Here's another long story, and I probably have several more, but this is one I helped research for my father's memorial service, and the story was a surprise to many friends and relations gathered there:

"My name is Stephen Williams and I am a resident of Robinhood (Maine). We pass through communities, look at the old homes and wonder about the lives and events that have unfolded there. I'm going to share one of these events involving Adolph with you.

My grandparents Albert and Bathena Deermont purchased our house in 1929 and became close friends with the Zorach and Ipcar families. My grandparents winter home was deep in the South on the Florida Alabama line in a little town called Chipley. Accompanying them on there summer visits would be a Black American named Willie Paul Campbell, known as Jabo to his friends and family. Now Jabo was a powerful man standing 6 foot 2 and weighing 280 lbs, which was in direct contrast to his gentile manner. Schooled by my grandmother in cooking, he was an excellent chef and helped in the raising of my mother.

A summer morning in our kitchen would find Jabo cooking up eggs and bacon. Several times a week would come the sound of the outside screen door slamming and clink of milk bottles as Adolph made his deliveries. A friendly greeting and a quick word about the day then both would return to their chores.

Neighborhood parties were big events with my Grandmother and Jabo going all out with the fine linens and silverware. Adolph and Jabo were always present during these parties adding their own brand of humor to the mix. Back then, Robinhood residents visited more with their immediate neighbors than we do today. Electricity would not arrive until after the War and the roads were unimproved making a trip to town a major undertaking.

World War 2 arrived and with it the draft. Jabo was inducted by the US Army and after some basic training was sent off to be an Army cook. Now, back in 1941 the American Armed Services were segregated, Blacks being given menial jobs such as cooks, truck driver's and laborers and segregation meant separate companies, messes and barracks.

Time always moves slowly for soldiers stationed far away from friends and family and segregation created few recreational opportunities for black soldiers. One Saturday night a party and dance was being held by another Black company, Jabo and members of his company crashed that party and the resulting riot resulted in Jabo and several members of his company being brought up on charges of "mutiny against colored military police and of assault with intent to murder". The accused were "tried jointly", found guilty and sentenced from 10 to 20 years. Jabo, on the other hand, was implicated as the ringleader and was found guilty of "causing and participating", the sentence handed down was death.

The news of the sentencing traveled fast. In Robinhood, Adolph launched efforts to correct this injustice. Employing friends and contacts including Eleanor Roosevelt, Adolph's and their efforts resulted in President Roosevelt commuting the sentence to a dishonorable discharge and confinement for 25 years. Further efforts after the end of World War 2 resulted in Jabo's early release.

Black Americans saw many injustices during the war years. While asked to lay down their life for their country Black American GI's were denied entrance to railway diners and watched while German POW's were brought in and fed. During the War Years other mutinies by Black sailors and GIs took place with charges and sentencing as unjust as Jabo's. Many a time having a caring and influential white man step forward and speak up were all that separated you from prison and death. In Jabo's case it was Adolph who recognized the injustice and took action.

Jabo returned to my Grandparents and to Robinhood. Time passed, during which my brother and I became the 2nd generation raised under the watchful eyes of Jabo. Morning routines returned with Jabo cooking up eggs and bacon and about that time would come the sound of the screen door slamming, clink of milk bottles and there was Adolph making his deliveries. Greetings would pass, next a word about the day and then each would return to their chores. I watched never aware of the events that had transpired between the two men.

Our family will always be indebted to Adolph for his efforts in helping to return a much loved member to our family.


As a footnote:

One of Eleanor Roosevelt greatest works was her effort to correct the social injustices that existed in this country. Efforts by citizens such as Adolph pointing out the existence of these injustices resulted in President Truman issuing Executive Orders 9980 and 9981, which spelled the beginning of the end of official segregation in government and the armed services.

Charley Noble