Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-03
FROM SLAVERY TO RICHES.

The richest ana most powerful man
socially and politically, in the republic
OF Guatemala is John knight, negro,
who was born slave in Alabama, and
who was sold from the public slave
block as late as March, 1860.
Knight was an exceptionally bright
boy. He never saw his father, who
was sold in a distant State before be
was born. The family to whom
Knight belonged gave him an educa-
,iou, and at the age Of 16 the boy was
sold for 81 900, high price, consider
ing that the sale occurred in Novem-
Der, 1860, the very time of Lincoln's
election.
Knight remaiued with the family of
his new master until the close Of the
war. In common with thousands of
other slaves, he then declared his free
dom. He walked to New Orleans, and
for the first time in Ills life went away
from his masters properties. In New
Orleans he worked as wharf laborer
for firm which handled fruits from
Central America. He saved his money.
Every one about the wharves knew
Johu ku;g t, the most capable and in
duStrious colored man there. Oae day
10 June, 1866, he was sent by his em
ployer down to Yucatan, in Central
America, 10 live there as boss of the
rackiug and shipping of fruits TO New
o leans. He had $40 week salary.
That was practically the beginning
Of John Knights millions. He lived in
Yucatan year, worked hard, saved
his every cent, and dreamed of the day
when he could be an orange, banana
and pineapple shipper on his own ac-
count. Having heard of the great
tracts OF free and fertile lands south OF
San Cristoval, in Guatemala, he went
and locate there. A live, wide-awake
person was something unique in those
days in that region OF sestas and tropi.
cal sunshine. A revolution, in which
Ramon SANCHEZ Lad been disposed, was
just at its close.
John Knight saw what hard work
and AZ opportunity to gain the favor of
the new administration would do for
himself. He proposed that, for con-
cession of fifty thousand acres OF land
suitable for pineapple and banana
growing, he would go to New Orleans
and get the wholesale fruit dealers
there, who ruled the American marker
so years ago, TO agree to buy 81 00O,0
N wear of Guatemalsn fruits. The Gua
temala government gladly accepted the
proposition. In less than three months
The deal was consummated at New
Orleans. 1t was the beginning OF the
trade of millions OF dollars annually.
To make q long story short, John
Knight got other concessions, as be
demonstrated the profit there Was in
growing fruits for the United States
markets. The shipping business to
New York and San Francisco was
started and enormously enlarged.
He married native young woman in
StaD4 in 1872, and the union has been
great help to his fortunes. About 20
years ago he induced New England
capitalists to embark extensively in
coffee growing in Guatemala: and he
invested over $50 600 of his own capt.
tai in the industry. The government
gave him q very advantageous shipping
concession for his efforts in bringing
capital to the country. Coffee-growing
proved wonderfully remunerative for
dozen years. At one time the annual
shipments of coffee from the Knight
plantation were the largest from any pri-
yate estate ia all Central America.
The negro planter branched out in
other directions. He went to Philadel-
phis and contracted to furnish many
thousands OF feet of mahogany yearly
for 10 years. Then he bought up large
tracts of mahogany trees in Nicaragua
aud Guatemala. At one time he was
the second largest dealer in mahogany
logs in the world. Everything he touch
{ d be made success.
He lives in royal style in the suburbs
of Guatemala city. No one in that re-
gion except the Barrioses ever enter
tanned so lavishly as Don Knight and
his wife. Their home is large, mod
ern house OF plate-glass windows, pol
ished woods, costly hangings, all furn-
ished from New York and New Or
leans. A small army of servants at
tends the wants of the family Salt
Lake Tribune.
Discovered by Woman.