Archive for September, 2007

Conclave 1967 Richmond, VA

1020 Colorado Street

This is one of my favorite stories to tell. I know how it materialized, how it came about, and the history. Last week, Bro. Jonathan Mason sent out a press release indicating that the 1020 Colorado Street in Manhattan, Kansas, was back in the hands of Phi Beta Sigma.

Why is that significant you ask?

1020 Colorado Street was the fraternity house of the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma during the 1920s. It was one of the few places that blacks could stay while attending Kansas State University. The early members of Delta Chapter were under the impression that they were purchasing the house. However in 1929 when they returned to campus, they were told that their payments had not been applied to the purchase of the house, and they all had to find other housing. Bro. Frank Marshall Davis (Delta Chapter 1925) talks about the house and how it was lost in his book Livin the Blues. In addition, Bro. Louis Fry (Delta Chapter 1922) talks about 1020 in his autobiography, and how every black man who arrived at Kansas State University in the 20’s resided there.

I have personally been to the house, and toured it in 2006 thanks to Kansas State University and the owner at the time Mr. Otto. I even have a piece of the foundation that I took from basement (I had Mr. Otto’s permission), just for history sake, its just a small piece of concrete. In addition, I have a DVD of Brother Sheridan Settler (Delta 1922) who talks about the house, and Kansas State did a DVD of Mrs. Rosa Hickman, one of the black matriarchs of Manhattan, Kansas, as she talks about the house from her days a young lady. She knew the family that lived there.

Bro. Mason is to be commended, this is a great time in the history of Sigma. I am in contact with the families of some of the members of Delta Chapter in the 1920’s, and I know what this means to them, to have this come full circle like this. Who would have thought that 5 years ago when I made a call to Kansas State University (thank you Bro. Linden Houston), that thanks to people like Pat Patton, Cindy Von Elling, Tony Crawford, Dr. Myra Gordon, President Weifald, the Brothers at Delta Chapter, past and present, that we would uncover so much untapped Sigma History and history that changed the course of Black America.

Last July, I went back to Kansas State University just to visit, and was told that PBS (Public Broadcasting System – the other PBS), is looking at the possibility of doing a story on Delta Chapter and the house. Okay enough of my rambling.

Here is the 1923 Delta Chapter Picture, a picture of the house in 1923 from the Royal Purple Yearbook, and an artist rendition of the picture that was presented to me as a gift from Kansas State University. They also presented me with the 1923 yearbook, since its a very rare book to come by. Brothers, all of the men in this picture, stayed in this 2-bedroom house. The house was almost destroyed by a fire, but salvaged, and although it may look slightly different, the fact that 77 years later, PHI BETA SIGMA HISTORY WILL CONTINUE TO STAND AT 1020 COLORADO STREET, MANHATTAN, KANSAS. I am not a real gambler, but today, just for the Brothers, play 1-0-2-0 at your local lottery, let’s see if the ancestors are looking down on us today.

Today in Sigma History – 1020 Colorado Street- The Original Delta Chapter Frat House, Manhattan, Kansas 1923

Founder’s Legacy

Brother Decatur Morse, Sr. (Eta Chapter 1954- NC A&T) presents his son Bro. Decatur Morse, Jr. (Phi Beta Sigma Sigma Chapter 2005-Atlanta, GA) with his membership certificate (2005).

Founder Morse has also has another son, Bro. Leonard F. Morse, Jr. who is also frat.

A good brother in the Atlanta area sent me this picture, but for the life of me I cannot remember frat’s name, but I wanted to give him a shot out and credit!

Creators of the Dream

Since I have started to collect our history, I have only seen 3 (no pun intended) pictures of our Founders together. One, the first chapter picture with all 3 of them holding the banner, 2). On the 35th Anniversary Conclave (1949) there is a group picture of DSC Members with Founders Taylor and Morse together, but in the picture Founder Taylor is asleep (I have this picture somewhere, I have to find it).

However, this picture was recently found in a Sigma Collection of History. It was taken at Howard University during the 35th Anniversary Conclave in 1949. It’s a picture of Founder Taylor and Founder Morse together. Treasure this one brothers, this is a RARE PICTURE, and I am grateful to the brother who sent it to me.

Founder A. Langston Taylor – January 29, 1890 – August 8, 1953
Founder Leonard F. Morse – January 12, 1891 – May 22, 1961

Culture for Service, Service for Humanity

Jena 6