noi
0
§ The Biog
of
Kansas Citys
and ProfessionacM
and
The Trip South
i
By° H. L. Kinsler
PRICE : 75 CENTS
I
The story of the trip South that was taken April
9, 1920, by 27 Negro Business and Professional
men of Kansas City and the Biography of each
man's life that was on the trip.
Written by H. L. Kinsler
PREFACE
r I ^ HE trip South was made by 27 representative men of Kansas
City, Missouri, April 9th, 1920 and I, 'your humble servant
have written the story describing- the trip and it was published in
the Kansas City Call continuing for eight weeks. ( '
In order that I might perpetrate the memory of this wonderful
trip in the minds of those that did not go, yet were interested, and
knew what the trip South meant to the race in this part of the
country. To do this I have undertaken to write a biography of
each man that was on the trip along with the story and publish it
in book form at my own expense and for them to be placed on sale
for the benefit of some worthy cause.*
Although the people will be certain to learn what we have accom¬
plished and what we .have failed to accomplish by taking this trip.
I cannot consent to pass these books into their'hands without a
statement of what I have aimed to do. I am moved to this, partly
by my wish that they may not be disappointed in the character of
the effort and partly by my desire that, in making up their judg¬
ment upon the work, they may have some reference to my intentions.
' 1
First of all, I am not a writer and I hope that it will not be under¬
stood that way, second, I have not aimed to write a real history of
the lives of these men. Its only a brief biography of each man. I
admire these men because they are leaders and each stand for race
uplift. I have tried to paint the character of each man clinging
close^ to what I know about them.
It is hard for me to believe that' any other city could ever produce
a line of men so noble, generous,, patriotic and lovers of their race
as herein catalogued.
Of Professor Lee, I shall write with awe and admiration, because
in his head' the idea was born and gotten together 27 men and
chartered a special Pullman sleeper to travel 2500'miles through
the great Southland to see and to learn conditions of our people of
the South.
Of Mr. Nelson C. Crews, I shall write with admiration, because
of the love that he has for-his race, and because his eloquence has
been heard in our people's defence at every opportunity, because
his newspaper, The Kansas City Sun of which he is Editor fights,
everything that is unfair and unjust to the race.
I write with admiration of every man that was on the trip, for
these men within this book were all architects in her construction.
I shall attempt to show their works and their influence.
Hoping- that the volume will be as pleasant, instructive and
inspiring in the reading as it has been in the writing. I present
it to my indulgent friends, the people of Kansas City.
—HERMAN L. KINSLER
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
HERMAN LAYTHRON KINSLER
\
Few readers can follow the career of Hei;man L. Kinsler with¬
out enthusiasm. If any one desires to know the leading and
paramount object of his career, his every day life, this will furn¬
ish the key. Herman L. Kinsler was born in Lafayette County
Missouri, August 23rd, 1886 about two and one-half miles north of
the town of Odessa. He finished the public school of Odessa
although the early life of Herman L. Kinsler was a hard and
humble one. His parents died when he was 12 years of age and
left him an orphan. Kinsler then went out into the world to
fight obstacles and hardships that as a rule always come to an
orphan that goes out into the world for himself.
Herman Laythron Kinsler
After Kinsler's parents died his grandfather persuaded him to
come and make his home with him. At that time Kinsler was work¬
ing for a family by the name of Burnside's where lie had worked
for four years. His wages being $4.00 per month and was raised
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
4
to $10.do per month. He decided to go and work for his grandfather
where he worked until he was 19 years of age without pay.
Kinsler became disgusted working for nothing and informed
his grandfather that he was going to get a job where he could get
pay for his labor, so he rented his grandfather's farm and' he
tended it for two seasons. He bought himself a farm of 20 acres
and tended it for two seasons. Then Young Kinsler began 'to
realize that he was getting along too slow and that farnfing was
not meant for him.
In the ,year 1909 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Burton, a
daughter of Milford and Nannie Burton, one of Johnson County's
most highly respected citizens and a teacher of one of the public
schools of Odessa.
About one year after he was married he decided that he wanted
to become a lawyer. He had a sale and sold all his farming im¬
plements and went to Lawrence, Kansas to enter the University
of Kansas. After he had arrived there and was unable to enter on
account of not holding a certificate from a Kansas -High School,
he sought other field of work. This disappointed Kinsler' very
much as his greatest ambition was' to climb to a high standard
and be recognized so as to be some use to his race. He then
came to Kansas City with a heart full of determination to succeed.
He began w£rk as a butler and then he worked at a hotel in
the baking department and worked there 14 months and banked
his money as he made it, as he had accustomed himself to bank
the bulk of his salary every time he got it. He can remember
his first deposit he ever made in a bank was one dollar, when
he was just 12 ye'ars of age working for $4.00 per month, and it was
then he learned the value of a dollar. • Kinsler by this time wanted
to be a business man. He decided that the safest business that a col¬
ored man could enter, to succeed "was the coal business, and he went
into the coal business, and was successful for three years. While
engaged in the coal business he made many friends among the white
people of Kansas City and from his honest and straight forward
dealing with them he gained a reputation as a business man and ac¬
quired a great amount of credit. Kinsler took the advantage of
the opportunity knowing what it meant to him and he began to in¬
vest in real estate. After getting a great deal of experience in this
business and being persuaded by a great many of his good friends
lie went into this business where he has been plunging for five
years. Seemingly he had the touch of Midias and deal after deal
he has m&lde his investments until now his real estate holdings
alone are rated at $25,oqo.
He also is connected with the W. B. Brown Loan and Invest¬
ment Co., where he makes a specialty of making short time loans to
our people. Mr. Kinsler stands for everything that is right, and
when ever a movement comes up for the benefit of the race
you will always firjd his nafme attached. Mr. Kinsler is a 32
"degree Mason, being a Past Master of Rone Lodge No. 2$ and a
member of Mid-west Lodge No. 233 of the Elks. Also a member
of the Christian Church at 24th and Woodland.'
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
MR. JOHN R. E. LEE
Born in Texas. Educated at Bishop College.
.Degrees
A. B. 1889
A. M. . 1903
L. L. D 1918—Wilberforce University
Professor of Latin and Mathematics, Bishop College from 1890
to 1899 Head of the Department of Mathematics, Tuskegee Inst,
from 1899 to 1906.
Mr. John K. E. Lee
Director of Academic Department, Tuskegee Institute, from
i<)o(> to 1915.
Student of the University of Chicago, summers 1899, 1911, 1912.
Student of the University of Wisconsin summers 1918 and 1920.
Principal of Lincoln High School.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
NAHUM DANIEL BRASCHER
Editor in Chief, The Associated Negro Press.
Nahum Daniel Brascher was born May 24, 1880, Richmond, Ind.
He is the son of Green H. and Rosie L. Brascher, the elder Brascher
having- been one of Connersville, Indiana's most highly respected
citizens and business men. Mr. Brascher is a graduate of the Conn¬
ersville High School, and Meredith College, Zanesville, Ohio. In
1903 Mr. Brascher became editor of the Cleveland Journal, Cleveland
Ohio, the newspaper being under his direction for nine years. In
1911 Mr. Brascher married Miss Helen O. Bouldon, of Cleveland, a
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
graduate of Western Reserve University, and one of the school teach¬
ers of Cleveland. They have a son and daughter, five and "t'hree
years respectively. Mr. Brascher came to Chicago in 1918, entering
the publicity business and contributing- editor of The Chicago Ij>ef-
ender. Upon the establishment of the Associated Negro Press which
assembles and distributes news to more than one hundred news¬
papers throughout the country, Mr. Brascher became the Editoij in
Chief. The executive offices of this service are 3423 Indiana Aye.,
Chicago, 111.
DR. HOWARD M. SMITH
Dr. Howard M. Smith
Dr. Howard M. Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
After attending the public schools of Baltimore he graduated from
Lincoln University. Afterwards he took his Medical course at the
University of Pennsylvania. He then began the, practice of his pro¬
fession in Philadelphia and moved to Chicago. In 1911 he came to
Kansas City where he hafe been successful in the practice of his pro¬
fession. Dr. Smith is at present Superintendent of the County Old
Folks Home for Colored. You will always find Dr. Smith's name
among those that are active workers in the community for the uplift
of his race. He is a member of two fraternal organizations, the
Masonics and Elks.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
8
NELSON C. CREWS
Nelson Caesar Crews, a native
Missourian, having- been born in
Howard County, a little more than
fifty years ago. His parents carried
him to Chiilicothe, Mo., at an early
age, whefe he grew to manhood,
married, came to Kansas City in
188c), and iias lived here for thirty-
one years.
Mr. Crews has held several posi¬
tions in the Municipal Government,
two years as Assistant Superinten¬
dent of Streets, one term as Deputy
City Clerk, four terms as Clerk of
the Police Court. He also served
one year as Special'Agent of the De¬
partment of Agriculture, and has at¬
tended every Republican Conven¬
tion since 1892.
He has filled every position in
Masonry from Warden to Grand
Master in the jurisdiction of Missouri, and served three years as Re¬
lief Secretary of the Missouri jurisdiction of the Masonic fraternity.
He is a member of the U. B. F., Elks, American Woodmen and
for thirty-five years has been a consistent member of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
As a public speaker, he stands as one of the foremost orators of
the race and upon every question affecting the rights of the Negro,
he has uplifted his voice eloquently in the defense of his race; and
his address before the General Assembly of Missouri in 1908 largely
contributed to the defeat of the infamous Jim-Crow Car Bill in this
Statq. He is a trustee of Western University, President of the
Western Negro Press Association and for 14 years has been Editor
of the Kansas City Sun.
DR. JOHN EDWARD PERRY
On the 2nd day of April, 1870, there was born in the out-skirts
of Clarksville, Texas, in a sub-division known as "The Prairie", a
baby boy to Anderson and Louise Perry. The fond parents proud¬
ly called him John Edward.
He was not born with the silver spoon in his mouth, but inher¬
ited from these dear humble parents a richer, nobler gift—the ele¬
ments of a great and lofty character—the ability to live and serve
his fellow man.
Nelson C. Crews
9
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
Dr. John Edward Perry
Although robbed by slavery of an education, the mother of J. E.
ward was a strong and intelligent character, full of foresight and
intuition. Often as she rocked her new born babe on her knee she
addressed him as "Doctor" and told friends that some day her boy
would be a great doctor upon whom they would call to administer
to their ills. Another marvel of woman's natural intuition, as we
all know the fulfillment of her prediction.
