Chronicles the life of African-American educator, intellectual, and civil rights leader Octavius Valentine Catto, who was shot and killed in election-day violence in Philadelphia in 1871.

Introduction: "A hundred O.V. Cattos" -- Charleston -- Arm in arm -- "Keep the flame burning-- " -- With giants -- Lessons -- The Irish, the killers, and Squire McMullen -- "Arise, young North" -- "How much I yearn to be a man" -- A chance on the pavement -- The wolf killers -- Manhood -- The battle for streetcars -- Baseball -- The hide of the rhinoceros -- Election day -- The Venus of the high trapeze -- Epilogue: The legacy.