Jubilee and the 15th Amendment
On Tuesday, April 26, 1870, the African American and white citizens of Altoona and Hollidaysburg met to celebrate the passage of the 15th amendment granting African American men the right to vote. The celebration committee decided to hold an event in both cities. The parade of people started in Hollidaysburg along the “turnpike” near McCahan’s “Bluff” and ended up in the Diamond for the first major speech. The group reformed and marched on to Plank Road to Altoona’s City Hall for the final speeches. The committee consisted of William Nesbit, president, Morris W.L.Knox, “Major” John Thomas, Moses Brown, William Walton as vice-presidents, Thomas H. Shorter and Samuel Richardson as secretaries, Rev. William T. Biddle, chaplain. Other African American citizens involved in assisting in the celebration included E.D.W. Johnson, George Jones, J.W. Wagner, J. (John) Alexander, C. Ambrose, George Hooper, John H. Ferguson, Robert S. Merrells, James Burris and John A. Jones. The keynote speaker was Professor William Howard Day.
“Black History and Heritage of Hollidaysburg”, Sylvia Shorter Lee, article for “Heritage of Hollidaysburg”, A Project of Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club, 1981. The Altoona Tribune May 4, 1870, pg. 1.
The Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League had sent notices to several black-owned newspapers and friendly white-owned newspapers about selecting the date of April 26 1870 as the day to celebrate the ratification of the 15th Amendment. William Nesbit of Altoona was President of this organization from 1866 to its disbandment in 1877.
From the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League regarding celebrating the ratification of the 15th Amendment: Proclamation of day to celebrate ratification of 15th Amendment April 22, 1870, pg. 1
