Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-06-09
Editors Observations;
Caught on the Fly.

Crossing the "Big Muddy" into my
native commonwealth, leading into the
City of Council Bluffs where we found
hustling little city Of about 10000
people. The colored people are doing
fairlywell, not SO well as they should.
Chas. Davis, who runs first-class res
tauraut. and saloon. is managing 9 big
truck farm Of one hundred acres within
the city limits. He owns ten acres OF
this beautiful bottom land. He has a
splendid crop this spring; he has two
hired hands T. S. Britt is still head
chef at the Grand Hotel. Rev. VIM.
A. Moore has charge of the A. M. E.
church. They are in the midst of a
rally, to raise money to build the Audi
torium, as they have been worshiping
in the basement for years. J. L. Tan
nahill is conducting first-class restau-
rant. They are old settlers here and
doing nicely. Mr.. S. Davis is still en-
ployed on the railroad They own nice
home. We next rode our wheel in the
streets of Red Oak for two hours here.
We found Mr.. 2. S. Everhart still in
the music store, selling pianos and or
gans. He has been here about twenty
years, and enjoys large trade. VIM.
Hampton, the U. S. Federal court bal
lift lives here; only colored bailiff in la.
Oscar Connor, the pioneer barber, is in
poor health. but is working athis trade.
He wishes to be remembered by his cid
acquaintances. Mr.. H. S. Martin form
ally lived in Des Moines, is still work
ing at the same barber shop, He is
married and doing nicely. G. W. Camp
bell has bought him home and is liv-
ing in comfort. T. G. Jones is hust-
ler in fact. Our next stop found us in
Clarinda. Here lives about five hum
dred colored people; most of them own
ing their own home. Mrs. Laura Jones
owns a nice home and doing well. N.
H. Pemberton is on the mail force as a
carrier, and is more than making good.
He is hustling young man, and
owns valuable corner lot in the up
town district. Edward, his brother
is doing we'll. H. H. Cook is still in the
carpet cleaning business and is doing a
rushing business. Allen Jones owns a
beautiful home; he is still blacksmith
ing; good trade to make money. His
wife and her mother had about $50
chickens. Mr.. Jones says his mother
out on the farm has over 400 young
chicks. Miss Eva Parker is our news
cleaner here. Rev. John w. Evans is
administering to the wants of the Bap-
tist people while Rev. John H. Bell is
preaching to the Methodist flock. Both
are fine active, live, energetic minis
ters with bright future. E. B. Cook
is still running his grocery store. H.
A. Farrier is doing well. Mr.. Mont
gomery, who lives on his farm Sonth of
town is making money. He owns a
good farm and began in this country as
hired man without money, now he is
we'll fixed. DR.. Gibson, the Veterinarian
doctor is still here doing well Our next
stop was in Shenandoah. Here are only
three colored families. Mr.. R. P. Cald-
web, the faithful hotelporter, then Mr..
R. L. Collins, who owns a nice place,
has lots of chickens, His son is in high
school. He recently has been appoint
ed custodian Of the New Postoffice.
Our next stop was in Gravity; here we
enjoyed areal good substantial country
dinner at the hice home Of Mr.. Henry
johnson, who is Rural Route Mail
carrier, has been for the past seven
years. His only son has also regular
route and his wife is his assistant; they
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