The Denison Daily Herald
Saturday, June 13, 1908
pg. 1

EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION
Plans Completed - No Barbecue and No Soliciting from Whites

The Emancipation Association having in charge the big free Emancipation celebration at Forest Park, June 19, a big parade and crowning of the Queen at night being the feature aside from the program to be rendered in the afternoon.  The customary barbecue, for several reasons, has been discontinued as an attraction and a basket picnic substituted instead.  On account of the reduced expenses and in view of the flood situation and dull times, the whites will not be appealed to for financial assistance.
Dr. D.W. Porter of Sherman will be the speaker of the day, followed by a number of local speakers, including ex-slaves.  The parade will form at the Anderson Colored School, go down Walker street, thence south on Houston Avenue to and up Main Street.  Monday night the Queen contest closes with a mass meeting at the colored K. of P. Hall.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, May 2, 1909
pg. 4

HOME NEWS
The Negroes of the city have organized an Emancipation Celebration Association and are intending to have a big time on June 19th.  They propose to have a big basket picnic, a free barbecue and speaking during the day.  As a result of the elimination of the circulation of a "barbecue list" among the whites, chances are that there will be but one celebration.  In years past, especially when saloons were here, there were usually from two to four celebrations and lists passed among the whites by a "select few" who were very much interested in big barbecues.  It has finally leaked out that the money was not always applied this way and the Negroes who are actually interested in celebrating their emancipation decided to ask the whites to let any Negro help in their employ have the 19th as a holiday and to not solicit any moneys from the whites.  Since this policy was adopted last year it is quite noticeable that several Negroes who used to be prominent in the celebrations are not participating.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, June 27, 1909
pg. 2

HOME NEWS
The colored people to the number of 2,500 celebrated Emancipation day at the Munson Park.  They had a big jubilee and gorgeous street parade, many floats being in lines.  A special spread was made for newspaper men and the members of the city government.  The table was presided over by ex-slaves.  Sickness prevented the Gazetteer reporter from being present.  The dinner is described as a feast of good things, and the guests were treated like nabobs.  There was an old-fashioned barbecue with lots of trimmings.  The day was passed most pleasantly, and all things considered, it was the most notable colored celebration in the history of Denison.