RECAP: Gladys Lacey appeared in a 1918 Wood family wedding portrait sitting in front of my great-grandmother. For the last five years, I researched how she came to live in an all-white village in eastern Ionia County. Please read earlier chapters if needed.
On August 27, 1910, Gus and Viola Lacey lived in a boarding house at 65 Ellsworth Ave., just west of Union Station. Gus worked as a laborer in a shop, according to the 1910 Grand Rapids Federal Census. Gus stated he was a “Tailor” and self-employed. The couple had three children living with them—Gladys, aged 7; Morris, aged 4; and Arabella, aged 2.
The 1910 Grand Rapids City Directory, listed an “Augustus Lacey” living at 196 Market Ave. and he worked as a “laborer”. Probably, Gus exaggerated his occupation as tailor. About 1,362 people worked in the Grand 
Rapids clothing industry that year, representing 8% of the city’s 17,590 workers. Tailors and dressmakers were at the top of the pay scale, but these jobs were for whites only, while blacks worked in the lowest paying jobs, such as stock delivery or warehouse laborer. These low wages would support a family of five.
Perhaps old Grand Rapids newspaper articles might provide additional information. During the 1970s I worked at the Grand Rapids Public Library, sometimes subbing in the Local History Department. Favorite historical newspapers were the Grand Rapids Herald and Grand Rapids Press. Searching through the papers took some time, though, while using the exciting latest technology—microfilm. A roll of microfilm might encompass anywhere from several months to an entire year. Scrolling through and reading each page required patience and fortitude. Even now, many newspapers can only be accessed by going to a library some distance away and laboriously searching for a particular name or article. I often visit the Library of Michigan to peruse old Michigan newspapers while sitting at a microfilm reader for hours.
Blessedly, many newspapers were digitized and can be viewed online. Some of the historical editions of the Grand Rapids Herald and Grand Rapids Press and searched and read in the comfort of my home while drinking a glass of wine.
With fingers crossed, I entered the search terms “Gustave Lacey Or Lacy AND Violet OR Viola” and within seconds, article titles and dates appeared. Sorting from the oldest to the most recent dated newspapers, I clicked on the first article from the Grand Rapids Press dated Monday, April 11, 1910, and immediately focused on some revealing pieces of information:
- First, ‘Lacey” was spelled as ‘Lacy’ so I made a note to myself to always search for alternative spellings.
- The Lacey family moved often. On April 11, 1910, they lived at Cole’s Hotel, a black-owned establishment at 113 Ellsworth Avenue. Then in August, they lived at 65 Ellsworth Avenue, and at another date, rented at 196 Market Avenue. In these shabby and dilapidated southwest buildings, insects were probably the norm and the rent was very low. Probably Mrs. Cole loudly objected to Violet Lacey complaining of the conditions—you get what you pay for.
- The journalist described Violet as a “demure little wife”, defined as shy and petite. However, Violet also was quick to temper, loud, and willing to fight–as described by “the wool was flying as though as many black cats were tearing at each other.”
- Gus and Lacey brought “two dusky children” to the arraignment. My guess is that this would be Morris, aged 4, and Arabella, aged 2. Where was Gladys, and why couldn’t Gus and Violet find someone to care for the younger children? Was it because they recently moved to Grand Rapids and had few friends? Of 112,571 residents, only 466 were blacks.
Again I wondered why the newspaper published such a minor offense!
The second article from the article left me wide-eyed and somewhat shocked. Then the “House of All Nations” caught my eye, a Grand Rapids place unknown to me!
NEXT: HOUSE OF ALL NATIONS continued
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