The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-09-13
EDITORS OBSERVATIONS.
BY John L. Thompson.

EDITORS OBSERVATIONS.
BY John l.. Thompson.
The city Of Keokuk is located away
down on little point Of land extending
in the southeast corner of Iowa at the
iuncture Of the Des Moines river with
the Mississippi. Of course this neck of
land, were it not for the Des Moines
river, would be Missouri territory. This
city was named in honor of the famous
Indian chief Keokuk, whose marble
statue stands in this city overlooking
the surrounding country. Tradition,
poetry, fiction and story writer's can
find many incidents connected with this
famous tribe to make and weave beau
tiful story. Here is located the IA
nous dam that harnessed the great
Father Of Waters, the greatest piece of
engineering known to modern science.
Tt is built Of reinforced concrete steel
trap gates to hold the water. They were
five years building, at cost of several
millions of dollars. We have here
about 1000 colored people, many pion-
eer settlers. Many are doing well. As
this was the gateway from Illinois and
Missouri, hence many colored citizens
that once lived in this town have now
scattered to the four corners of Iowa.
Perhaps more colored people have come
through or from Keokuk to settle all
parts of Iowa than any other Iowa
town, hence it is rightfully called the
Gate City Of Iowa and now dubbed the
Dam City. There are four colored
churches, the Episcopal, A. M. E., two
Baptist, and new organization known
as Christ Santifed Holy Church. The
former has no minister at present. The
A. M. E. has that able, fearless Chris
tan man, Rev. s. B. Moore, who is a
real race leader. He was formerly pre-
siding elder Of this Des Moines district.
The Pilgrim Rest Baptist has new
man after many years service by Rev.
j. H. Helms, who died last spring in
the work. The new minister is Rev. j.
Sterling Moore, very eloquent, able
young divine who came from northern
Missouri, and was moderator of the
Baptist church of northern Missouri.
He is splendid type Of progressive
and aggressive minister whose influence
and ability will soon be felt in Iowa.
II only hope that he and his Pilgrim
Rest flock will soon DIN jthe Iowa State
Baptist Association, where we think
they properly belong.) Yes editor and
son Nelson attended An. =. and Pill
grim Rest and it was a Moore in each
pulpit, both able and both Moore and
more Moore. The Old Francis Street
Baptist organization, which moved out
on Main street, is growing under that
splendid young man, Rev. Ewing of Des
Moines. The Christ Sanctifed Holy
church is guided by Rev. 81. G. Darden,
who formerly preached with the Saints
in Des Moines. He is a fine man. In
this city, like all other cities, the older
citizens are fast passing away, leaving
to their posterity~ their noble lives and
influences. One Of that group is the
late Orange Fields, who was a unique
character, giant oak in the life OF
this city for more than half century
He died last winter at the ripe old age
Of about 80 summers. We as we'll as all
of Keokuk missed his presence and
stalwart character: He was true race
man. clear thinker and ideas of his
own. Another one Of this group is DR..
T n. Phillips, who is still alive and no
man can. go to this great race leader but
what he is impressed by his gray hairs
and the burrows in his accumulated
years. Although Doctor has seen at
least about 80 odd summers, yet he is
vigorous, young and hale, working every
day in practice, which is very large He
has the largest private library OF any
colored person in Iowa or any other
place that I have yet seen and the
beauty most all Of his books are writ
ten by Negro authors. In fact we think
he has all books written by the Negro
thus far and many books by white au
thors. Mr.. VIM. w. Gross is still on the
mail force. He is Grand Master OF
Iowa Masons. His only daughter is a
student in the Iowa State University, a
very popular young, girl. Alonzo a.
Draine is still on the mail service as
parcel post clerk. He has lovely fam
Brndford's Barber Shop