Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-09-20
Editors Observations,

EdltOr observations,
We seem to have lost out with our
Observation column because of other
more important things and conventions
but now we shall condense the observa-
tions very much in these ten towns
that we shall write about, beginning
in Burlington. Here we find the color.
ed peoples condition much improved
there are more of them beginning new
homes and those owning one are i'm
proving and remodeling their property
Then again they are beginning to take
more interest in their church and
secret society work, Burlington seem
ingly was behind but she is beginning to
take more activity Mrs. ]. E John
ston our most excellent agent had to
resign on account of her hearing and
Mrs. M. Sidney has succeeded her, so.
give her your items for the Bystander.
VIM. Ragland is still the faithful en-
ployee of the Hotel Peter King, who
for more than quarter of a century
bas been employed by Mr. Pirkins the
miIlionair Burlington Ry. officers, owns
a lovely home and has lovely wife and
children. A Mcdowell is q hard work
ingman, saving his money so is also
Aaron Hughes. Jonn L Brooks is still
employed by the c. B. Q Ry. Co. He
is one Of the pioneer citizens, wei! liked.
Mr.. Matt Ross owns a new home on
1857 Foster St. Rev. s. Mcdowell is
the A. M. E paster and is bringing the
church back to its former days.
In Mt. Pleasant we saw signs of ra-
cial progress, but they are behind in
society and social work, with the intel
ligent younger element They will soon
be heard from. VIM. Burnaugh is still
foreman at the Spaulding House. Har-
ry is a contractor in the plastering
trade, doing we'll. John Greenup is still
farming and living in his beautiful
home; so is Clay Reed, both are success
full men. James H. Weeks, retired
farmer is living at ease in his nice city
home. His sons are running the valu-
able farm that he owns. He has lived
in this county about fifty-five years, q
veteran of the civil war. Mr.. E. H.
Reeser is successful young man. Rev.
R, Thomas is the A. M. E. minister.
He is a bright young man, new in the
Iowa conference Rev. j. M, Eaves
has charge of the Baptist church. Jno.
Harrison is hustling young man doing
we'll. ~, .s st %>..s r.
Fairfield being our next stop. Here
we found the people seeking higher up.
Mr.. Sam Sykes is not in the barber
shop at present G W. Coalson is do
ing we'll. He owns nice home. T. W
Price is one of the leading citizen here.
R. M Baker is doing we'll. H. G. Stew
art is one of the citizens, veteran of
the civil war. VIM. Smith, Greenup
are hardworking men and will succeed.
We next found ourselves in Ottumwa
among some of the Bystander's most
loyal and stallwart supporters here.
We found the colored society we'll ad-
vanced along all lines, especially relig-
ious, social and in their sacred orders.
Mr.. z. Taylor, one of the pioneers is
still driving his express wagon. He is
reputed to be the wealthiest colored
man in Wappelo county. Jas. H. john
son is another we'll to do, and highly
respected citizens. He works at the
Ballingall Hotel J. H, Weeks and
Wells Fowler are two more good indus
trious race men who are highly esteem
ed by all people. They are both i'm
proving their homes. H. E, Elliott is
a gardner living in the suburbs of West
Ottumwa. He owns valuable small
farm there and raises many hogs. Mr..
H E. Williams is still at the Elks club
doing we'll. He is one of the coming
young men, S. A. Herald is still at
the Ottumwa Courier Office Mr.. John
Harris, who has been so very sick so
long, is no better. He was glad to see
We editor Rev. NJ. I. Gordon is still
doing good work for the A M. E. church
with his flock The baptist has anew
man who succeeded Rev. j. G. Reed,
&c T. Gooch is doing nicely. Geo. Bal
ly is still in the tonsorial shop.
In Osceola we found very few color
ed people. 1t is fast depopulating itself
of the colored people. The little A.
M. E. church still stands there presided
over by Rev. A. L. johnson. Mrs. Jno.
Bryant, an old settler is still here,
Her SOIL Frank and his wife lives with
her. Frank has run the bus for the
hotel for fully eighteen years. Mrs. M.
Williams, pioneer is still cooking at
the old Hotel, where she has worked
for thirty-five years.
In Creston we found Mr. c. F. Bur
naugh the ever faithful employee at
the hotel where he has worked for
thirty years. He owns nice home
G. w. Daw is still farming his truck
farm. He is race man The widow
naldwin, with her three sons is still op.
Grating a four hundred acre farm with
in two miles of town. They have
splendid corn crop this year. Mr.. II.
Martin still lives in his beautiful home
on Wyoming street
Clarinda we next observed, as this is
a great farming community, and there