◆ SpookStack

” them we needed a new tattdig. You know: a place where they could come apd play basketball, “table tennis, akate, and have -workshops in eitizenship, and bring people in from the out- side. Our people might listen to someone else a lot better than they’d listen to me.” But something else was both- ering the group’s leader. In the eight years of the group's opera- tion, no charter had ever been sought. So on Dec. 11, 1956, upon the club’s request, the state is- sued a charter: “|. to form a non-profit elvic, educational, and social association. The object of which shall be the creation and pro- motion of clean and wholesome recreation among the Negro citi- zenry of John’s Island, Charles- ton County, South Carolina; to curh delinquency among its juvenile citizens and to develop high moral standards in its social activities; and to this end, and any other things to purchase property, or place of association and such other accommodations as may he necessary or conven- dent for the transaction of its business.” ; FEARED OPINIONS . Jenkins continued: “I wa afraid that white folks would n " a 1 lke that.” iat he was surprised: "We owe a lot to many who elped us~like Mr. Vardell Le- ee who fyvas . on the trustee. 4, "poard. . “Our gehools were’ once five . eeiln= ayyeer and a ahi miles away and the. chil- dren had to-walk. In bad weatt- ~er many children missed school and_absences were highy—We tee td wanted 2 consolidated schooljat the Progressive Clug-Centem with classes going through the| Larger in number — about. high school grades. And our|40) — is the John’s Island Im- children needed transportation.|provement Committee, also. a. “We fot a high school out on|child of Esau Jenkins. Isiand-| John’s Island even before James | ide in membership, the com- Island or Adams Run or any-|_. a where else. And it was through mittee limits its functions to Club.” ; : - B : Jenkins hag had a successful nee baiting the subject of business career. He said he at- et humble, Jeader continued: {tended school through the sev- "Like I said—we needed anoth- enth grade, but — as an edit ‘er building. We needed a store|~. are to handle expenses, a gym for night ae conducted by jhe the young people, and sleeping vs ohn’ El 4 cles a veter” | quarters so we could put up)3? MOTEL OWNER. groups that came here. Our -: store is 30 by $0, the gym is 7| The Negro leader used to run by 50, and the sleeping quarters |® small fruit store on President | are 10 by 72. We can sleep from| Street, but in tet recent 7 P! 19 to 27 comfortably. That’s why jhe has operated the J and FP our workshop is limited to that, Motel and Cafe on Spring Street.’ many people.” His civic work has not been LAST LAUGH limited to the Progressive Cub, ' “One of our members,” he|fe serves as @ boar meno said with a wry grin, “told me|of Highlander, Southern Cc ‘T hope I live long enough to see|tian Leadership Conference, an that wall go up.’ And I said ‘You|South Carolina Conference 0 won't live Jog.” Richard E.|Human Relations as well, as ———— | Fields helped us with $5,000—1 . a4 2 “aye don’t know where he got that.bhe steering committee or une Myles (Horton) helped us too. bharleston NAACP. We started building in October] 3, addition he is president of , 1962 and finished it about March he Citizens! Committee of t of last year.” ; Throug years the aned 3g. est County, formed in f 9 Through the gressive Club has remained 59, Yith a Cannon Street of- i es abou ° 10 48 Seren. More Seas P08, the group has concentrated trite’ to a certain area of ; ; ——— of John’s Island, the cub 77 ™ © not only civic but also business- oriented. It.is financed today, for the most part, through re- geigts from the store iLoperates - ‘ Manve