In the Summer of 1920 my son Thomas advised that I take a trip to Boston to visit my two boys Peter James and Edwin Houston, also my brother Thos. This being my first time to go that far from home, I left my home on the 5th of June, in company with my two nieces, we traveled in first-class Pullman service, going straight through from New York. I arrived in Boston at 11-50 AM. I stopped with my youngest son Edwin and wife, spent and divided the time between my two sons in Boston , my youngest brother in Woburn and a lady friend from Augusta, Georgia now residing in Everett Mass.

I spent near four months there in the East in a most delightful and charming manner. Met with several friends from my southern home, and many different ones from various parts of the South - Had the pleasure of visiting several different churches, both white and colored.

There was the great Tremont Temple, on Tremont St. beautiful in the interior. I was taken to this church by my brother to attend the twilight musical service, which was grand indeed. Large choir with several colored girls. The singing was grand, especially by the young men's

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quartette. The building is large and attractive, beautiful colored lights.

Tremont Temple is a Baptist Church (White). This is the large temple where Dr. C.T. Walker had preached several times to large audience.

Then there was the beautiful and large Christian Service Church on Huntington Ave. (White). I attended the morning service there, a man and woman led the service by reading only scripture verses, solos by one female only. The Huge pipe organ looked to be about thirty eight or forty feet wide. There were nine Balconys in three groups each and I counted thirty seven different entrances on one floor which was the main floor. This building with several others belonged to the church property, including the home of the Founder, (Mother, Eddy.) The exterior is round and attractive, properties of this church takes up about six blocks, straight ways and cross. I also attended the Peoples Bapt. Church (Col.) with Rev. D.S. Klugh as Pastor, formerly of the Union Bapt.. Church of this Augusta. The services were good, splendid choir, good crowds at the weeks prayer meetings etc., Rev. Klugh delivers a splendid address to Mothers and their

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Home rules which was helpful and instructive to mothers. I also attended the nurses graduation exercise at this church, and enjoyed the same. My son's wife, Mrs. Hattie W. Harris is a member of this church. Also her Aunt, Mrs. M.A.W. Greggs who was the kind lady to take me around to many places sight-seeing.

Then I attended the Ebenezer Bapt. Church, which is a very large structure. I was there at the morning service, and I also attended a grand recital there by R.N. Dett, with Dett himself at the piano. The entire program consisted chiefly of his fine composition, his playing was among the best I have ever heard. He was assisted by a Mr. Lou V.Jones, violinist, who is now abroad studying music.

Then I attended the Zion A.M.E. Church on Columbus Ave. Splendid services and music by the choir. I was there at a grand recital by a finished col. girl student with only three other on program. I was introduced at the class meeting and very cordially met, speaking with the others in class.

Then I attended the fourth M.E. Church, enjoyed the music service there. Then I attended the 12th Bapt. church on Shawmut Ave., Rev. Shaw Pastor. His wife the gifted organist. I heard a splendid speak-

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ing and singing Evangelist there also a woman preacher. Certainly I do not approve of a woman preaching, but this one spoke and sang well. Then I attended St. John's Bapt. Church in Woburn Mass, and enjoyed the services, mornings and Sr class in Sunday School. I was also introduced and requested to speak just after the collection, about the lesson subject in S.S. Now next at the Choir's vacation evening service at the union Bapt. Church in Cambridge, this I enjoyed very much, seemed more like Episcopal services, large choir of boys and girls in college costumes, musical instruments used, piano, pipes, organ, mandolin and two violins, it was great. Prof. Troy Goram was the efficient chorister well read in vocal and instrumental music. (And now here I go sight-seeing) But first I go to Jordan Hall to a grand recital by four on program. Mr. and Mrs. C.C. White, violinist and pianist, Mrs. Jones, soprano, Mr. W.A. Boatner, Baritone. Next I go to the (Boston Art Museum.) Spent two and one half hours there, saw wonderful sights there. The lovely stone form of the beautiful Virgin Mary, on her death couch. Large and handsome paintings in various styles, numbers of fine statues, and the

