Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1896-03-13
THE IOWA TRAVELLER.
Birds Eye View of keokuk.


Birds Eye View of keokuk
We arrived in Keokuk on Thursday
We had not been in the city for severa
years, but all of the old land marks were
there. Main streets just as long as evel
and there were no material changes in the
buildings Keokuk will never lose it;
identity 1t is a pretty old town. The
people are well-to-do and hospitable
Each trip becomes more interesting under
the kind and hearty greeting OF old
old and true friends. 1t is the fashion oi
the Afro-Americans of Keokuk to own
their homes and send their children tc
school, The property owned by them is
large in quantity and valuable in price.
The property is confined to no particular
part Of the city; some being very desirable
business blocks. The schools are filled
with pupils. The girls are more numer-
GUS than the boys. A trip to many cities
ofmuch larger pretentions does not reveal
a more accomplished society Of young
ladies. When we say accomplished we
mean young ladies who can attend to
the duties of the household from the
kitchen to the parlor, or,-muusic. brilliant
conversation and literature does not place
them in an embarrassing position. The
parents like to have their children 60 to
school and the children make the most of
their opportunity. The following are in
the high school: Misses Maggie Drain,
Lena Towney, Carrie Smith, Emma Rice,
Messrs. Claude Morton, Homer Jones and
q few others whose names we did not
learn.
Mr.. George Caldwell, Sr. and Mr..
Oscar Bland are two Of the largest Afro
American property and real estate holders
in the city. Mr.. Caldwell has represented
the Hotel Keokuk for many years and his
face is familiar to the travelling public.
Mr.. Bland is city bill poster and the grand
master Of the Masonic Lodge of Iowa.
Prof. W. Il. Jones is the leading barber
of the city. He has been in business
there for 20 years. The secret OF his sue
cess has been strict attention to business.
He has kept up with the times. When
the trade demanded new furniture and a
better location he was ready. v hen it
demanded more BARRIERS he supplied them.
That is the reason why he has continued
to be the first barber in that city. We
have seen BARRIERS driven from the busi-
ness because they would not keep up with
the times. Atro-American BARRIERS and
business men have lost the advantage in
nlany cities by failure to do the proper
thing. Mr.. Jones has lately built nice
hcne on one Of tie principal resident
streets OF Keokuk out Of the proceeds Of
his barber shop.
"The Club of 1867 is composed Of
young men and women who are ably
assisting the A. M. E. church.
Last year there were three graduates
from the high school, Alonzo and Ella
Drain and Nora Bentham, all of whom
are teaching school in the south.
j. w. Bland is one ofthe leading black
smiths of the city and a substantial busl-
ness man. Martin Bland is in the same
shop. A good blacksmith and a genial
man, liked by every one.
Thomas Rush is a general contractor
and has been for years.
Dan c. and Ira Anderson are pastereS
with good trade, as is also Leisf
Gowcns.
Mr.. Williams is foreman in the large
canning factory and has been for mum
ber of years. He is an intelligent young
man, a hard worker and close student Q
current events.
There are quite number OF carpenter
in the city.
Fred Field is bookkeeper for a larg
wholesale house.
Margaret Ann Court, Mrs. G. W
Bannister, and Brent Court, Mrs. Dixon
are two prosperous organizations. Their
is also an Eastern Star Chapter.
There are two Baptist, one A. M. E
and one Episcopal church Masons, Od'
Fellows (2), Knights of Labor, Taber
nacle (2) by Miss Kate Owens and Mis-
Ellen Dixon. The Odd Fellows own
good piece of property on Main street.
A Womans' club was organized yea
ago and one by the young men of Pilgrim
Rest Baptist church.
James Broadis is on the police force AM
represents 2,OcO Afro-American voters
This is poor management and poor or
ganization. But it is said that if a colore'
man was duly nominated he would fail t
receive the support of his own race. |
this truep There is one official. however
that we failed to mention. He is "woo
| measurern and receives on an average
75c per month.
J. w. Glass, an old time keokuk baroe
and very pleasant man, has shop o
Main street. 1t is familiarly known a
the senate and j. w. BANDS black
smith shop is called the ''House" Iher
many interesting debates are held durln
the week. y. >. II.
CITY POLITICS.