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- Plaindealer, Topeka, Kansas, Friday, January 17, 1919
Rev. J.R. Bass, Pleasonton
The Rev. J. R. Bass died at his home in this city Wednesday night after a long illness. He had been in poor health for about two years. Rev. Bass was one of the pioneer Negro ministers in this section of Kansas, coming here during the Civil war. His funeral will be held Monday.
Pleasanton Observer-Enterprise, Kansas, April 27, 1895
Visit to Topeka
I returned home April 7th and the sadness of my visit was that I failed to see my brother, Preston Bass, alive, who died several days before with stomach trouble after five years illness, the last two months very bad. He wsa born a slave in Boone county, Mo., and was 68 years of age. He was a member of the church 15 or 20 years. He was the oldest child of the family of 16 children. He left a widow with whom he had long lived but left no children. The funeral took place at the A.M.E. church under the auspices of the masons of which he was a member.
After the second day my visit became more pleasant. I was in company with twenty of the Basses, near relatives; also the only brother of my wife. Eighteen of my old associates that I hadn?t see for 40 years. Some of these relatives I had not seen since we were separated at the auction block before the court house in Boone county, Mo., on New Year?s Day 1858. The colored population of the city of Topeka are 5,000 in number, 8 public schools, 2,000 colored children on the bench of education. I found them engaged in the business walks of life as well as the professional walks; lawyers, doctors, editors, merchant. I find a colored printing office on the west side of Kansas avenue and one on the east side, not far apart. I visited both the printing offices and I find them furnishing literature to the reading public with much interest. I see that our people are helping to mould the public sentiment of the world. Our people cannot be better engaged than reading after them. The rising generation reads the literature produced by the brain of our people, receives inspiration for life?s duty and responsibilities that cannot be had from any other source.
I visited the power house that runs the electric cars of the city. I partly inspteced it and found the fly wheel 22 feet around, weight 22 tons, 700 pounds steam and 700 horse power force. I visited the Santa Fe shops and the office and book binding factory. Space and time prevents me from telling all the particulars. I visited the Capital printing office. I examined the sterotype operation, but the greatest wonder in the offce was the type setting machines. They set as many type as five men could set in the same length of time. It seems the electric powers are fast out growing that of the corporated body. Nothing now seems to escape man?s suitable intellect, when it wills to penetrate the deep and hidden mysteries. I also visited the state house. I went through Prof. Goss? bird scenery and took a view of the old relics of the past tents togethers with John Brown?s cap and the sledge hammer that opened the door for truth and justice in ?93. I saw Judge Allen and shook hands with him and had quite a little talk with him. He inquired earnestly of his friends he left in Pleasanton. I give him the best information I could. I had occasion to visit the home of Senator Martin. I had a conversation with him. I called him into question ? I wanted to learn. He seemed to enjoy my visit as much as I did his information. The most important lesson that I ever received from any person was his only daughter, Mrss Ida Martin, she is a wealthy teacher, interesting scholar and lady. J.R. Bass, Pleasnton, Kan.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1840 - 1919 (78 years)