Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1911-07-21
CONDITIONS OF NEGROES
INVESTIGATED
BOOKER 7. WASHINGTON HEADS
DISTINGUISHED PARTf ON
PLEASANT AND lNsTRuc-
TIVE TRIP THROUGH
MACON COUNTY,
ALABAMA.

luDkesee, Ala Wllnfn the last TWO
or three years DR. Booker z. Wash
ington has made quite number of ex-
tended trips through various parts of
Macon County. Ala. for the purpose
of seeing for himself just what the
colored people are doing and under
what conditions they are doing It. II
was Just such a trip as this that DR..
Washington made through the south
western portion of the county on Sun
day. recently. He was accompanied by
field Mckinley. both of Washington.
d. c.; LORD Eustaee Percy OF the Brit
ish Embassy of Wilmington: Mr. w.
T. p. Williams. agent for the Anna
Jeanes fund and Slater fund: DR..
Thomas j. Jones of the United States
Census bureau. and Mr.. George L.
Knox. editor OF the indianapolis Free
man. as well as quite number of the
teachers and friends from Tuskegee
The first stop was made at the resi-
dence OF Mr.. Lott Ellington. a success
full farmer. his house. yard and garden
were all inspected and found to be
In almost perfect condition.
The next stop was at Fort Hull.
where much to the surprise as we'll as
to u lie delight of some of the members
OF the party. as II was generally un.
derstood that breakfast would be
served at another place. Mr.. Morgan
Russell, a successful white farmer In
that section, had prepared quite an
elaborate breakfast: after eating the
party then went to the little church,
which was only a few PAGES from the
tables where a very short meeting was
held.
Leaving here the next stop was Mt
Andrews community; however, II
might be well to mention the fact
that Just before reaching this CON-
mrnity mounted committee met the
party. and one OF the most unique
scenes OF the whole trip we're the four
Inembers OF the committee who we're
on oxen which were saddled and brid-
led. In the Mt. Andrews Community
church was an excellent exhibit OF the
Farmers Improvement club. The OBJ
jet of these clubs. which are scat
tered throughout the various communi
ties. is to decide how they can meet
the conditions that would naturally
confront one living in TIE country.
This exhibit consisted of vegetables.
fruit, and several kinds OF meats all
grown on their land. The majority OF
the homes occupied by these people
we're all whitewashed and painted.
In the course OF his remarks here
DR.. Washington said that people could
not go through a community without
being encouraged Here In Macon
county you have good land that will
grow abundant crops You have
good citizenship here and there is
every opportunity for You to make this
q little heaven right down here on
earth. Therefore get some land aud
cultivate H."
The party then proceeded TO Lib
erty Hill. where a brief stop was made
II might be we'll IN mention that the
people In this community own be-
tween twelve and fifteen thousand
acres of land After one or two
speeches the members OF the party
proceeded to Mt. Pisgah. They we're
met by large crowd. headed BY the
Farmers Improvement club. In the
schoolhouse the visitors found all
kinds OF vegetables and sewing. and
were informed that the colored peo-
Pile owned over two thousand acres
of land and quite large herd OF live
stock. DIR. Washington urged the peo-
pie to get hold of land and keep IT. to
do better farming. and grow something
else besides cotton. He also made ref
erence to what Is known as Draw Sat