The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1908-07-12
JUNGLE" JEFF KIRK
GOES TO REST
Faithful Old Negro Joins MuItitudss on
High.

JoII MIX VINO does not nave Z
| feeling of genuine sorrow in his
| heart; for 'Uncle" Jeff was
known only to be loved by both
white and colored He was one
of the remaining old time negroes
who commanded the admira-
ton of everyone.
Uncle Jeff was born in Middle
Tennessee ninety-nine years ago
last Christmas eve and came to
Columbus with his master, Jno.
M. Kirk in 1888 and he has re-
sided here since that time. He
was a carpenter by trade; helped
to build the old court house in
Columbus, the old Battle house
in Mobile, and many other public
buildings throughout the South,
but he never moved his resi-
dence after his freedom.
For Several years he has been
too feeble to work but he never
suffered a moement for food or
raiment as his white friends"
were always ready to respond
to his appeal, which was: MY
purse is a little bit dwindled to-
day"
Uncle" Jeff had long been
church member and he was a
christian gentleman all his life.
He was never drunk, had never
taken chew of tobacco and had
smoked very few times He was
as honest as the longest day of
the year and was honored for
always being found true to his
friends.
In 1865 when Col. Johnson was
commanding a regiment of SOL
diers stationed here Uncle"
Jeff's" young master" Geo.
Kirk, incurred the displeasure of
of two or three members of the
regiment and had to make a has
ty retreat to Third Avenue North
and thence east to Thirteenth
street where he resided; closely
followed by his enimies. 'Un-
Gle" Jeff saw them coming and
as Mass George" fell fainting
on the steps he leveled a double
barrel gun on the trio and put |
them to flight. The next day he
told Col. Johnson what he had |
done and asked protection. The
Col. said: Il can protect you
during the day but can not help
you at night, you had better get
away +" With this he gave "Un-
Gle" Jeff $40 and advised him to
% until the regiment was remov-
ed. He went. but returned and
there has never been cause for
him going away until God called
him.
In 1875 during the time that
the Carpet Baggers were running
this country and the white peo-
pie were trying to defend their
homes and their persons from
the ravages of the most damna-
bic set ever given birth to, I'm
Gle" Jeff was true to every prin-
ciple. He joined in with his
whitefolks an helped to protect
their lives and property. Two
nights during these exciting
times Col C. L. Lincoln was
away from home and Uncle"
Jeff requested that he might
stay with Mrs. Lincoln and the
children. His offer was accept
ed because Col. Lincoln knew
with whom he was dealing.
In the war Uncle Jeff was en-
ployed in the arsenal OF the con-
federacy and while there learned |
no bad habits. In ali Of his I
life he was never indeed and |
was never in court but once and |
then as a witness. He was in
jail several times while slave
but for debts his master owed. |
Uncle" Jeff died as the clock |
struck II Thursday night and |
the writer has no doubt that his
soul has waited to a better coun-
try.
At the request of many of his
white friends his body which
had been embalmed by Mr.. II.
B. Elder, lay in state at the
court house from 10 a. m. until
3 p. m. yesterday and was view
ed by many admiring friends.