The Race Card

Arthur Stinnett: 1900 census - black, 1910 - mulatto, 1920 - mulatto, WWI draft card - colored,
1921 marriage license - white, 1930 census - white, 1935 Social Security application - white
1940 census - white, Death certificate - white

"In the United States both scholars and the general public have been conditioned to viewing human races as natural and separate divisions within the human species based on visible physical differences. With the vast expansion of scientific knowledge in this century, however, it has become clear that human populations are not unambiguous, clearly demarcated, biologically distinct groups.
...
Today scholars in many fields argue that "race" as it is understood in the United States of America was a social mechanism invented during the 18th century to refer to those populations brought together in colonial America: the English and other European settlers, the conquered Indian peoples, and those peoples of Africa brought in to provide slave labor." American Anthropological Association Statement on "Race" (May 17, 1998)

I have been conditioned as much as many of my fellow Americans to wrap a significant part of my life within the social construct of race. I am affected even in my research and in writing this blog. I've spent years searching for long lost cousins. When I find descendants whose ancestors lived like Arthur Stinnett I have to ponder how I will be received should I approach them as family. Some will be surprised at our common history but will acknowledge truth and put the race thing aside. Others, not having a clue - though anyone who has been researching my direct lines can't have helped but notice the "race" discrepancies through the years - and having lived their lives in white skins and the privilege it invokes in the United States, may not exactly be delighted to see the rainbow of hues in their family. I would hope in this day and age that most people have moved beyond that outdated, unscientific, manmade division but I'm never sure.


I wonder what Arthur Stinnet's life would have been like had he remained in Missouri living as a "black" man. He was born in Yellville, Arkansas on October 24, 1895 or 1896 (WWI draft registration card  says 1895 but Social Security Death Index says 1896). The obituary that appeared in the Salina (KS) Journal uses the 1896 date and stats that he was born in Missouri.

When Arthur registered for the World War I draft in Webb City, Missouri the record describes him as a single colored man, short, of medium build with blue eyes and black hair. The registration card also has the corners cut off - indicating that the person is of African descent. His occupation is listed as common laborer. He is living with his parents in 1920 and occupied as a railroad worker.

WWI Draft Registration

Virgie Foote Stinnett

Virgie Foote Snyder was a 26-year-old widow in 1920; living with her parents 18 miles away in Joplin. I don't know how she and Arthur met. They were married August 16, 1921 in Wichita, Kansas but she does not appear with him in a 1922 Wichita city directory that shows Arthur living at 422 Stephens with his parents (John and Lizzie) and two of his siblings (George and Walsie), but she is listed with him in the 1923 and 1924 Wichita directories.

I've read accounts that say the Stinnetts moved to Salina in 1924. Arthur worked at various odd jobs and by 1940 he was the owner of Art's Service Station on the US81 bypass. Virgie and Art's 50th wedding anniversary celebration was reported in the Salina Journal in 1971. Newspaper archives also indicate that they were well-known and active in the Salina community. They never had children of their own but my cousin Bil told me the his Uncle Art was one of his most influential role models when he was growing up. He described him as caring and funny and little Bill thought his uncle knew everything. I'd like to think that Arthur Stinnett would welcome the granddaughter of his first cousin Lonnie Coker with open arms.

Art died in January 1977 and Virgie followed a year later in January 1978. They are buried in Gypsum Hill Cemetery in Salina.