Dr. Bass honored at last

Dr. John Silas Bass passed away in 1923, more than a decade before the North Community Building was constructed, yet it stands as a testament to the late doctor as one of Iola’s great leaders.
Bass was one of a few who wanted to see a community center built for the African American community, and his dream would eventually become the building that stands on North Buckeye Street. The Iola City Council recently voted to rename the building in Bass’ honor — a pursuit of several people affected by the legacy of the good doctor.
Rosemary Bass, married to Dr. Bass’s grandson, John Elliott, was a supporter of the naming opportunity.
“His achievements made black people believe they can do great things,” Rosemary said.
Dr. Bass’ achievements were many.
Born into slavery in 1848, Bass lived what he described as “a life of hardship.”
He served as a cart boy in the Civil War, before attending Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He began practicing medicine in Murfreesboro, Tenn., before moving to Iola to practice in 1901. During his life he endured slavery, post-war poverty and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan.
He detailed a harrowing experience he encountered with the KKK as a boy:
“My father and part of our family were doomed to be executed on the day of September 6, 1868, unknown to any of my family,” Dr. Bass wrote in a letter to his children.
During that day, 27 members of the KKK charged into his family’s home, breaking down the doors. His family hid in the eaves of the attic, while he was put on the roof by his father, who fought the attackers.
“A life and death struggle started, and the leader was shot as my father made a successful battle for life,” he wrote.

THE TIDES began to change for Dr. Bass as he started to practice medicine in Tennessee and then in Iola.
He was one of the most well-respected doctors in the area, in the white and the black community. The population of Iola was approximately one-third black during Dr. Bass’ time.
Barbara Anderson, former director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, did much of the research in the effort to have the North Community Building renamed.
“History tells us that Dr. Bass was very well respected and loved by all Iolans and had many white patients as well as black,” Anderson said.
Dr. Bass was one of the volunteers who went to Chattanooga, Tenn., during the yellow fever epidemic around the turn of the century. His efforts in the area saved many lives.
He also was pastor at the Bell Chapel in Bassett, as well as associate pastor at the AME church in Iola.
Before his death, Dr. Bass was working to have a community center built for the black community and had raised nearly $800 for the goal — a large sum of money during his time.
“He started to raise money for colored people, that’s what they called us at the time,” Rosemary said.
But, pneumonia took Dr. Bass before he ever saw the completion of his goal. The Iola Register referenced his effort in Dr. Bass’ obituary on March 5, 1923:
“That wish (the construction of a community center) was not granted for there still remains some hundreds of dollars to be raised before the property will be paid for. But the colored people of Iola could not do anything that would so honor them as to press forward with the enterprise, complete it, and make it a memorial to Dr. Bass.”

NOW, 90 years later, the building is officially being recognized as the Dr. John Silas Bass North Community Building.
Dr. Elliott Bass, Dr. John Bass’ great-grandson, said he is amazed to see how his great-grandfather has affected Iola after such a long period of time.
“I am likewise amazed and honored that it has been 90 years since his death (110 years since he moved to Iola) and he is still remembered in Iola with such fondness,” Elliott wrote to the Iola City Council.
The council voted to include historical information in the community building about Dr. Bass’ significant achievements in the community.
In a letter proposing the community building back in 1908 Dr. Bass wrote:
“‘Just give us our portion of the public pie and you will always find us standing willing and ready to help to make and to keep Iola one of the best cities in the state,’ respectfully, J.S. Bass.”