The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-12-20
A Former Slave Receives Regu.
lar Remittances in Old Age.
Fought Side BY Side With His Master
and Saved His Life During
this War.
NE LIVES NEAR OwINGsvILLn.

Owingsville, KY, Dec. 20.-Two
or three times every year there comes
to the postoffice here letter ad-
dressed to Samuel Giles, Owings-
VILE, KY" and bearing the Hope
dale, Mass, postmark. Giles IL ne
gro, and ex-slave, and these letters
never fail to bring Joy to his heart,
for they are sent by the daughter of
his former master, Mrs. George w.
Draper, OF iIopcdale, Mass. The let
iters always contain generous check,
and form Giles livelihood.
Giles when a youngster belonged
to the wealthy Preston family, then
living in this county. In the family
was young William Preston, who
later became United States ambassa-
dor to Spain and who was a partici-
pant in the war with Mexico and the
civil war. Young Preston early
formed an attachment for the little
negro Sam Giles. who belonged to his
father, and the elder Preston made
his SON a present Of the little plea
ninny.
The two grew to manhood almost
.inseparable companions. One day
the news came that war was coming
with Mexico. Young Preston de-
clared his intention Of proceeding to
the front. Giles begged to be taken
along. Preston refused at first, but
finally consented, and the representa-
tiyes of two races marched away to-
getber. During all the long cam
paigns Preston and Giles fought side
by side. and Preston was saved from
injury, and perhaps death, several
times by Giles.
When the war ended Preston re-
turned to Kentucky, bringing Giles
with him and rewarding him gener-
ously for his faithfulness. After a
time again rumors of war were heard
and William Preston, who had been
created a captain in the Mexican war,
announced his intention or organic
.ing a company of southernsrs for the
confederacy. He offered Sam Giles
his freedom. but the faithful negro
refused the offer and begged his
young master to take him to the
front with him. Preston refused,
but Giles pointed out to him how
mudh aid he had been to Preston
during the Mexican war, and as re-
suit he was taken to the seat OF war.
At the battles of Missionary
Ridge and Chickamauga the two
fought together-one for love OF his
beautiful southland, the other for
love of his young master. At the
siege of vicksburg, when Preston
was stricken by fever, the young ne
gro Giles watched over and nursed
him as q mother nurses her child.
When at last Preston opened his eyes
on the world with reason in them, he
knew that Giles had saved his lie.
When at last the war was ended, the
two again came to Kentucky, battle
SCARED heroes. In recognition OF
his services Preston, a general, gave
Giles a tract of land in this county
and erected a house for him. 1t is
here that Giles yet lives.
A few years ago a sketch OF Giles
was published. Mrs. Draper evident
ly saw this, for in a short time came
a check to Giles and they have been
received with unfailing regularity
since. Giles is now past eighty years
of age. He stands straight as an In
dian, and is highly respected. When
ever a white man speaks TO him his
hand flies to the military salute, and
when anyone speaks with praise OF
Gen. Preston the faithful old negro's
eyes sparkle with appreciation.