The life of this boy as he slowly but surely dug his way out
of the obscurity of that Texas town, would serve as an inspiration
of many a bov of similar environment could he but learn how it
was accomplished.
Little John Edward was nine years old before he entered a
school room, whose doors were open only three months of the year.
But every one of these days found little John trudging the five
BIOGRAPHY OF THtf TWENTY-SEVEN
10
miles distance between home and school house, mind alert and
eager for the benefits to be derived therefrom. He was a welcome
pupil to the poor teacher of many classes, for his lessons were al¬
ways learned. For three years he attended this short period school
and then the term lengthened. At fifteen years he was ready for a
higher school and after hard work and touching sacrifices, the dear
parents were able to collect enough funds to send their boy to Bis¬
hop College, Marshall, Texas, for a few months at least. With a
scanty wardrobe in a satchel he cheerfully set out to take his place
among the boys and girls of this school. Cleanliness being one of
his early lessons at home, it was a puzzle at first as to how, with no
money he _was-to defrav his laundry bill. Finally, and as usual,
when one is in earnest a way opened. A neighbor had a cow
to be milked night and morning for which she was willing to pay
the fabulous sum of tyenty-five cents per week. Young Perry
grasped the opportunity to make this money—the exact amount of
his monthly laundry bill, $1.00, arid then the struggle to remain in
school the six years began. At the tender age of seventeen years
he taught the rural summer school. Often during the school term
he would be compelled to leave and go out to earn the necessary
funds to defray school expenses.
As he matured, he sensed more keenly the wonderful and great
sacrifice made by his devoted parents to keep him and a younger
brother, who by now had joined him, in school. A whole season's
return from the sale of "crops" would be set aside for the "boy's
schooling", retaining a bare pittance for home needs. The know¬
ledge of these sacrifices burned into the very soul of John Edward
and made of him a boy serious and thoughtful beyond his years.
There, must be no failure for him,, those sacrifices must not be in
vain. Spring and Summer he worked,, chopping and picking cot¬
ton, teaching when so fortunate as to secure a school, saving every
nennv, that father and mother may be relieved of some pf their
burdens.
At,the age of 21 years, young Perry graduated with honors
from Bishop College, a proud day for parents and the boy. But
John Edward and mother were not contented. He wanted more
knowledge and she wanted him to have it. He wanted to become a
doctor. The parents were delighted—the mother's prediction was
coming true. So again funds for the medical school were to be ob¬
tained. Bankers and Business men of Clarksville by this time had
come to know the true worth of this young boy and offered willing-
lv. at any ,time, loans o£, money with which to defray further school
expenses. They had watched the lad from the time he was ten
vears of age, as he drove a double team load of wood to their
doors, eight and ten miles from home, perched high on top of his
load, too small to unload his burden but capable of writing them a
receint for payment of same.
These men wanted to have a hand in aiding this ambitious bov
but thanking all for their kindness, young Perry applied his should¬
er to the wheel single handed. Fortunately a summer school await¬
ed his coming each year and he thus was enabled to meet his, ex-
II
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
penses through Meharry Medical College, that school to which,
through the philanthropy of that grand old man, its president, Dr.
Geo. W. Hubbard, so many of our colored physicians owe an endless
debt of gr,atitude.
In the Spring of, 1895 Dr. Peny left Meharry College, leading
the class and graduating with honors. His parents, by now begin¬
ning to feel the effects of age and toil, rejoiced way down on "The
Prairie" over the fruits of their toil.
On the nth day of February 1895, Dr. Perry began practicing
medicine in the small town of Mexico, ^Missouri and to serve his
people in every way possible. How well he succeeded and won
their esteem and admiration was demonstrated when at the expir¬
ation of six months he decided over protests of all to move to a
larger field in Columbia, Mo. For eight years Dr. Perry practiced
among the people in this town and the influence he wielded for
good was manirest to black and white.
It was while a resident of this town that the Spanish American
War broke out. Dr. Perry volunteered and was ordered to recruit
a Company. He was appointed 1st Lieutenant after passing a rig¬
id examination. He served' a little more than a year in the army
during which time his devoted and deadly beloved father passed to
the great beyond.
' At the expiration of" the war, Dr. Perry returned to Columbia
but had a vision that made him restless. To fulfill1 it he must move
to a larger field. Every nationality had access to hospital accom¬
modations except the Negro. Something must be done. The phy¬
sicians needed it wherein to carry on their work successfully and
become proficient and skilled. After due deliberation and pros¬
pecting and after eight years of faithful work in Columbia, to the
regret of white as welli as black citizens of that town, Dr. Perry
moved to Kansas City, to win his way into the hearts of its citizens
As but few have done, before or since. Kansas City is proud, to
claim as hers this truly remarkable character. His kind, courteous
and generous disposition has won for him many loyal friend^1 both
in ahd out of the profession. Every civic move for the city or for
colored people only has found Dr. Perry's name attached thereto.
It took years to convince his people of the' necessity of the hospi¬
tal. Finally, single-handed with his own private fun^s, he started
his sanitarium of twenty beds and six nurses, known as the "Perry
Sanitarium". ' i
What k blessing it proved will be testified to by the many who
sought and found relief therein. For seven years the Perry Sani¬
tarium put forth every effort to administer to all who applied for
entrance until it became obvious to all that larger quarters were in
demand. An appeal was made to the people, subscriptions taken
and ere long the Perry Sanitarium merged into the Wheatley-Prov-
ident Hospital, an institution owned by 'the colored citizens of Kan¬
sas City with their own Dr. Perry, its founder, as superintendent.
May God in His Infinite Wisdom and Goodness spare to the
service of Kansas. City so useful, unselfish and worthy a citizen as
Dr. John Edward Perry.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
12
DR. JAMES WESLEY HURSE
Dr. James Wesley Hurse was
born in Colliprville, Tennessee, on
July 10, 1866 and when he was two
years of age his parents moved to
Mason, Tennessee, where he was
raised. At the time he was 15 years
old he professed "hope in Christ"
and made aware of being called to
the ministry. Dr. Hurse received his
education from the cotton patch and
woods, preparing- himself the best
way he could.
When he was 19 years of age he
went to Memphis, Tennessee' where
he worked in a cotton gin and a
roustabout on a steamship on the
Mississippi River. After which he
" entered in the huckster business, also
Dr. James Wesley Hurse had two stalls in the city market
of Memphis. He followed this trade for seven and one half years.
In the fall of 1896 he became dissatisfied with the treatment that
his people were receiving at the hands of the other race and came
to Kansas City, Missouri. First serving as a coachman and in the
following spring he learned the asphalt trade of which he followed
,thru the summer and fallseasons and in the winter he found work
in the packing houses. In 1891 he was ordained to the ministry
and at this time the Lord had already blessed him with the saving of
150 souls before he was ord,ained. At this time his place of wor¬
ship was at Belvedere Hollow, 12th and Grand, 10th and Main, 6th
and Grand, Independence and Grand and 3rd and Walnut. In
July 1901 he conducted a great Soul-Saving campaign in a tent in
Belvedere Hollow of which proved a great blessing in the name of
Him who doeth all things well. In September of the same year he
took his tent and gospel singers to Sedalia, Missouri, where he held
one of the greatest campaigns that was ever held in Sedalia. Then
he came back to Kansas City and accepted the call of the Pilgrim
Baptist Church at 6th and Charlotte of which was a success for
about'18 months and then the crisis came and the result was that
the St. Stephen Baptist Church came into existence. After years
of hard toil he succeeded in purchasing two lots on which sets the
St. Stephen Baptist Chur'ch of today. 3000 souls have been added to
the kingdom of our Lord to date. This structure is a stone moderate¬
ly equipped with one of the best congregations and one of the best
choirs that is in all this country.
This great congregation has outgrown the church and he is
now planning to build or buy a larger one. Dr. Hurse is a 32 de¬
gree Mason and a member of the U. B. F. and several other frater-
13
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
nal organizations. He is an eloquent orator and at every oppor¬
tunity he is fighting the cause of his race. Dr. Hurse is responsi¬
ble for the success of the Kansas City Negro undertakers. ^ He be¬
ing the first preacher to refuse to have a funeral preached in his
church that had a white undertaker and causing others to follow
his idea. '
THERON BURDETTE WATKINS
/
Theron Burdette Watkins
Theron Burdette Watkins familiarly known i:s T. B. was born
on & farm near the little town of Carthage in the state of Indiana.
March 24, 1877- His early life was spent similar to that of other
boys of humble parentage. The country school located in the set¬
tlement where he first began his scholastic career is still a spot
dear to his memory and likewise the old Mt. Pleasant Church locat¬
ed on a hill commanding a view of the country for miles around
and readied by a wooded lane leading off from the main road.
And here the greatest camp meeting in the history of the A. A[. K.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
14
church was held graced by such men as Bishop Quinn and Waym^n.
At the age of seven he suffered the loss of his father and two
years later his mother married John J. Roberts of sacred memory
and moved to Carthage. Here he continued his school career and
m 1896 he graduated with class honors although £he only colored
student in the class. 1
His aptness and congeniality made him a favorit;e with all the
students and by reason of that fact he was a member of the hijjh
school ball team, the debating team, president of the high school
literary society and a member of the high school quartette.
The association formed during the early period of the life of
the subject of this sketch had much to do with his after life. One
of his classmates was the son of the only undertaker in that vicin¬
ity and in their eagerness to get out and play, T. B. would help his
classmate around the undertaking establishment and thus laid a
foundation for his life's vocation.
In 1907 he took up the scientific study of embalming at the
Cincinnati College of Embalming, the largest and most thorough
college^ of embalming in the country and after completing the
course there he spent two years with Simms and Kelly, the finest
Negro firm in the West and there acquired a knowledge of the dif¬
ferent branches of the undertaking business.
In the early spring of 1909 he together with his brother, J. T.
Watkins opened up the Watkins Brothers undertaking establish¬
ment at 1729 Lydia Avenue where they have ever strived to give to
the. public the best service at the least cost.
