The Great Migration, Racial Struggles, and the Resilience of the Patterson Brothers in Red Wing

​In the early 20th century, the United States was grappling with a profound demographic shift known as the Great Migration. African Americans, who had long endured the harsh realities of racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern states, began a transformative journey northward. This migration promised economic opportunities and the chance to escape the oppressive racial climate of the Jim Crow South. However, as they arrived in Northern cities seeking a better life, they were met with a mixture of hope and apprehension from their new neighbors.

Northern communities had, to some extent, supported post-Civil War Reconstruction policies that aimed to grant African Americans equal participation in American democracy. However, these policies were designed at a time when more than 90 percent of African Americans resided in the South. The Northern perspective on racial equality was tested when faced with the realities of integration in their own neighborhoods.

The Great Migration brought about a complex and often tumultuous period in American history. It was marked by a series of race riots, violent pogroms targeting African Americans, that erupted in various Northern cities. These riots exposed the deep-seated racial tensions that had been simmering beneath the surface for years.

One such tragic incident occurred in July 1917 in East St. Louis. Rumors of a white attack on a black neighborhood led to a disastrous mistake when nervous black residents fired shots at a police car, resulting in the tragic deaths of two plainclothes officers. In retaliation, white mobs descended upon the black part of town, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The toll was devastating, with at least 40 black lives lost and hundreds more injured. Entire blocks of the neighborhood lay in smoldering ruins.

In July 1919, Washington, D.C. became the epicenter of another wave of racial violence. Three days of bloody rioting began, an event one observer at the time likened to a "small civil war." Within a week, Chicago would also witness a horrifying incident that symbolized the extent of racial animosity at the time. A black boy, by mistake, entered a whites-only beach and was stoned to death by white assailants. The ensuing five-day riot in Chicago claimed the lives of 23 blacks and 15 whites, left 500 people injured, and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

The Red Wing Republican, a local newspaper, played a crucial role in documenting and reporting on the Chicago riots. A day after the violence erupted, the death toll stood at 21 and was rising. The situation reached a breaking point when 5,000 members of the Illinois militia were called in on the third day to quell the violence. City officials struggled to explain the ongoing combat, initially blaming black laborers from the South for provoking the confrontations. They unequivocally stated that the "fights are provoked by the colored people." However, an account on August 1 reported that a white man had been charged with initiating the violence by throwing a stone. Meanwhile, Chicago meatpacking firms announced that they would no longer re-employ Negroes at the stockyards.

The Red Wing Republican also reported the comments of a Mississippi school official who had studied the race riots in Chicago. His chilling statement reflected the racial attitudes of the era: "Well, to be definite, we have no race problems in the South. When a colored man is guilty of a criminal assault on a white woman, he is always hanged and very often burned. That is not a race problem." This description eerily mirrored the "Waco horror" of 1916, where photographers documented a Texas mob dragging a 17-year-old black youth from the courthouse. The teenager had been convicted of raping and killing a white woman, and the mob mutilated his body, ultimately lynching him over a fire.

When questioned about whether the South would grant rights to "colored people," the Mississippi official callously replied, "Not any sooner than the people of California will turn their state government over to the Japs."

The racial turmoil of 1919 extended beyond Chicago. Knoxville, Tennessee, experienced disorders in August, and Omaha, Nebraska, witnessed violence in September. In October, black sharecroppers in eastern Arkansas attempted to form a union, triggering a violent white reaction that resulted in the deaths of over 100 black individuals.

Amidst this backdrop of racial tension and violence, Washington, D.C. faced a troubling legislative proposal. An Arkansas congressman introduced legislation in the nation's capital that aimed to ban all Negroes from enlisting in the Army and Navy while calling for the dismissal of all black military personnel within 60 days.

Returning to their hometown of Red Wing in 1919, Howard and Dewey Patterson, two African American brothers, found themselves navigating the aftermath of these turbulent times. Both had served their country during World War I, but like many black soldiers, they had been assigned to non-combat units. Howard served as a private in the 163rd Depot Battalion at Camp Dodge, while Dewey trained as a private in a school for bakers and cooks, where he worked as a truck driver.

The brothers settled back into Red Wing, at least temporarily, living with their brother Joel at 113 E. Fourth Street. Each received identical $75 bonus checks for their wartime service, with their checks sent to the Fourth Street address. Joel, it appears, continued to operate a boarding stable at 319 Plum Street, a business he had owned since January 1917.

The July 1920 Red Wing Telephone Company directory listed Howard Patterson with a Plum Street address. A year later, Howard ventured into business on his own, as advertised in the city directory. His business, "Patterson Transfer-Horse and Auto Transfer," offered various services, including the sale of sand, gravel, wood, coal, and coke, as well as local and long-distance moving using "Auto Trucks." The directory listed both Howard and his brother Joel's address as 113 Fourth Street.

In 1920, Red Wing's City Council appointed Howard Patterson as City Scavenger, a position that promised steady work and additional income. As City Scavenger, Patterson and his work crews were responsible for disposing of refuse, removing dead animals, and even handling the unenviable task of removing "night soil" from outhouses. It was a sought-after position in the community, reflecting the Patterson brothers' resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

The council approved Patterson for a second term in 1921, underscoring the brothers' commitment to their community and their ability to rise above the challenges posed by the racial tensions of their era.

In conclusion, the Great Migration and the racial strife of the early 20th century left an indelible mark on American history. The Patterson brothers, Howard and Dewey, exemplified resilience in the face of adversity as they returned to Red Wing, Minnesota, after serving their country. Their experiences were emblematic of the broader narrative of African Americans during this turbulent period, navigating the complexities of racial tension, violence, and the pursuit of economic opportunities. The Patterson brothers' story serves as a reminder of the profound challenges faced by African Americans during this era and their enduring determination to build a better future for themselves and their community.