Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-06-05

the most densely settled Negro dis.
t'icts of the city. Men, women anG
children flew to porches, balconies anG
every available place which afforded
better view Of the magnificent par.
ade. Upon reaching the Paseo, the
course was then southwark to the site
Of the Y. M. C. A. building. A stir.
ring feature Of this grand movement
was that each band upon approaching
the sunken garden at Eighteenth anc
Paseo struck up that militant Chris.
tian air, Onward Christian Soldier
Assembled about the building in its
immediate environs were close to TO-.
900 anxious beings awaiting the eli.
max Of one of the greatest move.
ments ever started for the benefit Of
any race. The whole Paseo between
Eighteenth and Nineteenth soon be-
came throng, with here a squad OF
mounted police, there a band, here a
uniform rank of note with dashing
plume and flashing sword, there a
military company neat, erect, trim
and around all happy, patient, ex-
pectant, well behaved crowd of towns
men and visitors. At $3.50 p. M
Chairman H. o. Cook introduced ex.
Mayor H. M. Beardsley, who spoke
briefly Of the significance Of the great
affair. His speech was powerful, earn
est and noble. He was followed by
DR.. J. E. Moorland, who in few we'll
chosen remarks thanked the people of
Kansas City for their indication of
Christianity.
The collection was taken while the
bands played appropriate music, after
which addresses were made by the
following men: B. G. M. B. X. Bruce
of U. B. F.; G. S. G. F. M. Phoenix
of the Odd Fellows; Brig. Gen. W. H.
Butler of the X. of P, five grand di-
visions; G. C. Floyd Smith Of the X.
Of p, E. and W. hemisphere; G. M.
N. C. Crews, who introduced the visit
ing G.. NJ, E. J. Hawkins of Kansas;
G. M. John l.. Thompson of Iowa.
In conclusion the excellent and rich
ceremony of cornerstone laying was
conducted under the direction of G.
M. N. C. Crews and the r. T. Coles
lodge. A complete history of the Y.
NJ. C. A. movement in Kansas City,
including the names and the amounts
subscribed and toward the erection of
the building and even the names and
the amounts paid this day in the stone
was deposited, also the emblems OF
the various orders. The ceremony
was carried out with solemnity and
great credit to the officers of the con-
ducting Masonic lodge.
It was the largest gathering Of its
kind ever held by Negroes in the
world, SO Dr.. ]. E. Moorland, interns-
tional secretary of the Young Mems
Christian Association, stated. There
was not the least sign of disorder or
rowdyism seen at any time. The
crowd was patient and orderly
throughout the entire afternoon, but
the most significant thing connected
with the whole affair was that five
organizations combined their efforts
in a fine spirit of brotherhood to make
this cornerstone ceremony a grand
success, herein showing the universal
position of the Young Mems Christian
Association in the hearts Of all peo-
pie.
The cornerstone was laid by the
grand master of Masons, Hon. Nelson
Crews. assisted by his grand officers,
also Hon. John L. Thompson, grand
master of Masons Of Iowa, and Hon.
J. E. Hawkins, grand master OF Ma
sons of Kansas. The Masons certain
ly made the greatest hit, as they had
1000 master Masons in line OF march.