In a fraternal way Mr. Watkins has attempted to do his part
and has had several signal honors bestowed upon him. He is Past
Master of John Turner Lodge No. 106 A. ^F. and A. M., a member of
the Royal Arcl) Emanuel Commandery and the Shrine, Past Master
of the J. H. Hurse Lodge U. B. F. and S. M. T., a member of Beatrice
Temple and Past King of the Royal House. Past Chancellor of
New Era Lodge No. 40 Knight of Pythias, a Sir Knight and mem¬
ber of the Calanthian Court, a member of the Inter-national order
of Twelve, Treasurer of Mid-west Lodge No. 233 I. B. O. E. of W.
Past\Grand Master district No. 8 Missouri and Jurisdiction G. U. O.
O. F. and a member of Amazonia Household.
As an orator Mr. Watkins ranks among the best and is always
ready to do something for the benefit of his race.
CHARLES H. CALLOWAY
Charles H. Calloway, a native of Bradley County, Tennessee^
was educated in the Public Schools of Nashville and finished his
college education at Fisk University. Graduating frcm that institu¬
tion with 1 honor; he then entered the Law Department of the Uni¬
versity of Minnesota, where he received his legal training. During
which time he associated himself with William R. Morris, a prom¬
inent and able attorney of the Minneapolis Bar, coming to Kansas
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
Charles H. Calloway
City in May 1905 and engaged himself in the practice of law, where
he is now enjoying* a lucrative practice. Mr. Calloway believes
truly in the adage of Abraham Lincoln, who said, "If you cannot be'
an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a Lawyer." .
JAMES EARLY MILLER
Mr. James Early Miller was born in Muscotah, Kansas and when
lie was two years of age his parents moved ,t6 Topeka. After stay¬
ing in Topeka for a few years they moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma.
Here James E. Miller received most of his education, finishing the
High School in the year of 1904. Then he attended the Langston
1 diversity. During his school period his distinction was noticed
as an artist. He did all of his work in a demonstrating way on
blackboard and paper.
After recognizing his gift and with a desire to attain money
from'his known ability as an artist, he moved to Kansas City and
tnok a six year course in photography in one of the leading studios
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
James Early Miller
of Kansas City, specializing- in that course. In 1916 he started into
business for himself where he has proven his ability in his profes¬
sion. During- the World's War his photos did much in consoling*
the soldiers in France. His photos at this time have encircled the
globe. In the June issue of the Half-Century Magazine of Chicago,
a leading Negro periodical, one of his pictures was awarded first
prize in their beauty contest, which was a frontispiece of the maga¬
zine.
At this writing Mr. Miller is one of Kansas City's leading pho¬
tographers and has a thriving business. He was the official photo¬
grapher that accompanied the men through the Southland and took
the pictures of our people's business.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
WILLIS ALLEN
Willis Allen
The subject of this sketch may be very properly described as
one who has, and is still making" the-most of his opportunities. He
was the fifth child in a family of ten sons and two daughters. He
was born/at Clarksville, Tenn., Jan. 20th, 1867.
The school facilities of that state at that time were not such as
to afford him an extensive training- in grammar schools and educa¬
tion in higher lines was not within his reach.
At an early age he became a strong support in the large family
and at the age of 14 began life on a steam boat on the Tennessee
River, which he followed for three years and "pulled up" at Kansas
City, M'\, in 1883 aboard the Fannie Lewis, a Missouri River steam¬
er at that time.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN '
Kf"?1a1s City' Mo-' at that tilT^e bore many marks and brands of
1 he Wild West" and life there was strenuous. 1
He found employment at the famous Marble Hall, which was a
sort of headquarters for ranchmen of the far West.
There he had .the opportunity to meet and study men of every
and all types, so that his stock of knowledge of Human Nature be¬
came to be very extensive, all of which has served him well m the
after years of his. life.
He was afterwards employed in responsible positions by several
personsr among- them was that of the confidential man/ Mr. Geo.
Proctor, of The Proctor-Gamble Soap Co.
In the early Nineties he went into' business for himself. . His
t venture, being that of a restaurant in Kansas City, Mo., which
proved to be fairly successful. Later he opened a grocery store in
Kansas City, Kas., which was also very successful."
He has since maintained his residence in that city, where he has
conducted different lines of busirless, among which was a stock
farm in Western Kansas, which he conducted for one year, after
which, he became the President of the Home Drug Company in Kan¬
sas City, Kas., a retail drug store, which he has made to be a bril¬
liant success, in which business Jie is still engaged.
Early in his prime he met and married a young lady of his na¬
tive state, who was reared in Missouri, Miss Sallie Denton, of Hart-
ville, Mo., who has proven to be truly "A help meet for him" She
is a "Pillar" in the A. M. E. Church and is entitled to a ,high de¬
gree of commendation for his success in life.
Mr. Allen's strong points are as follows, towit:—His Congenial¬
ity, his Suaveness and in his being "A hale fellow, well met" to each
and every one h<? meets and knows.
SAMUEL R. HOPKINS
Samuel R. Hopkins, President and General Manager of Square
Deal Oil and Gas Co., President and General Manager Square Deal
Realty and Investment Co., of Kansas City, Mo., was born Nov. 7
1885 in Leavenworth, Kansas.
His father is A. W. Hopkins, a miner arid resident of Leaven¬
worth for nearly half a century. He( was a native of Indian Terri¬
tory. His mother is Matilda Jones Hopkins, formerly of Lexington,
Mo. He was educated in the public schools of Leavenworth, Kan¬
sas. He is a man of wide experience and great business tact.
Mr. Hopkins is a very successful real estate dealer and oil oper¬
ator.
July 11, 1916 he married Miss Ollie Morris, a very noble and
charming girl, who is a native of Missouri and a graduate of Lin¬
coln High School of the class of 1911. His married life has been a
pleasant and a happy one. He attributes the greater portion of his
success to faithfulness of his devoted wife.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
t
Samuel R. Hopkins
Mr. Hopkins is a member of Allen Chapel and also a member of
several fraternal lodges and clubs. He is also an active worker in
lis community for race uplift,
DOCTOR EDWARD CLAYTON BUNCH
Edward Clayton Bunch was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, attend¬
ed public school and finished the High School, then started to col¬
lege in 1901 in Pharmacy, spent one year and then took up denistry
and finished in 1905. He worked one year and then took up denistry
City, Mo., 1906. Since that time he has practiced dentistry at 71(1
East Twelfth Street.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
20
Doctor Edward Clayton Bunch
He is ex-president of Kansas Citjr Medical Society, Past Master
of Mt. Oread Lodge of Masons No. 76 and High Priest of Mt. Oread
Chapter No. 6. Also member of Gideon Brown Lodge of U. B. F.
He married Miss Mame Darral in 1912 at St. Joseph, Mo.
H. B. MOORE
H. B. Moore was born in Pomary, Ohio, May 10, 1880. When
about one year old his parents moved to Rendville, Ohio, near Col¬
umbus in a coal mining" district.. H. B. attended the public schools
there and at the age of 18 years, he told his parents that for¬
tunes awaited him in the golden West, so he packed up and started
westward full of hope and enthusiasm. After spending 10 days, in a
snow drift on the top of the Rocky Mountains, he finally landed at
his destination, Hanna, Wyoming, where he secured a job in the
Hanna Coal mines. Money was plentiful there, so H. B. began to
realize his dream.
After working two years he decided to see more of the Great
Northwest and he journeyed to British, Columbia, stopping at the
21
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
great Gold fields of Greenwood, B. C., where he took a position as
hotel clerk.
Shortly after his arrival in Greenwood he celebrated his 21st
birthday. Mr. Moore remained in British Columbia four years, not¬
withstanding- the fact that he was the only man of his color in
Greenwood. Four years he never saw a negro, only when he ac-
cidently passed a mirror. Mr. Moore soon got onto the ways to
make success in the gold fields and was considered one of the best
Minerologist in the country. He had good success with his pros¬
pects and sold many claims that he had himself staked.
H. B. Moore
H. B. had a vision that the great vast territory unpopulated in
C anada might become useful so he took out naturalization papers.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
became a British subject so as to acquire some of this land and' im¬
mediately took a squatters rights to 360 acres of land. This land
has grown into great value.
After seeing the icebergs, the midnight sun, the glaciers, the
gold ledges, H. B. decided to return to civilization again and made
his way to the beautiful city of the Rockies, Denver, visited his
brother there and then came to Kansas City, establishing the first
and only undertaking establishment on the north side, 1109 Inde¬
pendence Ave. Mr. Moore has been successful in business and is
now the owner of four cars and soifie valuable city property. Mr.
H. B. also ownes a beautiful bungalow in South Park.
We find him making large investments in Oklahoma, Indiana
and other parts of the country. You will be pleased to meet H. B.
His "Motto" in business is "Prompt Attention and Courteous Treat¬
ment to All".
DR. D. MADISON MILLER
Dr. D. Madison Miller was born
in Camden County, Ga., September
30th, 1884. He attended the public
school in that County and at Thom-
asville, Ga., later graduating from
Central City College and Meharry
Medical College. He also posted
one year in Rush Medical College
(Chicago University). Dr. Miller
began the practice of Medicine in
the fall of 1911 coming to Kansas
City, Mo., March 17, 1917 where he
has built up one of the largest prac¬
tices of any physician in Kansas
City.
Dr. Miller sets one month of
each year aside for "taking it easy"
the month of July and no induce¬
ments can be made strong enough
to persuade him to work during
that month.
DR. E. B. RAMSEY
Dr. E. B. Ramsey, one of our Kansas City progressive physi¬
cians was born in Trinidad, British West Indies; received all of his
elementary and college education on the Island. He graduated
from Queen Royal College and holds his Bachelor Degree from
Cambridge, England. He graduated in medicine from Howard Un-
Dr. D. Madison Miller
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
Dr. E. B. Ramsey
iversity, Washington, D. C. in 1900. He is the owner of several
pieces of property among which are some elegant flats at 16th and
Euclid Avenue.
DR. SOLOMON H. THOMPSON
Solomon H. Thompson, born in Charlestown, West Virginia,
August 10th, 1870 and graduated from Howard University Medical
Department in 1892. He came West in October 1892, locating ,in
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
Dr. Solomon H. Thompson
Kansas City. He is surgeon to Douglass Hospital and Grand Chan¬
cellor of the Knights of Pythias of Kansas. Have also been Grand
Commander of the Grand Commandery of Masons of Kansas.
FRANK A. HARRIS
Frank A. Harris
Among those who formed our
party on the trip through the South¬
land was the Secretary of our Paseo
Y. M. C." A. in the person of Mr. F.
A. Harris. In the twelve years that
Mr. Harris has been in Kansas City
he has made himself one of us and
lie can always be found in the front
ranks of those who strive to make
Kansas City an ideal place in which
to live.
