Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-08-09
OBSERVATIONS.


daily to the progress OF the Ameri
can Negro morally. intellectually
materially, socially and financially
There Is something good In every
community, village, town ana CITY
There is something good In every
man, woman and child, Obscure
uneducated and partially unknown
Negroes are bringing in sheaves. The
progress OF the race Is accelerated
more by the so-called uneducated
than by the college bred" Negro, Tor
the reason that the former has been
schooled in the college OF experience
where diplomas are given on sheep
skin. while the latter knows all
things because he has college dip
Iona and college degree and con-
siders these the Alpha and Omega.
The schools of Peoria rank among
the best in the country. The chief
industrial school is Brady Polytech-
fen Institute. 1t is said to be one
OF the best industrial schools In the
United States with the possible ex-
ception OF Hampton. The attend
ance is large. Many Negro boys and
girls have taken advantage of the
faculties OF this industrial school.
The graduates are free to deliver an
address on How to Raise Turnips'
or to eulogize Abraham lincoln or
Frederick Douglass. Many have
graduated from the high school and
added a state university course by
grasping these opportunities. THESE
boys and girls are prepared-as
much as the college and common
schools can fit one-for what may
turn up in the ragged parts of life.
The city of Peoria can also boast
of colored band, which is under the
leadership of John Richardson, a
cousin of Richard Windsor, OF the
Kirkwood house. 1t is improving
daily. There are quite a number
who have exceptional musical talent
Misses Eulalia Irwin and Georgia
Harrison, sopranos; Misses CARA
Gibbons and Florence Harrison and
Mrs. Effie Harper, piano; and the vlo-
lin and claronet are also represented.
Musicales are given occasionally by
home talent. IN,
Many Negroes are following vari-
GUS trades at good wages. Among
them is one stereotyper, Martin
Journey of the Peoria Star; several
blacksmiths, - Hall OF washington,
Iowa, is here-one printer; many In
the various factories at one OF. the
large distilleries. The white men OBJ
iected to negro working. He is one
OF the most efficient all around men
in the city. The president put his
name on the payroll and he gets his
salary every week just the same as
though ne worked.
It is truely unfortunate for Peoria
colored people, old and young, men
and women, that more attention Is
not given to good, clean, wholesome
literary work. The talent Is here but
it needs cultivation. 1t seems to me
that it is the duty Of parents to see
that the children read good books at
home and that they give more time
for serious study Of the duties OF
life. Butterfly life wrecks men ana
women, boys and girls. Life Is not
made up of pleasure entirely.
The Colored Womens Aid Club Is
one of the oldest organizations In
the city. Mrs. Sara Sheffierd Is pres
ident, Miss Nora Stanford, secretary;
Mrs. Sara Floyd treasurer; Mrs.
Julia Gibson, chairman of the ex-
ecutive board. The club owns valu-
able property for which it receives q
monthly rental Of $40. The members
are making heroic effort to pro
cure money for the purpose Of build
ing modern club house, where tne
Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights OF
Pythias and other organizations can
find home and where entertainment
can be given. It is also planned to
have the armory on one floor of the
building The club kept "open mousse,
during the month OF June and dis.
nos ! Of many useful articles and
realized about 1925. Many of the
white club women attended q break
fast given by these colored women
The breakfast is an annual soclal
event of the colored women and Is
attended by women only. 1t was q
revelation to the white women in at
tendance because of the intelligence
good manners and becoming apparel
Mrs. Birdie West, colored woman OF
superior intelligence, well dat anu
tactful, performed the duties OF toast
mistress and introduced the speakers
The white men spoke on various sub
iects as did also the colOred women
and the meeting closed with eacf
party having learned something OF
benefit. The Colored Women's Alc
Club is officiated with the club worn
of the city. The president was
former school mate of DR.. Dubois.
Nil Desper Andurn Is the name o.
4 club composed of young ladies
Miss Wana Boone, president; MISS
Susie Butler, secretary; Miss LliliaI
Brown, treasurer
i. This is mostly a pleasure club ano
is a good social organization. bu'
last year the club expended $9o IL
charitable work. :
MANY in this vicinity are engaged IL
farming. Some are engaged IN gen
eral farming, some are raising FANCY
chickens and SQUADS, some are trucH
gardeners and some are leading
rural life and investing In city pro
perry.
@ Each year witnesses the increased
number Of colored property holders
in Peoria. Some of it is valuable
and increasing rapidly. can no
mention all the nice homes ! have
seen or been in.
Mrs. Melvina Cotton probably leads
in the value and numbers of pieces o.
city property. She owns seven o.
eight pieces of good paying properly
which represents, in post, her accum
a]ation, BY hard and intelligent work
Of SO years continuous residence II
this city. Her home is in the prin
ciple residence district of the city anc
the house is modern throughout.
want to emphasize this fact that MRS
Cotton and Mr.. Hagan gave prefer
ence to good reliable colored tenants
Mrs. Cotton contemplates Duiians