The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-17
ISAIAH MONTGOMERY.
Some Interesting Details About This In
te1lIgent Negro.

A private letter received in Richmond
from the vicksburg News gives some inO'
esting details about the negro Isaiah Mont
gomeiy. who has showed so much intelli-
gence in the Mississippi Constitutional Con-
vention. Here are some Of the details;
isaiah. Montgomery is the son Of Ben.
Montgomery. former slave OF Mr.. Joseph
T.. DAVIS, OF Hurricane plantation, Warren
county. Miss. Isaiah was taught to read
and write by his mistress, Mrs. Joseph T..
Davis. She taught the othe- members
of the family. Ben. Montgomery was a
remarkable man, intelligent. polite, an d an
excellent business man. His master re-
posed the utmost confidence in him, and
treated him as friend. Ben. attended to
all the shipping OF the cotton for the plan
tation. lie kept dry goods store, and his
orders were h0nOred by merchants OF
Natchez and New Orleans. lie was slave
but I'm name, and enjoyed the home and pro-
lection afforded by good master. His
wife kept house for him and helped TO rear
their children carefully, with her mistress
advice and assistance. Under such favor
able auspices Isaiah grew up to do credit
10 tie example Of his father and 10
the kindness Of bis former owner. lsaiah's
mother was not as black as her husband
and only "brown.- She was dull, good
patured, rather indolent woman, not above
the average. Mrs. Davis gave her sewing
machine, and the only work she ever did
for her owners was little sewing occa-
siOnaily.
"Ben's store was neatly kept, and Mrs.
Davis and her guests would 90 shopping
there for cotton, tapes. buttons, calico
dresses. and the many little notions ladies
need. | was frequent and happy guest at
Mrs. Joseph Davis elegant and most hospi-
table home. visit to Ben's store was the
usual evenings recreation. After going
pecan hunting the store was our resting
place.
off from the regular channel by an island.
as it now is. All the fine packet boats used
TO stop at Hurricane Landing. Ben. would
get from them by courtesy to him as a
shipper all the latest papers which he
would lend TO us.
"His children were reared in his home,
subject alone to his and their mothers con-
troll, not at all like slaves, nor were their
narents ever treated as were that just hui
name master, Joseph +. Davis treated his
servants.
"Isaiah is the only one of the four children
whom knew who has proved superior 70
many of his race. They all turned oui
well enough. The two girls were common
place. Mrs. Davis took especial pains with
them. l have lost sight Of them for years
and do not know il they are living. Isaiah
has. so far as have heard, always borne
an irreproachable character. l think he is
a communicate in our church. His mis-
tress reared him in that faith, l know.
81 must tell you one little thing about Mr..
Joseph f. Davis, management ofhis plan
tation negroes. He never bad any punish
mon, inflicted unOn them for any Oiiense
whatever, without giving them trial by
their piers-a regular trial by jury.
And invariably he had to temper their JUS
tice by his clemency. No masters were ever
more beloved than Joseph Il. Davis and
Jefferson Davis"