Mr. Harris is a native of Kan¬
sas and was born and reared in an
Osage Indian Mission in the south¬
east part of that state. He came
to Kansas City as a printer in 1908
and in 1910 was placed on the Com¬
mittee of Management of the 'A"1
In 1912 he entered the active
service of the Association as a sec¬
retary, succeeding Mr. R. B. De
Frantz as head of the institution in
May 1917. As Executive Secretary,
Mr. Harris lias proven his ability as
25
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
a leader and his affable manner is making' the "Y" more and more
the headquarters for all community interests. He is a married man,
having married Miss Florence Moseley, of Columbia, Mo.
PROF. J. DALLAS BOWSER
Although the oldest in years of the
Kansas City Boosters, he being in his
seventy-fifth year, yet in point of en¬
durance and enthusiasm he was among
the youngest of the party. While oth¬
ers of the men were laid up in their
berths for rest or repairs. Mr. Bowser
was always ready to respond to the
call to "do" any business district,
school or sight-seeing trip that in our
itineracy offered to visitors.
Mr. Bowser happened to be born
in North Carolina, but at six weeks of
age his parents removed to Ohio and
settled near Chillicothe. His father
being the first colored school teacher
in the neighborhood.
After teaching a year in Ohio, the
subject of this sketch came to Kansas
City, then a city of some six or eight
thousand inhabitants, where for fifty-
two years he has resided, more than
forty of which he was principal of
some one of the public schools in the
the city or its vicinity.
Meanwhile he has served as In¬
spector of Weights and Measures, De¬
puty' Assessor, each two terms. Inspec- Prof. J. Dallas Bowser
tor of Customs, Census and Railway Postal Clerk, declining an ap¬
pointment as storekeeper and gauger.
He has retired from active service save#an occasional dabble in
real estate.
His favorite pastime would be that of a traveler if his means
would allow. He has, however, done a little in that respect, taking
in most of the large cities of his own country from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, the Lakes to the Gulf, the.Thousand Islands of the St.
Lawrence. He spent a summer in Europe including all the great
palaces, castles and views of England, Germany, Italy, the Rhine,
the Alpine Country, Florence, Rome, the buried city of Pompeii
climbing the ashey sides of Vesuvius, standing on the edge of its
smoking crater and gazing down into its abyssal depths. He would
add to the injunction, "Go West, Young Man", another "Go East,
Young Man", old man, everybody who can, and see the world on
the other side of the sea; in particular London, Paris, Berlin, Rome
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
26
and Venice, whose museums, cathedrals and art galleries ar£ in
themselves ample compensation for what they might cost in
money and time invested. Mr. Bowser is president of the Old Set¬
tlers Association of Greater Kansas City.
• I
DR. THOS. A. JONES
Dr. Thomas A. Jones, a native
of South Carolina, is the son of Rob¬
ert and Emma Jones, of Laurens,
o,ne of the best and most highly re¬
spected families in that section and
staunch members of the Presbyter¬
ian Church. After attending the
public schools the Doctor finished
from Harbison College, Abbeville,
South Carolina in 1899; and gradu¬
ated from Biddle University with A.
B. in 1902, the same year he entered
Howard University Medical Depart¬
ment from which he received his M.
D. in 1906. He served interneship
at Freedman's Hospital the follow¬
ing year. After leaving the hospital
he practiced medicine for one year
in Western Pennsylvania. The doc¬
tor was married January 5, 1910 to
Miss Rosabelle Sprague, a teacher in Dr. Thos. A. Jones
the Normal Schools of Washington, D. C., also the grand-daughter
of Frederick Douglass. They have one son, Thomas Perry.
The Doctor came to Kansas Cit}r shortly after his marriage,
taking up the practice of medicine and specializing in anesthesia.
The Doctor has made good in his chosen-field and is one of our
most conservative and modest professional men.
DR. JAMES H. WILLIAMS
Dr. James H. Williams was born in Boone County, Missouri, on
a farm. In his early days he attended the country schools then
taught in the district schools for several years. He attended West¬
ern College at which institute he graduated with honors. He was
married to Miss Fannie Pitts. After becoming dissatisfied as a
school teacher, he entered Meharrv Medical College in 1905 and
graduated in 1909 in a class ot 75. He began the practice ol his
profession at Joplin, Missouri at which place lie did great work, be¬
ing the first Negro regular doctor ever in Joplin. He won for him¬
self a great reputation.
Not being satisfied with this field, wishing a broader field and
a desire to educate his two children lie moved to Kansas City in
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
Dr. James H. Williams
ryi2. Dr. Williams belongs to several fraternal organizations. He
is a Master Mason, member of U. B. F., Knights of Pythias, Elks
and Sons and Daughters of Jerusalem.
He is well known in the fraternal circles and more especially
the U. B. F. He is a great organizer, having organized more than
one-half the U. B. F. and S. M. T. and Juveniles that are in the
state of Missouri and its jurisdiction.
He has the honor of being the Father of the Juvenile Depart¬
ment of the U. B. F. Dr. Williams began his. work in the U. B. F.
when a boy and has been a member of the order for over 30 years.
He has filled every position in the grand lodge. He first became
prominent when he became grand Medical Registrar in 1910 and in
1914 he was elected Grand Master having filled that position as a
leader of that great fraternal organization for four years and owing
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SpVEN
28
to the constitutional limit ]he could not serve that position any
longer but so well.had he served the office of Grand Master he was
unamimously elected, grand treasurer and upon making- his annual
report Aug-ust 1920 having- received over $70,000 during- the year and
the funds of the grand lodge had been so safely guarded and an
account had been given for every cent that had been received and
expended and having a cash balance of $10,000 left from the Grand
Lodge treasure, he was re-elected for grand treasurer.
Dr. Williams and family own a beautiful home at 1325 Michi¬
gan. Mrs. Hattie A. Williams, the aimable wife of Dr. Williams
and the mother of his two daughters, Estella and Mabel, is a loving
wife and rnother. She has stood as the rocks of Gibraltor and has
gone hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the doctor in ac¬
quiring his education and the purchase of their home. Dr. Wil¬
liams can look back from the years of their union and se^e a well
spent life and having nothing to regret but praise each other for
overcoming the obstacles.
Dr. Williams is an active \vorker'in his community for race up¬
lift.
MR. ALBERT JAMES NEALY
Albert James Nealy was born in Murray Count}?", Tennessee on
June 20, 1858 where he attended the public schools of that county
and after 20 years of age he attended a Parochial school about six
months. After teaching school awhile he then entered Lincoln
University and after he graduated from there he taught school in
Virginia. He left Virginia and went; to Chicago and worked as a
train porter. After working in Chicago awfrile he went back to
Tennessee, where he spent the winter. He left there in 1886 and
came to Kansas City, Kansas, where he has been engaged in school
work ever since. He taught as a teacher, afterwards became princi¬
pal of old Lincoln School in 1894 in Kansas City, Kansas and re¬
mained principal until 1905 then he became- principal of the Stowe
School and was principal there for two years. During this time the^
supervision was instituted in the graded school and he was ap¬
pointed supervisor of the graded schools of Kansas City, Kansas.
Professor Nealy carries the reputation of a Christian gentleman
and is liked b}T everyone that knows him.
MARTIN YOUNG
Martin Young was born in Chapel Hill, Washington County,
Texas. At the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to
Novasota, Texas, there he was raised and attended the public
schools. In 1896 he went to Houston, Texas and there he entered
into the saloon, fcafe and barber business and was very successful
for fifteen shears.
Mr. Young is a widely known sportsman having at one time
in Houston, Texas owned one of the'fastest Negro baseball clubs in
2g
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
the state of Texas. In 1909 he came to Kansas City and went into
the cafe business at 13th and Baltimore, where his place of business
was known as the Spotless Kitchen-
Martin Young
About two years ag'o Mr. Young- purchased a valuable business
corner, a brick building' at 12th and Highland, where is the home of
the .Spotless Kitchen and where he conducts one of the finest bar¬
ber shops in the city. Besides this property, Mr. Young owns a
beautiful home near 24th and Euclid Avenue.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
30
^ I. F. BRADLEY
J- .F. Bradley, the subject of this sketch was born at Hazel-wood
Hall, m balme County, Missouri, September 8th, 1862,
By reason of the unsettled condition of the affairs of this coun¬
try at that time, he did not have the pleasure of knowing" his fath¬
er, he, having" left the place of our subject's birth when he was
about two weeks old, r
In 1865 when matters became somewhat more settled, it was at
that level properly called "Hard Times". But he survived them
and at times seemed really to "fatten" a little.
Public schools in those parts for Colored people were practi¬
cally unknown—for a long" time there was no school at all, and then
some years thfere were three weeks and at others, one month and
for a couple of years there were three months school. Up to the
time he made his way to Lincoln Institute he had the advantage of
less than eighteen months schooling in all.
He entered Lincoln in 1881 and finished the four years course
in 1885. At the time he entered Lincoln he insists that he was al¬
ready a Past Graduate of the school of hard times.
Yet he maintains that these "Hard Times" was'a truly happy-
stretch in his life, which he would not change, could he live them
over again. He gives as an incident that from the time he was
perhaps three or four years old until he was about sixteen, he does
not remember of having a new pair of shoes or a new hat, and that
there were portions of il?, that he did not Jiave any old ones either
and still those were "down-right" happy days which left their im¬
pression upon him. He entered the Law School of Kansas Univer¬
sity in 1885 and finished in June 1887 and in -the same month open¬
ed a law office in Kansas City, Kas., where he has since remained
and has had. considerable to do with the history of his race in that
state.
He has had some political preferment, having been elected to
the office of City Justice of the Peace, serving two years in that
position from 1889 to 1891. Later he was appointed First Assistant
County Attorney of Wyandotte County, Kansas in which position
he served four years from 1895 to 1899. In the Law School and in
these positions held, he was somewhat a pioneer, being the first in
each of them and has been followed by others of his race in all ol
them, save that of election to office. The^last public position held
by him was one without pay, 3'et prized very highly by him.
