The Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis

Item

Clamorgan, Cyprian (1830-1902). The Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis. 1857, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 2, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/62375

Title: The Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis
Creator: Clamorgan, Cyprian (1830-1902)
Date: 1858
Location: St. Louis, MO
Format: Book
Source: Missouri Historical Society
Rights: Public Domain
Identifier: col1830.0001.001; OCLC Worldcat: F474.S29 A25 1858; Missouri Historical Society 53228 / Lib197
Transcription: --- clamorgan_000.txt ---
THE COLORED ARISTOCRACY OF ST. LOUIS
BY CYPRIAN CLAMORGAN.
ST. LOUIS, MO.: 1858.
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THE COLORED ARISTOCRACY OF ST. LOUIS
BY CYPRIAN CLAMORGAN.
ST. LOUIS, MO.: 1858.

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Missouri Historical Society 53228

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THE
COLORED ARISTOCRACY
OF ST. LOUIS.

Thousands have wept over the fictitious sorrows of "Uncle Tom,"
as delineated by the facile pen of Mrs. Stowe; while the imaginary
"Dred," a monstrous creation of the same morbid and diseased
brain, has awakened the sympathies of all classes of readers. The
romantic autobiographies of Solomon Northup, Box Brown, and
other colored gentlemen, have been read in every quarter of the
globe. The long-contested suit of Dred Scott excited the attention
of the wisest heads in the land, and volumes have been written on
both sides of the question. From these and other facts it would ap-
pear that the colored race are not without their friends and admirers,
even in this land of liberty. When respectable white men and
women can sit and listen to the oratorical displays of Fred. Doug-
lass and his sable compatriots; when the question of Emancipation
is taking hold of the minds of the people in our own State and is fast
growing to be the leading topic of the day; when our country is
threatened with a war with the most powerful nation of Europe on
account of difficulties growing out of the slave-trade -in such a
state of public affairs, the author deems it not inappropriate to take
a cursory glance at society as it exists amongst the free colored peo-
ple of St. Louis; to show the origin and position of a portion of
those whom circumstances have placed in the path of comparative
respectability, and to whom fortune has been kind in the bestowal
of the good gifts of life.
The free colored people of St. Louis are surrounded by peculiar
circumstances. Many of them are separated from the white race
by a line of division so faint that it can be traced only by the keen

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eye of prejudice -a line so dim indeed that, in many instances that
might be named, the stream of African blood has been so diluted by
mixture with Caucasian, that the most critical observer cannot de-
tect it. We, who know the history of all the old families of St.
Louis, might readily point to the scions of some of our "first famil-
lies," and trace their genealogy back to the swarthy tribes of Congo
or Guinea. Such, however, is not our present purpose. Our busi-
ness is with those who have the mark unmistakably fixed upon their
brows.
When Upper Louisiana was settled by the French and Spaniards,
the emigrants were necessarily nearly all of the sterner sex. Stem-
ing the current of the Father of Waters in their light canoes and
pirogues, and taking up their abode in the wild wilderness, where
beasts of prey and prowling savages beset them on all sides, they
could not bring with them the soft partners of their bosoms, but left
their families in peaceful security at home, while they undertook the
task of exploring a continent. But man without woman, even in the
wildest state of society, becomes a savage, morose and discontented
being. He longs for the endearments of a wife, and sighs for the
prattle of children in the solitude of his forest home, and is never
contented until he reposes his fevered brow upon the soft bosom of
some beloved one whose very frailty is her greatest strength. His-
tory tells us that the founders of Rome, feeling the want of a suffi-
cient number of women in their infant colony, seized upon the
women of the Sabines; and it may well be said, that warriors fight-
ing in such a cause are invincible. So it was with the early settlers
of Louisiana. Having few women of their own, they sought wives
among the sylvan maids of the forest; and if the blood of Pocahon-
tus has ennobled many of the best families of Virginia, why may
not the descendants of many of the early settlers of Missouri boast
of a similar genealogy?
But it was not alone amongst the squaws that our progenitors
found companions for their solitude and mothers for their children.
At that time the blood of Africa had crossed the Atlantic, and the
colored race had found a foothold in the West Indies. It was there
that many of the voyageures up the Mississippi obtained wives to
share their fortunes in the wilderness; and from this union have
sprung up many of those whom we designate the "colored aristoc-
racy." By this term is meant those who move in a certain circle;
who, by means of wealth, education, or natural ability, form a pecu-

