The Washington times., 1904-07-26
UNCLE JERRY"
LAYS DOWN BUSTER
Old Major DOmO of White
House Is Dead.
BELOVED BY PRESIDENTS
Aged Negro, Born on Eastern Shore,
Whose Spirits Rheumatic"
Never Could Eclipse.

Services for Uncle Jerry Smith, the
late White House employe. who died
yesterday will be held on Thursday az
ternoon at o'clock. from the family
home, 1880 Church Street Members of
the Masonic lodges of which Smith was
a member will have charge Of the
funeral. but a religious service will also
be conducted by the Rev. DR.. Scott
pastor of the NJ Street Metropolitan
Church.
It has not been definitely determined
whether the burial viii be made in the
family lot at Woodlawn Cemetery or at
Arlington During the civil war Uncle
Jerry was n teamster, and also served
a portion of the time as sailor. The
pallbearers have not yet been selected.
Colonel Crook disbursing officer, and
another of the White House en-
plOyes called at the smith nome
as soon as they learned OF the
old servants death, and a meSSen-
GER from the White House was detailed
10 attend 10 anything the family might
want until after the ceremonies on
Thursday.
One Of the "Old Guard"
The death of Jerry" following that Of
Major Pruden removes another Of the
old favorites Of the Presidents, without
whose presence the White House would
he a strange place for those who have
gone there almost daily for years.
Two weeks ago President Roosevelt
and Chairman Cortelyou called at the
humble home Of Jerry and chatted for
half an hour with him. Jerry was
greatly cheered by this visit. and his
physicians say this encouraged him 10
hold on 10 life a little longer
During the old negro sickness he
was constantly remembered by the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt, who sent
frequently 10 inquire how he was. and
frightened his room with flowers from
the Government conserVatorles.
Black Major DrOmo.
No reference to the employees Of tho
White House would ever be complete
without a word for Jerry Smith, The
black major domo officially the chair
man" one of the kindliest souls ever
encountered and one Of the most courtly
personages. Jerry was employed as a
waiter in a Baltimore hotel ,nce pa
tronized by General Grant He attract
ed the attention of the soldier-Presidenr
by his dignified bearing and MS sincere
good nature.
AS result O. this acquaintance
hope was born in ''Jerry's' breast tina
he might some day be identified Wit
the National Administration. and he &C
cOrdingly came TO Washington and Wa
eventually taken into tie houSeholf
ranks Of the White House as cleane
and helper.
Then Mrs. Grant. with an eye TO tn
proportions of a carriage servant, chos
Jerry for her fOotman. Since the
he had never been away from mis- duu
except when his perennial misery
conquered him. Thousands of Amen
cans and foreigners have seen his pic
turesQue figure In the corridors Of IN
White House, his head covered with
gray skullcap. his long apron denOtin
his occupation as buster and pohshei
the type OF the democratic simplicit
which disdains the buttOned livery q
courts and palaces
Jerry for years hoisted and lOwere
the American flag on the old Whit
House before the executive Offices WcT
moved into the new western annex an
always had an abiding fear Of the oil
White House attic, through which d
had 10 pass on this duty and which 3
stoutly affirmed was inhabited 10y th
ghosts of departed statesmen.
Appointed in 1873.
Jerry" first went 20 the White Hou,
I'm 1873 and has been there ever sine
He was the hardest worked employe q
the White House payroll. He had
little 20 do with everything, but his chi
employment consisted Of keeping di
and dust out Of sight. He worked on a
former with variety Of brushes, role
and broOms. He often wore an immac
late suit Of linen over his street ClOthe
Jerry attacked dirt and microbes WI
mOps hot water and soap. He used
be particularly attentive 10 the tiled no
of the main VestiDule of the old Viii
House. Before each reception or pub
affair and regularly during the week
worked on this floor with his big n
and tub Of hot water. His nature "
always jOvial until he encountered di
carded wad OF tobacco, stump of cigar
cigarette I'M the vicinity Of his wor
Then ne would talk TO himself about L
people who do such tricks.
There was nobody like President VI
Kinley in the mind Of Jerry He Vs
TO keen Mr. MCKinley's room and I
Cabinet chamber as clean as new d
and AT every opportunity let in fro
air When the President went 10 lun
Jerry put his carpet rollers, du
brushes and other paraphernalla To Wo
% set the room TO rights before I
Presidents return.
In summer the old man hOlsted I
windows adjusted the bouquet Of 10
ers on the Presidents table and dill
hundred and one things 10 put the rO'