The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-07-21
General John Ii. Jones.

was elecIcu IEEesluenJ some GAYS ago.
General John B. Jones.
On Tuesday morning at four o'clock,
igadier-General John B. Jones, adju-
(tant-general of the state of Texas, depart
ed this lite after long and painful Illness,
and was buried Wednesday morning at
/ ten O'Clock from the Baptist church.
General John b. Jones, late adJutant-
general of the state of Texas, was 3 far
mer and stOckraiser by occupation. He
was the son OF Colonel Henry Jones,
South Carolina planter, who immigrated
to Texas in 1889, settling first in Travis
county. and removing in 1912 to the cOun-
ty of Matagorda, and from there to the
county of Navarro in 1856. The family
were among the early pioneer settlers of
Texas. Colonel Henry Jones represent
ed Matagorda county in the first and
second legislatures of Texas, and COM
manded q regiment OF Texas troops du-
ring the administration of General Sam
Houston, when Texas was an independ-
emit republic, and while in command
fought several important engagements
with the Indians, in which he acquired
renown as n brave officer and soldier.
General John B.Jones was born in Fair
field district, South Carolina, on the 23rd
day of December, 1884. He was four
years old when his father located in Tray
is county and when he arrived at the pro-
per age he was sert to South Carolina to
be educated. He attended the Mount
Zion Collegiate Institute where he
obtained liberal education. On
returning to Texas he embarked in the
business of farming and stock-raising,
which he prosecuted industriously and
with marked success until the initiation
of the civil war, when he entered the
Confederate army as private soldier, in
Colonel Terry's Texas Rangers. He was
with his regiment, however, only about
a month when he was appointed adjutant
of the Fifteenth Texas Infantry,
and remained in the Trans-Misslssippi
department throughout the war, seeing
service in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
and Indian Territory. In most OF the
principal battles and engagements in this
department, he was Il participant and dis
tinguished himself fol GOODNESS and DELHI
GRAFTON incounsel and gallantry in action.
In 1868 he was appointed acknowledgement
ola brigade, with rank of captain, and
acted as such for SpeIght's, Polignac's
and Harrison's brigades. In 1864 he was
recommended for promotion to major of
his old regiment, for gallantry in action
by Colonel Harrison and Generals Green,
Polignac, Mouton, Taylor and Kirby
Smith. Fhe appointment was made, but
owing to Irregularities in mails failed TO
reach him before the close of the wan.
His military record and reputation as an
officer and soldier is a most brilliant
one and compares favorably with that of
the many chivalrous soldiers of the
south who freely offered their lives for
their country. After the war he travelled
through Mexico and Brazil, seeking a
home, but was dissatisfied and returned
to Texas. In 1868 he was elected to the |
state legislature from the district COM !
posed of Navarro, Hill, Kaufman and
Ellis counties, bur was counted out by
the Republican returning board and did |
not take his seat. In May, 1874, he was
appointed by Governor Coke major of the |
frontier battalion. He raised and took
command of six companies of rangers for |
operations on the frontier, and in this ser |
vice he. remained nearly five years.
While in command of these rangers he |
had number of Indian fights, on |
one occasion defeating $50 warriors with |
only thirty-seven men. He also captured |
or dispersed many bands of outlaws and |
desperadoes with which the frontier of |
Texas was then infested. In many parts |
of the state with his marvellous tact cool |
ness and good judgment he settled several |
deadly feuds and restored peace to the |
neighborhoods. Often at night, alone in |
the vast wilds of the frontier, has he met |
by appointment, the most desperate men |
probably in the world, and by calmly rea-
soning with them has persuaded them to re- |
turn to their homes and live peaceful lives |
The desperadoes of the frontier feared |
him as they feared no other man. They |
looked upon him as the embodiment of |
bravery, honor and truthfulness, and the |
promises he made to them were relied |
upon with an unfaltering faith. In Janu-
airy, 1879, Governor Roberts appointed |
him Acknowledgement of the state, the APP |
pointment being Influenced by no con-
sideration of friendship or tavoriteism,
but solely from just appreciation of |
military merit, sterling integrity and |
eminent qualifications for the discharge |
of the duties of the office. This posi-
ton he held at the time of his death,
and never in the history of the state |
has the-office been more ably and success
fully conducted. In his death the mill
tary department has suffered an ire
parable loss and a blank has been left |
that will be exceedingly difficult to fill.
General Jones was a prominent and |
hOnored Mason, and in 1872 was Grand |
High Priest of the Grand Chapter of |
Royal Arch Masons OF Texas. In 1S7S-79,
he was Worshipful Grand Master of
Masons in Texas. In 1878 General Jones
was appointed by Governor Hubbard one
of the three commissioners, selected by
the United States government to investi-
gate the FL Paso troubles with Mex
leo, two of these commissioners being
officers of the regular army, appointed by
the president. The troubles were satisfac-
torily adjusted and the services of Gen.
Jones were acknowledged to be of great
value by those with whom he was asso-
ciated. On the 25th of February, 1879.
he wa, married to Mrs. Annie H. Ander-
son, and up to his death was a most affec-
tionate and devoted husband. He was
for his gentlemanly, unas-
Stunning address, and he possessed to a
marked degree all the attributes that
ennoble and ornament the life of a true
man.
Bible Work In Texas.
For the year ending March 31st, 1881,
the American Bible Society was actively
at work in this state. The following
shows the work ofthe year: Days of SER
vice, $3.50; miles travelled, 47,703; fami-