"Bishop Sims" was the best beloved man on Capitol Hill. He died March 29, 1934. He was no great public servant, only an ancient colored man, an ex-slave who worked in the Senate barbershop for almost 50 years.

"The Bishop" was 93 years old when death came, and for four or five years he had been too feeble to wield a razor with any degree of safety. But until 10 days ago he always reported for work on time.

And while, during recent years, he could not shave them, the Senators didn't not forget him. He sang for them - Negro spirituals, and how long and philosophical talks with the great men who came and went. He was their friend.

Just before he died in his little home at 18 5th st. NE, he said, "Give my love to all the Senators." Today, according to Sen. Hendrick Shipstead of Minnesota, the Senate will repay his devotion. The Senate will hold services for him and pray for the Bishop, who so often prayed for them. Sen. Shipstead went to visit him yesterday afternoon, a few hours before he died. The Bishop was weak but optimistic and told him, "Don't you worry. I will be back in the barbershop and a couple of days. But I'm pretty bad today."

Other senators, including McNary of Oregon went to visit him during his illness too. Deeply religious was the Bishop. He preached - and preached well- at the church of the holiness in Anacostia. And he did not confine his preaching to church. He preached to the Senators. Yes, sir. He told him there was a God in heaven.

Sometimes they kidded him. In mock display, they would accuse the Bishop of being a bootlegger. He would grin and say, "Y'all better quit thinking up those awful things."

Charlie Curtis, ex-vice president and long a senator had gone to bed early last night when the Herald called to say that the Bishop was dead. But he got up so he could tell what he thought about 'My old pal'. He said, "I knew him for 30 years. He was a fine man. I am so sorry to hear he is gone. We had many long talks together. I loved him."

Sen. Shipstead said, "He was the most beloved and popular man on Capitol Hill and the life of the Senate. I will never forget him. You know he was born in slavery in Newberry District, South Carolina, and in his early youth used to train bloodhounds. He would tell me tales of how they would set the bloodhounds after him - just for training - and he would have to climb a tree when they arrived. If he did not climb a tree, he was out of luck. And he told me how he escaped from slavery during the Civil War and made his way to Iowa. A very dangerous escapade, he said. We were great friends. We have many jokes together, he and I. Everybody knew him and loved him. There is no present member of the Senate or former member who does not regret the passing of a great character."

"He had a fine sharp mind. If he had been an educated man, he would have gone far. He always liked to say, God sent him to earth with a mission. Apparently, he accomplished it - an old colored man in the Senate barbershop." Observer 3/3011934, p l, 5

The EVENING STAR, Washington DC March 29, 1934, page A - 9
Entered into eternal rest. Sunday, March 25, 1934 at 5:10 PM at his home 18 5th St. NE.
John Sims, in the 93rd year of his age, devoted husband of the late Louise O. Sims. He leaves to mourn his departure an adopted daughter, Mrs. Mary Allen Young; a sister, Mrs. Elmira Rogers of Tupelo Mississippi and a host of other relatives and many friends. Funeral Friday, March 30 at 1 PM from his late residence. Burial in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

In Oskaloosa IA John Sims was referred to as "Deacon Sims'.

John Sims Forest Cemetery Section:45 Lot: LOT 88 Sims, John b. Dec. 25, 1843 d. Mar. 25, 1934 Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, IA, Section 45, Lot 8   West side of stone reads: John Simms, Dec 25, 1843 - Mar 23, 1934 Laura C., wife of John Sims, d. Apr 28, 1900, aged 52y 22d Louise C. or G. Sims, b. Jun 13, 1862, d. Apr 27, 1931   North side of stone reads: Frederick M. Sims, Mar 6, 1868-Aug 7, 1907   East side of stone reads: Ester E. M. Sims, Mar 20, 1884-Jan 31, 1889 Dora B. Sims, Dec 1, 1868-Apr 6, 1908   South side of stone reads: Esther Dickens, d. Dec 21, 1901, Aged 88y 2m Mary A. Jackson, Feb 18, 1840-Feb 16, 1907

DAILY HERALD , Oskaloosa Iowa, March 30, 1934
The body of John Sims of Washington DC, formally of Oskaloosa, Iowa, who died at Washington on Saturday, March 24, 1930, will be brought to Oskaloosa for burial at Forest Cemetery. Mr. Sims was for years a barber in the Senate barbershop at Washington DC. His late wife was brought here for burial in July of 1931. A short grave service will be held at Forest Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. In addition to his regular complainant, Mr. Sims was licensed to preach and was a consistent and tireless worker in his church. He was familiarly known as Deacon Sims. During his years at Washington, Mr. Sims came in contact with national leaders of varied political leanings, and he numbered among his professional acquaintances many of the great in American history. His able and faithful service won him enduring friendships among those he served. Before going to the nation's capital 'Deacon' Sims operated a barbershop on the east side of the square.
Funeral services at Powers Funeral Home at two o'clock Saturday afternoon. Interment in Forest Cemetery.