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liar class-the elite of the colored race. The sketches here present-
ed are mere outlines-facts briefly stated without entering into
details. A large volume might be compiled from facts in the pos-
session of the writer, and material for a dozen such volumes as
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" might be gleaned from the history of these
families; but we only aim at the simple truth, and shall leave all
flights of fancy to such romancists as Mrs. Stowe and her colleagues.
According to the decision of Chief Justice Taney, a colored man
is not a citizen of the United States, and consequently has no politi-
cal rights under the Constitution. His life is all that he is entitled
to, and in some States he holds that merely because he is useful to
his master. We shall not, in this place, call in question the judg-
ment of the learned Chief Justice, who has in this State kindred of
a darker hue than himself; but we may be permitted to show in
what manner the political influence of the colored man is felt, and
how, in every important election, his interest is exerted in behalf of
his favorite candidate.
It will be seen by the following pages that the colored people of
St. Louis command several millions of dollars; and every one knows
that money, in whose hands soever it may be found, has an influence
proportioned to its amount. Now, although our colored friends have
no voice in the elections, they are not idle spectators. They know
what parties and what individuals are most favorable to their inter-
ests, and they are not slow in making friends with those who are
able and willing to serve them. Certain shallow-minded politicians
among us assert that the so called Emancipation party which has
sprung up in our midst within a few years past, is the work of office-
seeking demagogues, whose object is to rally the masses of laboring
men to their standard by the cry of "free labor." But we assert
that the rise of that party is the result of the unwearied and com-
bined action of the wealthy free colored men of St. Louis, who know
that the abolition of slavery in Missouri would remove a stigma
from their race, and elevate them in the scale of society. The cry
has been raised-"Missouri for white men." That is but the en-
tering wedge of human equality. When slavery is abolished, where
will be found the power of excluding the colored man from an equal
participation in the fruits of human progression and mutual develop-
ment? What political party will then dare to erect a platform on
which the black man cannot stand side by side with his white bro-
ther? It is a very wrong idea to suppose that the present move-

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ment is designed exclusively for the benefit of the white laborer.
Time will show that such is not the case, and we advise the colored
man to "bide his time."
I will endeavor to show, in a few words, in what manner the poli-
tical influence of the colored man is felt in St. Louis. Wealth is
power, and there is not a colored man in our midst who would not
cheerfully part with his last dollar to effect the elevation of his race.
They know who are their friends, and when the opportunity arrives
they exhibit their gratitude in a manner most acceptable to the re-
cipient. Among our most prominent citizens who have been the
steadfast friends of the colored man, none stands higher in his estim-
ation than John How. He can always depend upon them in any
emergency. He can offer himself for any office in the gift of the
people with the certainty of success. Until recently, John M. Wim-
er might have done the same; but owing to certain acts of his
administration he has lost their confidence. Had he been true to
the trust they reposed in him, he would not now be in the deplora-
ble position he occupies. B. Gratz Brown is another favorite of the
colored men: and should he meet with any reverse of fortune, they
would promptly step to his rescue. The same may be said of Frank
Blair. Henry T. Blow, also, stands high in their estimation, and
may rely upon them for a powerful support in the August election.
Mr. Blow was, until recently, a member of the American party; and
we shall not reveal the influences that were brought to bear to induce
him to unite his political fortunes with the party of freedom.
The colored men of St. Louis have no votes themselves, but they
control a large number of votes at every election. Many of them
own houses which are rented to white voters, and others trade ex-
tensively with white dealers. It is an easy matter for them to say
to their tenants, "Mr. Blair and Mr. Brown are our friends-vote
this ticket or seek another place of abode." It is no less easy for
them to tell the merchant that, unless he votes for certain men, he
will lose a large custom; and no one acquainted with human nature
will deny that such requests are usually complied with.
A great deal more might be said upon this head; but we leave
politics and proceed to persons.
If the reader will accompany me down Seventh street to the vicin-
ity of Rutgers, I will show him a large mansion, which, with the
yard and out-buildings, occupies half a block of ground. Entering
this mansion, I will introduce him to its mistress,

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MRS. PELAGIE RUTGERS, A brown-skinned, straight-haired woman of about fifty years of age;
she is large, fine-looking and healthy, and has been quite hand-
some; she is worth half a million of dollars. Her husband was
Louis Rutgers, a free man of color, who inherited the property from
his father, a white man of the same name. They settled in the
present locality in 1825, and the widow has remained there ever
since. Previous to her marriage she was a slave, and purchased
herself for the sum of three dollars. About the year 1842 she gave
birth to a daughter, and finding that her property was becoming val-
uable, she requested Louis Clamorgan to act as her child's guardian
and to manage her estate. About this time her husband was arrest-
ed and thrown into prison, and came near losing all his property.
Clamorgan procured his release, paid his debts, secured his property,
and he had no further difficulty. I regret to say that for his many
acts of kindness, Clamorgan received no reward. At his death the
estate was indebted to him in the sum of ten thousand dollars, not a
cent of which has been or ever will be paid. Mrs. Rutgers is an
illiterate woman, but lives in good style; she has in her house a
piano which cost two thousand dollars, but her wealthy daughter,
the sole heiress to her large estate, is not able to play upon it. Mrs.
R. is a member of the Catholic church, but is not noted for her piety;
she worships the almighty dollar more than Almighty God. She
makes a fine appearance in society, but exposes her ignorance when
she attempts to converse. * * * * Her daughter
is an amiable girl, but her mother is too penurious to give her an
education. This young lady-the geatest "match" among the col-
ored aristocracy-has bestowed her affections upon a worthy young
man, but the ambitious mother wants to marry her to another; so it
seems that the course of true love does not run smooth, even among
the colored population of our city.
Turning up the street, we come to Third street, between Lombard and Hazel, to the residence of
MRS. PELAGIE NASH, Who is about 38 years of age, and has been twice married. Her
estate is worth five thousand dollars ; she owns nearly the whole
block in which she resides. Her second husband was named
Moran, but she is better known by the name of the first. She is very
aristocratic in her bearing, and takes great pride in her wealth-her

