Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/229

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AFRO-AMERICAN EDITORS.
221

Coming back to our subject's journalistic life, we ascertain that nothing was more lucrative and more helpful to him in the business than a job office, in connection with the publication of The Baptist. Mr. White saw this at the very beginning, and determined that it should be a first-class one. He also determined to employ colored printers, as far as possible. This was a hard task, because of the scarcity of such. He was fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr. George W. Gardner, now editor of The Philadelphia Sentinel, whom he made foreman of the office. Prof. A. R. Johnson, one of Georgia's best young men, to whom he was deeply devoted, rendered him invaluable aid in keeping his books. John T., George D., Lucian H., and W. J. White, Jr., four sons of W. J. White, were put in the office to learn type-setting. John L. Blocker, Esq., who has since moved to Texas and engaged in the newspaper business, was also employed by Mr. White as canvasser and general helper. Gabriel B. Maddox, Esq., who has since been foreman of the printing department at the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial school, Tuskegee, Ala., and, later, associate editor of The Columbus (Ga.) Messenger, was first devil, with W. J. White, Jr., as a good second.

Overcoming many difficulties Mr. White has persevered until The Georgia Baptist job office has taken a place in the front rank. A large amount of pamphlet work is turned out; and in addition to the force of eight to ten men in the building, four to six ladies are employed at Mr. White's house, of whom Mrs. White has the oversight. Three of his daughters, Mary B., Claudia T., and Emily Josephine, have learned to bind and stitch pamphlets.

The entire plant has cost about three thousand dollars, and the capital employed in the business is about six thousand. Thus it is seen that The Georgia Baptist and its editor have had a most prosperous career.