Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-05
AN ORPHAN HOUSE ROMANCE.
The Story of Willie Jones Coming
Into His Fortune.

From the Charleston Is. o. Nesos and Courier.
About six months ago story was pub
lished in some OF the Georgia papers of a
young man named William Jones, com
positor in the office of the Athens ga. J
Banner-W atchman, who was said to have
come into possession Of fortune. Mr..
William Jones, who attained his majority
on Sunday last, came Ito Charleston and
has taken possession of his fortune, which,
while it will hardly entitle him to be
ranked among the millionaires of the
country, is at least sufficient to give him
good start in life.
Willie Jones' history is a pleasant one.
When he entered this world one of the
greatest struggles of modern times had
just closed. His father had evidently
taken part in it, for IN a sealed package
which was left for Willie there was a sill
YER medal, evidently Of Confederate manu-
'facture, on which is Inscribed the words,
"Sabine Pass, Sept. 8, 1853" and on the
reverse Maltese cross with the letters
ID. g." rudely cut on the surface. Will
lies father, it is supposed, like all the
C0nfederates, came home ruined in for
tune and broken in health. After living
in Charleston some time he went up the
river to work, and that was the last ever
heard of him. Whether he was murdered
or drowned accidentally is not known
he disappeared, and IL was generally sup
posed that he had died. Mrs. Jones had
warm friends in the family Of Mr.. George
II. Ingraham, of this city, where she
found home, and in 1868 Willie was
placed in the orphan asylum, from whose
walls many good men and women have
emerged we'll equipped for the battle of
life. The principal OF the asylum and the
teachers and matrons all speak well of
Willie, who gave early indications of
being bright boy.
In 1878 a Mr.. Malcolm Stafford, of Jack
son county, Ga, came to the city, and
while here applied at the Orphan House
for boy, whom he desired to take to
Georgia with him with aview OF teaching
him the trade of printer. Willie Jones
having been signed, Willie accompanied
him to his future home in Georgia. He
remained with his master until the death
OF the latter, when he removed TO
Athens, carrying his indentures with
him, and entered the office OF the Banner
Watchman as a compositOr.
He had been informed by Capt. Small,
the chairman of the Board Of Commits
sioners OF the Orphan House, that there
was in his possession a bank book and
sealed package which would be delivered
to him when be arrived at the age Of
manhood. And accordingly Willie Jones
came to Charleston on Monday last and
presented himself 10 the chairman Of the
commissioners. lie is a handsome and
attractive looking young fellow. with
bright and intelligent face, and gives
promise 0: making his way in the world.
In 1869 a deposit of $500 was made by
his father in the South Carolina Loan and
Trust Company. The amount has &C.
5cumulated to 81, 400, which was paid to
Mr.. Jones yesterday. The sealed pack
age, which had also been left In charge Of
Mr.. w. T.. Bee, who was then chairman
OF the orphan house board, and which
had been transmitted excessively to MI
l.. d. Mowry and to Capt. Jacob Small, the
present chairman, and which had been
stated by the Georgia papers to contain
diamonds and precious stones of untold
value, was opened by Mr.. Jones in
the presence of Capt. Small and found to
contain two gold watches and q chain
and the Confederate war medal alluded
TO above, mementOes which, although not
as valuable Intrinsically as the alleged
diamonds, are highly treasured by the
owner as souvenirs Of the parent whom
be never saw, or at least OF whom be has
no recollection.
Mr.. Jones, OF course, visited his alma
mater, renewed some pleasant acquaint-
aDces, ana received the congratulations
of his old friends and teachers. lie will
return TO Athens Tomorrow and will con-
tinue to pursue his business at the
printers case.