The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-07-29
YEARS
BEHIND PRISON BARS
The Strange and Picturesque Career
of Robert 7. Jones, of Edge
field.

Twenty-Five years in prison! These
words mean absolutely nothing to
those whose lives run in the ordinary
channels of this world-to those who
do not know what real suffering is,
however many the small trials be. To
live apart from the rest Of the world
save for the few hundred unfortunates
in like situation-to be encompassed
for the most part by four walls OF
exceedingly narrow range-to have
almost no place in the world at all
that is the lot of one who has spent
quarter of a century behind the pris-
on bars.
Treated kindly? Yes, but with the
kindness that means only pity. 1t is
not the kindness that is linked with
love, such as there was in the old
home. In good health? Yes, but not
with the many comforts Of the home
that was left when the long journey
was taken.
So it is with one who has commit
ted a crime that is condemned by the
laws of man and God-the taking of
human life, and has been dealt with
according to those laws.
Robert 7. Jones.
Only few days ago there left Co.
lumbia man who would have told
you such a story of prison life had
you talked with him. Robert T. Jones,
he was when he left the penitentiary
20 years later. Bob Jones has spent
altogether twenty-five years in prison
more than fve'years in the county
jail and more than 10 years in the
State penitentiary.
The picturesque career Of Robert 1.
Jones has been told many times IN the
press of this State. His has been
life full of incidents that make the
pen move with ease. But there are
many things yet to be told about Old
Bob, many things that will be of gen.
eral interest. When he left Colum-
bia Tuesday afternoon, Bob Jones
started out on a new trail, after
spending those twenty-five years IN
prison. Bob is going to settle in the
little town of Harlem, in Georgia,
Richmond county, after visit to the
West This place is far enough away
from the old haunts to make Bob for
z, the day, marv years ag' when n
a sudden fit of passion he killed three
men single-handed. and close enough
to the sunny hills Of old Edgefleld to
recall the best days of his younger
life. When Bob left home, he parted
with his wife, who died soon after-s
ward, but some of his boys and girls
are yet living, and all are prosperlng,
taking after their father, who in his
day was as prosperous a farmer as
one found in the Edgefeld region.
A Student of Life Writes of Bob.
When the story was printed in the
News and Courier few days ago that
Bob Jones had been released from
nrison through the communication of
his sentence by Governor Ansel,
friend of the News and Courier lett
oote at the Columbia bureau in which
he stated that he was very much IN
terested in the career of the noted
prisoner and would like the world to
know the strange history of the man.
The man who is responsible for the
facts given below has known BOD
Jones for many years, he knows bet
ter than any one else the good that
is in him, the traits that go to make
up the indescribable qualities even in
man whose best years have been
spent in a prison. 1t will be surprising
to many people to read the story OF
Bob Jones's life as given in the few
handwritten sheets left at the News
aQG COuElSI UuISdO d AC" NS-S - NoN'
Named for Robert Toembs.
Robert Toombs Jones was born on
the 18th of September, 1856, in Colum-
bia county, Georgia. He was named
for Bob Toombs, one Of the greatest
intellects the South ever produced
and Georgia produced none greater.
He moved to South Carolina in 1879,
having married Miss Corley from this
State. He settled in Edgefeld county,
which was the old home Of his WIFE,
seven miles from the town of Edge
field. He bought small place and
started to farming and engaging IN
the merchandise BUSINESS.
Settles in Soul Caro';la.
bob Jones had been living in South
Sryoc