The Denver star., 1914-03-14
CAIN F0OTH0LD
IN OKLAHOMA
What Afr0-AmeriCans Are Do
Ing In Muskogee.
OWNERS OF MUCH PROPERTY

OWNERS OF MUCH PROPERTY !
Encouraging Report Of the Success Of
Our People In a Rich Section Once
Chiefly Inhabited by the American
lndian-Aetivity Of the Local Bust
ness League.
By RALPH W. TYLER
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. 1t is
hard to convince those who live east of
the Mississippi and who have never
come this way that this town, 1,24S
miles from the nations capital, is n
beautiful city, with asphalt paved
streets and cement sidewalks. with fine
residences and business blocks
There are 10000 Negroes in this city,
forming one-third of the total popu-
lation. That they are thrifty set
is shown by their real estate holdings.
which aggregate sl.50O,OOO the $780,
900 they have invested in business en-
terprises and their cash in bank, which
will total conservatively 100000, and
their per capita wealth of Sl42OS.
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 far larger Negro
population.
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 Il 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-
vention will not only meet with rcve-
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 it vies in
volume OF trade and fhc largeness and
character of stock carried with the
best white clothing stores in this city
or any eastern city OF the same size
7. j. 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. Ell
IiOtt's clothing store Is the finest dry
goods store-a real. up to date dry
goods store-conducted by J. " Ad-
ans, and conducted with marvellous
success.
And nowhere in this country is there
an art studio and Photographic gallery
conducted by Negro the equal of the
one here owned and operated by Mr..
Green. 1t 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,
1t 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
terest in everything looking to racial
progress. found that Ohloans have
invaded this healthy. robust hustling
new state In the southwest. for here ]
met Herbert A. Clark. a former Gin
cinnatian, who not only resides here.
but conducts the WagOner American.
one of the best race newspapers pub
Iished. over In Wngoner. fourteen miles
from Muskogce: his wife. who Is musi
cal director of the public schools here:
Attorney Twine. n one time Xenin tO1
boy; w. Scott Brown. successful ut
tOrney, who formerly lived In Cleve
lind. and Mrs Avengcr. teacher in the
public schools, formerly Il Miss Trent
Of Columbus. O. Finding so many old
acQuaintances from my nntive state so
for from the old .'buSe OF supplies