The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-08-09
JAMES II. JONES. NEGRO.
INTERESTING CHARACTER
jefferson Davis CoaCllHfRn and Cap
tuFc,1 With Confederate President
Entrusted by Davis to Bury Great
Seal Of Cotsfs1eTsA.e Substituting
Place Remains Secret.
(As,leville GAzette-News.)

Raleigh, July 10.
By far the most interesting negro
in North CarA.na is James II. Jones,
of Ralaigh, who, half a century ago,
played q stirring part in history Di-
rectly after Jefferson Davis was made
president of the Confederate States.
at Montgomery, IN the fateful time
when the great civil war began, Jones
entered the service as coachnan.
From that day to this he considered
that he has always been in the rv-
ice Of the Davis family. He IS old and
devotion to the enc OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Davis and their children, n
hat OF the Confederacy only deepens
as the FS march on. Jones was seen
today In his modest little boarding
house, and appeared dressed exactly
as Mr.. Davis used to dress; in black
b~roadcloth from head to foot; boots
CT the old style, perfectly polished;
fine linen shirt, low collar and black
bow tie, with hat CT dark felt, also Of
the Old shape. In act he might have
stepped out Of q picture OF 1861-66.
AS he walked, with feeble steps, he
partly supported hinself with a cane,
q gift TO him from his beloved Presi-
dent Davis, the handle OF the cane be-
ing the horn Of a very fine buck killed
by Mr.. Davis In Mississippi. In Jones.
room were many souvenirs CT. the Da-
Wis family. and he brought out a port
folio of others, from his trunk. incfud-
ing letters from Mr.. and Mrs. Davis
and Mrs. Hayes, the latter always ad-
dressing him as Dear Old Jim" and
both President and Mrs Davis show
ing their undyiIsg affection for their
ever-faithfu} v No man could
be more dcveted to the memory of
another than Jones to that Of Mr..
Davis.
When the body of Mr.. Davis was be-
ing taken from New Orleans to
Richmond for burial, the faithful old
~coachran drove the horses which
bore it in the procession at Raleigh
and did the same last service at Rich
nlond. This surviving members Of the
family showed how profound was their
regard for the old family servant, who
carried then as always, the picture of
Mr.. Davis next to his heart. Jones
has several Confederate re-
unions, and hoped to be strong enough
to go to the present one at Mobile.
Fer many years he has been an en-
ploye in the document room Of the
United States Senate, this position be-
ing filled with the absolute faithful
ness which always marked his, life.
He was nde the direction then of
the secretary Of the Senate, General
William r.. Cox, whose brigade of
~Confederates fired the last volley at
A~ppopattox, and aften Gen. Cox's re-
tirenlent was continued in this posi-
ton. Last yea his health broke
down and he came to Raleigh to
spend the winter.
In April Jones wrote the following
letter to Julian S. Carr, the comnan-
der of the North Carolina division of
Confederate veterans, at the Mobile
%reunion: Il regret deeply that as
President Jefferson Davis
and vote friend l cannot be present
at the Mobile reunion, but for nearly
a year my health a been SO feeble
I can scarcely leave my room. My
devotion to Mr.. Davis and the mem
bers Of his family began with the
m nencement Of my service with
him at Montgomery IN 1861. I was
with him until the end, was captured
with him, and for a time shared his