Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-02-24
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
FEBRUARY "a, 1883.
A story To Cause wonder

story to Cause Wonder.
Yesterday a prominent citizen who
has attained competency, and can af-
ford to take life leisurely, settled him
self into an easy chair in his Office and
Remarked:
IL can tell you story of real life that
Is full of romance. IL illustrates the
truth of the old saying that truth Is
stranger than fiction"
The reporter became attentive, and
the prominent citizen continued;
I'm ante-war times there lived in Mer :
iwether county dOn't-care sort of ne
gro named Jack Wilson, who could nei-
ther read nor write. He had gained his
freedom in some way or other. and gain
ed his livelihood by acting as sort of di-
rector general to famous horses in the
vicinity. Jack became attached to a
servanG girl who was owned by man
named Gates, one of the wealthiest men
in Georgia, who owned thousands of
acres of land, and whose family lived in
lOrdly style. The servant girl was a
bright mulattO, and Jack was a shade
darker. They made match of it, and
was married under the order of things
that existed before the war. At the
same time Jack had slave wife in Vir-
ginia, but she was as black as coal.
When the war closed and the slaves were
declared free, Jack took his Georgia
wife to be his partner for life, and by
living with her for stated period, she
became his wife according to law. As
soon as he was married, Jack showed a
sudden spirit of industry that surprised
everybody. His careless habits were
thrown aside, and he went to work with
will. The wealthy Gage, his master
died, and the broad acres fell into the
possession of the heirs. Jack still work
ed on the place, and was saving and
careful. The Gage family had lost every
thing except their lands. Hundreds of
slaves were freed by the new order of
things, and the vast and princely fortune
themselves to the situation. Finally
pressed, they sold fifty acres of land to
Jack; then they wanted more money, and
Jack stood security on the Lagrange
bank, and when they were unable to pay
he would take up the notes at the bank.
and trade for piece of the Gates plan
tatiOn. He worked with vengeance, and
all his family worked. Old man Jack
became noted aud hOnOred citizen of
the county. He was industrious and
prOspered. In the meantime his old
masters children continued to sell him
parts Of the old plantation. Finally he
owned it all, and was rich. Three years
ago he decided that it was his duty to
provide for his old Virginian wife, so he
sent for her, and she, with her children,
came to him.. She was given house on
the plantation, and is we'll provided for.
Jack now owns the magnificent place of
about 1900 acres, within three miles of
White Sulphur Springs, in Meriwether
county. He is 60 years old, and his
children are settled around him. and all
are c0ntented and happy and industrious
He owns fifteen or sixteen mules, and
is noted for keeping the best stock in
the county. His credit at the LAGRANGE
bank is good, and he can borrow all the
money he wants on his simple note Of
hand"
"HOw much is he worth?'
81 should say about $4,000, and every
cent of it has been made since the war.
1t is remarkable story of how slave
succeeds his master, in the ownership
of vast landed estate. passed the
place few'months ago, and the Georgia
wife came to the door to give me drink
Of water. Everything was neat and
clean about the house, the yard was new
ly swept, the barns appeared filled, and
in the lots saw piles and piles of ma
nure carefully sheltered. 1t is model
plantation. Why, have seen upon Jacks
place, 1870 acres of corn under one fence"
rs he educating his childrenY"
eyes, although he cannot read nor
write, he sees the advantages of an ed
ucation, and he is giving his children
the benefit of schooling. The story is a
true one, and shows what can be done
right here in Georgia, by pluck and in
dustry. The old adage is true; there is
more in the man than there is in the
land" -Atlanta Constitution.