When commission form of government was a new idea and
only two cities of the Union had adopted it, the mayor and council
of the city were requested to appoint twenty four free-holders of suit¬
able merit to study, investigate and report upon the idea of Com¬
mission form of Government. It was then that he was appointed
one of the number by Mr. John W. West, a broad guaged andjiberal
Democratic councilman. This commission was divided into"differ¬
ent committees and to Mr. Bradley's agreeable surprise he was ap¬
pointed a member of the Legal Committee by the Hon. C. F. Hut-
31
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
chings, who was chairman, also a Democrat and a lawyer himself
of the "First Waters" a great lawyer indeed and a gentleman.
He also enjoys the distinction of having been elected a Presi¬
dential elector in 1904 and voted for Roosevelt and Fairbanks, and
up to the present he is the only colored man who has been thu,s
honored in the state and he takes some pride in the fact, that al¬
though he had been an Elector, he did not ask the appointment to
a Consulship by the president, (he gladly would have accepted any
thing in the line of his profession, but for such there was no hope.)
This last incident is in some measure accounted for by the fact
that Mr. Bradley is best and most widely known on account of his.
race-consciousness, that is to say, in matters and things pertaining
to the welfare and progress of the race, he has been aggressive and
energetic.
In December 1898 at Washington, D. C., he took part in the
Re-organization of The Afro-American Council, which had charge
of the National affairs of the race until 1905, when the Niagara
' Movement was ■ put forward at Buffalo, of which movement Mr.
Bradley was a charter member. The Niagara Movement had'charge
of colored people's welfare until it merged into the preseiit associa¬
tion for the protection of cblored people, of which body he has
been a consistent (member.
In September 1918 he was one of the organizers of The Colored
World Democracy at Chicag'o, which had among its objects the
sending of delegates to the World Peace Council at Versailles, to
present in our own way the cause of the Race.
In this great task they succeeded in getting one and only one
man before the Council, which was due altogether to the true worth
merit, fidelity and devotion of the man who performed that worthy
service, William M. Trotter, who had been the soul and spirit of
the Colored World E^emocra'cy.
In local affairs^ he. has been still more active and aggressive in
matters pertaining to1 the Race which is shown by the many Insti¬
tutions and Enterprises which he has been instrumental in organiz- (
ing and promoting, including many business corporations among
- our people.
In the political affairs of our people he is also well ki^own, but
takes no pride in being known as ,a "politician" but rather holds
the term and idea commonly attached to it as contemptible.
At every turn of the road and at all times he has fought the
battle for colored men with "Tongue and Pen" and with his best
and honest judgment,' contending for manhood rights and for noth¬
ing less. His contention is that there is but one standard by which
to measure men, that which demands that everyone shall aspire to
be and to do the best that in him lies.
For nine years following the year 1909 he stood almost single-
handed and alone in the awful struggle against that dreadful on¬
slaught upon colored peoples rights, known as "Porter-ism" during
which all political recognition was refused them and almost every
other indignity imaginable was heaped upon them.
In this dark and hopeless period, on the stump and through the
press (botl} white and colored) he waged his relentless fight until
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN
32
in November 1916 the deadly "Night-mare" was broken by the ap¬
pointment of a Welfare Officer, to be followed in 1917 by the ap¬
pointment of three policemen, which was later increased by sever¬
al more. v
His watch-word to our people has been and still is, Organize, Be
Honest with your selves and Trust and Confide in Yourselves as
you Trust and Confide in others, not of your race. His rallying1
word has been and is "Organize Some More and Stay Organized",
and conserve the forces and resources which lie within your own
control ai^d command and turn the advantages of such action to and
among ourselves.
1 ( '
He preaches and practices the doctrine that we will not ad¬
vance very far up the line as long as we accept the idea (taught
by those not of our race) "That everything not of us,, or of our mak¬
ing is desirable arid excellent, while everything of us or of our mak¬
ing is to be avoided". He insists that we will have toi cease to love
white and 'hate black and learn to love black and er pay no atten¬
tion to others.
He has been instrumental in organizing many efforts among
our people but in none of them has he found more pride than in
, The Civic League with permanent quarters over the Home Drug Co.
an organization which has made its impression upon the commun¬
ity and has been the means of much good to the Race fromv the
points of political preferment, economics and social advancement.
Our trip served him well in the study of the Welfare of the
race, a subject to which he has given considerable attention and
upon which he has written a book called "The Reign of Reason',
upon which he has received quite a deal of respectful comment.
Also very lately another pamphlet on the subject "Social Equality"
both of which are well written and worth the time to read and they
go a long way toward serving the problems which confront us and
the world. • *
In our "Swing" around the Circle" he gathered many facts which
later will be worked out into profitable, information to inspire and
to help.
His highest ambition is to have lived up to and to have filled
to "Well-rounded" the measure of a lawyer.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE TWENTY-SEVEN'
Governor Roberson, governor of Tennessee and President Hale,
President of the State Normal School of Tennessee. This picture
was snapped by James E. Miller as the Governor was talking to
President Hale after he had just finished his address before the
Kansas City Business and Professional men that were touring the
South and entered his ear to drive away.
THE TRIP SOUTH
Kansas City Business and Professional Men's Trip South
By JHL L, Kinsler
/
We left Kansas City, the city of cities, Friday, April 9th, 1920
for the principal eities of. the Southern clime to rfiake an inspection
of their business places, to get in touch with the business and pro¬
fessional men and to get the real ideas about the condition of the
people of the Southland,
Our party consisted of 27 business and professional, men of the
two Kansas Cities, comprising- men of every profession from doc¬
tors to undertakers. Among- those in the party were: Dr. E. C\
Buijch, dentist; Mr. C. H. Galloway, lawyer; Mr. N. C. Crews, edi¬
tor K. C. Sun; Mr. L. F. Jefferson, restaurant owner; Dr. H. M. Smith
M. D.; Mr. H. L. Kinsler, real estates; Mr, T. B. Watkins, undertaker:
Dr. T. A. Jones, M. D.; Dr. D. M. Miller, M. D; Mr. J. D. Bowser,
real estates; Mr. N, D. Brasher, Chicago Associated Press; Dr. E. B.
Ramsey, M. D.; Mr. S. R. Hopkins, real estates; Rev. J. W. Hurse;
Dr. J. F. Perry, M. D.; Mr. F. A. Harris, Y. M. C, A. secretary; Mr.
Martin Young-, barber; Mr. H. B. Moore, undertaker; Dr. J. H. Wil¬
liams, M. D.; Rev. C. C. Calloway; Mr. James E. Miller, photograp¬
her; Judge 1. F. Bradley, attorney; Mr. George McClelland, real es¬
tates, Mr. William Allen, druggist; Prof. J. R. E. Lee, principal of
Lincoln High School; S. H. Thompson, M. D.; Prof. A. F. Neely, su¬
pervisor of the colored schools in Kansas City, Kansas.
After a good night's sleep we arrived at Memphis, Tenn,, Satur¬
day, April 10, 1920, at 8:30 a. m. On arriving we were m<?t at the
station by a reception committee'also despite her age, Rev. Hurse's
mother was at the station to welcome us. We were cordially received
by the people of ^Memphis, a large crowd and strings of automobiles
were there to greet us. From the station we were taken to the Com*
munity Center, where we were served with a delicious breakfast.
After breakfast we b^gan our scouting for the day. Our first visit
was to the two' colored banks of Memphis of which Mr. Robert
Church, the millionaire colored man of the South was establishei\
Then we visited the Masonic Temple and other business places after
which we were taken to lunch at the Industrial Settlement to which
we donated a collection of $32.00 From the Industrial Home we
were escorted back to the Community Center where the Mayor of
Memphis was to have addressed us, but being unable to attend, sent
the editor of the white newspaper and the police commissioner to de¬
liver the welcome address, to this, N. C. Crews, Kansas .City's bril-
liant^orator responded with great eloquence, which carried well. We
were then escorted to a Casket Factory which is owned and run by
colored people of Memphis. Afterwards we were taken for 'an au¬
tomobile observation drive in which we visited the Roddy chain of
Grocery Stores, which has a stock valued at $50,000 comprising 14
grocery stores. These are managed by 36 young colored men and
women clerks. After we returned from this drive the Woman's
35
THE TRIP SOUTH
Club gave a reception in our honor at the Community Center from
6 to 8 p. m. During- our whole stay in Memphis we were nicely re¬
ceived. The people of Memphis showed all signs of progress and
the business affairs are far past Kansas City colored business con¬
cerns. They are in union in regard to co-operation.
We left Memphis at 8:45 p. m. and arrived at Birmingham, Ala.,
at 5:30 a. m. Sunday morning. We were .met by a delegation of pro¬
fessional and business men and escorted to the' Elks Hall for break¬
fast, after which we were taken to the different churches for ser¬
vices. The colored churches of Birmingham are the largest and
finest phurches that colored people ever owned. Sunday afternoon
the' majority of us were taken to the Shiloh Baptist church, where
the Elks Memorial services were held. After church we viewed the
Elks parade and met again at Elks Hall and had dinner. After a
rest we went to the 16th 'St. Baptist church where Rev. Hurse of our
party preached a masterful sermon that shook the members of the
16th St. Baptist church as they were never shook before. After the
sermon Dr. Miller was introduced and made one of his eloquent
speeches afterwards introducing each member of our party.
After church we went back to our special and held Kangaroo
Court, where each member found guilty of a misdemeanor was fin¬
ed ^ Lawyer Calloway of our party acted as Prosecuting Attorney
and Rev. J. W. Hurse as Judge, Dr. Howard Smith as Sheriff, each
officer sparing no pains to perform his duty.
Monday we went to the Tennessee Iron and Coal Works of Bay-
view, where thousands of Negroes are emploi^ed and also visited the
Tennessee Iron and Coal Works hospital, this trip being made in
automobiles. A feast at which we were served with good old-fash¬
ioned barbecue, was much enjoyed by us. At the Tennessee Iron &
Coal, Works School in Bayview, Dr. Thompson, of Kansas Cit}~,
Kas., Dr. Miller and Hon. N. C.. Crews, of Kansas City, Mo., made
short addresses and the remainder of the party was introduced. The
schools of Bayview are pretty, clean and well equipped. At /Bay-
view they have one of the finest hospitals for colored people in the
South. The structure is of stone and the equipment is up-to-the-
minute. Both white and colored patients are cared for there and
the colored patients are cared for with the same respect as that
given the white. Our trip for,the day was concluded by a swift
drive back to Birmingham.
