The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-16
"OLD JOE"
History of a Brave COlOred Man Who Died
IN California Recently.

One Of CALIFORNIA; pioneers passed away
in Watsonville Tuesday, saws The Santa
Cruz Surf, in the person of Henry NJ. Joseph,
familarly known to the residents of that
burg rs "old joe" the barber.
Joe's life history is at once interesting and
romantic, and with a desire to delve into the
recesses and early periods in this somewhat
noted characters career Surf representative
has interviewed several "old timers" and
from them gained much that was interesting
regarding "old joe"
Joe" was born on the Island of Guernsey,
and was the first descendant of the Ethio-
plan 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 i'm
mediately sought Dame Fortune in the
gold mines; but, like thousands of Others
with Indifferent success. In 1S50-51 Col.
Jack Hays, the redoubtable ranger, who had
shortly before Joined fortune with the
golden state, was ordered to complete geo.
detic survey of the coast. Col. Jack,
after arranging the preliminaries i'm
mediately thought of the necessity
ship for Joe" and knowledge of his
ability as cook quickly led to his engagement
in that capacity, and Joe" became men,
Der of the hardy little corps of frontieTsmen
and shared in all the thrilling adventures
encountered during that memorable expedi-
ton. The work completed, Joe returned to
San Francisco, and for months led life of
ease and pleasure. In the fall of 1859 he be-
came engaged to a wellknOwn Californian
millionaire as valet, and in that capacity
accompanied his employer in trip to New
York The party en- route took passage on
the Inflated steamer Central America, whose
loss in mid-Ocean and the frightful sacrifice
of human life attendant upon the wreck
Gnger still fresh in the memory of old Cali
f0rnians. Here Joe performed an act of
heroism worthy of record among the deeds
of Yalor and self sacrifice accredited the
martyrs of old. In the terrible confusion
occasioned by the knowlege that the ship
could float but moment, a little child be-
came lost in the crowd. The mother, frantic
with fear and grief, con ured 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 "old
joe" Dropping his masters coat, Joe
jumped among the passengers and sought
the lost girl all over the decks. Thinking
she might be down below, he left the deck
and continued his search in the hold of the
vessel and found the frightened child con-
cealed 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 lit
tie 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 of those
remaining on board the ship too plainly told
OF hope lost and determination to bravely
face the death in store for them. Joe's mas
ter was one OF the party, and espying his
valet be moved toward him, and, with a
voice trembling with emotion, asked that,
in case he saved himself be would carry tue
little package he handed him to his wife in
New York. Joe promised. and, waiting but
a moment, elasped the child's arms around
his neck. leaped into the ocean, and swan
after the boat. A strong and speedy swim
mer, Joe felt the incumbrance on his
shoulders in the shape of the little girl but
little, and in short time reached the stern
of one OF the boats. Despite his p5eadings
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. which 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 left on
board the steamer has often been told.
Joe made his way to New York. and faith
full to his trust, presented the package TO the
wife OF his employer. The lady made him
the possessor of neat sum for his heroism,
and be Immediately returned to California,
chose the occupation of barber, and fol-
lowed it until his death,