The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-16
A FAMOUS SLAVE DEAD.
Old Hickory'~ Body servant Expires
in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, Sept l6-OId Uncle"
Alfred jackson is dead. The announce
ment Will recall to many persons in va
rious quarters a long avenue of trees ter
minated 10y a stately colonial house and
a white-haired negro. as conspicuous
figure about it. The house was once the
home of Andrew Jackson. the negro his
body servant.
Few strangers stop I'm Nashville with
a days time NJ their disposal that fail TO
visit The Hermitage. old Uncle" Al
fred was always present % act as guide
and recount many interesting experiences
i'm his life. arising from his long associa-
ti0u about the place Thus his friends
grew 20 Doe many and widely distributed.
With his death IS wiped OUT one of the
most conspicuous examples of the high
type. old-time slave. Born on the farm
soon AFTER General Jackson's purchase Of
it. four more years would have rounded
out a century of life there. Selected for
faIthfUInsss. as the trusted body servant
Of "Old Hickory" he disproved the say
ing that no man is a hero To his valet.
The nations hero of the battle Of New
Orleans was ever hero TO his serving
man As master he likewise showed an
appreciation OF the good qualities OF his
servant When the latter was married
he was given the especial honor Of hav-
ing the ceremony take place in the great
hallway that bisects the house and the
wedding supper served ia "Marser's big
diuin' room"
When the master died Alfred was one
Of the chief mourners. Nicissitudes of
war or Of peace had never wrought
change in his loyalty. Andrew Jackson
left no children Of his own. but left an
adopted son who bore his name. For Pc
cuniary reasons the son disposed Of the
place the State becoming the purchaser,
and granting To him and mis- wife the
privilege OF continuing in IL as their
home. In lSSS. both % them being then
dead. il became necessary TO make final
disposition Of the property. The Ladies
Hermitage Association was organized un-
der the supervision Of the Legislature,
and the pledge assumed TO beauufy. pre-
serve and ad0rn The Hermitage through
out all coming years
The ladies retained Alfred in his old
role of carctaker and guide until he grew
too enfeebled with age for duty. Then II
became their pleasure 10 provide MIN
with all the comforts ia his cabin nat
stood near the home. When at last the
summons came for him 10 follow Ole
Narser" after the long years Of waiting.
he made the request that his body should
be buried in the garden near his tomb
4ltSt women. many OF MilgLl ioNF lSll-
der RENE mhTanCes Of faithful slaves, ana
know the strength Of the bond, took
pleasure in carrying out Alfred S request
They allowed his body 70 remain over
night in his humble cabin, for b. had
slept under no other roof for more thaG
ffty years. There, according to their
custom, the negroes held an all-ulght
watch. iuJgrSpCrscd with singing and
praviug on the morrow the body was
removed ana lay in state in the great hal
where Alfrrd's marriage had been cele-
brat-d.
From the city abe ladies' 5DurusyJd as
an organization TO do honor 70 the faith
full dead. and placed upon his Cgfiln last
tribute Of respect, IN their presence and
Of a large gathering OF colored folk Al
frad'z body was laid 90 rest upon the spot
of his own choosing. and master and
slave on common ground await the resur-
recti0n morn.