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When we think of outstanding High Point citizens, I often wonder how we have constantly overlooked Ossie E. Davis, a black man of many firsts.

Davis was the first black principal of a city-owned public school, served as a colored probation officer, published the first black community newspaper, was the first Negro boys’ commissioner, organized the first black tennis club, owned and operated a billiard parlor and service station on East Washington Street, was executive director of the N.C. State Tennis Association, first supervisor of the Negro Recreation Department for the city of High Point, first colored juvenile/truant officer, organized the Negro School Boys Safety Patrol, organized the first Negro Boys Club and organized the Negro Shoe Shine Boys Club. Davis was also active in the PTA, YMCA and the Boy Scouts.

He accomplished all this before 1950.

A couple of years ago my research uncovered information that Davis published a newspaper named the Piedmont American.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t track down a copy of the paper and no one seemed to have heard of it.

Thanks to the Trogdon family in South Carolina , I have photos of the Piedmont American, High Point’s first black newspaper, which was published by Davis in 1933.

The Trogdons, who are antique dealers, purchased several copies of the Piedmont American at an auction in the Madison/Mayodan area about 12 years ago.

At that time, they owned and operated New Jamestown Antiques in Jamestown.

After finding my story on the Internet and knowing that I would love to have proof, they contacted me.

Based on the pictures they e-mailed me, I can tell you the Piedmont American was a first-class newspaper.

Davis printed stories that educated blacks regarding important issues that could or would influence their lives in some way.
Based on the copies of the paper I saw, I can tell you:

• Davis was the editor/publisher.
• The paper was published each Saturday by Piedmont American Co.
• The daily cost of a paper was five cents; subscription rates were $1 for one year, 75 cents for six months and 15 cents for one month. There were also mail rates.
• The office was at 730 E. Washington St., P.O. Box 238.
• One of copy — Vol. 1, No. 18 — lets me know at least 18 editions were published.

On the front page, the Piedmont American proclaimed: “Published in the Interest of the Colored People of High Point and Piedmont Section.”

Davis promised “The most complete coverage of the Colored Race in High Point.”

Even though High Point was the major coverage area, Davis featured articles that affected blacks on both a state and national level.

The front-page headlines included:

• “Athletic Director Wm. Penn High School Conceals Identity of Student Found By Wife in Room of Home”
• “Politicians Employ Ingenious Methods to Gain Votes as Election Approaches”
• “No Discrimination of Races in Forest Army”
• “Concert of Negro Music Acclaimed by Hearers”
• “Scottsboro Case 'Signal’ to South”
• “Negro Institutions Given Endowments”
• “Charlotte Hawkins Brown Inaugurates Campaign”
• “Seek to Oust Colored Mayor”
• “Democrats Retain Control of the City”
• “Appreciative Throngs Attend Observance Programs Held Here”
• “White Woman Seeks Estate of Negro”
• “Red Sox to Open Season Monday at Willis Park”
• “Oklahoma Town Elects Colored Governing Board”

There were also other interesting sections such as “Questions and Answers” and “Interesting News of Thomasville,” which served to entertain and inform all readers throughout the Piedmont.

In the Professional Directory, the following blacks advertised: Dr. J. Christopher Morgan, surgeon/dentist; Dr. George E. Nightengale, physician/surgeon; Dr. C.T. Whitten, physician/surgeon; and Pauline Robinson, typist.

Some of the white businesses listed were Dr. Max Rones, optometrist; Auto Tire Accessory Co.; City Shoe Shop; Paramount Theater; and Broadhurst Theater.

Thanks to the Trogdons, we have proof that Davis published our first black newspaper in High Point.

Could there have been another black newspaper before the Piedmont American? Certainly!

We go with what we have until proof comes along that sets the record straight.

History should always embrace change when new facts reveal forgotten truths. People hate to change history that paints them or their ancestors in a bad light, so they fight to discredit the real truth and hold tight to falsehoods.

The reaction is just the opposite when the facts glorify them.

I think Oscar Wilde was on to something when he said, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

Glenn Chavis researches and writes about High Point’s black history. Contact him at Storytime40@aol.com