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motto being, "Wealth makes the man, the want of it the fellow."
Mrs. Nash is very fond of her children, and thinks them a little bet-
ter than the generality of picaninnies; her great ambition is to have
her daughter marry a man as nearly white as possible; she is rather
exclusive in her associates, and evidently looks down upon those
who do not possess as great an amount of wealth as herself.
Next door to Mrs. Nash, resides
MRS. SARAH HAZLETT, A fascinating "grass widow," upon whose features time has left
the trace of beauty, though fast falling into the "sere and yellow;"
she is about thirty-five years of age, and possesses a comfortable
fortune of seventy thousand dollars. A mystery hangs over the gay
widow, which curious eyes have in vain endeavored to penetrate.
* * * * * Be that as it
may, the lady has thus far been shrewd enough to keep her own
secret, and to effectually conceal all proofs of criminality between
the parties. She is a small active body, quick in her movements,
and possessed of great tact in conversation-a talent for which wo-
en are generally more noted than men. Mrs. Hazlett is the
mother of two beautiful and interesting daughters: Theodosia, the
elder, is the colored belle of St. Louis; she is "sweet sixteen,"
and a marigold of beauty; she has it in her power to choose a hus-
band from amongst the best of her class, and but for the prejudice
of caste in this country, many a white man would be found sighing
at her feet; her form is the perfection of youthful grace, and her
dark lustrous eyes would shame the orbs of the wild gazelle. In
short, "She is a thing of life and light, Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes."
Emily, the younger daughter, is about fourteen, and promises to
equal if not surpass her sister in those charms which enslave the
hearts of men. The girls are both at school in Philadelphia; and,
by the way, the Quaker City possesses the best academies for the
education of children of color-equal perhaps to the first-class
schools of the white race: the teachers are white, and take peculiar
pains in their vocation.
We will now turn to the southern part of the city, where, on Sou-
lard avenue we meet with

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MRS. MARY OBUCHON, A widow of forty, though not exactly fair and fat." She owns the
property upon which she resides, and is worth about nine thousand
dollars. Mrs. Obuchon has been very useful in times past as a sick
nurse, and is one of the best of her profession. She has poured
balm into the wounds of many afflicted strangers, and has raised
many a stricken form from the bed of sickness. The qualities of a
sick nurse are patience, gentleness and watchfulness, all of which
Mrs. 0. possesses in a high degree. She is a plain, unpretending
woman, living in retirement, and does not seek to make any great
display in the world. Her daughter Margaret lives with her, and
has the general management of the household affairs; she is about
twenty years of age, and is a capital housekeeper-one who de-
ights in keeping everything in its place, and has a great antipathy
to dust, dirt and cobwebs; she would make an excellent wife, as
she has a good disposition, is neat and orderly, and warm in her
affections. Both mother and daughter are kind and hospitable, and
treat their friends and visitors in the best manner.
Taking leave for the present of the fairer portion of creation, we
proceed to take a glance at the "gentlemen of color." On Eighth
street, near Rutgers, we come to the house of
SAMUEL MORDECAI. Although his name indicates a Jewish origin, we are not aware
that Sam has any aversion to pork, or would hesitate to sit down to
a game of "poker" on Saturday. He is one of the wealthiest of
our colored aristocracy, and is good for one hundred thousand dol-
lars when "flush." He is an ardent votary of the blind goddess,
and has been one of her prime favorites; he made the greater por-
tion of his fortune by the turn of cards, and is the most inveterate
gambler we have ever met with. He has an incurable passion for
games of chance, and will bet his pile on anything that has the ap-
earance of uncertainty. From the simple trick of the thimble-
rigger or Mexican puzzle to a horse race or Presidential election,
Mordecai is always "in." He lives at his ease, but is interested
in business at the corner of Fourth and Pine streets. For many
years he was a steward on the river, and is one of the most ener-
getic business men to be met with anywhere. Mordecai is a Ken-
tuckian by birth, and has inherited many of the good qualities of
the sons of that noble State; he is extremely polite in his inter-