We left Birmingham at 4:30 pf m. Monday and arrived at Mont¬
gomery, Ala., at 8:30 o'clock Monday night. We were taken to a
cafe for supper and then back to our- car where we held another ses¬
sion of Kangaroo court, where Dr. J. E. Perry was tried, found to be
guilty and fined for being absent from the party in Birmingham
and also Mr. Brascher was tried for another offense and was found
guilty and fined.
The next day, April 13, we had breakfast at the same qafe. Af-,
ter breakfast we visited the State Reform School about 15 miles
from Montgomery. This reform school is controlled by Negroes and
has about 400 acres of land. Here a few of our men spoke to the
boys. .The boys when asked what they intended to be, stated that
THE TRIP SOUTH
36
they intended makirtg doctors, lawyers and preachers of themselves.
On our return back to Montgomery we went through the capitol.
We went to call on the governor but the governor was absent and
the secretary met and welcomed us to the capitol. We then speed¬
ed back to our car. Two gentlemen, one of them Prof. Lee's son-in-
law, met us at Montgomery as representatives of Tuskegee Insti¬
tute. ,
We left Montgomery at 12.30 p. m. Tuesday and arrived at Tus¬
kegee, Ala., Tuesday at 2.35 p. m. When our train pulled into Tus¬
kegee^ the Tuskegee Institute band began to play "When They
Come". As we alighted from our train the students began to snap
our pictures. We were led to the school by the cadets and the cadet
band. We were then taken to the Rockefeller dormitory where we
were assigned to our rooms. This dormitory was ori$ of the finest
and is equal to any of our finest hotels her^. Our next trip was to
the home of Mrs. Booker T. Washington and other buildings of the
school and from there back to dinner. At 8 o'clock we went to the
Chapel where we heard a choir of nearly 200 voices.
The chapel is finer than any colored church in Kansas City and
was crowded to its capacity with teachers and students. When we
were led in we were greeted with about five minutes of applalise.
Each member of our'party was introduced and each made a five
minute speech. Prof. Lee was highly received and at every 'men¬
tion received much applause. After Chapel we went to a smoker
and then back to our rooms. The next morning after breakfast wc
visited the farm which takes up 2,200 acres of land. Here we went to
the Children's Home, a place for preparing students to take the col¬
lege course. From here we went back to the Memorial Hall and
then to the different , departments of the school. We then went to
the power plant of the school where all the electricity used by the
school is supplied, from there to the ice plant where all the ice used
by the school is made by the students. After leaving the ice plaint
we were taken to the hospital which is finer thap any colored hospi¬
tal here. From there we w^nt to the barn to see the fine horses. On
our way to headquarters we had an accident. A team of horses at¬
tempted to run off. f The occupants were N. C. Crews, Martin Young
Rev. Calloway, Mr. Bradley and the driver. N6thing serious hap¬
pened which was due to the steady head of Mr. Young. Lawyer
Bradley jumped and was shaken up pretty badl}^, Mr. Crew's hand
was skinned and Rev. Calloway jumped from the surry like a frog
in a pond and he received np injuries. Those injured were taken to
the school hospital- where their injuries were dressed. _ They soon
joined us and we proceeded to headciuarters where we viewed a par¬
ade in our honor. Then we posed for the students to get our pic-
lures. We were then escorted to the dining hall where one of the
students made a speech to us and Dr. Miller responded with great
eloquence and received much applause.
After we had been served dinner in the great dining hall, we
were then taken through the kitchen of this great building and af¬
ter we had inspected it we found it to be clean and sanitary and
well equipped. From there we were escorted to the agricultural de-
37
THE TRIP SOUTH
partment where we saw the students in real action. From there we
were taken to the veterinary department and then through the dairy
where we saw 98 of the finest Jersey cows that could be found any¬
where in the country, 40 of which were giving milk.
After we had inspected the creamery, which was next in turn of
our routine of inspections, then we were taken for a drive through
the farm of 2,200 acres. In our route we were taken by the slaugh¬
ter pen Where all the butchering is done for the school and on our
way back we viewed several grocery stores that seem from the evi¬
dence that we saw; are doing real business. After we were taken
back to our quarters, the day ended and we were all tired and worn
out and after we had had a rest we then prepared for the great ban¬
quet which was given in our honor.
The place where the banquet was served, the dining room of
this magnificent building, was beautifully decorated with flowers,
flags a,nd pennants. Dr. Moton and his faculty had made a special
effort to make this one occasion a grand, entertainment for their
guests from Kansas City, Mo., and after every member of the party
had been introduced and made a short speech then the tables were
cleared away and several of the men in our party enjoyed themsel¬
ves by taking part in the grand ball and after the ball we all retir¬
ed to our rooms.
The next day, April 15, after we had a good night's rest, we
were then taken to breakfast and after breakfast we were escorted
to the various departments such as Dorothy Hall Building, the Girls'
Dormitory and while there we all purchased some trinkets for sou¬
venirs that the girls had made and mailed them to our dear wives
whom we thought of at this one particular moment. We were then
escorted through the tailor shop,'the printing office and through the
laundry department and saw scores of girls at work. The laund^
department for the school alone is as well equipped as any laundry
in Kansas City. From there we were taken through the trades
building and through the machine shops, the shoe-making depart¬
ment, carpentry department and through the brick yards and saw
the students making bricks. The Tuskegee Institute is greater than
anyone who has never seen it could imagine. They ar£ equipped to
teach any branch of trade. After we had visited all of the different
departments we then were escorted to Dr. Moton's office and after
listening to him for about fifteen minutes discuss his plans and act¬
ing on the suggestion of Dr. Howard N. Sfnith and Mr. Brasher,
both of our partv, we got permission to hold a few minutes memor¬
ial services of which I will speak later. After we had left the prin¬
cipal's office we were taken to dinner and after dinner .we were
taken to our quarters for a rest.
After *vve had had a good rest we were taken for an auto drive
to the rural district schools and paid them a visit, and on our wav
back in nassinsr through the country we saw pine trees there like
oak trees here in Missouri. After we had returned from our drive
in the rural district we were then driven over the city of Tuskegee
and to some of the Negro business places and while we were at a
large grocery store owned by a wealthy Negro we received a mes-
THE TRIP SOUTH
38
sage from another teacher in another rural school inviting us to
come to her school at once. We had been there once and we at this
time hardly had time to go out there again, but they .insisted that
they must entertain us if it was only for a few minutes. So we hur¬
ried out there and were entertained and served and after a few
short speeches were made by some of the men of our party, then
Hon. N. C. Crews made an encouraging speech to the mothers of the
children of that school who had assembled there to greet us, and af¬
ter he was through we all sang, "God Be With You Till We Meet
Again", and then departed back to the campus, hurrying to catch up
lost time so that we could have ample time to pay tribute at the
grave of Booker T. Washington.
We arrived at the monument of Dr. Booker T. Washington at
3:40 p. m. and already a great crowd of students and teachfers had
assembled there to see us pay our respect and, while we were stand¬
ing there in sorrow, yet cherishing the memory of this great man,
his works, and who had accomplished the greatest aim of his life,
and like Christ gave his life for his' people. Then the great chapel
choir marched out to the monument and after Mr. Miller,* our offi¬
cial photographer, had snapped our pictures, then the choir began
to sing Dr. Washington's favorite song, "When the Stars Begin to
Fall." After this song was sung, which brought tears to every eye,
we stood there with hats off, and heads bowed looking down upon
the grave of one of the greatest men that ever lived while Rev.
Hurse, with tears streaming dowmhis cheeks, led us in prayer that
touched the hearts of evervone> near and after Rfev. Hurse had fin¬
ished the prayer, that will never be forgotten from the minds of
those present, then the choir sang another selection. Then Dr.
Howard Smith and Mr. Brascher laid the wreath iof beautiful flow¬
ers on the grave and the choir rendered another selection.
Hon. N. C. Crews made a speech, touching on some of the great
things that this great man had done .for his race. Then Dr. Moten
responded and briefl}7 reviewed the achievements of Dr. Washing¬
ton and then Rev. C. C. Calloway asked the benediction.
We were then escorted to the beautiful home of Dr. Moten and
while there we were entertained with music and served ice cream
and cake and then we all shook hands with Mrs. Booker I\ Wash¬
ington and daughter and Dr. Moten and bade them good-bye. Then
we left Dr. Moten's home in a rush to <^ur million dollar special as
it was sometimes called, which was in readiness to take us on- our
next flight. The faculty and students with their university band
marched to the train to see us off; even Dr. Moten was in the
march. While the band played we were busy shaking hands and
bidding all bood-tye, and the teachers began to pin bouquets of
Forget-Me-Nots on us, and as our train pulled out they all threw
flowers of every description in the windows of our car to us,
waved handkerchiefs and pennants at us as long" as they could
see us.
At the time that we were leaving Tuskegee it was 6:30 p. m.,
which was too early for us to get supper, but Dr. Moten had made
arrangements with the railroad 'company to serve us in the dining
>9
THE TRIP SOUTH
car, but fearing- that they would not keep their promise he sent a
committee of five to escort us to Chehaw and on the way up there
they served us with sajidwiches and cakes. While we Were all
feasting-, we had not g*ot very far from Tuskeg-ee when the dining*
car steward came in and informed us that he had special orders to
prepare to serve us our supper in the dining- car and he wanted to
know how many were in the car and for us to come in when we
were ready to be served. We were all pleased to -know that the
words from Dr. Moten's lips carried such weight and that he had
such a great influence in the Southland. Yet we all declined the
invitation and enjoyed ourselves feasting- on the sandwiches that
were prepared by the hands of those dear people of Tuskeg-ee. Af¬
ter we were all through feasting we insisted that each one of the
committee that was accompanying; us up to Chewhaw make a
speech and each one responded and their words were ven^ encourv
agin«r to us. At this juncture Ave had arrived at Chewhaw and the
committee had to depart with the exception of one, Dr. Moten's
secretary, who had special orders to accompany us all the way to
Atlanta and turn us over to "the Atlanta committee. We at this
time had begun to feel tired and sleepy from the pace we had
taken while at Tuskeg-ee and we all retired early as we were to ar¬
rive'at Atlanta the-next morning- at an early hour.
