The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-21
THE TALE OF Two.co1Ns.
Found Upon JEFF. Davis When He Was
Car tured by the Troops.


Gen. Nathan Church, the Michigan rep.
resentative of the quartet of the old staff
officers, who rose from captain to colonel
of the famous Twenty sixth Michigan,
and then to assistant adjutant- general
and chief of staff under General Miles,
showed TO Il Post reporter, with much
pride, while in Washington, IS gold
piece that has n wonderful history. When
General Church's regiment was to be
mustered out in 1865, General Miles re,
quested the War Department to allow him
to retain his chief of staff in the service,
which request was granted, and for six
months after his regiment had gone
home, and until he declined to remain
longer, General Church was with Gen
eral Miles at Fort Monroe, their principal
duty being to guard their distinguished
prisoner of war, jefferson Davis
When captured Mr.. Davis had in his
pocket the gold piece in question and
Mexican silver dollar. General Church
procured other similar pieces and affect
ed an exchange for the two found in Mr.
Davis pocket He retained the gold piece
and gave the dollar to Major Black, the
Dakota member of the four who were
present at the recent exercises, and who
had been his tent mate. A few months
thereafter Major Black was showing his
famous dollar at an evening gathering,
passing it from one to another when it
suddenly disappeared, and he has ever
since mourned for his lost treasure
General Church had better luck how
ever, with his gold piece, and while he
occasionally exhibited it to his friends,
carried it as much priced pocket piece
for twenty-five years, when he suddenly
discovered that he had unintentionally
paid it out instead of another similar
piece of money he carried with it, but TO
whom he had not the slightest recollec-
ton He promptly directed the cashier
of his bank to lay aside any 81 gold pieces
bearing the date of 1857 that might pass
through his hands in the course of bust
ness, thinking that there might possibly
be one chance in a million-.t that the valtl-
able keepsake would some time make it's
appearance. Six weeks afterwards an
old farmer dropped in and made a small
deposit, when the cashier said to Mr.
Church: Here, see if that's the gold
piece you are looking for.' He took it
and was overjoyed to find the distinguish
ing marks which he had placed upon the
coin when it first left Mr.. Davis pocket
and found its way to his own. Since
then the precious piece has been kept
carefully wrapped and safely secured
against another disappearance.
While in Paris five or six years ago,
ing at the home of Il wealthy family who
had formerly resided i'll New York. In
some way the hostess had learned that
he had helped to guard Mr. Davis while
he was Il prisoner of war, and she saigd
with much apparent satisfaction: II
have Mexican dollar that was taken
from Mr.. Davis pocket ut that time
which l value very highly Without
betraying the anxiety he felt Mr.. Church
asked when and where she obtained it,
and was told that it had been presented
to the late President Andrew johnson
while he occupied the White House, and
that she being his near relative it had
fallen to her on the distribution of the
valuables after President Johnson death
General Church had no opportunity nor
inclination then to explain what he knew
of the old relic, but he has now had an
opportunity to personally tell Major Black
where his long lost dollar is, and he too,
! may, like General Church, come again in
due time into possession of his own
Washington Post.