Joe Starks, was a mover and a doer. He was elected the mayor of the town, from the few people who were in the highest unofficial posts of the new black only town. As mayor, he got things done. He had a general store set up in the center of town, and arranged the digging of roads going in all the four cardinal directions. One of first big thing he did as mayor, was to personally buy with his own money, a lamp for the town center.
This light, was no ordinary light. It was to be the first light in the town, and be gas lit. This light represented much more than just a way to see during the night time. It was a cardinal light, showing the strength of the town. It was a beacon in the sea of darkness. It was also a black only town, and this was a big step, which also showed that any other town could have a street lamp if they wished also.
Joe also decided to put the lamp up on show, for a week before installing it. This was to show off how strong the town was, and how it was progressing along. The lamp was his pet child, and he loved and caressed it. None but the best study trunk would how the lamp up in the middle of the town, and was selected personally by Joe. This lamp lighting, was also adorned with a feast for everyone. This was truly Joe's pride. His extreme pride in the lamp, was also shown very well in him saying "Dis evening' we'se all assembled tuh light uh lamp. Dis occasion is something for us all tuh remember tuh our dying day." (Hurston 45) This is the epitome of pride, and Joe had much pride as lit the gas lamp in his town, for the first time.
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