Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-10-28
To the editor Of the Iowa State By


stander:
l am back again from the Ap-
palachian Exposition at Knoxville,
Tenn. l really found more than l
expected to see. That was, indeed,
a great exposition; it was new
| movement for the South. 1t was,
indeed. marvellous, magnificent, and
q mamouth presentation, Of which
the most important events were the
showing of the wonderful develop
ment Of the resources of the South,
and conspicuous part which has
| been played by our race.
1t was shown by the representa-
| tion of the Negroes at this exposition
that they are still alive to every in
terest that adds to the progress and
pace of the modern day.
To appreciate the scope and mag
nitude fthis exposition, one would
have to see it for themselves I am
today more OF a believer in the ad-
vancement Of the race than have
J ever been before.
With the door Of opportunity shut
against him, yet when the writer's
shall write the names of men Of
| fame and fortune of the world, the
| Negroes name will be written ehere
too.
At this exposition the negroes
were up-to-date in the following de-
partments: Agriculture, live stock,
raising poultry, millinery, dress
making. domestic science, history,
Inventions, manufactured products,
and education. and was given the
credit Of having the best educational
exhibit on the ground. sr
| The greatest need OF the colored
man today is cooperation. With
the push and will OF the negro to-
day. with his art of doing things
with completeness. II once the race
could combine and go into co-opera-
showing 1t would make In the next
ten years. but there Is lack oi
confidence In the masses, and in the
leaders or advisors.
Here are some OF the new features
OF this Appalachian Exposition. II
Ia an incorporated association and
stock company, whose shares are
sold to white and colored, and is
incorporated Tor ten years.
When I was in Knoxville I made
inquiry as to whether or not any
more stock is to be sold, and was in
formed that the sale of stock had
holders informed me that he thought
the association would pay out this
year for the expense of building and
preparing the ground, and perhaps
there would be small dividend
If the gate receipts kept up at the
rate they we're now going. I in
quired about the receipts, and was
told thae they averaged $4,000 a
day.
The president of the colored de-
partment, a very prominent gentle
man by the name of DR.. H. M.
Green, who Is quite a property owner
in Knoxville, and does business In q
three story building, which he owns,
known as the Green Building, 10S
East Vine avenue. He Is also one
of Knoxville's city aldermen. DR..
Green was aided in his work by
Prof. w. D. Ellington, of one of the
West Virginia universities, a young
man of good common sense descre-
tion. ..r,.. 3. D..
A number of very estimable ladies
also assisted DR.. Green in the work.
Mrs. Mamie Evans, Of Athens,
Tenn; Mrs. NJ. T. Manson, Mrs. W..
H. Lane, Mrs. w. w. Burke all Of
Knoxville, with q number OF others,
| gave valuable service. ,t-.a
! The grounds are larger than our
state fair grounds, and very much
prettier.
Jim crowed? Yes, but I will tell
| you about that in our next.
The spirit o. the getting up of this
Appalachian Exposition was Mr.. VIM.
J. oliver of Knoxville, a very
wealthy plow and wagon manufac-
turer. He declared that in this ex-
position should be represented all
the people, and said that all peop'e
should be privileged to all depart
ments on the ground, and to- al
buildings on the ground. This idea
was carried out. There was no
"Jim growing on the Appalachian
ground. We had at this exposition
some of the best colored speakers
in the country to deliver speeches
each week, and on the Sth OF Octo.
Der the speech making was closed
by Col. Roosevelt. =.
At this point, Mr.. Editor I will
close, and finish in our next.
Yours very respectfn1ly,
| r. E. BARTON,
1905 G. Street. N, E., Washington