We arrived ;at Atlanta, Ga., at 12:30 that nig-ht, which was
very J ate in the night, yet two of our 'party—I won't say who—
wanted to g-o to Decatur Street, a noted street that is known all
over the United States. Some of our boys who were awake when
We arrived, at Atlanta advised them not to g-o and recommended
that they be tried in kangaroo'court if they were* not back with¬
in thirtv minutes. However, they were back very early and went
to bed. Early the next morning- it was raining* and the Atlanta
committee did not know where we were as we had been switched
from the road that we come over to the road that we were to leave
for Chattanooga. Finally they found us and took us in af string of
automobiles, the finest we had been in while in the South, to the
great Odd Fellows' building- where we were served our breakfast in
one of the leading- cafes of the city.
After we had been served our breakfast we were then taken
through the Odd Fellow's building-, which is a new building, five
Tories hig-h, and is owned by our people. Then we were taken to
the great Standard Life Insurance Company, where we were intro¬
duced to their officers and inspected their offices, after which we
were taken to Brown College and then each of us were introduced
to the student body which had assembled in the assembly hall of
their building* to greet us.
After we left Brown College we were taken to Georgia Univer¬
sity, and after some of our party had made a few speeches to those
assembled. Mr. Lee, the head of our party, introduced the entire
partv. Then we were escorted to the girl's department and vie\Ved
the buildings and the beautiful campus ground. Then we were
taken to the Clark University, after which we were taken to big*
Bethel A. M. E. Church, another larg-e church almost equal to those
THE TRIP SOUTH
40
of Birmingham. After we had assembled in the church the lead¬
ing- ministers of Atlanta addressed us and told us how hard they
nvere striving to bring the two races closer together. After the
ministers were through speaking' to us, then Hon. N. C. Crews res¬
ponded and told them what our mission was for by touring the
Southland. Then we weie taken to dinner and after dinner we
Avere taken through the Negro business district and we saw our
people in business of every description, such as the Negro bank,
with a paid in capital stock of $25,000 and doing real business.'
Then fo several insurance companies and to the new Y. M. C. A.
just completed and from there we were taken to a laundry company
that is equal to any one laundry company in Kansas City; we saw
at least 25 girls at work. Then went to several grocery stores that
were doing a fine • business.
After we had inspected all the leading business places we were
then taken for an observation drive and we were taken to a weal¬
thy Negro's farm near Atlanta, and then we were taken back to the
Odd,bellows' building where we prepared for the banquet that was
given in our honor. T he banqiet was served on the ^oof garden
of the Odd Fellow's building and the place was beautifully decor¬
ated. The caghier of the .bank made the welcome address then
several other business men of Atlanta irade short talks and after
Judge Bradley, Attorney Calloway and Hon. N. C. Crews respond¬
ed with great eloouence then we were rushed to our special as we
had only seven minutes to get there.
Atlanta is the greatest city for young business men that I
ever saw, they are all wide-awake. We left Atlanta at 8:30 p. 111.
for Chattanooga, the old' historic battle ground.
We arrived at Chattanooga April 17 at 7:30 a. m., and were met
by a committee of the local Business League and at 9:15 o'clock
they took- us to the leading- hotel for breakfast. After we had been
served breakfast we were taken for an observation drive. In the
drive we were taken by the National graveyard, where the old sol¬
diers were- buried from the Battle of Chattanooga. From there we
were taken through Chickamauga Park, aitd the old battlefield of
Chickamauga. At # different places through the park we had our
pictures taken on that famous battle ground. In tha£ park we saw
some of the finest monuments any of us had ever seen. After we
had been taken through Chickamauga Park we were then taken
through Mission Hills-and when we arrived on the summit of Mis¬
sion Hills we stopped to let Mr. Miller, our official photographer,
take pictures overlooking the city, of the river view and Lookout
Mountain. . After we resumed our journey we were taken past
another gteat monument which was called the Illinois Monument.
Mr. Miller also took a picture of this monument as well as pictures
of the Chattanooga committee. _
On returning back from our drive, which was about thirty-five
miles, and on our way to the hotel we were taken by the Walden
Hospital, where we made an inspection of it. Then we were, taken
bv the Eureka Comb Company,'a Negro enterprise, where they man¬
ufacture combs for straightening the hair, which was invented by a
41
THE TRIP SOUTH
Negro. After we had inspected the factory we were then taken to
our hotel for dinner. After dinner had been served we were taken
in 'a special trolley car for Lookout Mountain. Arriving" at the base
of the mountain wp transferred to the incline car, which goes
straight up the mountain at an incline of 80 per cent. At the sum¬
mit of the mountain there is a little town with nice dwelling
houses. At one plac.e we purchased little trinkets for souvenirs.
When we arrived at the park on the mountain we were met by the
official guide of the park, employed by the government" to explain
everything to the sightseers. The gentleman was a man of our race
and he told usias fast as he could talk the history of the mountain
and the battle of Chattanooga in the days of the Civil War.
The guide escorted us to the rock where Jeff Davis stood" and
made a speech to his army and told them that the Union army
would never be able to reach the summit of Lookout Mountain, but
history tells us they did. While we were at this spot, Rev. Hurse's
picture was taken upon the same rock. Lookout Mountain has a
tunnel under it with a railroad track that trains go over daily. Af¬
ter the guide was through with us we gave him a contributiQn of
$13 for the interest that he had taken in us in explaining every¬
thing in his lecture. ' Dr. Miller of our party with an eloquent res¬
ponse, presented him the contribution and at this juncture our pic¬
tures were snapped again. As we went out the gate of the park we
went into the museum on the outside of the park and the guide told
us about the old relics that were in'the museum. We saw the uni¬
forms that army officers wore on the day that the Battle of Chicka-
mauga was fought. We saw the old chair that General Bragg sat
in while he was counselling with his men. After we looked over
several other relics we then went and took the car going back down
the mountain incline which was as dreadful and frightful as com- 1
ing up. However, we made the trip safely and when we landed at
the foot of the mountain our special trolley car was there. It took
•us to the hotel on East Ninth Street, where a supper was prepared
for us. Then we went to our car to prepare for the banquet, and
there we found Dr. Bunch, who had been missed from our party,
sick in bed. Of course that worried us all, but after Dr. Miller had
taken him in hand and advised him to stay in bed we went to the
banquet. We had not much more than entered'when we looked
around and behold, there was Dr. Bunch looking as though nothing
Imd been wrong with him. Some of the other doctors asked Dr.
Miller A^hat he did for him, and Dr. Miller's laconic reply was never
to mind, that he knew his stuff.
The banouet was given in our honor by the local Business Lea¬
gue and at this gathering we met some of the most beautiful wo¬
men we had met on our trip. Some of the Chattanooga men were
introduced and made short speeches. Then Prof. Lee, the head of
our party, was introduced, and after he made a short speech he en-
trodnced the entire nartv and what business thev renresented. Then
Dr. Miller. Dr. Williams, Mr. T. B. Watkins and Lawver Calloway
were introduced for a speech and each one responded with great elo¬
quence. After this banquet we all had a handshake with the peo-
THE TRIP SOUTH
42
pie of Chattanooga and*departed for our special car. We left Chat¬
tanooga at 12.30 tor Nashville, T'enn., another progressive city for
^f?ir-°es fnd the city of Sood schools and Lawyer Calloway's, Dr.
Williams and Dr. Perry's alma mater.
On Sunday, April 18, at 7:30 a. m. we arrived at the city of
Nashville, known as the city of progress, thrift and good schools.
We were met by a great crowd of people and a committee of busi¬
ness and professional men of Nashville. We were to stay in Nash*
yille two days and most of us had planned to stay in our special car
in order that we may be together, but those generous hearted peo¬
ple of Nashville would not stand for us to stay not one. night in
that car of ours so they threw open the doors' of their, beautiful
homes and the committee took us in th/eir high powered cars to l!heir
various homes. After we had been served to our breakfast our plan
was to go to some church, although we were separated, yet we in
groups went to various churches to hear the gospel preached. We
were recognized at each church where we attended and after the
services we each were introduced for a few minutes' talk on what
our missiqn was in touring the South. The rest of the day we loaf¬
ed. The next day being Monday we were in for a strenuous day.
We all met at the Y. M. C. A. at 7:30 for breakfast and after we were
served our breakfast we were then taken to the Meharry Medical
College where the whole school was shut down and the students
were called to the Assembly Hall, where the heads of the school
made short speeches and our own beloved Dr. Perry was introduced
to the Assemblv. This being one 6f the schools that Dr. Perry had
finished, and' after he had gone-out into the world and made good,
and the faculty knowing this to be true,,you can imagine how wild
this school went ovg- Dr. Perry. After Dr. Perry had made a splen¬
did talk he presented the school his own personal check of one hun¬
dred dollars for their endowment department, for which he received
great applause. Dr. Williams of our Darty was' the next to bo
introduced, who also was a graduate of this great school. After he
had made a good talk, which you all know Doc can do, he received
great applause. Then Attorney C. H. Calloway was introduced and
made a short talk. Then Professor Lee was introduced, and after a
short speech he introduced the Hon. N. C. Crews, who was as usual
loaded ud with a rousing speech. After he had raised everybody up
out of their seats he then introduced the entire party.
When the last was presented, the students gave the qollege vol]
for C. H. Calloway, Dr. Williams and Dr. Perry. We were then
taken to the Greenwood Cemetery and Greenwood Park, owned by
Preston Taylor, one of the wealthiest Negroes of Nashville. The
cemetery is a beautiful one and is well cared for. The park has
everything in it that any other amusement park has. W6 left the
park and went through Mr. Tajdor's casket factor^ where he makes
his own caskets. Then we went to the Masonic Home and through
the Hubbard Hospital, Walden Universitv, Millie Hale Hospital and
at 10:10 a. m. we went through the A. M. E. Sunday School Union.
Later on we went through the Cedar Street business houses, the Y.
M. C. A., the two Neiro banks, and after we had viewed the banks
we found good evidence that they were doing real business and
43
THE TRIP SOUTH
were a credit to the race. Then we were escorted to the business
houses on Fourth Avenue. At 11.30 we were taken to the National
Baptist Publishing Board and from there to the East Nashville fire
department where our people were found on the job. At 12:15 we
were taken through the National Baptist Theological Seminary and
Rodger Williams University. From there we were taken to the
Pearl High School, where Professor Lee, the head of our party, was
introduced, and he then introduced the entire par.ty after which At¬
torney Charles H. Calloway was introduced for a speech. As Mr.
