I am Samuel Powell, the son of Ezra and Annie Bell Powell. I am writing this document with the consent of my sisters: Charlestine Whiteurst and Bernice Whiteurst-Carter. We are the last three living children of my parents eleven children.
I have known Madison or Sonny as he was called, all my life. He was a brother who lived with us or next door with my sister Gussie. I have many great memories. When Madison was a young teenager, he took me with him, along with has shoebox, to shine shoes on Maxwell Street. On one of these trips, Madison made some money, hid his shoeshine box and took me to the show for my first time. It was a rat-infested place but the popcorn was good and the cowboy movies were great. During these times, my parent did not allow us to go to shows.
Bernice was a cashier at Mackevich and Son, a department store on Maxwell Street. She got Madison a job and a job for me when I was fourteen. Madison worked in the grocery department and I worked in the meat department. Madison was well respected by Mr. Mackevich for his honesty, integrity, and work ethics. As a big brother, he was the perfect role model that established my value system, the foundation of my career.
Gussie’s apartment was on the third floor. The Bolden's had the apartment on the second floor beneath Gussie’s. Brother and Sister Bolden were very close friends of my parents. I will never forget when Sister Bolden took care of us while my mother gave birth to my sister Shirley. The Bolden's had three daughters. That is how Madison meet Lucille. I think you know the rest of the story. My sisters and I treasure the memory of Madison.