Evidences of Progress Among Colored PeopleRichings, G. F.
History
Evidences of Progress Among Colored People
Richings, G. F.
African Americans
In Washington, D. C., the colored people are successfully running a
Savings Bank. It is known as the "Capitol Savings Bank." Hon. John R.
Lynch is its president. While this bank was established by colored men,
I am pleased to inform my readers that its patrons are not confined
to colored people. The building occupied by the bank belongs to the
company, and is situated in the central part of the city. Dr. Wilder,
Mr. Bailey, Mr. McCary, and Henry E. Baker were all connected with the
bank when I visited it in 1893. I found these men all able, reliable,
and cultured gentlemen. Dr. Wilder as a physician can boast of a large
practice among both white and colored. Mr. Bailey owns very fine
property in the city. Henry E. Baker is in my estimation one of the
ablest young men it has ever been my pleasure to meet.
[Illustration: CAPITAL SAVINGS BANK. _Washington, D. C._]
The True Reformers, of Richmond, Va., was started by W. W. Browne,
at his own residence; and while I fully believe that Mr. Browne knew
just what he wanted to do, I don't think that even he foresaw the
gigantic affair the True Reformers have turned out to be. They have
their headquarters at Richmond, Va., in a splendid building of their
own, which is three stories high. In the upper story they have a very
excellent opera house; in the second lodge rooms, and in the first the
largest bank in the world owned by colored people. I shall now give
an account of the work of the True Reformers furnished me by Mr. W. P.
Burrell, General Secretary of the society:
"The Grand Fountain, United Order of True Reformers, founded by Wm.
W. Browne in Virginia in January, 1881, now numbers 1500 Fountains,
400 Rosebud Societies and 1000 Class Circles. The total benefited
membership is 50,000. The order operates in twenty-two States and holds
forty pieces of real estate, valued at more than $2,000,000. It has
paid in death benefits over $500,000 and more than $1,000,000 in sick
dues.
"Besides the purely benevolent part of the order there is connected
with it their Savings Bank of the Grand Fountain, with a capital stock
of $100,000 and deposits exceeding $200,000. The Reformers' Mercantile
and Industrial Association, organized April, 1900, now does a business
of $1500 a week. The Old Folks' Home Department, organized for the
benefit of the old members of the race, is in good shape. A farm of
624 acres has been bought and paid for, and arrangements are now being
pushed to put about 100 old colored people at the Home.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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