Calloway was being introduced he was referred to as one of the
chief attorneys for the Dr. Leroy N. Bundy case, and knowing the
present outcome of the trial and this being the school where the at¬
torney received his first honors, they simply went wild over Lawyer
Calloway after he had made his speech.
Amid wild cheering we were hurried to our cars and were taken
to the A. and 1. State Normal School, where we met Governor Rob¬
ertson, the governor of Tennessee and after the governor had shak¬
en hands with each ,of us we were escorted to the Assembly Hall,
where the whole school was called together and heard the Governor
make his address. He began by addressing us as "Honerable men of
the West", and after he so eloquently talked to us and the student
body those 45 minutes he convinced us that he was a real governor.
He made "a special appeal to the students to submit themselves to
leadership, that it was the greatest aid to our race. After the.gov¬
ernor had finished his address, the Hon. N. C. Crews was introduced
and made another rousing speech that set the whole school wild,
and as usual doing something for the race, with his great ■ elo¬
quence he made a special appeal to the governor to see that justice
was done one of our race who was to hang the next Wednesday.
It was the unanimous opinion of those who heard him that his elo¬
quence had touched the governor's heart. At this moment we were
rushed to the dining room where our dinner was served. President
Hale was introduced by Rev. Boyd, the toastmaster and afterwards
Dr. Ramsey of our party gave a short talk. Then we hurried to
Fisk University, which had been waiting for us for a long time. On,
the way there we saw the last part of a ball game between Meharry
College and Fisk University. Arriving at Fisk University, Attorney
Calloway was again introduced for a speech. This being another
school where Mr. Calloway graduated, he again received wild cheers
After Mr. Calloway had finished the entire party was introcjuced
and we departed for our special car which was in readiness to carry
us on our next flight to Louisville, Ky. We left Nashville at 7:15.
We arrived at Louisville, April 20th, about 8 o'clock, a stormy
morning, We were met by the committee of Louisville and were
taken to the Roscoe Simmons hotel for our breakfast. The Sim¬
mons hotel is a beautiful place well equipped for service. After we
had a rest in the lobby of the building we were escorted to the diiv
inn room and. served to a delipious breakfast. The heads of the.lo¬
cal committee had a large program arranged for us but had to cut
the program, short, still we saw quite a bit ajmong our people in
Louisville. After it had slacked up a little we were taken for an
observation .drive through Louisville, among the section where our
I
, THE TRIP SOUTH
44
People reside and in the drive we found nice churches and quite a
number of business places, then we were taken to the State Univer¬
sity and escorted to the assembly hall where the faculty and stu¬
dents were called tog-ether and Prof. Lee, the head of our party,
was introduced and after a short speech he then introduced the en¬
tire party. Then we were escorted to the girl's dormitory and to the
dining room where we were served to lunch. After we had been
served we donated the school $35.00 to decorate one room in the
building. After which the principal told 113 that the room will be
named the Kansas City room.
W-e left the State University and were taken to the High School
and thep to several other schools, then we were taken to the beau¬
tiful cemetery owned by colored people. After we had viewed the
btirting ground we were takqn back to our hotel for a short rest
1 and then we were taken to the Pythian Temple, a new five-story
building, then back to> our hotel where a delightful banquet was
given in our honor and some of the leading business men of Louis¬
ville addressed us after which some< of the men of our party had
spoken we were then rushed to our waiting special to take us to our
Missouri City, St. Loui-s. In Louisville two banks have been organ¬
ized and there is no question about it, they have been put over and
will be doing business in the next few weeks. /
We left Louisville about 8:30 and arrived in St. Louis at 7:30 a.
m. As our special pulled into the great Union Station of St. Louis
w-e were*all, happy and sad. We were happy because we ,hai.d made
a trip of 2500 miles safe back to our home state, Missouri", again and
we all began to sing, "I am nearer my Home". Yet we were sad be-
' cause our happy party was soon to disband. The committee at St.
Louis met us and took us to the beautiful Y. M. C. A. for bur
1 breakfast and after we had been served Prof. Lee, the head of our.
. partv, suggested that we po and visit our friends as we were tired
and report back^at the Y. M. C. A. at one o'clock, which we did, afod
we were taken to the Y. W. C. A. for lunch. We w^re then taken to
the SumneHiigb School, the finest school of the country. We were
taken all through this magnificent building and, we found that they
teach mo^t everything in this school that they teach in any col¬
lege. It topk us two hours to go .through this building, and after
we had been taken through, the principal escorted us to the assem-
' bly 'hall' where he called the school together and introduced Prof.
Lee and he introduced the entire party.
After we left the school building, we were taken to rthe great
Poro College, where we'were taken through this building. We saw
•* 250 girls busy. After we had been through this magnificent struc¬
ture we were taken to Mrs. Malone's apartment, where we each weie
introduced to Mrs. Malone. While there we got a view of the in¬
terior of Mrs. Malone's apartment and saw a beautiful decoration
and furnished with elaborate furniture. "While passing the walls of
this apartment we saw on the walls of this apartment the picture of
one of our party, our own beloved N. C. Crews, of whom we felt
proud. After leaving Mrs. Malone's apartment we were then escort¬
ed to the assembly hall of the building and there the 250 emnloyees
were called together and Rev. Peck introduced Prof. Lee, and he in-
45
THE TRIP SOUTH
troduced Hon. N. C. Crews ar^d he then introduced the entire party,
after 'wlych Mrs. Malone was called td the platform and addressed
us. We left the Poro College and were taken for an observation
drive through the city of St. Louis and then back to1 the Y: M. C, |A.
After a rest we were then taken back to the Poro buildihg where a
banquet was given in our honor. The first to be intrdduced was
some of the leading men'of St.| Louis after which Prof. Lee was in¬
troduced and he introduced Attorney C. H. Calloway of our party
and he introduced the entire party.
After the banquet we were hurried to our special that was in
Readiness to take us on our last flight to dear old Kansas City. We
left St. Louis at qleven o'clock p. m. and immediately after our
train liad pulled out court was called to order and the following
men had to answer to charges filed against them by the Prosecut¬
ing Attorney, C. H. Calloway, Dr. Jones, Mr. J. E. Miller, Mr. Jef¬
ferson, Mr. Harris and your humble servant. All were found guilt3r
and fined. It was an unanimous vote of the entire party that the
fines of $8.50 collected be turned over to our porter who had ren¬
dered us such valuable service on our trip. After court we all went
to bed and got up early and our train pulled into Kansas City at
9 o'clock a. m. when 26 tired and weary travelers got off the train
and marched to the lobby of the station, where we found our wives
there waiting to greet us, and" glad to see us, and we were all glad
to see them and get home. After the happy meeting the party dis¬
banded.
THE END
GROCERIES
LaRUE 1701 East 14th Street
BARBECUE HAWKINS
The Preacher
BARBECUED MEATS OF ALL KINDS
RESTAURANT AT INDEPENDENCE AVE. and LOCUST ST.
1407 Michigan Avenue. Bell Phone Clifton 4181
When you are in need of Cleaning, Pressing and Repairing
Think of The
MICHIGAN CLEANERS
C. L. Williams, Prop,
COURTEOUS TREATMENT AND THE VERY LOWEST PRICES
THE IDLE HOUR CAFE
Mrs. Geo. A. Walker
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
1343 East 18th Street Bell Phone Grand 3648
I
Phone Grand 1305
Mrs. Kathreyne Henderson
DRESSMAKING, PLAIN AND FANCY SEWING
1706 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.
Bell Phone Clifton 85
FRANK LEE
MOVING, BAGGAGE AND EXPRESS
I Haul Everything—Auto Trucks
1700 East 12th Street Kansas City, Mo.
DO YOU NEED MONEY?
We have plenty of money to loan to rooming- house keepers on
short time. Must have reference.
PROPERTY OWNERS can obtain a loan through our agency
and pay it back by weekly installments.
IF YOUR HOUSE NEEDS repairing, painting or papering, get
a loan and put in its necessary repairs.
Our Business Is Strictly Confidential
Bell Phone Grand 4204 Home Phone Delaware 950
Watkins Bros. Undertaking Co.
1729 Lydia Avenue - - Kansas City, Mo.
Bell Phone Grand 3149 B. SAMPSON, Mgr.
TUSKEGEk TAILORING CO.
DRY CLEANING AND STEAM DYE WORKS
Ladies' and Gents Hats Dyed, Cleaned and Blocked
Civil and Military Tailor, Twenty Years Experience
1306 East 18th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
DUNHAM SYSTEM
MAIL ORDER TAILORING AND DRESS MAKING
CLEANING AND PRESSING
Phone Maple 3766w
1530 Tracy Avenue Kansas City, Mo.
THIS STUDIO is equipped with the very latest illumination of
electrical lighting system, enabling me to make sittings at night and
cloudy days, as well as clear days, as my work is my greatest means
of advertisement.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
MILLER'S STUDIO
1622 East 18th Street Bell Phone East 91
H. L. KINSLER REAL ESTATE & LOANS
Homes to sell from $500 to $15,000,
$100 to $1000 down, balance like rent
Bell Phone Grand 4204
Home Phone Delaware 950 Office 918 E. 21st St.
Bell Phone Clifton 4181 F. D. CLANTON, Prop'r.
Michigan Lunch Room
A GOOD PLACE TO EAT"
STRICTLY HOME COOKING
1409 Michigan Avenue Kansas City, Mo.
Phone Clifton 3060 1219 \ Highland Avenue
WM. B. ASH
GROCERY AND CONFECTIONERY
Kansas City, Missouri
GROCERS! GROCERS! GROCERS!
—TWO STORES—
4305 East 14th Street and one at 2000 East 25th
Street. We have everything in the grocery line.
CALL US, OUR PHONE NO. CLIFTON 2184
Rev. Geo. E. Arnett, Prop.
"Hello, where are you going Bill?"
I am going to the HIGH BROWN BARBER SHOP to meet
Sam Marshall, Henry Rush and W. H. Bolden.
BUFFET BAR AND BARBECUE IN CONNECTION.
W. H. BOLDEN, Proprietor
1307^ East 18th Street Kansas City, Missouri
THE ACME RENOVATORS
1413 Vine Street
OLD MATTRESSES RENOVATED, FURNITURE UPHOLSTER¬
ED, ALSO NEW MATTRESSES, DUOFOLDS AND DA¬
VENPORTS OUR SPECIALTY
Smith & Kirk Reed
Bell Phone Clifton 4515 Kansas City, Mo.