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5. one cound [[could]] see no stream of laborers passing down Greenwood Avenue, happy and care-free as on the morn before; no birds warbled their sweet songs, or, if they did, their voices were hushed in the din of battle. The grass was wet again with the morning dew and the sun rose again to travel the path known to his feet since time began, but neither had any charm on that morning for the sons of Ham in Tulsa. I went from the front porch into the bath room and washed my face, and thereafter went into my room and dressed. I left the building for my [[strikethrough]] o [[/strikethrough]] office. As I reached the side-walk a shrill whistle sounded from the direction of stand-pipe hill. And then, immediately thereafter, five thousand feet, it seemed, were heard descending that hill in my direction. On they rushed, whooping to the top of their voices like so many cow-boys, and firing their guns every step they took. I quickened my pace and, cutting across vacant lots and dodging behind buildings, I finally reached Frankfort Place, about the middle of the three hundred block. Just as I emerged upon the street, I came face to face with a fine looking young man, with soldiery bearing, leading an elderly woman and with a young lady following close behind. I knew mother Ross, but at the time did not recognize the other two. "Why, hello Lawyer Franklin," the young man spoke between clenched teeth. His face was grim and bore a determined look and his eyes sparkled and flashed defiance. He continued, huridly [[hurriedly]], "I have not seen you since you delivered that memorable address at Eufaula in October, I917. How different is this occasion of our meeting from that. Then we were all filled with patriotism--love of country--and-standing erect-were recognized as the equal of our other fellow men. Now, now," he continued choking with rage, "we, after going through hell once for our country--now, I say, we are chased, driven and hunted as wild, hateful, dangerous things." "What in the World, Ross--where have you been and where are you going", I hurried to ask him. For now I recognized both the soldier and his wife, the young lady with him and his mother. "Just some more of my wanderlust, I suppose," he answered hurriedly, "I have been out of the State until this morning. Yesterday I became restless. Something within me told me that all was not well at home. I followed my mind. I reached Tulsa not more than one hour ago. How I got through the mountain of white men on the other side of the city, will always be a miracle to me. Judge, we are literally surrounded. I reached Greenwood and, luckily for me, I found my mother and my wife wandering about the street, panic
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Reopened for Editing 2023-05-03 11:53:59