Obituaries:
Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 2/16/1907
Mary Jackson, colored, aged 66 years, 11 months and 28 days died at her home at 411 N. H St. on February 15, 1907 at 12 PM, of gallstones after an illness of two day's duration. Funeral services were held February 17 at 2:30 PM at Wesley Chapel and burial was in Forest cemetery. The deceased is survived by three sons, George, Robert and Elmer Jackson; two brothers, Robert and William; a sister, Belle; two granddaughters, Geneva and Maple Murray and the grandson, Clyde Murray.

Oskaloosa DAILY EVENING HERALD, 12/24/1901
Esther Dickens, colored, aged 88 years and two months, died at her home at 413 N. I St. at 415 o'clock p.m. on December 21, 1901. The cause of her death is thought to have been old age. Funeral services were held at the Christian church at 2:30 PM on Monday, December 23 and burial was in Forest cemetery. She was survived by two sons and one daughter.

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 2/16/1907
Ms. Doris Sims, daughter of John Sims and a resident of Washington, DC during the past several years, arrived in Oskaloosa on April 9, 1908 for burial. The funeral was held at the AME church at 2:30 PM and burial was made in Forest Cemetery. The deceased was widely known here and universally respected. The funeral was large and unusual honors and marks of personal regard were generously bestowed.

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 4/7/1908
A telegram dated at Washington DC delivered to George Jones this morning brings the news of the death of Ms. Dora Sims, colored daughter of John Sims. The young lady has been in a decline since the death of her brother Fred some months ago, and death was not unlooked for. The body will be brought to the city by the father, by way of the Burlington on April 9, 1908. The funeral will be held at the AME church at 2:30 o'clock and burial will be made in the family Lot in Forest Cemetery.

The deceased was a former Oskaloosa girl and was a graduate of the local high school. She was a girl of unusual intelligence and capability, and won numerous honors at school by her exceptional scholarship. She was engaged with her brother in clerical work in the government offices at Washington and was given the highest rank in her work, having enjoyed numerous promotions.

Oskaloosa friends are grieved at the news of the death and the father has the deepest sympathy of a host of local friends.

In memory of Esther Eva Lena May Sims   Oskaloosa WEEKLY HERALD, 2/14/1889

By H. A. Nelson
Look There papa,  your little darling said

Oskaloosa WEEKLY HERALD, 2/7/1889 Died January 31, 1889 and 11:30 o'clock a.m. Lena Sims, aged four years, 10 months and 11 days, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sims of 602 S. Market St. The funeral was from the residence on Saturday afternoon. Burial was in Forest cemetery. This death brings great grief and sorrow on a home that has been blessed with sunshine always. It takes away from these excellent people much of the joy of life, but the little one waits on the other shore, beckoning to the loving hearts left and bleeding to ever keep in view her angelic form and place and in God's time to join her.

and she must have seen the Angels
gathered around her bed
waiting to carry her precious soul away
from her nights of suffering
to a bright and joyous day

Look There papa,  could you have only seen
the radiance of glory, of the heavenly sheen
could you have felt the rapture
she felt by looking there
your hearts would not be troubled
with sorrow hard to bear

Look There papa,  she whispered soft and low
what it was you may often, often long to know
but we could not longer keep her
she did not wish to stay
for the Angels were so tenderly
wooing her away

Then you may look away, away up to heaven
I promise to you by the Master given
she cannot come again
but you may go at last
to meet her at the gate
when the stream of death is past

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 8/8/1907
W. C. Coleman received a telegram today from John Sims of Washington DC, stating that his son Fred Sims was dead. No other particulars are known, other than the body will be brought to Oskaloosa for burial and the funeral will likely take place on Saturday. Fred Sims was born and reared in Oskaloosa and is well known here. He has been in delicate health for a number of years, having lived in New Mexico much of the time.

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 8/9/1907
The remains of the late Fred Sims, who died in Washington DC on Wednesday, August 7, 1907 will be brought here by his father, John Sims, arriving in the city by way of the C. B. & Q. on Saturday at noon. The body will be placed in the vault at Forest Cemetery and the funeral services will likely be held on Sunday, but final arrangements have not yet been completed.

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 4/29/1931
Mrs. (second) wife of John Sims, well-known barber who formerly operated a shop in the downtown hotel here, died at her home in Washington DC on Tuesday, April 28, 1931. Her husband is the head barber at the capital building there. The body may be brought here for burial in Forest cemetery.

According to Forest cemetery index Louise, was buried July 6, 1931, but there was no note of it in the newspaper.

Oskaloosa DAILY EVENING HERALD, 4/30/1900
W. C. Coleman received a telegram on Sunday, April 29, 1900 and announcing the death of Mrs. John Sims, which occurred at Washington DC on April 28, 1900 and the evening. The remains will be brought to Oskaloosa for burial and will arrive on Wednesday at 12:45 on the B&W. The funeral will take place from the AME church on May 3 at 11 AM. Mrs. Sims formally lived here and was known to a large circle of friends who will be grieved to learn of her death.

