Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-03
THE LIFE OF ssSOJOURNEI
TRUTH
A Remark able Career.
70 the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
During recent visit in Battle Creek Mich,
Chat active progressive town, of which it has
been said You cannot turn a corner without
running against some Ism, l had the pleasure
OF meeting Mrs. Frances w. Titus a noble
woman of Quaker descent. whose face reflects
her nobility of soul. Mrs. Titus will be more
readily remembered as the author of that deeply
interesting book, Narrative Of Soiourner
Truth. BondwOman OF Olden Time" and she
gave me many Incidents of "Soiourner's" last
days, for she died in Battle Creek, November
10Th, 1883. at an age supposed to be over one
hundred years. Thanks to Mrs. Titus and other
kind friends, SojOurner's last DAYS were made
comfortable by the proceeds of the sale of the
book and the photographs of Sojourner, as Mrs.
Titus possesses the negatives and they are copy-
righted. Mrs. Titus gave me a COPY of the last
photo. taken year or so before her death and
one feels inclined to believe she must have dis
covered that Fountain for which DE Soto'
and his followers SO vainly sought for her bright
eye shows no signs OF age, and when YOU hear
her once defective sight returned and remained
with her during her life. and her q,ay hair was
supplemented by thick growth Of black you
feel sure she must have found it. Mrs. Titus
intends writing magazine article entitled
THE Truth About Sojourner Truth" for said
Mrs. Titus so much has been written that is not
true want to set her right. Mrs. Titus intends to
have it illustrated by competent artists and it no.
doubt will be very interesting. Said Mrs Titus
TO me, "S0jOurner is gone, but nv work for
her is not yet finished. as there must be stone
TO marx her grave, Tor tbs q grave which will
be sought for in times to come more than now"
No one can read the Narrative" without teel-
ing that SOjOurner was a remarkable woman
one who lived on a higher plane of trust in
God than IS possible to most nortals What
could De more convincing Of that than her ac-
count Of the sending away of her little bow to
Alabama, by former Mistress to be slave to
daughter lately married? (The slaves had
been emancipated in New York at that time
and 1t was an Illegal proceeding.) Said So
journer :. / tell you stretched up; felt as tall
as the toord. and said, 'Missis, I'll have my boy
back again. Misss said How will YOU do IT !?
You have no money No. misss. but God has.
and you'll see that HEN help me-" And. said
SoJourner: 20, but / was angry to have her
speak SO naughty and scOrnful, as If my child
want worth anything. l said to God. 80. Lord
render unto her double 1t was dreadful
prayer. and did not know how soon it would
be answered." and shortly after. when word
came that the daughter had been murdered by a
drunken husband, SOjOurner said: 20. Lord. |
did not mean all that; you took me up too quick ="
But she showed her forgvng heart by caring
for her broken-hearted mistress, who died in
her arms / told Mrs. Titus it seemed to me
the placing OF a stone over the grand old woman
should be the work of her own people, for they
may well feel pride and ownershipn SOourner:
and how easily it could be done If they would
all give even one penny. 1t would make enough
TO place suitable stone on the grave Erred
erick Douglass spoke to the people Of Battle
Creek LIST of August last. and he knows how
Fundamentally they greeted him there: and if
ne or some one of their representative men
would start the movement, it would grow as
last as a snoarbau when once you start 1t rolling
Every one who goes to Frederick, Md, goes
to the grave Of Barbara Fritchie" as a sacred
spot. How certainly, then, will they turn to
the grave of one who for years labored for the
advancement of her race. SCM