The Washington times., 1903-07-13

an equally remarkable horse in the city
of Baltimore.
The horse was bred. trained. and edu-
Gated by the doctor himself. and he sold
it at the Nashville Exposition some
years since to its present owner-Mr
Rodgers, of New Jersey-for 1000. He
remained in charge of the animal,
whose training has rendered II almost
human in requirements, peing able to
read. write its name on a blackboard,
change money from cash register,
Knowing figures and the alphabet like
a boy of eight years.
DR.. Key was the slave of John W.
Key, of Bedford county, Tenn. until
the emancipation period When the
war came on, being very much attached
to his masters family. he accompanied
his three sons as servant into the Con-
federate Army, one of the sons, the un-
dersigned, remaining attached to the
army until the close of the war.
At Fort Donelson the slave built a
small bastion of logs and rocks where
the wounded were sheltered. II was
called by the boys Fort Bill" On the
surrender of Fort Donelson he took
on his back the only one OF his young
masters who was present and. evading
the pickets, escaped.
From Shelbyyille, Tenn, he volun-
tarily entered the enemy's lines at
Murfreesboro 10 obtain, for a Confed-
crate officer. a large sum OF money
that had been left behind in the re-
treat, and was arrested as a spy. and
after wearing a ball and chain for
about three months was condemned to
be shot. Gaining a little respite from
his chains, he managed 10 eIude the
guard and escaped.
He was frequently under fire and
rendered great service to the Confed-
crate Army, and to his young masters
and their family at home when not en-
gagged in the camp.
The war over he set about raising and
training fine horses and carrying on an
extensive blacksmith and carriage busi-
ness at the same time. He was an ex-
pert and made them all pay.
He then became a graduate as a vet
Urinary surgeon and practiced and lee
tured all over the South. selling a fine
hnlment Of his own manufacture, with
handsome income.
His audiences were both white and
black, and his advice to his people was
that their friends were the people who
had raised them. saying. II vote as my
old master and the people OF my sec
tion, all whom contribute TO my financial
welfare in some way"
Dr.. Key is nearing seventy years OF
age, but Is active and full of enterprise
for the future. having bought a fine
stock farm near Shelbyville, Tenn, MS
old home. whore he will engage his an
ergies when he retires from the exhi-
bition OF his beautiful Jim Key" (the
hOrse).
He also owns several fine properties
in Shelbyville. In a recent letter 70 his
friend who was once his young master.
and whom he had nursed and served In
the army, rendered him a beautiful
home. as a further mark of his attach
ment, though himself independent
He closes his letter with the pathetic
reference TO the old days In which he
says:
Il made your father a good servant.
love the graves where the family are
laid. Your father and mother were
good to me. remain, as ever, your
faithful servant until death, William
Key"
This is side of slavery but little
understood by some who think they
know all about the race question. and
who would find its betterment and pro-
motion In treating IL with the judgment
of non-interfereHce.
JOHN +. KEY,
1413 Seventeenth Street.
Washington. d. c.. July 4, 1903.