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peculiar mummies that I had often heard and read of some standing and some lying in the old style coffins and infants placed in large jars of alcohol, faces all perfectly natural but dark with sunken eyes, and hard as stone. There were many wonderful things to be seen there, that called for more time, so at the closing hour we had to come out without seeing all and failed to go back anymore. Next I went to the Natural History Rooms, another large five story building and here I saw wonders from a mosquito to a whale. All kinds of stuffed animals. The large ostrich and several alive snakes and worms. I stood in the lower jaws of the whale, with room for three or

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four more, I cannot remember all the wonderful things in animal form that I saw here. They were numerous and remarkable. Next I went to the Old South Meeting house. I saw wonderful things there, mostly old styles. Slippers with very large fancy buckles, worn by Martha Washington, quilts made of her handsome silk dresses. Old books that were read by she and the President, and many others, old styles of baby clothes, caps, etc. old times pots arranged around in a large old-style open fire place. Next I attended the Women's Republican-Party meeting at a Hall on the beautiful Massachusetts Ave. it was a grand affair, six white and col. lady speakers, grand music by

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three colored girls, one of these being the best female singer I ever heard in my life. Mrs. Joseph Bryant escorted me into this Hall and introduced me to Mrs. Butler R. Wilson, Head of the Committee and Mrs. Wilson then introduced me to the speakers.

Next I attended the Musicians Musical in Band Concert at Symphony Hall. This was grand indeed - a large and beautiful building - a stage grand to behold. Stone statues of great men arranged around the balcony, about ten feet apart, with their diplomas in hand. There were about sixty five instruments used that night, pipe organ, piano, harp, fife, three drums, symbols, three trombones, flute, others were all violins. Fifty three violins. The music was

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grand. Certainly these were all professional artist. One selection played was sad yet beautiful, it was a Battle-Field number, beautifully-sad, representing in part roaring of the guns on the battle-field, which sounded as if from a far distance - a sign of sadness was manifested through the large audience - I noticed old men with bowed heads, and blood-rushed faces, using their handkerchiefs to dry the tear-drops, which fell during the time of this beautiful sad number which seem to have touched the hearts of many. I shall never forget how I enjoyed this grand entertainment, being a profound lover of music, especially the rich and classical, which is always a source of pleasure to me, as well as others,

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I also enjoyed the outing at two splendid colored shows. At St. James, and the National Theater, in company with my sons Peter-James and Edwin Houston, his wife and other friends.

I was awfully sorry not to have been able to attend the opening of the Grand Opera. My son had planned to take me there, but on that special evening I was very much indisposed with a dreadful cold, and unable to leave my room. I could have gone later, but after I was better and out I took in a little more of sightseeing, and my time was approaching to return to my home in the South. Long before his date I enjoyed motoring and spending one day at Salem New Hampshire with a large picnic party of about one thousand persons. This was from the

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Cambridge Bapt. Church. The picnics was held at Cauobie Lake, Salem N.H. and it was a very enjoyable affair. I happen to be in a truck with a lady that seemed well acquainted and familiar with every route to turn thro the various cities of Mass. It was a pleasure to have her point out and explain the various places. So many that I cannot think to remember them all, but I do remember passing near the home of one of the ex-Governors. I also crossed the bridge over the Merrimac River and passed in full view of the Merrimac falls. The mile post or sign colors between Massachusetts and New Hampshire were white and blue for Mass. white and yellow for N.H.. Canobie Lake Park was large and beautiful affording all kinds of conveniences and amusements

