Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1897-07-02

seems to be phenominal. Keokuk
has a population Of about 20, 900
people, of which abont 1880 are
colored citizens, and they are most
ly old settlers; each of them owning
their own beautiful homes in differ
ent parts of the city. There is more
wealth among the colored people of
Lee county than any county among
in Iowa. 1t is nothing to see nicely
painted two story houses, several Of
them brick; with a neatly kept yard
and good orchards, with all the
modern conveniences of life, appar-
emily living happily. AS space will
not permit us to name all those who
own their homes, yet we shall men
ton few of the Oldest, who owns
nice homes; first, is:
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Tcbau, Geo. Calt-
we'll, Mr.. end Mrs. Penix, each havo been
here over 40 years: Mrs. NJ. J. Dove, a
lecturer. the wife of the able and well
known Elder NJ. J. Dove, has been here
80 years. She owns some very valuable
property; she is quite intelligent and well
known. Then there arc the Mr.. a and
Martin Bland Coins. Mr.. Selby johnson,
who Il probably tho wealthicst man in
Lee county; Mr.. and Mrs. Rush. VIM.
and john Hampton, John Bland, Mrs. Il.
Williams, Fred. Albertand Orange Fields,
ID. Ware, Jones. Yeizcr, W. Dixon, MIR.
Drain, Hats, Harris, johnson, Brooks,
and Mott.
There have been several graduates in
the high school. They have twenty-five
secret orders and four churches. The
finest building is the Sevcnth-st. Baptist
church. where Amos johnson was the
pastor. Then the Pilgrim Rest Baptist
church which now has more members
than any OF tho others; it was formerly
pastored BY Rev. L. l.. Smith; now by
the able 4. II. Phillips, OF Mober;y, Mo
who was editor several years ago Of the
Western Outlook, All influential and out.
spoken journal. The A. M. +. has a GOOD
congregation led by Rev. G. NJ. Tillman
there Is the Episcopal church, a nice build
ing, located on Hieh-st. Bland Il Blanc
owns blacksmith shop, they are doing
well; possibly the only coloicd people
operating a blacksmith shop in Iowa
Mr.. W. II. Jones runs tirst-class 5-chai
barber shop. He has been in the barber
business 81 years, and owns u beautiful
home. Four other colored men also owl
shops and are doing very well. Mr.. Mot
is the only colored barrister, lie has beer
quite successful with his Gases. Us he hs
only lost two cases this year. lie is
young man, admitted to the bar last year
and his many friends wish him success il
his own home town. Mr.. ID. w
Anderson is member Of the city fire dc
partnlent. also calci,niner, and rcccive
the contract of the U. 5. Governmen
building. Mrs. A. runs home bakery
and has large trade; she is u good COO
and her bread is sought after. MIR. G. II
Williams. who is foreman at the Tri Stat
Can Co., in the planning tin department
has l8 hands under him-all Of them co
ored. He is race mon. There is abou
100 hands working there in all, aud abor
20 colored. The tactory's capacity is 60
900 cans per day. Mr.. Williams conduct
a restaurant OH Main-st. Henry Brsok
is the only shoemaker has been in tn
business more than fifteen years. Orsng
Fields is first class carpenter and has
good shop. Fred Fields is clerk an
assistant bookkeeper for Hulskamp Bro!
Shoe Co-has been since 1889. Lonz
Dixon is the government cook-has bee
for IA years. F. ID. Bland is an exceler
carpet man. aud has worked number {
years for the Drake Carpet Co. Mr.. D
Ware works for Ryman u Rand fi,rnitur
dealers. Several colored men are drivin
delivery wagons.