New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-02
From Ohio.
MARIETTA. OHIO. June Is. 1877.

MAhiEIlA, OhlO, June ID, 1914.
#, the Editor Of the Neuo National Era:
In my last letter to the ERA, omitted to
notice the NJ. E. Church (colored), presided
over by Rev. Mr.. Lawson. This society is
deserving of high praise, possessing as it
does the greatest moral and intellectual force
of any cOlOred church that l have visited
since L left home it is also numerically the
largest colOred society that has come under
my notice; and these commendable virtues,
together with the exceeding liberality and
high responsibility of the people, make it
one of the most prosperous churches any
where to be found. 1t seems to be one of
Gods irrevocable laws to bless both churches
and individuals most, who love most and
contribute most, ungrudgingly, to His cause.
Certainly the generous, cheerful givers re-
ceive the greatest favors and blessings from
the Fathers hands.
1 wish to say further, that the people here,
as q wl1oi., az i''t'-.-t-ians enterprisinr and
intelligent, and in this respect m,II 81. t.asz
many Of our northern cities of the same size
next visited Parkersburg, a town of about
S'She ehouoaHu luIldDlldutS. i Ills Is Qulle q
live town. l was more than pleased with
the character of the place it promises at no
far distant day to become large city, as it
possesses all the requisite natural advanta-
ges to make it city Of hundreds where,it
now has but tens.
here became acquainted with Mr.. Wat
kins. very energetic, and, in my Judgment,
the most efficient business man of color in
the community. He is man of irreproacha-
BILE character and decidedly intelligent, as is
evidenced from the fact that he is a subscri-
Der to the New NATIONAL ERA. lie has
quite an extensive business, having a large
store well stocked with dry goods, notions,
groceries, ETC., almost anything for family
use. Mr.. w. is a gentleman in every sense
of the word and has most excellent lady
for a wife. They live comfortably and at
the same time manage to accumulate proper
ty. He is Nirginian by birth, and knows
how to, and does, treat strangers most
Hospitality.
Another man of merit here, is the school
teacher, Mr.. John Fletcher. He is teacher
of much ability, is unobtrusve, modest and
retired in his manner, and eXerts wide in
tluence among his people.
Mr.. Fletcher is another colOred school
teacher whom have met who is perfectly
willing to sacrifice his own personal interests
rather than let the civil-rights bill fail. He
properly says: What if it should turn every
colored teacher out Of employment! Have
they not brains enough to make living as
we'll as other people who do not teach. He
thinks it is a great mistake for teachers to
oppose it on such selfish grounds, and deems
it reflection upon themselves.
Mr.. II. B. Simms, barber, is another
man with whom l passed many pleasant
hour. He is man of considerable force o.
character, well read and we'll informed
especially upon all the leading topics oc the
day. BY the way, he is quite politician
that is, he understands the history, theory,
and workings Of the American government,
and more than all, he is we'll versed in the
history Of all nations, especially is he con-
versant on International law, which is his
forte. He "lives at home" and has an inter.
esting family; he is quite plain, unobtrus'
i've man, and is quite popular. AS an evil
dence Of his character and ability it is nec-
essary only to state that he was one of the
electors to the Grant convention, of 1872
from the State of Virginia. This speaks
we'll for him, considering the character Of the
State he represented. He is Virginian by
birth, and has lived in the State all his life
and all the education he has he acquired in
old and West Virginia. He is fifty years Of
age and has comfortable home.
Mr.. Slmms, like all Virginians who have
not departed from the habits of the fathers
is open hearted and benevolent, not one o
the narrow-minded, close-contracted, parsi
monious order that will own house ant
live in the cellar for fear of having to enter
tain some one for day or two; he is, in 6
word, whole souled man and gentleman
But now to the town, in which there are
three churches two Methodist and ont
Baptist.
The A. M. E. church is presided over b.