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both colored and white were on the grounds and floors of the dance hall, enjoying life together. Music by a splendid orchestra (white) It was a very warm day, but the ride was fine throughout one hundred and twelve miles both ways and the cool breeze from the lake near the dance pavilion was great. The day was spent very pleasantly and agreeably. This trip of pleasure was a treat from Mrs. M.A. Greggs of Boston. She was the lady that took me out to most places sight-seeing. Boston in some parts is a very pretty place, I walked thro the beautiful public gardens of lovely flowers, ponds, statues, etc. and on thro the Boston Commons. I stopped for a drink of water and was afterwards told that the water would surely cause me to return to Boston some day. I spent sometime in Everett Mass at the house of my friend Mrs. Geo. W. Barnes

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professional music, formerly of Augusta. We pass near the Bunker Hill monument going to and from her home which stands on a very high hill, giving a beautiful view to the surroundings and adjacent cities. I also spent a day and dined with Mrs. May F. Frazier at her lovely home in Everett. She is also formerly of Augusta. Also Mrs. Joseph Bryant. At my southern home I had heard of the elevated card the under-ground tunnels and I had often said that I would never ride on either as they were dangerous. But I certainly rode both ways and enjoyed the same. I also spent time at my brother's home, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Johnson, out on Mt. Pleasant St. Woburn Mass. about ten miles out from Boston. We had not seen each other in fifteen years and my visit was very pleasantly spent. Next in Boston we stopped in

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for a glimpse at the New England conservatory, where my son Charles completed his course in music. We were unable to get a satisfactory view of the interior, as some repair work was being done, but I admired the full size bronze statue of Beethoven at the front entrance standing with diploma in hand extended, representing his work and others of the musical world, also as a token of welcome to visitors and greetings to students. This building including other fine buildings and business places, places of amusement etc. are located on Huntington Ave. Tremont St. is the main business St. for both white and colored, numbers of successful colored business men and women are on this street and others.

Our Dr. Gordon of Augusta owns a nice large building of several apartments

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on corner of Columbus Ave. and G St. I had long heard of Boston as being the leading classic city of music and I found it to be true - while I have not visited all other cities, but you may hear at any time and almost every place, some wonderful strain of music, from various instruments and accomplished musicians in the city of Boston. Then you find much pleasure in going to places of amusements on most any where or any place, when you can either sit contentedly and at ease in any part of the house, and enjoy everything along with others, regardless of color, or situation in life. Then on Sunday there is no excuse for a person spiritually inclined not having a place of worship to go. Besides the many churches being opened, there are numerous groups

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and places of Christian meetings at public places and on the streets including music where all are invited and welcome and the people are generally prompt to business and engagements, never stopping for the weather whether rough to smooth. On one occasion I was terribly frightened one afternoon about five thirty o'clock when the wind began to bow vehemently, followed by hard claps of thunder, and lightening. Then the rain came, but not very hard, the shower was brief, but the part that frightened me mostly while the wind was raging everything became as dark as night, lights on the streets, and in the houses were turned on, the day light disappeared completely. This being an unusual sight for me, why certainly I was frightened. And up on the third floor of the bldg.

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where I was stopping with my son Edwin and his wife, there were others there but I was the most excited, which I noticed the east winds were always blowing. But this was an unusual hard blow for this stranger in a strange place. Ha Ha. And the darkness remained until it was time to be dark sure and the winds began to calm down. This was in the early part of September 1920. Not long after I was leaving for my southern home. After enjoying near four months stay the east with relations and friends. On my way home, I arrived in New York Monday morning at 7-15. My eldest and youngest sons Peter J. and Edwin H. were with me. There were then in the Pullman Service, they took me around to my nieces home on 139th St. I spent the day there in N.Y. took a brief stroll around sight seeing and paid

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two or three calls. My son then took me to the great "Hippodome" that I had heard so much about. I certainly enjoyed the show. "Good Times" of 1920 it was grand. I am anxious to repeat the trip to Boston or to go elsewhere some day, or some convenient time which signifies that I enjoyed this trip so very pleasantly, and the stay with relatives and friends, that encouraged me and invited me to return at any time.

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