Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-15
GEN. spINNERs PROTEGE.
The First CoIored Empioye Under Lin
coin SIN in once.

IRON ENe 4loW ApFH WNftHs
WASHINGTON, April 10. - Sophia
Holmes, known by many, liked by all, is
a dusky subject, but one of the most val
ued and trusted messengers in the Treas
ury, with an interesting page OF history
making her a protege of Uncle Sam with
out regard to political creed. Men may
come and men may 90, but Sophia doubt
less will remain until made messenger
where money is unknown. Sophia was
born free in Washington city, and was
employed as laundress by many Of the
"frst families" Of the old regime. She
fell in love with Malachi Holmes. SER
want owned by Col. SeatOR AS Sophia
enOved freedom, she naturally desired
Malachi should eniov the same blessing.
She had acquired 500: with that and her
note for $500 she bought her husband. She
washed out the balance, her employers,
jefferson Davis, Senator Slidell, Jacob
Thompson and others, contributing gen.
erOuslv towards the purchase money Of
the desired object. They were married in
due form and Sophia considered her hus-
band a gOOd-investment.
A few years after war became a fact.
Malachi. with patriotic ardOr, obtained
consent to 20 to the front for three months
Maine Regiment. Capt. Burns drew from
the government Malachi's uniform, and
placed him on the United States pay roll.
Malachi and Sophia were very proud Of
this distinction. and quite the envy OF
their colOred friends. Sophia was re-
garded a heroine to own a soldier bus
band. and her pride knew no bounds
when she saw him marching with his
regiment to the front. On JulY2l Malachi
III NN..TN
saving the life of Capt. Burns. TIE he
role effort to rescue his Captain attracted
much attention; besides, he was the first
cOlored man killed. He was buried at
Washington, and his funeral made an
episode.
President Lincoln was deeply inter-
ested in the case and decided to provide
for his family. He went in person t.
Gen. Spinner with Sophia and had her APP
pointed messenger to the Treasurer, a
position she has held from that day to
this with honest fidelity.
Gen. Spinner became interested in his
protege, especially when he discovered
that through ignorance of her right She
had failed to receive indemnity for her
property and when all others owning SER
wants in the District ct Columbia were
reimbursed for their losses by an appro-
priaton from governments. Sophia never
regarded this as her right; her logic was:
"Malachi was Tree Niger; | done pay for
him once and ask no favOrs of any one for
bis liberty Gen. Spinner believed her
Justly entitled to pension, from the fact
that her husband 'was killed on duty" He
obteinrd the cooperation Of Vice Presi-
dent Wilson and the approval of Gen
Grant and had her name placed on the
pension roll, receiving IS per month as a
soldiers widow. Years passed on, and
in the faithful discharge Of her duty, and
with close economy, she supported her
four children and placed in the Freed
mans Bank So, 700 for the purchase of
home. The bank failed, taking in the
wrecks $l6 $50 1856 60. Sophia lost beyond
redemption all she had confded to Its
honor and trust. BY special act of Con-
gress, through the exertiOns of Gen. L.
gan and Gen. Starkweather, of Wisconsin,
she is now in full possession of her back
pay, and is reinstated on the pension roll.
Sophia shows no concern about losing
her place under the new administration.