Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-07-03
A REMARKABLE CAREER.
HOW A SLAVE ACQUIRED HIS FREE
DOM AND HIS WEALTH..

A Georgia Negro Bought Hihseh'
we,,tbv and Then Failed-He was
useful Citizen and Had the Friendship
of Ana Tale of Slavery Times
Here is the story of the life of Solomon
Humnhries. a most remarkable negro
who lived in Macon during the pioneer
d.vs of the town, and who was IN ms
day not only the wealthiest negro IN the
south. but commanded the respect ana
esteem of all the white people
Sol belonged to a rich planter one Oh
the old time sort, who lived IN Jones
county, which adjoins this. Beng al
lowed more privileges than the other
hands, and having more Intelligence
than the average negro, Sol managed 10
make an odd 'thrp, and every one was
laid up for the purpose of purchasing his
freedom
This was done in 1926, two years after
Macon was made a town, and, with
nest egg of money given to him by his
kind master, he came to Macon ana open
ed a little store on the east side OF the
river. that being really the town III those
DAYS. Although he could neither read
nor write he was natural matheilla-
tician. working his sums mentally Ills
poIteness, neatness and good business
habits soon began to have good effect
and he became one OF the largest ther-
chants in the country.
sol" IN BUSINESS
In those days there were no steam
boats here, and freight was brought up
the river on fiat towboats from Dafleh,
then an important seaport. These boats
were manned by negroes, six on side,
who handled the oars with singular
skill. When they neared the bend III
the river near NJ con these dozen hands
would strike up with song, anG on a
still clear night the musical strains from
these loud hinged singers came floating
over the water as sweetest music. 1hey
would remain here few days to unload
the goods for the merchants, and then
return to Darien with some four to five
hundred bags of cotton on each boat,
The bulk of the goods and cotton be-
longed to Solomon HUMPHREYS.
After few years of successful bust
ness Sol began to take life easy Hepur-
chased place of ten acres near town
and erected thereon a fine home. The
gentlemen who went by on their hunt
ing trips never failed to stop and get
some of Soils buttermilk. His house was
always open to his white friends, and
frequently he gave dinners that were
really royal feasts At these dinners
Sol was never known to sit at the table.
! The guests were seated and it was Soils
pleasure to wait on the table. The dig
nitaries of the state broke bread with
him, and one who was the most frequent
visitor and enjoyed Soils hospitality the
most was the late Governor Charles j.
| Mcdonald, between whom and Sol q
great friendship existed. According tC
the laws of Georgia at that time a free
negro was compelled to have a trustee
and Mcdonald, who was then the first
solicitor general of this circuit, after
ward judge and then governor, held the
! position OF trustee for Sol
/ On one occasion, when Sol was on hi,
way north to purchase goods, he was ar
rested in Charleston as u fugitive, une
was lodged in jail, in spite of his en-
treaties to wait until his trustee coult
! be communicated with That was be
fore the days Of telegraphy, and mail
/ were slower than now. There was Sol
whose credit was good in New York fo
! $50, 900 and in Macon for as much more
penned up in the Jail at Charleston as
runaway negro. Governor Mcdonald
lost no time in forwarding the prope
certificates and the message that if i
was necessary he would go on to Charles
ton and certify to his being free in per
SON He was then released and proceed
I ed on his way To New York, being care
full not to come back by way of Charles
1 ton.
. BECOMES VERY RICH AND BUYS WIFE
Soils trade grew larger and larger Il
1888, when steamboats, began to run OF
the Ocmulgee river. the consignment
to him were larger than those Of an
other In 1888 he married. Hi
wite's name was " Patsey" and she wa
also purchased by him She was a mem
Der of The Presbyterian church in Macon
and Worsh.ped with the whites. s.
great was the respect in which she wa
held 10y the pastor and members that sh
was admitted to the communion table
and though She was negro living il
the south where slavery Was rampant
she was shown every respect and kind
ness 10y her white friends Bus with nj