Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-07
HE TELLS HIS OWN LIFE STORY

ana to your De0TtS- VIM
HE TELLS HIS OWN LIFE STORY
His Early Life ms n slave and the Path to
His Success.
Nv father, Benjamin Thornton Mont
pomery, was born in Loudoun county,
Va. Before arriving fully at the age OF
manhood he was taken without warning
and sold to a trader, who brought nm
South to Natchez, Miss, where Joseph T.,
Davis. ESQ. distinguished planter, pur-
chased and took HIM to his extern
sive plantation in Warren county, Miss,
known az Hurricane. and afterwards, IN
connection with Brierfeld, the plantation
of Hon. jefferson Davis, known as the
Davis estate-giying the title OF DAVIS
Bend 10 large section of country in the
southwest portion of Warren county.
The plantation was newly settled, and
nv father did not take kindly to the
change from Virginia town lie to planta-
ton life. 50 he ran away, but was soon re-
covered BY Mr.. Davis. who was man OF
superior Judgment in the selection and
management of slaves. He inquired close
ly into the cause of fathers dlssatls-
faction. and as q result they reached
mutual understanding and established a
mutual confidence which time only served
to strengthen throughout their long and
eventful connection.
BIRTH AND EARLY TRAINING.
I was born on the historic plantation
heretofore named on May Il, 1917, received
nv first instruction from Webster blue
back speller on Sabbath mornings at the
hands of a slave of jefferson Davis named
George Stewart. Father taught me the art
of writing. and gave me lessons at night 70
be recited on the following night. At the
age of ten my mistress desired 10 have me
about the house to begin training for such
a position as they desired me to I'LL IN
future. -,
Hon. jefferson Davis was in public life
at Washington and generally VISITED ms
brother once or twice per annum. Nhen-
ever he came without his family it was one
of nv special duties TO look after hrs CON-
fort. He appeared to be pleased and we
became such fast friends that was always
pleased to hear of his intended visits.
WAR EXPERIENCES.
During the war one Of my duties was 70
carry the United States mail bag from Hur-
ricane post-ofiice to Ashwood, where con-
nection was made with the great mail
steamers or southern floating palaces OF
former DAYS. the Natchez. Princess, Vicks-
burg, and Charmer. The clerks of these
steamers having extensive business with
nv father on his own account and as a
representative Of both Joseph and Je1er-
son Davis, were careful TO supply me with
the latest papers and chat over the latest
news whenever time allowed.
IN THE UNION SERVICE.
entered the United States service on
the United States gunboat Benton, but
followed Admiral Porter 10 any steamer
where be intended stopping for awhile. l
was at the battle of Grand Gulf, and saw
Generel Grant cross his troops below there
to assault Port Gibson, jackson, and finally
encompass Vicksburg. / went with the
fleet to Alexandria, La, and returning took
part in naval encounters at Nicksbure. be-
ING present at its capitulatlon IN July, 1868,
Meantime the fortunes of war had freed
my brother and he also entered the United
States naval service on the gunbOat Caron-
delet. The water during my trip up Red
river made terrible inroads on my health,
and Admiral Porter having promised my
father to care for me in every particular,
decided TO send me home, and / was dis
charged at Mound City, ILL.,, during the fall
of 1868, and given transportation TO Gin
cinnati.
LIFE IN THE NORTH.
At the first dawn of peace brother re-
turned South in 1865 to see what outlook
there was for the resumption OF business.
He soon opened business on the old plan
tation, and father invested all OF our little
capital in merchandise, 10 be shipped
South by river, while l came ria Cairo, be-
ing shortly followed by father himself, who
established the firm of Montgomery n
Sons and assigned me to the bookkeeping
and correspondence. / made brief study
of mathematics and book keeping with
the aid of such assistance as could be had.
HE BUYS THE OLD PLANTATION.
In 1866 | made a trip to Cincinnati and
brought the family home. With the first
return of peace correspondence between
Mr. j. T.. Davis and my father was re-
sumed. which resulted in the sale of the
Davis estate. some 1000 acres. 10 US in
1867.
In this wear occurred the disastrous
overflow. Mr. Davis RENTED three-auar-
ters of the interest for that year. On the
Davis property and a place adjoining,
called Ursino, we conducted a cotton
business of between two and three
thousand bales annually for period Of ten
years. Losses by the continued decline in
cotton and a branch business IN Vicksburg
finally engulfed our entire capital. and we
retired from the cotton business in 1885.
Father died at the old JEFF. Davis Mansion
in 1878. mother died in 1888: and they
sleep the last sleep in the old Davis bury
ing ground, close by the master and
mistress of former days.
NV brother. having become discouraged
at future prospects IN the South. embarked
in the business OF graln-raiSng in North
Dakota, where he now owns an elevator and
plants between 700 aud 1000 acres in grain.
HIS MARRIAGE.
In 1872 I married Miss Martha Robb. who
was born of slave mother near McNutt.
Miss. in Nav, 1852. After the final close
of our cotton business in 1885 removed 10
Vicksburg, and, being in bad health. did
very little for two years. In the fall OF
1886 my attention was attracted TO the
Great Yazoo Miss Delta. After investi.
eating that section closely l opened q
colony, which now numbers about SOC
persons, and laid out the growing little
town of Mound Bayou, on the Louisville
New Orleans and Texas railroad, in BOLIVIA.
county, where now conduct business OF
$40. 900 per annum. exclusive of cotton
shipments, which will amount to $50 bales
| crop 1890. Nv real estate interests are
worth about $4,000. The colored people
| in that vicinity own 5000 acres and are in.
creasing their holdings rapidly.
PUBLIC LIFE.
was delegate to the Warren Count,
Republican Convention during the Blaine
| campaign. From said county Convention
was sent as adelegate TO the district con
| gressional convention, where | delivered
my first public speech, naming Mr.. r. r
Beck. One of the State Republican cleo
tors having died or resigned wis substi
tuted in his place aud took an active in
terest in the campaign, especially In thu
congressional district, but only made one
spesch--thAt at Magnolia Hall, in Vicis
burg.
n isssI IVES placed on the Republican