Donald O. Johnson

Donald O. Johnson

by | Dec 13, 2024 | People, People Firsts

DONALD O. JOHNSON

Donald, the youngest of 10 children, was born May 4, 1931 to Leila Childs and Rev. Edward Johnson, a pastor of Second Baptist Church, Bethlehem, PA

Donald graduated from Liberty (Bethlehem) High School in 1950 and then attended West Virginia State. Thereafter he joined the air force where he served as an MP in Spain and other miltary locales. After beign honorable discharged he returned home and joined the Bethlehem Police Force. 

Donald was the first African American police officer.

After serving for 19 years he resigned in October 1978 and accepted employment as a security officer at Trump Casino, Atlantic City, NJ. He eventually retired and remained in Atlantic City.

Ernest “Bubbles” Enix

Ernest “Bubbles” Enix

by | Dec 13, 2024 | People

Ernest “Bubbles” Enix 

Born in Denmark, S.C., he was a son of Ernest and Essie (Glover) Enix. Ernest moved to Bethlehem, Pa in 1926 when he was five years old. He was baptized at age 12 under the pastorship of Rev. G. R. Pratt. He and his mother Essie (Glover) Enix became active members of Second Baptist Church. He was a member and former trustee and choir member of Second Baptist Church, Bethlehem, and a member of its board of deacons.

Ernest attended Bethlehem schools and played football for the Pawnee Red Raiders, the Miller Heights Marines and the Bethlehem Panthers. Ernest attended Bethlehem schools and played football for the Pawnee Red Raiders, the Miller Heights Marines and the Bethlehem Panthers.
An amateur boxer, Enix became known as “Bubbles” in the ring, a name that stuck with him throughout his life.

Enix worked for 44 years in the blast furnace at Bethlehem Steel, a hot, dirty job that paid 35 cents an hour when he started. When the United Steelworkers of America formed,  he became an active member, petitioning to end mandatory 12-hour days. He was a former trustee and shop steward for United Steelworkers Local 2598. Other union activities included the Education Committee, Civil Rights Committee, and Legislation Committee. He served in the Army during World War II, and was a judge of election in the First Ward.

He was the husband of Mamie Louise (Coleman) Enix. Together they had 3 children, Wandalyn, Ernestine, and Ernest, Jr.

He left a legacy of volunteerism and patriotism. On Election Day, he drove senior citizens to the polls so they could vote. He made sure newcomers put out their garbage for collection on the appropriate day and encouraged residents to keep their homes tidy. In his honor the City of Bethlehem changed the name of the Pawnee/Mohican Street Park to Enix Park in 1997.

Hudson and Malloy Warner

Hudson and Malloy Warner

by | Dec 13, 2024 | People

HUDSON WARNER

As a young boy, Hudson helped his father unload other people’s trash from the back of their truck into the dump. Hudson eventually went into the trash hauling business with his father Henry and brother Malloy. Hudson remebered how his father worked very hard and stressed education.

Hudson got involved in the hauling business in 1955 but left in 1967. He really didn’t like that type of work. He ended up giving his route to his brother Malloy and took a maintenance job at the Bethlehem Steel.

 

 

 

 

 

MALLOY WARNER

“It wasn’t easy for a black person to prosper in business,” says Malloy Warner who encountered several incidents of racism while on the job. 

Malloy stayed with the business  and garnered several large accounts : Food Fai, Bethlehem Steel, Air Products and Dixie Cup. When he started hauling for Food Fair, Malloy was concerned whether the store managers would accept him, but they did. There was one instance of sabotage where too large of materials and excess trash were thrown across the lot on purpose.

Malloy was also president of the Bethlehem Trash Collectors Association.

After Malloy retired that was the end of Hudson Hauling.

 

Hudson Warner and his wife Betty.
(Photo by Frank Kittek, Morning Call)

Malloy and Janet Warner.

Henry Warner and Hudson Hauling

Henry Warner and Hudson Hauling

by | Dec 12, 2024 | People, People Firsts

(Excerpted from 1995 morning Call article by Denise Reaman)

HENRY HUDSON

Henry Hudson was Bethlehem’s first African American trash hauler.

Henry Hudson Warner was born in the 1890s to a large family in Atlanta. He migrated to Bethlehem and had four sons with his wife Hattie Warner, (nee Bowers). In 1927 Henry bought met a man selling potatoes from a truck. Henry then bought the truck along with two bags of potatoes for $50 even though he couldn’t drive.

He taught himself to drive on the field next to the Lynn Ave. Bridge, passed his exam at the State Police Barracks on 8th Ave., and started his hauling business. Since there were only a few haulers, he was able to build an impressive route, enabling him to buy a larger truck. He worked from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. hauling residential trash as well as trach from Lehigh University.

Henry originally raised his family in South Bethlehem but eventually purchased land and a house on Walters St., in Bethlehem. Due to his successful business sense, he sold off lots to Ray Butts and Eddie Benets, plus engaged Fred Bowers to work hauling routes as well as his two sons, Hudson and Malloy.

