Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-08
tBy ora williams.l

SpeClel 20 IIncS~repuDuCaus
Dies MoincA May s.--The peculiar
endurance Of the mailing list has been
noted by many persons: but an u
Illustration came to attention recently
that proves the case. On the desk OF
the secretary to the governor was a
catalog OF old and rare books, which
came addressed to "Mr. f. w. Hors-
field" Nobody could say why that line
Of catalogs should have been coming
there from time immemorial, but they
have. Undoubtedly the name on the
mailing list OF the old book store when
Prof. Frederick w. Hossfeld was Sec
rotary to the governor. It has been
there ever since. And Professor Hoss-
field came from Upper Iowa University
to be secretary to Governor I-arrabee,
twenty nine years ago. He died only
year or SO ago down in North Caro-
lima. He was undoubtedly the most
scholarly man who ever held the posi-
tion, not excepting the present presi-
dent OF the Pullman Car Company.
He had been consul to Trieste. But
he had some notions OF the dignity
and halo surrounding official position
that did not comport we'll with Ameri-
can ideas.
AS showing how there Is often
representation in the doing OF things
that must some time be done. Jaskson
Bowdish, OF the board OF education
office, made note OF the fact the other
day that he had just made out a GER
tificate of sale for university endow-
ment land on a purchase that was
made in 1854. These certificates are
equivalent to the land patents issued
by the government. They are the evil
dence Of first transfer from public to
private ownership. This farm In APP
panoose county was bought for 800
for an S0-acre tract, and 1t took the
purchaser ten years to scrape up the
500. 1t has changed hands several
times since. but the issue Of the certih-
cate was necessary in order to COM
pfete the chain OF title.
No recent event has been more
pleasing to the negro population OF
Des Moines than the visit here OF
Bishop Wilbur p. Thirkield. OF New
Orleans, as one OF the Methodist
bishops. He spoke one evening to a
crowded house at one of the colored
churches. He has been for long time
deeply Interested in the problem OF
the negro in America. He was presi-
dent of Howard University, the great
est college devoted to the higher edu-
cation of the negroes. He founded an
institute in Georgia for the education
Of colored ministers OF all denomina-
TONS He founded college in Texas
and selected its president. 1t was
George Woodson. of Buxton, who IN
duced him to turn aside and speak 10
the colored people OF Des MONIES.
George is a product of Howard Uni
versity, and he told the bishop that 1t
never would do for one who has done
so much for the colored people to fail
to speak to them here In Des MONIES.
The colored population Of Des Moines
numbers a good many exceptionally
bright people.
What Bishop Thirkfeld said to the
negroes Of Des Moines was almost a
shock to some Of them. He has very
advanced ideas. OF course his mes
sage was one Of hope and inspiration
! and one to encourage them to self i'm
provement and to make the most OF
! life as they find 1t. He told OF what
was done for and what is being done
by them. But he put forth another
idea. 1t was that there is mission
for the colored people OF America, that
they are ordained OF God to lead
great movement some time for the
regeneration and uplift Of the millions
| Of Africans living in literal and spirit
| ual darkness. He looked forward to
the time when the negroes Of America,
organized and powerful, would be