West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
DICK AND HANNAH ANDERSON

This couple, former slaves, will be remembered by the older generation. Uncle Dick did odd jobs, among them blacking boots. He was always a Republican when he blacked the boots of a Republican but he changed to a Democrat when the boots belonged to a Democrat.

One New Year's Day, a Proclamation of Emancipation dinner was served by the negroes of the town, Uncle Dick being the ring leader. The dinner was cooked in the old rink on Third street and served in the McClun opera house. Uncle Dick was very helpful in carrying the food and generous in putting his fingers in the gravy. So many of the whites attended that the negroes decided to start a negro church, but when it came to subscribing the whites were backward and the plan was dropped.

When Uncle Dick passed away, Tom Rhodes was asked to make the funeral arrangements, which he did.

Luther Hill was the last negro to make West Liberty his home. He was an ex-service man and when he died the American Legion bought a lot in Oakridge cemetery where he is buried.

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