The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-19
EDITORS OBSERVATIONS.
John L. Thompson.

In Cedar Rapids, the Parlor City, we
found about 1000 colored people of
which number 20 have been called in
the last draft to be sent to Camp Dodge
on the 10th. The reason why they are
sending so many is that there were more
drawn in the first draft from this city
because Lynn County had already ex-
ceeded her quota. Within the last few
years more than 500 colored people have
come into this city. Many are work
ing in the large oat meal factories, pack
ing house and other large enterprises
in this city. Cedar Rapids is a beauti-
full city of about fifty thousand popu-
lation. There are two colored churches,
the A. M. E. and Baptist. The former
pastored by an old friend, Rev. j. p.
Sims, the latter by Rev. Crushon, and
they both have good attendance and
their churches are keeping abreast with
the changed conditions Of our country.
In fact, the people Of Cedar Rapids are
keenly alive to the great war and are
doing their part to help carry on the
same. The secret societies here are
furnishing. The Masons own their
ground and contemplate erecting a
Temple The X. of p g. are doing we'll.
Mr.. w. H. Milligan still lives on his
truck garden about mile from the city.
His fruit has been particularly good and
plentiful this year. His bees are doing
well, also his chickens. Rev. A. Ford
still lives here and is doing nicely Mr..
and Mrs. j. w. Harrison are at the same
place. Mrs. Harrison is still our agent.
They entertained Ye Editor at dinner
while there. Mr.. French Perkins il
still here. T. X. Lowery is doing well
His brother, L. D. Lowery, is still in
the U. 8. mail service as carrier. Mr.
A. w. Jones, 730 sth st. w., is in the
grocery business and doing nicely. Mr.
Rush is still working in the factory Mr.
Harry Fields is working in one of the
factories. One Of his daughters, Miss
Murle, taught last year in Piney Woods
| school, Of which Prof. Laurence G
Jones is principal. She will return tt
take up the same work this fall. Mr.
Fields only son is in the draft and il
station at Camp Dodge. Mr.. and Mrs
Fred H. Gresham still live here and hi
is still on the road. They own a lovely
| home. Marshall Perkins, one Of the
Pioneer Restaurant men and one of the
most successful negroes, who has been
in the business here for many years
auto. Mr.. Thomas jackson is still in
the barber business. Mr.. w. H. Lavells
has moved to $50 A Ave. w. Mr.. Johr
Blakley, formerly Of Buxton, who hal
been i'll for some time, is improving
Mrs. Ruth Steele, also of Buxton, ha.
| recently been married to Mr.. Williams
DR.. w. H. Besheres, the dentist, ha.
taken unto himself wife, who wa.
formerly Miss Helen Cameron Of De,
Moines. They are doing nicely. Mr.. J
A. Baker and son have opened up
new barber shop, pool room and res
taurant at ZIG 8. 1st st. E. He for
merly lived in Des Moines and we hops
for him success. Mr.. O. j. Smith run.
! a rooming house and is doing well. Mr.
Chas Tolbert, formerly of Des Moines
is here, also Mr.. VIM. Robinson. Botf
are doing well. Mr.. G.. w. Shipley, SIT
7th Ave w. is doing nicely. ] B. Mel
son is still running his barber shop and
doing well. He is race man. AS We
have a regular agent in this town VIZ
will chronicle the news each week.
Our next stop was in Iowa City where
once was located the Iowa State CAPT
toll. Here is located our large State
University with its many beautiful
| buildings. There are about Is coloree
girls and boys attending this University
| in the various departments. Mr.. j. w
| Thompson. a former graduate of thi
University, is still working at one o
the large college flats. Mrs. 81.
Moore is still running her hair DRESSING
parlor and is doing nicely. Mr.. AM
Mrs. Dunegan are running q roominl
house. Mr. II. H. Alberts 10 . success
full contractor and is kept busy. He
an active race man. Mr.. Oscar Knigtel