Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-04
"OLD BLACK JOE"
The Career of CoIored Man Who
Was HERO in His Day.


Zone of California's pioneers passed
away in jacksonville Tuesday in the per-
son of Henry NJ. Joseph, Familiarity known
to the residents of that burg as ''old Joe"
the barber.
Joe's life history is at once interesting
and romantic, and, with a desire to deYe
into the recesses and early periods in this
somewhat noted characters career, a
Surf representative has interviewed sew
eral ''old-timers," and from them gained
much that was interesting regarding "old
joe"
Joe" was born on the island of Guern-
sey, and was the first descendant OF the
Philippians born on that pretty island. At
very early age he took to the sea, and in
different capacities followed the life of "A
tar, until, after tempestuOus voyage
''around the Horn" he reached the Golden
Gate and Immediately sought Dame
Fortune in the gold mines; but, like
thousands OF others, with Indifferent sue
cess. In 1S50-51 Col. Jack Hays, the re-
doubtable ranger, who had shortly
before joined fortune with the golden
State, was ordered to complete a
geodetlc survey OF the coast. Col.
Jack, after arranging the prelmlnaries,
Immediately thought of the necessity of a
competent chief. His trIendshipfor Joe"
and knowledge of his ability as cook,
quickly LED to his engagement in that ca
pacity, and ''JOe" became A member of
the hardy little corps OF trOntiersmen and
shared In all the thrilling adventures en-
countered during that memorable eXpedi-
ton. The work completed, Joe returned
to San Francisco, and for months lived a
life of ease and pleasure. In the fall Of
1853 he became engaged to we'll known
California millionaire as a valet, and
in tEat capacity accompanied his en-
ployer on trip to New York. The party
EN- route took passage on the Inflated
steamer Central America, whose loss in
mid-Ocean and the frighttul sacrifice of
human life attendant upon the wreck lin
ger still fresh in the memory OF old Cali
tornians. Here Joe performed an act of
herOism worthy of record among the deeds
of valOr and self-sacrifice accredited the
martyrs of old. In the horrible confusion,
CccasiOned by the knowledge that the ship
could float but moment, little child
became lost in the crowd. The mother,
frantic with fear and grief, cOBjured her
companions on board to restore her child,
but without avail. The terrific din and the
desire of all to avail themselves Of the first
opportunity to enter the small boats IN
waiting made her cries unheeded and
unheard by all but sold joe" Dropping
his masters coat, Joe jumped among the
passengers and sought the lost girl all
over the deck. Thinking she might be
down below, he left the deck and contin-
ued his search in the hold of the vessel,
and found the frightened child concealed
under a bunk in one Of the state rooms.
Joe clasped her in his arms and
made his way on deck. To his horror
and dismay all the boats had
departed loaded down to the gunwales,
their commanders calling to a little party
of brave men standing on the quarter
deck that they would return to the vessel
as soon as their burden of human freight
could be landed. The faces or those re-
naming on board the ship too plainly
told of hope lost and determination to
bravely face the death in store for them.
JOe's master was one of the party and
espying his valet he moved toward him,
an d with voice trembling with emotion,
asked tsAt. in case ne saved himself, he
would C sfry the little package he handed
him to his wife in New York. Joe prom
ised, and waiting but moment,
clasped the ohild's arms around his
neck, leaped into the ocean, and swan
after the boat. A strong aud speedy
swimmer, Joe felt the incumbrance on his
shoulders in the shape of the little girl
1 but little, and in short time reached the
stern of one of the boats. Despite his
| pleadings, those in the frail craft would
not allow him to enter. The boat was
! already overloaded, and one more might
| have the effect Of drowning them all. He
then begged that they take the child,
when was done. Towed along by the
boat, Joe, after several hours, was hauled
ashore nearly Drowned.
The story Of the rescue of the party,
and the drowning Of their companions
LETT on board the steamer, has often been
told.
Joe made his way to New York, and
faithful to his trust, presented the pack
age 10 the wife of his employer. The
lady made him the possessor OF a neat
sum for his beroism, aud ne Immediately
returned to California. chose the avoca-
tion OF a barber, and followed it until his
death.