Then Wilson looked over the church and studied its condition. The salary of the pastor had for years been $500 annually and even this was in arrears. Wilson made up his mind that he must receive at least $2500, but when he mentioned this to the Deacons they said nothing. The church itself must be repaired. It was dirty and neglected. It really ought to be rebuilt, and he determined to go up and talk to the city banks about this. Meanwhile, the city itself should be talked to. The streets in the colored section were dirty. There was typhoid and malaria. The children had nowhere to go and no place to play, not even sidewalks. The school was small, dark and ill-equipped. The teacher was a pliant fool. There were two liquor saloons not very far from the church, one white, that is conducted for white people with a side entrance for Negroes; the other exclusively Negro. Undoubtedly, there was a good deal of gambling in both.

On the other side of the church was a quiet, well-kept house with shutters and recently painted. Wilson inquired about it. It was called Kent House. The deacon of the church, Carlson, was its janitor. One of the leading members of the Amen corner was cook; there were two or three colored maids employed there. Wilson was told that it was a sort of hotel for white people, which seemed to him rather queer. Why should a white hotel be set down in the center of Black Bottom? But nevertheless it looked respectable. He was glad to have it there.