celebrated the passage of the "Civil Rights Bill" by Congress. and we all gathered in the city of Norfolk. had a big parade of civic societies, and discharge colored soldiers speaking out on the suburbs. The poor whites "sicked on" doubtless, by the upper class, interfered with us. tried to break us up. a riot ensued and several whites were killed. I was unhurt. Who killed the parties was never known, but several colored men left the city for fear of arrest, and have never returned. The organizations from Portsmouth after the riot was over marched unmolested down town and took the ferry home, but I was tremulous, excepting every minute that our ranks would be fired into, but I didn’t show the white feather. My organization was the [I.S.L. ?]all young men, five of us are alive to day.

No man limps for another’s hurts

ThursMONDAY, April 3

“And their priests teach for hire.” Clear and warm. rested good last night. B “BW” and u.w. me are well. I am at the office — Paid off for Feby March. — Evening home. — Secretary of U.S.N. visited the Navy Yard. — Some people say, they disbelieve in hell. i.e. there is none. old hell is there just the same. —

He that hath patience sees his revenge

FriTUESDAY, April 4

“In your patience posess ye your souls.” — Clear and warm. Wind high. Rested good last night, and B. “BW” and u.w. me are well. I am at the office. — I am a little Blue to day. The O.B. met, out fairly early. — This day 21 years ago was a sad day at my home.