Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-12-25
OLD BLACK JOE.
Now He Hears the Angels Calling,
ssOld Black Joe.n

|
Old Black Joe died last Saturday
night from apoplexy. He was disoov.
cred on Sunday morning lying on the
floor of the small, boX-like cabin which
he used as boot-black stand. Judge
Hawthorne Immediately impanelled a
jury and held an inquest. The verdict
of the jury was, in substance, that
death was caused by apoplexy, result.
ing from long continued intemperance,
Old Joe was one of the best known
characters on the Coast. Although
supposed by most people to be negro,
he was Hindostanee from Calcutta.
His people were well to do and gave
him good education, which, though
of little value to him on account of
his dissipated habits, would show itself
in his conversation during his sober
moments. He had a family in India,
where for long time he taught San
scrit. Having fallen into disgrace
through dissipation, he lief, that eoun.
try and came to California in 40,
remaining in this country ever since.
Once, in Marysville his life was saved
by man named Miller, aud since that
time he took the name of Joe Miller.
His right name was Roy Chowdery,
his father having been wealthy
merchant of Calcutta. A few months
ago he quit drinking and, for some
little time, behaved himself very well.
During this time he began to long for
news from his people in India, and
wrote several letters to friends and
relatives, telling them that he never
expected to leave Hawthorne, but ask.
ing them to overlook his disorderly
career and let him hear from them.
None of these letters, one of which
| was to his son, were answered, and tho
poor old fellow exhibited great anxiety
and distress at what he thought was
the neglect, Joe has BACKED boots
and cleaned Offices in nearly every
| prominent town on the coast, and
when in his cups was favorite object
of merriment 10 mischcvious men and
boys. He was, for several years, on
the Comstock, where he will be re-
membered by many who have seen
him laugh for drink. His DISPOSE
ton, naturally genial and kindly,
would, when warmed by liquor, cause
him to throw soul and body into
laugh, which, when earning drink
would begin with Il chuckle of antiei-
patton, his mouth gradually opening
to give vent to the volume of mirthful.
ness, until he almost seemed to swal.
low his head Waves of laughter
would roll down his body, and he
would shrink in size as his delight
appeared to increase, until very
debilitated imagination could see his
whole being absorbed by amusement,
none of him being left except his feet
which ratified the toes in sympathetic
joy. Never liking or liked by the
Indians, he was frequently obliged to
live with them, and would often, with
paint and blanket, pass himself on the
railroads, occasionally being betrayed
by his unfriendly companions and
obliged to get of, by the train men.
| With all his bad habits, he was kindly
| grateful FOR favors, and in his sober
moments industrious. Dying, after a
seventy years spree, he is not regretted,
because his life was ]atterly SIMPLY
prolonged misery, but while those
who helped him occasionally think
he is better as he is, they will remem-
Der him kindly, Notwithstanding his
/ f,,, al