New-York tribune., 1910-02-27
OLD SL4TES HIS GUESTS.
Barbecue for Former .SerrffOrs and
Their Descendants.

J G. Maxwell gave a barbecue to about sixty
OF his former slaves and their descendants the
other day at Sprinkle. Tex The great feast
took place in q beautiful grove Of live oak trees
upon Nj. MaxwelI's farm It was an outdoor
affair. ard was highly enjoyed by the negroes.
who the invited guests. and by Mr. and
Ms Maxwell. who We're on hand to see that
nothing was omitted that would add to the
pleasure Of their dusky friends
When Mr.. and Mrs Maxwell went 10 Texas
# r virginia. ffty-one years ago. they took
v5-a -le-n twenty-five negro slaves They set
led upon a large farm SIX miles from Austin,
near where the town Of Sprinkle is now sit
mated When the war came on Mr.. Maxwell
MS one II The first 10 so. He left his slaves
Ir charge of his plantation and to look after
the affairs Of MS home during his absence.
Al The close of the war Mr Maxwell found
himself IN a bad financial condition. He owed
large sum ut money upon his plantation. and.
On Ton 5f This his slaves We're free. The faithful
old s..--a--s were overwhelmed with grief when
they learned that they We're to stay no longer
with -ra Maxwell family In response 10 their
7.-45.rss AIr Maxwell agreed 10 keep all II
tasrr anita they could arrange 70 get a start in
The world Tor themselves. They remained with
him -.- several months. until they could find
r-w laeaci1ns AL Of them wanted 10 be near
NJ and Mrs Maxwell. and they rented land all
around The plantation, establishing one Of the
rnos- -e--larkabIe negro communities in the
South
The former slaves prospered- Mr Maxwell
helped Zach Of them 10 get q start. He provided
them WIKI food and clothing during the hard
years when they had failed with their crops
He made i a part - his daily duty TO look
after The welfare Of the men. women and chill
d-eu i the community They came 10 him
whenever in need of advice, whether in regard !
T. their farms or On some question Of more
CONF d34n1iaI nature. 50 well did these negroes
ger along that they We're able 10 purchase the
farms which they originally rented Some Of
them are uow worth from $4,000 to $4,000, |
The have brought up families Of children who |
have received The advantages Of education
- he twenty-five slaves whom Mr. and Mrs |
Navel took 10 Texas with them from Vir- /
gina sven are still alive and make their home |
in re sprinkle community. The descendants
Of The original twenty-five Tow number 1fS /
men women and children At the time when /
Oklahoma was opened for settlement number |
OF the younger families moved there and located !
upon lands which have since increased much in |
value Although some Of the negroes are scat |
tered -hey never forget Mr.. and Mrs Maxwell. |
They often write to them for counsel, and when !
ever they visit the old community they call |
upon -aeIr benefactors.
Il Els been the aim Of Mr.. Maxwell to teach
the negroes how they should conduct their farms
and Olher business affairs He has incucated
thrift in all Of them. Unlike great many
negroes. the younger members Of the Sprinkle
are not shiftless; they have been
taught 10 work and save their money. Although
they have received the advantage Of a common
sc1oel education, Il has not caused them TO want
u become preachers. teachers or lawyers. as is
Usually the case. Most Of them are living upon
farms, where they are Industrious and
Ind