The evening times., 1896-05-25
HEHlS SERVED GREAT MEN
Richard Smith Tells of the
Early Statesman.
Is NINETY-FIVE YEARS OLD
Was Born u Slave, but succeeded in
Purchasing His FreedOn-Camet to
Washington When Young Man
and Acted AS Body Servant to JEFF
ferson Dayis-ucalth Still Good.

Time has dealth gently with Richard
Smith a landmark in West Washington,
who lays claim to having been a resident
ofthe capital for more than sixty years. He is
one of the Oldest Inhabitants. ''Grandad'
Smith, as he is called, has withstood the
tenpcsts of time for nearly ninety-five
years, yet is today as hale aud hearty as
many men Il generation his Junior.
A Times reporter found the old man at
the weil-kept home OF one of lis grand
children, and he talked freely and intel
ligeutly of the years long since passed into
history.
The trials and tribulations of nearly a
century have not weighed heavily upon
him There is a firmuess and steadiness
in his step and in the grasp OF his hahu
that would seem almost To indicate re-
turn to youthful vigor. While his shoulders
are beut. he points with pride to the starr
in the corner of his room which lie has not
had to use for decade His hearing anu
sight are remarkable, and his memory as
clear as crystal.
so YOU re from the newspaper was his
greeting as the reporter entered. Deed
sa h. reckon there was mighty few OF them
when | first opened my eyes u de sun,
March -, 1902"
WAS BORN A SLAVE.
"Cncle Dick the name be used to be
known by forty years ago, was born
slave in williamsburg, Va, ana his story
| told in plain and simple. yet coInprehch-
| sive manner, is both interesting ana III
struCtive. Col. Carey was his master ana
| a good one he was, too, always klhu anu
pleasant TO the unfortunate beings whom
| he owned. and bis slaves held HIM I'D the
| highest regard.
Col. Carey, whcp a young man, was an
| Officer under Gen. Washington, III the
| revolutionary war, and used to relate III
| the hea ring of his servants ny tales anu
anecdotes of the bloody confiict- wen uoes
Uncle Dick remember, when a mere boy
| of ten wears the march of the English reu-
| coats through his native place.
7, was then while serving a party OF
Officers who had campcd near the care.
n,antation that he armed his llrst sixpehce
| which was to form the necleus OF fuhH-
| N after wears to unshackle the chains which
| euslaved him.
when Gen Jackson's name was mentlneh
| 70 the ceutenarian his eye kindied as II an
| old friend had been spoken Of. The hero oil
New Orleans had made too stong an I'M
,ression upon the country at the time OF
| his great triumph 20 eve n be forgotten IN the
mind of an old slave. The old man can recall
| the great re ioicng that ensued when the
naws of the wonderful victory became
Fvervbody was talking of 'old Hickory
| and for wears afterward the plantation
| do rlies used to sing OF Zen. Jac ksun, the
| hero OF New Orleans" When jackson
became Pre- sidcnt Uncle Dick often saw his
| studrdv form upon the streets OF the CITY.
PURCHAsEDHIsFR FREEDOM.
| For twenty years Richard was the prop
ertv of Col Carey, when he was sold TO
| Nicholas Z. Triss, as near as he can recoi-
| lect for 5000 Triss owned many slaves,
and had a large plantation near Char
| lottesyille. about four miles from Mon
| ticeIlo. FREQUENTLY he was sent to the
| home of jefferson, and often saw the great
| statesman
| While here Richard married a servant OF
Mrs. Randolph, near relative of the au-
| thor OF the Proclamation Of Independence,
and upon her maria ge Mrs. Randolph made
| her free as a present to the young negro.
| When Mr. Triss removed to Washington
| he brought Richard with him as his body
| servant. but allowed him to work for
| others and receive compensation. The
oapital was then a mere village. more of a
suburb to Alexandria, then considered
flourishiug town.
It was not long before. by rigid economy
he acquired $500, and happy day it was,
too. for Richard Smith when he placed
the sum in his masters hand and thereby
purchased his freedom. Though naturally
| than
majority Of his race. he was never able to
| learn o read and write. Almost continually
from the time Of his liberation he was either
| employed by some statesman or IN govern
| ment service. aud the names of score or
| them. prominent in their time, are at his
| tongues end.
| There have been but two Presidents,
| Washington and the first Adams, whom he
| does not remember something about. Inc
story of Madison taking flight to the woods
when the British, in 1914, entered and
burned Washington, must have made deep
| impression upon Richard, for he talks or
this and many other events of more than
half q century ago. as though they were but
happenings of yesterday.
WAS JEFF DAVIS BODY SERVANT.
| When jefferson Davis was a Senator
/ from Mississippi and a member or the
| Cabinet Richard used to sit behind Two
spirited bays and drive the future president
of the Confcderacy to and from his Office.
Until the war broke out be was Jefferson
| Davis coachman.
.Richa rd passed the allotted time of three
score years and ten while messenger in
the Navy Department. and carried mail to
the Naval Observatory. A decade since
| ne hung up the shovel and the hoe. and his
time worn old banjo. nearly half century
old. has been unstrung for dozen years.
He has been thrice married. and is the
fathe of nine children. all save one of whom
are dead. He survives many of his grand