Henry Hudson was well-known in the community and through St. Paul Baptist Church where he held the position of church treasurer. Henry passed on in 1980.

 

Henry Hudson Warner.
(Photo courtesy of Hudson Warner)

Brodhead Avenue and William Calloway

Brodhead Avenue and William Calloway

by | Dec 12, 2024 | People, People Firsts

Shown: Richard Calloway of Easton holds the photo of his father William Marshall Calloway.
(Photo Credit: Ed Koskey Jr, Morning Call)

William Calloway

Since many people would be hanging around on Brodhead Ave., William Calloway, Richard’s father, decided to open a pool hall giving people something to do. William Calloway was originally from Milton, Northumberland County, was encouraged to come to Bethlehem after learning of the success of his sister-in-law Grace Emory Scott who owned a restaurant at 318 Brodhead Ave. Another family member, Sam Sweeney, owned a barbershop.

William Calloway left his job as riveter at the Milton Car Foundry to work at Bethlehem Steel. With no intentions of staying in Bethlehem, he worked there just long enough to save money to buy his own business. He chose 115 E. 3rd Street since the building had a pool table on the first floor and rooms on the second and third floors to rent out. William had only a fourth grade education but taught himself how to handle accounts and business.

Brodhead Avenue in Bethlehem, PA

A smile comes to Richard Calloway’s face as he remembers Brodhead Ave., in Bethlehem and his father William’s pool hall and rooming house. The pool hall served as a gathering place for African Americans during the early part of the century, and it was one of the several businesses that provided services.

Segregation existed in Bethlehem. There were various restaurants, stores, and hotels that would not serve African Americans. Segregation was subtle, but it was there, as noted by community activist Esther Lee. Conditions weren’t open all the time and people clearly knew where they could and could not go, Lee adds.

African American workers coming to Bethlehem Steel, pullman porters, red caps, and cooks, all who worked for the Lehigh Valley Railroad needed a place to stay while in Bethlehem. This attributed to housing springing up on Brodhead Ave. and along E. 3rd Street and  providing readily available places to stay when people got off the trains.

The Pool Hall

Richard Calloway who often opened up the pool hall and recollects how it was quite the experience due to all the different kinds of people coming and going… like hustlers who would act like they couldn’t shoot pool, run up the stakes and then take your money. Others would try to give fatherly advice, but they were all characters. The business eventually moved to Brodhead Ave. which was better since it was  a short walk from the train station. Esther Lee recollects that area being a “beehive of activity” with everyone coming and going daily. Going to Brodhead Ave. was like going to a social every day.

(excerpted from 1995 Morning Call article by Donald Blount)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith P. Strong

Faith P. Strong

by | Dec 8, 2024 | Music, People

The Strong Sisters as they appeared on the popular Black Exposure program in 1990.
(Rev. Jean Marie Strong – Ella Strong Capers; on keyboard Faith Strong)

 

Faith P. Strong – Musician

October 3, 1938 – March 29, 2023

Faith Strong was born in Aliquippa, Pa. Faith was a devoted musician who started studying music at the age of 5. Her studies included piano, organ, voice, arranging and writing. She attended the Conservatory of Music of Bethlehem as a child and continued to grow under her music teacher Miss Fitch of Liberty High School and Mr. Snyder both of Bethlehem, Pa.

At the age of 9, she was the youngest musician ever elected to be voted into a position at Second Baptist Church of Bethlehem, Pa. She played for many choirs during her lifetime, Senior, Mass, Youth and Children’s choirs. She also played for the Community Gospel Chorus of Bethlehem, where the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Tarboro were the founders. Also, The Zionett’s and Pearls of Joy of Allentown, St. James AME Zion church choirs founded by the late Mrs. Beth Beville and daughter, Dr. Joanne Spencer.

Many concerts and cantata’s were held for the Central Baptist Association, under Mrs. Esther M. Lee of Bethlehem, PA.

One of the most memorable highlights of her life was when Mr. Tom Morgan organized the 1000 Voice Choir of the 250th Anniversary of Bethlehem Sings asked if she would participate as one of four conductors. She was humbled and honored. She worked for Western Electric of Allentown until her retirement and part of the Pioneers.

She traveled a great deal during her lifetime spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through music when asked. She assisted her sister, Rev. Jean Strong with her ministry during her pastorate at the 2nd Traditional Missionary Baptist Church in Bethlehem, Pa. from 2003 until 2013 until its closing. Faith also recorded “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with Evangelist Rosie Wallace Brown, First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance, Philadelphia, PA

She was not only a musician but a singer and song writer. She was a major part of the Strong Sisters recently renamed the “Strong Sisters plus one” when her niece Patricia joined.

Her father, Rev. Eugene Strong Sr., was a well-known baritone singer as well. He held many benefit concerts in the Lehigh Valley.