Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-06-07
NE6RO EDUCATOR
TOURS the WEST
On. JAMES Z. SHEPARD or DUR
HAM, N. C., MEETS WITH En-.
ThUsiAsTIc RECEPTION IN
WESTERN CITIES.
(By GEORGE F. KlNG.)

Los Angeles, Cal-Special.-Never
before In the history Of this section Of
the country has there been such .
keen and substantial interest In negro
education manifested on the part Of
the representative people OF botn
races as was evinced by the eloquent
young educator. Dr.. James E. Shepard,
president Of the National Religious
Training school. Durham. N. c., dur
ing his recent tour through the west.
He has the distinction OF being the sec
ond civilian to address the famous
Ninth cavalry; the late Bishop Grant
being the first. This notable stop at
Fort d. A. Russell, Wyoming, was
quite an event in the annals. OF this
well known military center. The
largest auditorium in the town was
packed to hear him speak to the cav
airy on Life" Chaplain and Mrs.
Prioleau, Lieut.. b. o. Davis and vile,
and Bandmaster Wade H. Hammond
were among the prominent ones who
gave the young educator significant
reception. At Chicago, Des Moines.
Denver, Salt Lake City. and San Fran
cisco this apostle of religious edu-
cation for the negro and the harness
ing of his emotions to the extent that
he will become a well rounded citi-
zen, was accorded an ovation, and the
shepard idea" has made him the
cynosure for the eyes Of the progress
i've Westerners. ~.
He arrived here accompanied by his
field secretary, Professor Charles Alex
ander, and during his stay Of five days
he stimulated the most pronounced &C.
tivity and appreciation for the educa-
ton of the negro than the most en-
thusiastic friend of the negro had ex-
pected. He addressed about 1000 peo-
pie in the Pasadena Presbyterian
church, which IL the richest church IN
southern California. A fine type OF
citizenship greeted him wherever he
spoke, and was entertained by social
events Of an uplifting status. In de-
livering q sermon to the influential
congregation OF the South Park Pres
byterian church, this city, he was very
forceful and eloquent. He especially
emphasized the fact that the proper
education Of the negro race in Amer
lea was that Of the heart as well AZ
the head, and that missionaries should
be taught to redeem the dark CONT
nent as we'll as to do social settlement
work in the large cities Of our own
country. At the educational mass
meeting in the Wesley M. E. church
(white) he was again accorded an
unique ovation. Distinguished men
Of both races were present and con-
conspicuous among them were DR.. S.
Hecht, rabbi of the Temple B'nai
Birth; DR.. Dana w. Bartlett, Mr.. D.
E. Luther. general secretary of the Y.
M, C. A.; Mr.. J. l.. Edmonds, editor
and publisher; Col. Allen Allensworth,
founder of the negro community at Al
lensworth, Cal. Upon this occasion
he proved conclusively that religious
training was the most essential phase
Of education for the lowly masses.
Rabbi Hecht, Colonel Allensworth and
others favorably commented in brief
speech upon the scope and effective
ness of DR.. Shepard's plans and work.
He addressed the Colored Y. M. c. A.
and caused much enthusiasm.
The prominent Afro-Americans Of
this city accepted every opportunity to
give due homage to the character and
most excellent work Of DR.. Shepard.
One of the most brilliant social events
that has ever taken place among the
Afro-Americans here was the banquet
rendered DR.. Shepard by so of the lead
ing business and professional men. Mr..
Robert Owens, the wealthiest negro in
the state, and DR.. Mccoy were fore
most in promoting the social events
and rendering the educator every hos
pitality they were capable of accord.
ing him.