Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1904-07-01
EDITORS OBSERVATION.

Once more after silence OF nearly
twelve months we take up our annual
travelling quill and go through a part
of Iowa, while it is a very difficult
matter for the same person to &c
over the territory each year and write
about the same people in each city
without repetition, because usually
the same people are living there and
working at the same thing, hence one
can well appreciate my feeble effort.
In Boone we landed last Wednesday
for only two hours stay. We found
the colored people of this beautiful
Iowa town all well and doing well.
Mr.. B. F. Taylor is sill working at
the city hall and buying more lots. He
owns several valuable pieces of
Boone property. Mr.. Fred Anthony
is still working for Webb & Tucker
as clerk in grocery store, while his
brother is train caller at the North
western railway. Both of these young
men are single and looking to become
Moines they would make change.
Mr.. James Robinson's health is i'm
proved and he is now a cook at the
Northwestern hotel. John Stark is
making money operating his carpet
duster. The Coleman families are do
ing nicely G. j. Taylor added his
name to the Bystander list and as he
says will quit borrowing the Bystand-
er hereafter. Oh! if others would do
likewise. In Marshalltown everything
was about the same as last years re-
ports, except Mr.. Geo. Suitor, who
was fireman at the city water works
has received promotion, carrying
with it a raise in salary. Mr.. L. H.
Johnson has bought him a house and
lot and has a fine garden and lots of
young chickens. Rev. E. G. Green is
still pastor at the church. Albert
Walker is doing nicely in Mr..
virgins shop. He has been stocking
small farm. You will read more
about him later. S. D. Davis, a form
er Des Moines boy is now working
at the PPiPlgrim hotel. He is married
and says that he needs another man
at the hotel, who he would pay good
price. Nothing else of interest was
brought to my notice here. The
Parlor City was our next stop for a
day.
The parlor city is indeed beautiful
city of about 10000 population, with
abont 200 colored citizens. She is noted
for her wide level streets, beautiful
parks and fine residences. She has
only one church, the A. NJ. E., presid.
ed over by Rev. Clemmsns, who at
present is quite sick. They are MAX
ing some improvements on the church;
which when completed will add to its
beauty and value. Mr.. O. B. Claire
has sold his confectionery and ice
cream parlor to Mr.. John Van Camp,
an old citizen who seems TO be the
right man in the right place; his dangh-
ter, Miss Cleotia, makes good clerk.
Mr.. Van Camp is an employee in the
post office. Mr.. e C. Thomas, q vete.
ran of the civil war and one of the
Oldest colored residents of Lynn county
will soon receive back pension So 900.
Mr.. Thomas already has beautiful
home. well planted with all kinds of
fruits. He was in Co. q us. Vol,
Kentucky. His only son Roscoe is.
now in the 9. s. army an officer. Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas are very kind and
sociable to all strangers and "a true race
family. Mr.. Marshall Perkins is still
in the restaurant business and is doing
well as usual. Mr.. W. n Milligan Of
the apairy and fruit farm Is certainly