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course with his equals and inferiors, and quite aristocratic in his
feelings. He came here about sixteen years ago, and has prosper-
ed ever since. He has an interesting daughter, fifteen years of
age, who is at school in England. He is a man of general informa-
tion, and has traveled a great deal; he talks seriously of taking up
his abode in Paris, on the completion of his daughter's education.
In France a colored man is more respected than in any other part
of the world; some of the most talented men in that country can
trace their origin to the shores of Africa, and their blood is no re-
proach to them. The great novelist Dumas is known to be of Afri-
can descent, and he makes no concealment of the fact. In Paris
Mordecai would be received into the first circles, and has the ability
and address to maintain his position in any society in which he may
be thrown. He is strictly honest, and his word is as good as his
bond.
Reader, if your beard has grown perceptibly while perusing these
pages, you wtll do well to follow us a little farther. We will step
into the bath-house and dressing saloon on the corner of Fourth
and Pine, formerly known as Clamorgan's, and, after taking a bath
and a shave, we will sit down and have a private chat with the
proprietor,
ALBERT WHITE, Who is one of the most expert chin scrapers in the city. He came
to St. Louis some sixteen years ago, and has amassed a fortune of
fifteen thousand dollars; he is, however, indebted to his excellent
and thrifty wife for his prosperity, for when the California fever
was raging some years ago, he took her with him to that land of
gold, where, by her industry she accumulated a comfortable pile of
the dust, which enabled him to return and commence business again.
He is a great talker- the common failing of barbers, who are a
privileged class. When one of these gossiping knights of the razor
gets a customer under his hands, it would seem that his tongue
keeps pace with his razor; they are dumb as mutes until they get a
man's head thrown back on a level with his breast, his face, and
especially his mouth, besmeared with a thick coating of lather, and
the glittering steel flourishing in terrorem over his throat, and then
they shower upon him a perfect Niagara of words. Like a prison-
er chained to the stake, he is compelled to listen to the "sentiments"
of his tormenter; for if he dares to open his mouth to give utter-
ance to a dry "yes," or a surly "no," down his throat rushes a

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torrent of lather, that entirely stifles his speech, and chokes him
off as effectually as a party nomination gags a small beer politician.
I have often thought that barbers were the only men in the com-
munity who enjoyed, at all times, the privilege of free speech.
Happily, women have no beards, and can talk at all times-but to
our mutton. Albert White lives on Fifteenth street near Clark
avenue. His education is limited, but he has very good common
sense; he is fond of a game of cards, and at times bets pretty freely;
at home he is hospitable and kind, and lives well; he is doing a fine
business, clearing about three hundred dollars a month; his estab-
lishment is the most extensive in the city, and his baths are much
frequented.
It will doubtless be observed by the reader, that a majority of our
colored aristocracy belong to the tonsorial profession; a mulatto
takes to razors and soap as naturally as a young duck to a pool of
water, or a strapped Frenchman to dancing; they certainly make
the best barbers in the world, and were doubtless intended by na-
ture for the art. In its exercise, they take white men by the nose
without giving offense, and without causing an effusion of blood.
Every one who has shaved long in St. Louis must know
BYERTERE HICKMAN, Whose shop is on Fourth street, under the Planter's House. Un-
like Albert White, he does not talk much to his customers-is rather
quiet, and is not a braggadocio, like the majority of his brethren.
He tweaks a man's nose with a dainty finger, as though he regret-
ted being compelled to take hold of the human face by the natural
handle, and peels off the beard like a dairy-maid skimming cream.
Hickman is a descendant of "one of the first families of Virginia,"
and has been here about fifteen years. He has attended faithfully
to his business, and won many friends, besides laying up some
$5,600 in cash for a rainy day. He commenced with a small shop
on Chestnut street, and was always a favorite with the old residen-
ters. He has taken the "Moral Editor" through many a hard
scrape , and the old gentleman is never in a better humor than when
he has just come, with a clean face, from the hands of Hickman.
His wife is a most excellent lady, and belongs to one of the wealth-
iest families of Virginia. At home the Hickmans are kind and
hospitable, and have many friends in the city.

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R. J. WILKINSON, another dealer in steel and soap, came to St. Louis sixteen years
ago, from Cincinnati. He opened a small shop on Vine street,
where a majority of his customers were rivermen. Although in-
debted to steamboatmen for his start in life, he has frequently taken
occasion to slander that noble class of men, whose good qualities are
too well known to require any eulogy in this place. The cause of
Wilkinson leaving Cincinnati was the seduction of an interesting
girl, whose friends swore vengeance against her destroyer. He
afterwards married a native of St. Louis, whose connections enabled
him to obtain admission into society, and his "youthful indiscre-
tions" have been regarded with a forgiving eye. He has a fine
establishment on Olive street, between Fourth and Fifth, and is do-
ing a good business; his estate is worth about $21,000. He
resides on Clark avenue, near Fifteenth street. I am sorry to say
his character is not such an one as should be recommended to the
young as a model of excellence. He is ungrateful for favors past,
and speaks disrespectfully of those who have been his best friends.
He employs good workmen, and his shop is one of the most fre-
quented in the city.
E. HENLEY, Another of the Virginia bloods, has a shop on Vine street, and is a
pattern of a business man. His upright deportment and business
qualifications attracted the attention of Ex-Mayor How, who assist-
ed him (as he has aided many men of both colors), and he is now
doing well. He can raise two thousand five hundred dollars of his
own; and his credit is good for a much larger sum. Henley has a
good education, and is altogether a man of sound sense. He has an
interesting family, residing on Sixth street, near Cerre. Much
could be said in his praise, but his conduct is his best eulogy.
RICHARD MERRIN, A journeyman in the employ of Henley, is a universal favorite. In
appearance he resembles a Moor, and, like Othello, is well calcula-
ted to win the heart of the fairest Desdemona in the land. A free-
hearted bachelor, he has many friends among the ladies, and is con-
sulted by them on all important occasions-such as the ordering of
a wedding supper, the management of a ball, or the christening of
an infant. Dick must have a hand in every pleasure party and pic-
nic; and without his presence no wedding would be complete. He
is from Virginia, and has been here about eleven years.

