The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-31
and sight to be long remembered by

Opposite to the long piazza is
a lovely mountain with a grad
ual incline, on which Col Jones had
stationed in the dark, a number of men;
SO while refreshments were being served,
consisting Of delicate lemonade, macca-
rooms, salt almonds, cut sugar and olives.
the men on the mountain began a battle
with roman candles and sky rockets last
ing for a quarter of an hour, creating
most brilliant spectacle behind the
dark green foliage of the forest, bringing
wildly to memory a battle at night in
times of war. By this time the dining
hall had been cleared and the musicians
installed below, and the young folks had
the Old Virginia Reel and the old folks
caught the inspiration of the hour and
for the space of a half an hour such
Jolly crowd is seldom SEEM reminding
one of the story of old colonial days.
At the intermission Of this little episode
began the event of the evening; twelve
of Col. Jones men had BACKED them
selves. six dressed in women'S clothing
and six in mems and began the old
plantation dance, and for three-quarters
OF an hour the peals of laughter and
merriment awakened the solemn stiffness
Governor laughed until tears ran down
his checks The Attorney General said
he knew he was ten years younger and
wanted the Colonel to make check on
him for 5000 for his good feelings. After
this reminder of old colonial and planta-
ton days, the whole party then returned
to the long piazza and the boys that
were BACKED gave them another half
hour of cake-walks and jig dancing, then
after another intermission and refresh
ments, the whole of the singing members
of Col. Jones' crew assembled on the
broad road just below the house and
sang old Plantation songs for a half
hour, winding up with "Old Black Joe"
and a rousing cheer for our popular
Governor.
Then began the retiring for the
night, and so soon as the stiffness of the
night ives perfect there went forth the
sweet streams on the midnight air OF
Home Sweet Home" and the happy
camps went to sleep dreaming of Home,
Sweet Home" The workmen all seemed
happy and never too tired to respond to
any call Colonel Jones made on
them. A company with a manager whose
men love him we'll enough to work all
day and play half the night is a benefit
to any land. One could not refrain from
thinking how wide the difference between
this camp of happy joyous men and those
in the coal regions, where the working
men are being shot down in cold blood
and driven from their work by armed
soldiers / never saw more gentlemanly,
better behaved or orderly men anywhere.
och oI 40
impress here was so different from that
that of the ordinary mining camp. He
pointed to sign on the building and
said, while that sign does not pertain
TO them. or to interfere with any mans
personal liberties, it is the embodiment
of the public laws of the State of North
Carolina" On that sign are these words
mo one is allowed to drink whiskey,
play cards or swear on these premises.
Any of the foremen that does not report
any violation of this rule, is subject to
immediate discharge" The absence OF
these three elements that lead people, If
oracticed to excess, being removed from
The camp, there is never quarrel or
among the men. In the morning
al of the men were at their posts with
a happy smile for the Colonel and party
.or the memory of the night that had
1assed
The party woke up in the morn
.ng to the sweet strains of music, Lis
ten to the Mocking Bird" After break
FAST, Governor Aycock leading off, the
larger portion of the party climbed the
mountain to see the Great Ruby Mines,
which are said to be the largest mines of
4 no lind TO hn min
today. While on the mountain crest.
Col. Jones pointed out to the Governor on
this single mountain and its foot-h hills,
in addition to the Great Ruby Mines,
q copper mine, Chrome iron mine, kaolin
mine, tale mine and a mica mine. all in
large and paying quantities and all would
be yielding ore and employing machinery
in another year. I shall not attempt to
write as to the industrial side of this
work it merits more special tribute.
Col. S. A. Jones came to North Carolina
in July, 1884 broken down in health from
overwork in the interest of the State of
Florida, and was laid up for many months
with nervous prostraton, with but little
hopes of recovery, but this splendid
mountain air, water and plenty of out
door exercise restored his health and
vitality and he is today the picture OF
strong and vigorous manhood. Few peo-
pie here realize who. or what he is. A
sketch of him will be given at some other
time General Gilmer made the state
ment that he had received over $4,000
in cash from mis- hands for interests that
he represented in the State, and 1T is
known that Col Jones has expended for
labor nearly one million of dollars since
he came to these mountains, ferreting
out and developing their resources. He
and his companies now control over 100
square miles of the heaviest timber and
richest mineral lands in this mountain
section. To operate them, he has formed
the National Abrasive Manufacturing Co,
of which he is the general manager, as
well as large stakeholder; also formed
the Cattaloochee Co., of which he is
treasurer and a large stakeholder; also
the Cavender's Greek Gold Mining Co,
OF which he is the president and a ma
Jority stakeholder His operations eX-
tend from Newport. Tenn, to Dahlonega
Ga, dispersed in the counties of Hay
wood Jackson, Clay. in North Carolina
and the counties of White and bumpkin
in Georgia, giving employment to hun
dreds of men and perfecting and com