Oskaloosa DAILY HERALD, 5/4/1900
The funeral of Mrs. Laura Sims, late of Washington DC, (first) wife of John Sims, both of whom were old and well-known residents of Oskaloosa, took place at 11 o'clock Thursday morning on May 3, 1900 at the AME church. Rev. T. S. Reeves of Keokuk officiated, assisted by Rev. William Williams, resident pastor of Oskaloosa, and Rev. O. A. Johnson of the West End ME Church and Rev. R. H. Williams then of Muchakinock. The funeral was very large and the church was taxed to the utmost in accommodating those seeking entrance to the service. A large number were present from Evans, Muchakinock, and other places, a testimonial of the esteem in which the departed had been held by the community of her former residence. The ceremonies were deeply impressive throughout and the sermon by Rev. Reeves was pathetic and sublime. His discourse was taken from Proverbs 4:18 the words of his text being 'the shining of a bright life'.
At the close of the sermon, the Hon. Ben McCoy, former District Judge and an old friend of the Sims family, spoke in part as follows, "death is a great leveler and at the same time, a great exalter. I have come here to be with my friends in their grief. I have known the deceased and her family long and well and I say to you that the lessons of her life are worthy of emulation. The influence of such a life is beyond the power of man to measure. She made her home an ideal Christian abode and such a home should be an inspiration to every growing family in Oskaloosa. I speak as a friend to this family. I have been dined and entertained at their home in Washington city. I knew the family and liked them before they left Iowa and with you I mourn this irreparable loss". Honorable W. W. Haskell of the Iowa bar said, in part: "I endorse all that had been said by Rev. Reeves and by his honor Judge McCoy. I fully appreciate the lesson taught us in the life this good woman has lived. It is easy indeed to talk, but it is another thing altogether to have before us the result of such a faithful labor as is shown in the life deeds of this noble woman. Her life is real wheat and the highest grade of it. It was indeed the milk of the coconut, it was a pure grade entirely void of chaff. Of such the Savior spoke, and in the ending of this career the Lord receives his own. I knew the Sims family well. The older people were my friends and neighbors while Fred, and Ms. Dora were schoolmates with my girls in the schools of the city. Like Judge McCoy I have been entertained by them and my deepest sympathy goes out to the family in this time of sorrow." S. J. Dutton is one of the oldest and best business men of the County and one of the most prominent Grand Army and in the Middle west. He said, in part, "I deeply sympathize with Mr. Sims and his family. I know the worth of such a mother in the home and their loss comes very near my own heart, for my boy was a classmate to John Sims' boy, Fred. They were school chums and graduated together and John Sims and myself have been neighbors and friends for years." George H. Woodson close the service. He said, "I hardly know what I should say just at this time and place. Time and words all fall short of what we would express until it is hard to know just where we would start. In a character like this there are so many points to choose from, that we hardly know what is best to point out. Besides the sermon and the remarks of our distinguished friends have been so appropriate that I wish them to remain with you. The problem of life of ministry of death are both solved in the ending of a character like that of Mrs. Laura Sims. Some prefer to have their end come when the swallows homeward fly. Others prefer to rest when the autumn leaves are falling. Still a few of us would choose to sleep at a time when the flowers may bud and blossom above us, but I feel that it is best to be like the soldier, always ready to obey the summons to duty and adhere to the call for rest. Fred was a classmate of mine at Howard University. I have known the family well. I endorse all that has been said and in closing, I cannot help but feel that the beauty of this woman's life, showing, as it does the presence of a boy and a girl prominent in life, upon whom the husband of her youth may lean, is more beautiful in its close when we note that she answers the signals of loved ones on the heavenly shore".

The floral tributes were numerous and handsome, and the body was laid to rest in the vault. Mr. Sims, and his daughter, Ms. Dora stopped at the home of W. C. Coleman at number 618 S. Market St. His son, Fred, who was also in the city, stopped at the home of William Perno, one A Avenue West. Father and daughter returned to Washington on Thursday evening by way of the B&W. Rudd will remain in the city and will visit with friends and relatives in Washington and Ottumwa before returning to his work in Washington, DC.

CARD OF THANKS
Mr. Sims and his family feel themselves greatly indebted to their many friends and former acquaintances in this city and County who have manifested their sympathy in a manner that has appealed to their deepest feelings. The family is deeply thankful for the many acts of kindness that have been shown in their bereavement and they take this method of reaching the many.

RESOLUTION
The Masonic Lodge of Muchakinock Cedar Grove, A. F. and A. M. No. 18, passed the following resolution:
Resolved that this Lodge has heard with deep sorrow. The depth of Mrs. Laura Sims, late of Washington DC, wife of brother John Sims of this Lodge.

That this Lodge laced at the disposal of brother Sims on the day of the funeral, the first family carriage and furnish a suitable floral tribute.

That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to brother Sims, and that a copy be furnished the public press of Oskaloosa
Resolved that as a further mark of respect, this Lodge requested members to attend the funeral of the deceased, and that a committee of one be appointed to carry out these resolutions and rendered to brother sends every possible assistance, in this his hour of grief.

OSKALOOSA CITY DIRECTORY
1882 - 83
Sims, John Sims & Jones
Joe, George H. Pollard Sims & Jones, resides at Washington 3, South of Ellen