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MRS. NANCY LYONS. This lady, the widow of the late Charles Lyons, keeps an aristo-
craiic (aristocratic) boarding house, on Sixth street, near Gratiot. Her husband
died in California, leaving her the mistress of a fortune of $25,000,
most of which was accumulated by herself. She was born in St.
Louis and raised in Cahokia. Living among the French inhabi-
tants she, of course, learned their language, and was educated in the
tenets of the Catholic church. In appearance she resembles an In-
dian, and may possibly have the blood of Pontiac in her veins. She
is very industrious in her habits, and pays strict attention to the com-
fort of the inmates of her house. Her connections are highly re-
spectable, and she has a large circle of warm and devoted friends,
and is every way worthy of the high position she occupies.
P. G. WELLS. As a faithful historian, it is our unpleasant duty to speak of the
vile and unworthy, as well as the good and virtuous; nothing but
thts (this) sense of duty could induce us to mention in this connection a
character so far below the common level of humanity as P. G.
Wells. He has been here about twenty years, and in all that time
has led the life of a spy and a dog. At one time he earned a pre-
carious livlihood as an informer against his own race. He is a tall,
pompous black man-a great braggart, and says more in one minute
than he will stand to in a week. He is not only treacherous and de-
ceitful to his own color, but has deceived and cheated every white
man who has trusted in his promises. His wife is too good for such
a fellow, and supports him by keeping a fashionable boarding house
on Elm street. This lady is a tall yellow woman, uneducated; but
having good natural sense and a sound judgment, coupled with
great industry and perseverance, she maintains a respectable posi-
tion, and is highly esteemed by all who know her. She is the soul
of hospitality and kindness, and takes great pleasure in seeing those
around her comfortable. She is an Emilia coupled to a black Iago.
MR. AND MRS. SAWYER. Of all the colored people of St. Louis, none are more esteemed
than Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer. They board at Well's, and are the
favorites of an extensive circle of friends. Sawyer is an industrious,
hard-working man, and has many estimable traits of character.
Mrs. Sawyer is one of the most fascinating ladies of the city; her

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form is the perfection of womanly loveliness, and would serve as a
model for a Venus or an Eve; she is fond of society, gay and
sparkling, while her lively sallies of wit spread cheerfulness around
her, and her beauty, like a summer flower, awakens the liveliest
admiration. Her mind is equally gifted with her person, and she is
the bright star of all social parties. Her father, Gabriel Helms, be-
stowed a world of pains upon her education, and has the satisfac-
tion of seeing his labors amply rewarded in his accomplished
daughter, who is the pride and solace of his declining years.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, SR. If we should search for an example of clear foresight and shrewd-
ness in business, we could not find one possessed of these qualities
in a more eminent degree than William Johnson. In 1840 he
opened a barber's shop on Main street, with a slender capital, and,
in a few years, by close attention to business and the exercise of
economy, he saved a thousand dollars. At that time real estate in
St. Louis was worth much less than at present, for the city had but
commenced to expand with that rapidity which has been one of the
marvels of the day. Johnson saw the swelling of the tide in the
distance, and determined to take advantage of his knowledge. With
the sum he had saved, he purchased a block on Market street, which
in a short time he sold for $100,000. Not so bad a speculation for
a colored man! He resides on Poplar street, where he has a fine
brick house and owns about half the block. His estate is valued at
$125,000. He has a large family, and several accomplished and
highly-educated daughters. He is rather reserved in his intercourse
with society, a trifle too haughty in his bearing, and excessively
proud of his family; he is a good neighbor, however, and is kind
and hospitable at home. Johnson's greatest fault is his fondness for
the gentler sex-the flashing eye and silvery voice of a golden-
cheeked beauty, can raise a commotion in his breast almost equal to
an eruption of Vesuvius; it is a fault, however, which men censure
lightly, and women are apt to forgive.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, JR. A nephew of the last named, keeps a coffee-house for colored peo-
ple on the corner of Washington avenue and Seventh street. He is
something of a talker, and pretends to know a great deal; like his
uncle, he is proud and aristocratic, but a good business man; he has

