Evidences of Progress Among Colored People

by G. F. Richings

MR. R. F. WHITE.

The People's Drug Store, located at Louisville, Ky., is another evidence of colored people's ability to manage business enterprises of their own. The store is well equipped with a good stock of goods, and is patronized by both races. It is kept neat and clean. Mr. R. F. White, who has charge of the store, is a graduate in pharmacy from Howard University, at Washington, D. C., and stands high in his profession. In speaking of the class of people who give the most support to race enterprises, Mr. White thinks "that the middle-class seem to have more interest and pride in the places of business started by colored men than those who have had better advantages, and ought, because of their ability, feel a deeper interest in all things that would help in any way the business development of the race." Of all stores that would be helpful to the colored people a drug store would be one of them, from the fact that the business could only be carried on by educated people, and the more of that class who can be brought into prominent places the better for the entire race. Mr. White is a native of Florida and is much thought of by his people. He is progressive, and believes in perfect system and order, and conducts the drug store on that principle.

GREENE BROTHERS.

Greene Brothers, of Holly Springs, Miss., are merchants on a very large scale. They handle a general line of all sorts of goods that can be found in what is known in the South as a general store. They furnish quite a number of planters from year to year, and of course take their chances on the results of the crops for their pay. They are young men and owe their success to the very close attention they give to the business. Their store is not only one of the leading places of business in Holly Springs, but is one of the best in the State. I live in hope that the time is not far distant when just such places of business can be found in every town in the South owned by colored men.

REV. I. H. ANDERSON.

Rev. I. H. Anderson, of Jackson, Tenn., is another evidence of Negro success. Mr. Anderson has been for years a minister in what is known as the C. M. E. Church, and for some years managed the publishing house of that connection at Jackson, Tenn. He has retired from active work in the ministry and gone into business. Mr. Anderson has built a very fine brick block in Jackson, where he keeps a line of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes; in fact, a general store. He has a large white trade. I am informed that in addition to his store he owns a large amount of property.

FITE'S STUDIO.

Mr. S. Fite, owner of Fite's Studio, at Owensboro, Ky., is in a position to render the race a great service. It is acknowledged that he is by far the best photographer in that city, and his patrons are not only the leading white people there, but they come from other towns to have work done. Mr. Fite had a hard struggle when he first located at Owensboro, because of the unfair means used by the white men engaged in the same line of work to defeat him. But he has more than won the fight, and stands at the head as an example of what push and pluck will do.

J. G. HIGGINS.