The Twin City star., 1914-03-06
BY RALPH w. TYLER.

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Muskogee, Okla.-To the down east
erner" the city of Muskogee and the
state of Oklahoma are beyond the
confines Of civilization" localities
where the yet moccasined, feather be-
decked and blanket robed Indian roams
and where the movies cowboy breaks
the monotony by shooting up the town
In the good old fashioned way. It is
hard to convince those who live east Of
the Mississippi and who have never
come this way that this town, 1,248
miles from the nations capital, n q
beautiful city, with asphalt paved
streets and cement sidewalks, with 6ne
residences and business blocks.
There are 10000 Negroes in this city,
forming One-third Of the total popu-
lation. That they are a thrifty set
Is shown by their real estate holdings,
which aggregate $1,5O0.000; the $780,
600 they have invested in business en-
terprises and their cash In bank, which
will total conservatively $4,000, and
their per capita wealth Of $142.O6.
That they are an intelligent set is
shown by their splendid schools, pub
lie and private; their very efficient
corps Of teachers, their seventeen
churches. some Of which for beauty,
commodiousness. and cost would do
credit to cities with a far larger Negro
population. 81
And here intelligence and clean NOR
ais among Negro ministers are the rule,
not the exception. This 10000 Negro
population supports well eighteen Ne
gro physicians. three dentists, fourteen
lawyers and fifty merchants. What
city Of 10000 Negroes east Of the Mis-
sissippi can show better record?
How many can equal this showing?
The eighty Negro teachers in this city
will compare favOrably for ability with
the white teachers of this or any other
city, and for enthusiasm shown in
their work, their interest in racial up
lift work, few cities can produce their
peers.
The delegates and visitors who will
come here next August to attend the
National Negro Business league con-
ventfon will not only meet with a reve-
lation in Negro progress, but they will
receive an inspiration from these hus-
Ting, progressive, Intelligent Muskogee-
ties. The finest, largest and most mod
ern clothing store conducted by Ne
gro is here in Muskogee, and 1t vies in
volume Of trade and the largeness and
character Of stock carried with the
best white clothing stores in this city
or any eastern city Of the same size.
T. ]. Elliott, who established and now
conducts this store, began his business
career by carrying bolt Of cloth over
his shoulders soliciting orders for tai
lor made clothes. Adjoining Mr.. FL
liott's clothing store Is the finest dry
goods store-a real, up to date dry
goods store-conducted by ]. w. Ad-
ans, and conducted with marvellous
success.
And nowhere in this country is there
an art studio and Photographic gallery
conducted by a Negro the equal Of the
one here owned and operated by Mr..
Green. It has not its counterpart for
size, furnishings and tastefulness
among Negroes In. the country and
has few equals among the whites.
Some Of the other lines Of business
conducted by Negroes in this city are
drug stores, four In number; bank, in
surance, undertaking, groceries, tailor
shops, printshops, iaundries, confec
tioneries, cafes, harness making, etc
It is estimated that the Negro con-
Germs here do an annual gross business
Of 100000.
The Negro attorneys here are keen,
brilliant set Of men, the most promi-
nent being Messrs. Stewart, Brown,
LILLY, McRea. Twine, Jefferson and w.
Scott Brown, a former Cleveland boy.
The physicians are not only skillful.
as are the dentists; but, like the at
torneys, they take very active in
tsrest In everything looking to racial
progress. found that Ohioans have
invaded this healthy, robust, hustling
new state In the southwest, for here
met Herbert A. Clark, former Gin
cinnatian, who not only resides here.
but conducts the Wagner American.
one Of the best race newspapers pub
ishsd. over in Wagner. fourteen miles