Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-08-21
EDITORS OBSERVATION.

oHee again reluctant!y enter into
the field of editors observations for
1914, feeling that heretofore l have
become bore with these observa-
tions, as it is the territory that
travel over and necessarily observe
the same people, but so many people
have told me that they enjoy my OBJ
servations so much that l am con-
strained to take my pen in one hand
and bicycle in the other hand and
make another round, hoping that
something may be said or some mug
gets of gold be found and published
that will inspire those who may
chance to read these observations and
that they may become inspired to
nobler deeds and higher aspirations,
for by the acts and examples of 9TH
ers we are directed along the pathway
Of human life, for really do think
that DR.. Booker's health hints will
keep you alive and Thompson's obser-
vations will keep you awake.
Beginning in the old historic anti
slavery Quaker city of Oskaloosa, the
county seat of Mahaska county, a
town over sixty years old, with pop
ulation of 5000, of which 500 are
colored. At one time about a quarter
of a century ago Oskaloosa boasted
Of having more colored people than
any other city or county in Iowa. Old
Muchakinock had her thousands of
colored people and this Mahaska
county gave US some good and distin-
guished men, namely DR.. R. S. Brown.
NJ D., now successful physician OF
Minneapolis; John Sims and his two
interesting children, who now hold
civil service jobs in Washington, his
son and daughter stenographer In
the congressional library; L. A. Wiles,
a U. S. government employe and a
great politician; the principal of the
Muchakinock schools; Geo E. Taylor,
at one time editor Of the Negro So
licitor, the only Negro democratic
journal in the United States; Hon.
Geo. H .Woodson, who began his sue
cessful career in Oslaloosa. DR.. E.
A. Carter began in Mahanska county
and is now the head physician OF the
Consolidated Coal Co. o. Monroe
county. Rev. Barnett and Rev. L.
Griffith pastored their first church
here. But today there remains but
few in Mahaska county to tell the
old story of eally life in Iowa. Mr..
Alex G. Clark, tonsorial artist, lives
here. He is the only son of the Hon.
Alexander Clark of Muscatine. Mr.
Clark is a graduate Of the Iowa State
university law department and is the
grand custodian of the Iowa Masonic
ledge. John Hardy is one Of the
substantial and respected citizens. he
has finally taken to himself wife,
after remaining a widower for many
wears. He runs an express wagon.
Robt, johnson is still driving an OIL
wagon for the Standard Oil Co., re.
sponsible job. Mr.. Lloyd IS still
foreman in the Jones barber shop. Mr..
Robert Franklin still lives here. Mr..
f. E. Jones is working at the bank:
Mr.. Frank Allen is contractor ana
owns a beautiful home. He is hus-
tier and employs a number Of men.
He is doing much to solve the So
called race problem in Iowa. His
daughter is Miss Lettie Carey Of our
citv. a teacher in Bishop college,
Texas. Mr.. E. E. Jones and Mr.. s.
Mitchell are working at the same
places, doing we'll. They own nice
homes Rollen Weeks, former Des
Moines boy, is working at the gar
age. Mr.. Crumps owns a nice acre
age lust out of the city limits.
At Ottumwa we found the people
nlodding along as usual. "The Faith.
full Few" social club composed Oh
the ladies, gave their annual moon
light picnic at the home OF MRS.
Horn, one of the pioneer citizens here
We editor was invited. 1t was de-
liphtful affair. About forty were
nresent. Croquet, music and CONVEX
sation was the amusement. Thls cluo
is one of the strongest clubs IN Iowa
financially. While their membership
is not large, yet. they are loyal 10
their club and to their work and are
working in union. They have over
s1oo in their treasury. Zack Iaylcr
is still on his express wagon. ne IS
the wealthiest colored citizen in W
tumwa, so the people say: James
Johnson. we'll to do citizen, VINO
was so sick last year, is much I'M
moved and able to 60 out. They are
lust completing very beautl1ui o. o.
room house on one of his lots IN
South Ottumwa, where his home mao
burned about one year ago. IL was
his home and the new house will b@
their home. It is completely modern
and a credit to the race. Henrs
Williams is still at the Elks. He Is
waking some improvements on MS
property. Wells Fowler IS one o.
tho substantial and influential cltlzens
here He is still at the Wapello CLUB
To has remodeled his home, haVlne 1e
NV a nice nine-room home at wv
plnm street. The latter four are tnt
Loading men in the Masonic lodg'
here Mr.. John Rose owns peauti
81 home and is one of the RISING
,,onn rr q, men, Mrs. Gilbert is still run
n;ng her restaurant, fully ttteel
1 uaars here. VIM. Baily is cook at tn
DEPOT. He. is fine citizen a.a!,,,,a ana nj
% oct;ve wife adds much to Ottumwa va
= n Gooch is one Of our success1u u
~. ~. here He is making improve