Wellsville Celebrates Martin Luther King

Yesterday Wellsville celebrated the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Village Hall in a very meaningful, thought provoking ceremony. The Rev. Dr. King is the icon of American equality who was assassinated 42 years ago for his endeavors. He was the father of the Civil Rights movement that he began in Atlanta years before his tragic death.

Wellsville Ministerial liaison Rev. Darlene Zanders served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Rev. Jay Nightengale, Retired, offered the opening prayer and Mayor Joe Surace welcomed all in attendance. Canton Middle School music teacher, Sandy (Gibson) Larsuel, came home and provided musical accompaniment and sang two solo songs. A dance performance was performed by children from the First Baptist Dance Troupe. Dancers performing were Aamiyah Johnson, Josiah Santigo, Olivia Dorsey, Zion Clark, Menina Jackson, Danyon Gallegher, Demonte Coles & Rasheeda Kalam. Other members of troupe assisting were Nevaeh Johnson, Isaih Dorsey, Faith Spann and Dylise Williams. Christina Thompson directs the troupe.

Speakers for the day were Wellsville Councilwoman Rosie (Gibson) Goss who told of the part that Dr. King plays in her life. She said she feels fortunate to have a job based on her skills, not the color of her skin. Children of the Pullie family read a tribute to the Rev. Doctor. Taking part in the tribute was Malik, Demetrius, Jacob, DeVonte & Indiah Pullie. Wellsville native Ernest Gibson III explained his visual model of MLK. EG said, to him, King was Dedicated, Righteous, Kind & Intelligent man who Negotiated God's plan. Gibson said we have come a long way since the early days of Civil Rights but reminded everyone there is still a ways to go.

Byron Carter told the history of his great-grandfather, Daniel Spires, who was one of the earliest black settlers in Wellsville. Spires was a former slave from West Virginia that worked as a farm laborer until he earned enough to buy his freedom. After obtaining his freedom he started one of the first dray businesses in Wellsville transporting goods to and from the riverboats and later the trains. Spires son Phillip was a Constable and the first black elected official in Columbiana County. Phillip was Byron Carter's grandfather and the father of his mother. Carter shared his memories of growing up in Wellsville saying there were moments of uncertainty but usually everyone got along.

Mrs. Larsuel read a poem she wrote years ago telling of trips to the deep south with her parents as a child. She said her daddy always had two or three drivers along so they wouldn't have to stop and witness the widespread segregation. He was shielding his children from the ugliness of racial inequality that dominated most areas of the southern states back in those days. Larsuel related she never experienced any of that growing up in Wellsville.

We believe Mayor Surace summed it up best for Wellsville when he said “We are color blind in this room. We live together and we work together”. We live together in a spirit of equality as neighbors and friends in this river valley village. It's part of what makes Wellsville special. We're sure the Rev. Dr. King has a smile on his face when he casts his glance toward Wellsville.

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