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made some ten thousand dollars, and is very fond of money; he has
an accomplished wife, and is in good standing in society.
ANTOINE LABADIE Is now about forty years of age, and is one of the wealthiest colored
men in the city. His estate is valued at $300,000. He is a butch-
er by trade, and has done a heavy business in shipping cattle to the
Southern markets. Labadie is nearly white, and looks more like a
Mexican than anything else; he is plain and unostentatious in his
dress and manners, and has few of the prejudices common to his
class; he was born and raised in St. Louis, and resides at the cor-
ner of Clark avenue and Fifteenth street; he is kind and hospita-
ble and of a friendly disposition.
PETER LABADIE, A brother of Louis, lives in Illinois, on a farm, but owns considera-
ble property in the city. He is worth about $25,000. His charac-
ter is similar to that of his brother. He leads a quiet, contented
life, and is not disturbed by the jars and discords of the world; but,
like a true philosopher, pursues the even tenor of his way, delight-
ing in the pursuits of agriculture and the beauties of nature.
LOUIS CHARLEVILLE, Who is well known to all our business men, is a large cattle dealer.
and ships great numbers of beeves every year. He was once very
wealthy, but his estate has now dwindled down to about $60,000.
He is a shrewd business man, and has a hungry, care-worn appear-
ance. Charleville was born and raised here, and is a strict mem-
ber of the Catholic church. When he was broken up in business,
the Bishop came to his assistance and set him up again. His resi-
dence is on Clark avenue, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets.
His great ambition is to marry one of his sons to the wealthy daugh-
ter of Mrs. Rutgers, but the young lady does not appear to smile
upon his suit; the courtship is like the wooing of Mistress Ann
Page by Master Slender-the old man doing most of the "soft talk"
himself.
MR. AND MRS. COX. Of all the colored men from abroad, Cox is, without doubt, the
best. As a general remark it may be said that the colored people
who have come here, especially from the free States, bring with
them more faults and vices than they find among those who have

--- clamorgan_016.txt ---
been reared upon the soil. We leave it to abolition philosophers to
solve the problem, while we assert it as a fact, that but few of the
free colored men among us, who have been raised in those States
where the laws make all men literally equal, possess the same
amount of honesty, virtue and intelligence belonging to those who
have always lived among those whom they have been taught to re-
gard as belonging to a superior race. Cox came here from Penn-
sylvania some fifteen or sixteen years ago, and has acquired a
fortune of $150,000. He first went into business with Wilkinson,
but soon after opened a shop on his own account. He is a good
workman, very attentive to business, and altogether a reliable man.
His residence is at the corner of Fifth and Elm streets. He is kind
and hospitable at home, and has a host of friends. Mrs. Cox is a
fine-looking woman, and was wealthy previous to her marriage.
HENRY ALEXANDER MCGEE, Originally from the Old Dominion, is a dealer in vegetables, and has
a stand in Commercial street, between Market and Chestnut. He
is worth about $25,000. He is a good business man, and is much
patronized by steamboatmen. Owing to certain reports in regard to
the character of his wife before marriage, he is not admitted into the
first circles, and consequently lives somewhat retired. To those who
have been in the habit of regarding even the most intelligent of the
colored race as destitute of proper sensibility in matters pertaining to
the domestic virtues, it may appear strange that a bare suspicion of
former disregard of the proprieties of life should exclude a family
from familiar intercourse with an aristocratic circle; but, in this re-
spect, there is reason to believe that the colored people are more
strict than the whites; for it is a notorious fact, that among the latter
a full purse covers a multitude of sins, and ladies who have forfeited
all claims to virtuous respect are admitted as leaders of the ton. It
was only the other day that one of the white aristocracy flogged his
wife for deviating from the path of virtue, and yet the lady is still re-
ceived into what is called "good society." If she had been tinc-
tured with the blood of Ham, the door would have been closed
against her.
LUDWELL LEE. Here is another of the proscribed. Lee is a dealer in vegetables
on Green street, between Main and Commercial. He is good for
$10,000, and worships money with a superstitious veneration. His

--- clamorgan_017.txt ---
wife has all the vanity of a peacock, and, like that gorgeous bird, is
more ornamental than useful.
JAMES NASH Is a son-in-law of Johnson, with whom he resides. He is steward
on the steamer J. D. Perry, a Missouri river packet. He is worth
about $5,000. Nash is one of the best and most useful men we have.
His manners are easy and polite, and all who know him esteem him
for the kindness of his heart and the generosity of his disposition.
MR. AND MRS. TAGGERT. This worthy couple are new comers from the prolific old State of
Virginia, the mother of Presidents and mullatos. They board with
Mrs. Lyons, and are received into society without difficulty. The
lady is very amiable, and is a pattern of a wife.
GABRIEL HELMS. Everybody knows Gabriel Helms-Professor Gabriel Helms-an
old resident and one of the most intelligent men in the country. If
you want to know how he got the title of Professor, I can tell you in
a few words: He is an imitative man, and those who have noticed
the cut of his whiskers, cannot help admiring the success with which
he has imitated the facial ornaments of a certain celebrated saddler
on Main street. Well, some years ago, there came to our city a
pompous little English dancing master, who hired Concert Hall and
stuck up his name as "Professor Wells," teacher of the art and
science of hop, skip and jump, particularly the waltz, or the science
of genteel hugging. Helms had a shaving shop opposite the Hall,
and he put up a sign with the name of "Professor Helms," in gold
letters. The joke took, and Helms no doubt made many a dollar by
the "take off." Professor Helms lives at his ease at Mrs. Rut-
gers', and has a fortune of $30,000. He has been a very industri-
ous man, and has been twice to California. Age begins to tell on
him, as his grizzly locks indicate; but he is yet stout and vigorous,
and will doubtless live many years.
FRANK ROBERSON, Who has a shop under Barnum's Hotel, is one of the talking barbers,
and can rattle out more nonsense in ten minutes than any sensible
man would believe in a week. In society he is not in the best stand-
ing, and he is too great a gossip and meddler to let the affairs of

