The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-14
THE PHILLIPS S6TH BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY.
Keokuk, Ia, March 4, 1919.

ANNIVERSARY.
.. Keokuk, Ia, March 4, 1919.
DESPITE the very inclement weather
large crowd of the doctors friends as
sembled at Pilgrim s Rest Baptist
church, corner of Exchange and 14th
Sts., to pay homage to him Tuesday
evening, March 4. Every number on
this splendid program responded. The
musical side was cared for by the Peo-
ple 8 Institute Band, of which DR.. Phil
lips is an honorary member, and vocal
solos by Mrs. M. E. Moore, who pleased
the audience with Glove s Old Sweet
Song,'' and Mrs. Daisy Ware Triplett,
who has graced every occasion on which
she has appeared for years. short
sketch of the life of the guest of honor
was given by Mrs. Selby Johnson, who
told of his having been slave, sold on
the auction block twice and three times
in the woods, Civil war veteran, a stu
dent in Canadian and Kansas schools,
newspaper man for Is years (edited the
Western Optic at Moberly MOI, having
established U. B. of F. lodges through
out the state of Missouri, organized and
pastored Baptist churches for over 40
years; has given the first lessons in pub
lie speaking to some of the best orators
the race has produced, among whom is
the Hon. Nelson c. Crews of Kansas
City, Mo-; possesses one of the best IL
braries of any member of his race; thas
lived in Keokuk for 81 years, and finan-
cially speaking, he doesn It care whether
school keeps or not; closing with several
stanzas Of original verse. ~-@
Rev. c. r. Waters, pastor Of Bethel
A. M. E. church, had for his subject,
|'Men of Service Always Honored, -
and brought out many points Of value In
the lives Of great men even before the
settlement of this country.
Rev. j. Sterling Moore, pastor OF Pill
grim Rest Baptist church, not only rem
dered the invocation, but also talked
splendidly on DR.. Phillips as a lodge
man. Having known the doctor for 20
years, he was able to give very inter
esting talk on the great work the doctor
had done along the line of organization
among his people. The U. B. of F.s are
among the wealthiest lodges and temples
of the country. Phillips lodges and tenn.
pies are many throughout the state OF
Missouri.
F. s. johnson, in behalf of the Peo-
ple Is Institute Band, made splendid
talk on the encouragement the doctor
had given the band from its organiza-
tion up till the present time, and OF the
many contributions unsolicited he had
given them, and present him with
handsome gold headed cane.
Fred Fields, the manager Of the band,
presented a beautiful bronze calendar
holder and paper weight combined in
behalf Of w. w. Fields and wife and
Miss Brent from Quincy, Ill.,
Alonzo Drane was master OF cere'
monies and acted his part we'll. He hu-
morously told how one had 'been puc
over'' on the doctor and in behalf Oh
the citizens Of Keokuk presented him
gold plate of gold coins. Also he was
requested by Mayor Loften to present
q handsome silver headed umbrella from
the MAYOR, County Attorney E. w. NC
Manus. Commissioner Hickey and Judge
McNamora.
F. G. Griffey, president OF the lnde-
pendent Lumber Co., was pulled up TO
talk and like the other speakers eulo,
p;zed the guest of honor for his great
work and sincerity of purpose. A mu-
tual friendship exists between them.
The "Two Eds' Mayor Lotion ana
Attorney McManus) as he calls them'
made the climax addresses OF the even
ing and all regretted when they sat-
down. Mayor Lotion reviewed the 80
years carefully over which the suo1ee.
had travelled. Attorney McManus dweit
largely on the personality, the dl',ne
gifts and the various achievements the
doctor had made. =, ~et
The doctor ably responded to all Oh
these speakers, thanked them heartaiy
for their gifts and frankly admitted Tor
the first time in his life cone had oeeh
put over' on him. -,
The dining room below was hllea 10
its utmost and all were served 10 theli
hearts delight. A week after the ceie-
bration letters, kilograms, long dlstanee
calls and presents are still belns r.
ceived. ri
TO CLUB WORKERS.
1l~