Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-10-01
EDITORS OBSERVATIONS.

After a vacation from observing q
few weeks, have again returned to
reporting my findings among the peo-
pie whom l met and visited. My
records show that I omitted one trip
through a part of Iowa from Du-
buque. Hence I will begin in Du-
buque, which is claimed to be the
oldest city in Iowa. It was here
where the Jesuit missionaries first
established the cross of Christ on
Iowa territry. Dubuque is the fourth
largest city in Iowa and it has only
very few colored citizens. The rea-
son we cannot account for. It is also
the hilliest city in this state. There
are less than fifty colored people liv-
ing here. Yet the few here are max
ing a good showing. They have one
church and Masonic lodge, each do
ing we'll. Mr.. Harry w. Rose, -Jr., is
w. M. He is employed at tonsorial
shop. He is a stenographer by train
ing. His father, Harry w., Sr, is a
chiropodist doctor with a first class
Office in the finest Office block in the
city. He is very successful. Has
been here for thirty years. Mr.. G. c..
McGregor, the pieneer here, has spent
more than half century here, oper-
ating as prospector in the lead and
other mines here for many years. He
owns a nice home and is now build
ing a twenty room apartment house
for rental purposes, modern. Mr..
John C. Wells is another substantial
ard good citizen. He owns a new
modern home. He and his good wife
are real race people. The church is
presided over by Rev. Rout, an active
young minister. Mr.. Henry Martin
is still working at the barber shop.
So is Edward Martin. They are fine
men to meet. We next stopped at
Waterloo, Iowa, where I had set up
the largest Masonic lodge since ye
editor has been grand master and the
largest number ever set up in Iowa.
Four years ago there were only three
colored families living here. Now
there are about fifty families and
about 300 Negroes living here, with
two churches, the A. M. E. and Bap-
tist. The former is pastored by that
great worker and Christian minister,
Rev. I. w. Bess, who has been q
strength Of tower to his race here in
finding them employment and stand
ing between them and the white peo-
pie. It was he who built this nice A.
M. E. church and has helped in every
way possible to raise the standard Of
citizenship. Rev. j. II. Bowles has
charge Of the Baptist church here. He {.
has recently come from Fort Madison
church and he will be a great help
with his active wife. Rev. A. Broyles
formerly had charge Of this church.
Rev. Broyles is so busy in school
work, as he is the northern financial
agent for the Noxubee Industrial col
lege, of which DR.. Hunter is presi-
dent Mr.. Joe D. Hopkins is run
ming a restaurant, barber shop and
pool hall. He is one of Iowa's well
known young business men Of ex-
perience and qualification and we
hope for him success. Mr.. w. u.
Coyle is also running a lunch room.
He formerly lived in Des Moines. His
wife is Mabel Morton of Des Moines.
Mr.. C. H. Cheatham is skilled ma
clinist. He has good position.
Most Of the men are from the south
and are employed by the Illinois Cen
tral Railway Co. at the shops and
round house. VIM. Amen and G. A.
simms are former Des Moines men
living here. We hope that these new
comers to our state will find a hearty
welcome by US up here, especially to
those who are worthy and are strug-
Cling to make good citizens. The By
stander welcomes them to the great
state of Iowa and will assist them all
we can. We urge upon them to save
their money and buy homes while
they are getting good wages.
Into Mason City we planted our
weary feet and dusty wheel. Here is
located about 200 colored people.
They, too, like Waterloo colored peo-
pie, have moved up here in the past
ten years, except a few families VINO
were pioneers. They have one A. M.
E.. church, new, beautiful edifice,
somewhat on the design Of Union
Congregational church of Des
Moines. Rev. Woodford built the
church and was transferred from
here this last spring to St. Joseph,
Mo-, and Rev. Tolson Of Oskaloosa
was appointed here. Mr.. John D..
Reeler is the most substantial man
here Of our race. He came from Des
Moines about twenty years ago and
opened first class tonsorial parlor
and run perhaps one Of the finest
shops in Iowa until he sold out last
year. He is now chiropodist and
has a first class office in the National
Bank building. He is a Mason OF
high rank, P. G.. M, and was once
editor Of the Iowa State Bystander.
A. L. gRenix, former Des Moines
man, is employed at the bank. He
has purchased new fine residence
and is doing well. A. H. Williams is
another successful man, an express
man. He owns valuable property
Mrs. Fred Wright is still here doing
nicely. Mr.. Robinson Caldwell has
moved to the new modern home just
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