--- clamorgan_018.txt ---
others alone. He is doing a good business, and is worth about
$5,000. Frank is another scion of Virginia, but the good old State
does not often produce so great a parrot as this knight of the razor.
JAMES THOMAS. We come now to a man of mark-one who has seen the world,
and, like Hamlet, knows a hawk from a handshaw. Thomas is an
intimate friend of General Walker, the hero of Nicaragua; and of
the many brave men who followed his dilapidated banner into that
inhospitable country, none stood higher in his estimation than James
Thomas. He is a Tennesseean by birth, and is worth some $15,000.
He is very genteel in his manners, attentive to business, and is a re-
markably fine looking man. At present he is barber on the Wm.
M. Morrison, and is one of the most popular men on the river.
Last summer Thomas worked at Clamorgan's, and it was there that
a compliment was paid him by a gentleman occupying the front
rank of the statesmen of the West-a compliment well deserved, and
of which he may justly feel proud on account of the source. The
gentleman remarked to Thomas, that all that prevented him from
becoming one of the greatest men of the age was his color. Thomas
is a moral man, and his character, moral and intellectual, would do
honor to the proudest white man in the land.
ANTOINE CRAKIN, Who was born and raised here, requires but little to be said in his
favor, as he is generally known.
MRS. PELAGIE FOREMAN. It is with extreme reluctance that we speak in terms of disrespect
of a lady, but the task we have undertaken demands that we should
tell the whole truth, however disagreeable it may be to us and dis-
tasteful to some of our readers. Mrs. Pelagie Foreman was born
and raised here, and can command the cool sum of $100,000. I
grieve to say that this handsome fortune was accumulated in a man-
ner that may well be called questionable. Like Delilah of old, she
sheared the strength of more than one Samson, and now lives upon
the fruits of her contraband profession. She is now rather dilapida-
ted, but was in her younger days a fascinating lump of yellow flesh.
When a girl, she was very imprudent and quite saucy. The liberal
use of her tongue once caused her to be severely cowhided, and the
punishment was no doubt beneficial to her in after years. At the

--- clamorgan_019.txt ---
outset of her career she was the mistress of a white man, whose
character up to that time was without reproach. Enjoying the confi-
dence of his fellow-citizens, he was entrusted with an important pub-
lic office, and large sums of money passed through his hands. Her
extravagance soon embarrassed him, and he found his good name
and fortune passing rapidly away. Having every confidence in his
yellow Dulcinea, he passed his property over to her, intending to re-
claim it after his accounts were adjusted. Here, then, we see the
honor of a high-minded man, a high public functionary, a man hith-
erto untarnished by calumny-all in the power of a frail colored girl.
I venture to assert that not one colored woman in five hundred would
have been false to the trust reposed in her. Pelagie Foreman, how-
ever, saw the man she professed to love-who had treated her with
all the tenderness due to a wife-declared a defaulter and a dishon-
ored man; saw his noble nature sink under the disgrace, and
refused to give up his own property to save his honor! That man
has now gone to his grave, and but few know the history of his pri-
vate life; a cloud rests upon his name: but upon hers hangs a load
of infamy dark as the shadow of hell. Pelagie lives on her farm,
three or four miles from the city, and frequently comes to town in her
carriage. She is an outcast from society, into which all her infam-
ous wealth cannot gain her admittance. She is a great tattler, and
seldom speaks the truth when she can invent a falsehood. She has
property in the city, and derives a considerable income from her rents.
LONDON BERRY, Is a steward on the river, and lives on Randolph street, between
Twelfth and Thirteenth. He is a good man, his only fault being too
great a fondness for cards. He is a man of strong prejudices. He
came here from Virginia about thirteen. years ago, and has made
most of his money by honest industry. His wife is a daughter of
Mrs. Pelagie Foreman, and will be worth $50,000 at her mother's
death. She was guilty of a faux pas last winter, which for the pre-
sent has thrown her out of society. The colored people of the
second class gave a ball which she attended, and was consequently
not invited to a subsequent ball of the first class. Her husband be-
came indignant at the slight, and tried to create a disturbance, but
made nothing by the attempt. They are both no doubt sorry for
their conduct, and will be again received next winter and their in-
discretion forgiven. She is often seen on Fourth street, in her
mother's carriage.

