Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-05-22
EDITIONS ORGANIZATIONS.

The editor of the Iowa State By
stander had thought that he would
not write any observations on his
travels through Iowa this year, but
there hangs fascination about the
people to know what the race in gen.
eral Is doing and their real progress.
Therefore there Is no better evidence
to ascertain the real truth than from
an eye witness, one who meets and
talks with the members Of the race in
1 different sections of the state. Con-
seQuently have decided to pen many
brief observations of their progress,
hoping that it may only be stimulus
to others, but that the success Of
some may enthuse and encourage 9TH
ers to enter the diversified industries
and trades of Iowa and likewise make
a success. On leaving the Capital
City Friday, where all is in hustle
and everything is rushing pell NELL
to succeed, we arrived in Alton, Iowa,
once the county seat of Union county
but now quiet, almost deserted
town of perhaps 1000 people. The
colored people there are few in num-
ber, although old settlers. Conse-
quently they are doing well I. Every
family there owns their own home,
we'll improved. Mr.. Albert Ray, who
has lived there for more than twenty
two years, owns a pleasant home Of
several lots in the good part Of the
town. He is a teamster. Mrs. Anna
Collier has been there many years
Both of the above parties subscribed
for the Bystander. Mr.. Andrew Ray
has been there for more than twenty
years and he and his son James O.
have had charge of the two public
school buildings for the past sixteen
years. In Creston things are moving
along about the same. Chas. Bur-
naugh is doing well. He is with the
Summit House, where he has been for
the past twenty-five years. Mr.. H. L.
Martin owns nice home and is do
ing WE'LL Mr., Chas. Clark is one of
the most successful men of Creston.
He owns several houses and lots. He
has charge of the Citizens bank
block, in which my esteemed friend.
ex-senator Harsh is president. Mr.,
and Mrs. Signor own very nice
home out to the north limits Of the
city. They entertained the editor at
dinner. Mrs. Signor is prominent in
the NJ. +. church work. She is learn
ing the dressmaking art. In Bedford
We found the colored people doing as
we'll ss usual. Mr.. ]. W. Franklin
lives in the city, but is farming. He
handles the thoroughbred Poland
i China hogs, all registered. His old
est daughter, Miss Nettie, who is
graduate of the PrOvident hospital
Chicago. is located in Chicago, work
ing at her profession as trained
nurse His other daughter MISS
Lulu, is at home She is seamstress
and cutie prominent in society and is
superintendent Of the A. M. E. Sunday
school. The A. M. E. church is the
only cclored church and Rev. L. ].
Phillips has the Bedford and Clarin-
t!a charge. The reverend was in Bed
ford Sunday and as usual preached
an eloquent and strong sermon. The
reverend is an able preacher. He is
well liked out there and is getting
along, nicely His estimable and elo-
Iuent wife seems to carry her audi
ences by storm. The world will hear
more from Rev. 'ter L. F. Phillips
later. Mr. Israel Boyd is perhaps the
wealthiest colored man in Bedford.
He has charge of the w. E. Crum
bank building. Mr. G. w. Lucus is
employed by the Bedford Dairy COM
pany He is doing well and has an in
telligent family Mr.. Spencer is work
ing at the same place and succeeding
nicely Mr.. John Han. a dentist, per-
haps the only one in Iowa, who has
been employed for the last eight
years with DR.. Minker, left this week.
He will go to Des Moines and may
open dentist Office there. Mr.. D.
Ison is working hard to succeed. He
entertained Rev. Phillips and ye edi-
tor at dinner, as also did Mr. ]. W..
Franklin. An eight mile overland
drive brought us to Gravity, where
there lives only two colored families,
Henry and Robt. Johnson, brothers
and we venture the assertion that
they are making more money than
any two brothers in Iowa. They both
own beautiful farms within one-half
mile of the past Office, we'll improved.
They have been there about eighteen
years Henry was recently appointed
as one of the rural mail carriers at
$500 per year. His wife is his assist
ant. 1t is great sight to visit their
home She has 300 young chickens.
with 80 hens setting, IA young tur.
keys, with four hens settings; also
young ducks, goslings and guineas,
IS young pigs, they milk about IL
cows and have their own cream sep
arator and do all their milk separat.
ing. They have hired hand. They
have two children. Mabel and Fred
who have just arrived in their teens.
both in school. Robert, the other
brother has rented his farm out this
year for cash and he is running his
} barber shop. He owns the brick
building that his shop is in. He also
owns very nice home in the town
. where he lives He is courteous and
sociable. He has three children.
Francis. Adam and Roscoe. These
two brothers and families are living
examples of what energy. industry
and frugal living has accomplished in
fifteen years Will begin at Clarinda
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