J. B. Kye, colored
graduates in medicine and pharmacy, and Mr. George F. Martin, we decided
to open a drug-store to be located in Birmingham. About May 7, 1895, the
doors of the People's Drug Company were opened to the public, with the
above-named gentlemen and myself as the stockholders and owners. Here I
invested my first money of consequence in a business enterprise, putting
in the greater part of the money to open the business, which invoiced
$1,600 or more in about five months after the opening. After affairs
were in good running order I left, and returned to Milldale to resume
work with the Standard Coal Company. During the spring and summer of
that year I realized about $500 from my mining operations.

In the fall of 1895 I returned to Meharry to complete the course already
begun. During that fall and winter the business was encouragingly
successful under the management of Dr. Kye, aided by Drs. Brown and
Mason; for about that time Dr. U. G. Mason, another colored physician,
had bought Mr. Martin's interest in the company and had become a partner
in the concern. My instructions to the management were to turn over to
my father my share of the net proceeds of the business while I was away.
My share of the profits kept the family going. My stay at Meharry this
last term was most pleasant. I had been promoted to the dignified
position of assistant to Dr. W. M. Savier, who was, and is, Dean of the
Pharmaceutical Department of the institution.

When I had completed my course I returned to Alabama to begin my work as
a pharmacist, and about April 1, 1896, successfully passed the required
State examination and was admitted to the practise of pharmacy. I took
the examination in Selma, the beautiful little city on the Alabama River
where, thirteen years before, I had had my desire for knowledge and
better opportunities awakened. I sold my interest in the People's Drug
Company at a sacrifice, and immediately opened business on "my own hook"
at 34 South Twentieth Street, Birmingham, Ala. In order to begin
business with some assurance of success, I organized another company,
and had associated with me in this new enterprise (the Union Drug
Company) Rev. T. W. Walker, Rev. J. Q. A. Wilhite, and Mr. C. L.
Montgomery--all responsible and enterprising citizens of Birmingham.

By hard and diligent work the business proved a success, and from time
to time I bought out the interests of the persons named, and accepted as
a partner