--- clamorgan_020.txt ---
ROBERT SMITH, Is a large, fine-looking man, proud and dignified in deportment,
and nearly dark in color. He keeps a coffee-house on Fourth
street, and, although he sells intoxicating liquors, no drunkenness is
permitted on his premises. When he finds that a man has as much
as he can stand under, he refuses to let him have more. Smith is
worth $9,000. He is a man of good moral habits, and has many
friends both among white and colored. He is not received into so-
ciety on account of his wife.
MARSHALL STARKS. We come now to one of the chivalry. Colored men are gener-
ally peaceably disposed, and are not addicted to fighting. Starks,
however, has the hot blood of the cavaliers in his veins, and sub-
scribes to the "code of honor." He has been engaged in two
affairs of this kind, in both of which he winged his adversary. The
first was nine years ago at Algiers, opposite New Orleans; the
other was in California. He keeps a coffee-house on Commercial
alley, between Green and Morgan streets, and is worth considera-
ble money. He is the best faro dealer in the country: he went to
California, and returned with $40,000, which he won at his favorite
game. His wife is a fine-looking woman from Cincinnati. Starks
is a good business man, generous, hospitable and kind, but very fond
of hoarding money.
MRS. MARGARET BEAUVAIS, Was until recently one of the leaders of fashion in colored society.
Inspired by the demon of envy, she united with Mrs. Nash in
spreading slanderous reports derogatory to the fair fame of Miss
Theodosia Hazlett, than whom a purer or more innocent girl does
not exist. In imitation of the low class of whites, she resorted to
the "Joker's Budget," as a medium for her slanders, but failed in
her object, as the young lady stands above suspicion. It is to be
hoped that she will learn better manners, and pluck the beam from
her own eye, before she attempts to remove the mote from her
neighbor's.
THE MISSES REYNOLDS. These young ladies are from Baltimore. Miss Mary Louise can-
not be called beautiful, but is amiable, accomplished and intellectual
-rather jealous in her disposition, perhaps, but time will correct

--- clamorgan_021.txt ---
this fault. Miss Rebecca is handsome, and plays well on the gui-
tar. She sings like a nightingale, and is one of the brightest orna-
ments of society.
NORTON REYNOLDS, JR. Holds an important office in Hickman's shop, and is an excellent
workman. He is finely formed, and very neat in his dress. Nor-
ton is the brother of the young ladies mentioned above, and is an
intelligent, well-informed young man.
JAMES WILLIAMS, Who is employed at Albert White's, is a thin, yellow man, from
Virginia. He is a good workman, but has some habits that cannot
be highly commended. He lives fast-drinks fast, and drives fast
horses. He is a regular Phaeton in a buggy, and scorns to travel
at a slower pace than 2.40 on the Plank road.
THOMAS GUNNELL, The factotum at Frank Roberson's, is an important individual among
the colored bloods-a Count D'Orsey done in bronze. He is con-
sulted on all important occasions and his advice is indispensable
when a yellow belle is to be serenaded, or a dark-eyed brunette to
be captivated.
GEORGE CAREY, Flourishes his razor at Albert White's. He is from Washington
City. His father, who is very wealthy, lives in Detroit, and keeps
George pretty well supplied with the needful. Carey is a good
workman, and has many fine qualities, but is excessively fond of the
fair sex. The glance of a bright eye sets his heart in a flutter, and
he yields to the witchery of a soft voice as a spirited charger to the
pricking of a spur. His ruling passion is fondness for the sex, and
the thought of dear woman is never out of his mind, but he seems to
be ever poring over the delightful anticipation expressed by the
poet:
"As soon as night shall fix her seal Upon the eyes and lips of men, Oh, dearest! I will panting steal To nestle in thine arms again!"
ALLEN GUNNELL, Is on the steamer Hesperian, and is worth about $5,000. He is
well formed, has straight hair, and is very popular with all classes.
He is genteel in his manners, accommodating in his disposition, and
fond of obliging his friends.

--- clamorgan_022.txt ---
HARRIET AND JULIA JOHNSON. These young ladies are sisters-in-law of Smith, who killed his
wife and mother-in-law, and daughters of Edward Johnson. The
murderer has wealthy friends, who are trying to obtain his pardon.
It is to be hoped that money will not be so potent in its influence as
to avert the punishment due to the perpetrator of so revolting a crime
as that for which Smith has been sentenced. Harriet Johnson is an
accomplished and fascinating young lady, and quite intelligent.
Julia, her sister, is pretty, but of variable temperament-at one
moment all smiles, at the next all frowns.
JAMES HOLMES Is steward on the steamer Morton. He is worth $10,000, and is a
hard-working man of excellent business qualifications.
JAMES W. THOMPSON, Is a brother-in-law of Sam. Mordecai, and is steward on the steam-
er Moses McClelland. He is a tall, genteel-looking man, and lives
in fine style.
We have thus sketched, in a hasty manner, a few of the promin-
ent traits in the personal history of the Colored Aristocracy of St.
Louis. It would have been an easy matter to add facts and inci-
dents sufficient to fill a large volume; and at some future time, when
we have more leisure, we may, perhaps, take up the subject again,
and enter more into details. We have doubtless omitted many
whose names would be an ornament to our pages; and have, in a
spirit of charity, purposely overlooked some whose acts are marked
by shame and ignominy: but we are compelled to defer until some
future time a more full and perfect record of persons whose history
is known to us, and whose character, whether good or bad, the pub-
lic have a right to pass judgment upon.
Our next attempt will be to give a true account of the second
class of colored people. The number is large, and the develop-
ments we shall make will startle many of our white friends. The
romantic incidents connected with this subject surpass the wildest
dreams of fiction; and the phases of humanity that will be presented
will cause some of our philanthropists and philosophers to open their
eyes in amazement. For the present we bid the indulgent reader
- Adieu.
Missouri Historical
Society
Saint Louis

Item sets: All Circuit Court Records; St. Louis City Directories