The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-28
Remarkable Case Of the De-
votion of a Negro Slave.
HIS VALIANT WAR SERVICE
Served His Masters Sons, and When
Free Became Successful and Veal
thy. but SILL Loved His White
Friends and Former Owners.
The Times-Dispatch Bureau,
No. 14t7 G Street, N. W.,


In these days, when negro crimes are so
general. and negro lynchings, North and
South, are recorded In every days paper,
and the relations between the white and
black races in this country are far less
friendly than they have ever been before.
it Ia refreshing to the utmost degree to
hear such a story as that which was told
me to-day. 1t was story of slave
love TOR his master, in war and in peace,
that was as strong as any passion which
stirs tho human heart.
When the war broke out forty-tWo
years ago, fayorlte slave on the plan
Is ton of John W. Key OF Bedford county,
Tenn, was William. who was then TWEEN
ty-fve years OF age Mr.. Key was too
old for military service, but his three
sons espoused the cause OF the Conleoer-
acy in the outset and prepared TO hasten
&c the front. There was never thought
that William was to be left behind. anu 70
his care the father and mother committed
their three boys when they rode away,
william riding in the rear, the servant
Of all three.
The story Of williams devotion to his
Young soldier masters sounds ike hcuon,
but one OF them. Mr.. John, +. Key, vel!
known resident OF this city, tells IT, and
there can be no doubt.
At Fort Donelsop, when the Conieoer-
ates were forced to surrender William
built a bastion of logs and rocks, be-
hind which the wounded were sheltered.
Fort BILL as the soldiers termed It,
saved many wounded mans HE.
When Fort Donelson surrendered VIII
liam took on his back one OF the three bro
theirs, who was badly wounded, and, evad-
Ing the pickets, carried MN beyond ti'e
enemy's lines.
ANOTHER MISSION OF TRUST.
While with his masters at Shelbyville.
Tenn, William voluntarily went to Muir.
freesboro to recover for Confederate
officer a large sum OF money that had
been left behind in the retreat. After
having been knocking about Murfrecs-
boro for few hours William was ar
rested as spy. He was made to wear
ball and chain for three months before
he had final hearing. He was con-
demned TO be shot
But William felt he was not born to
die that way The ball and chain had
been taken of him and the night before
tho day fixed for the execution he took
his leave. He eluded the guard and
got back within the Confederate lines.
William was frequently under fire while
serving his masters, and he evinced all
the courage of q white man.
When the war was over and William
was free to go or to stay. he left his
masters only when assured that they
wished him to go out into the world and
do the best he could for nimself He was
a good blacksmith and he set up his shop
near his old home. He was fine work
man and made money. In a few years
he branched out and began raising fine
horses. In this. too he was successful.
a. law hofo J, ta pphfta
friends could see William was growing
rich.
Being great lover of horses. William
undertook to train a young horse to do
various things, generally thought Tar be-
yond the capacity Of beast. William
had previously managed to obtain de-
gree from veterinarians school. and
signed his name DR.. William Key. Jim
Key he called the horse. and the tricks
which he taught the animal were so re-
n,arkable that a New Jersey man bought
him at the Nashville Exposition in 1897
for 10000. William was employed to
exhibit the horse. and he is now shelving
IT. tor the owner In Baltimore.
But William is rich. He made great
horse Imminent, the formula OF which
he hit upon himself. He owns several
fine houses In Shelbyville besides big
stock farm near that place.
But he has not forgotten his old mas
tiers. A few Gays ago he wrote fror,
Baltimore to Mr.. Key. OF this city. Of
fering him beautiful home. to be his
while he lived. He closed the letter
with this pathetic reference to the old
days:
II made your father good servant.
love the graves where the family are
laid Your father and mother We're good
to me. I remain. as ever. your faithful
servant until death, William Key"
"Your servant until death"-yet DR..
Key is a wealthy man. Those people of