The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-15
GREAT STORM DAMAGE HID The C. S. A. SEAL
James Jones, Valet to Mr.. Davis,
Keeps Secret.


Aged EmplOye of Senate Document
Room Served President Of the Los
Cause From 1859 Until His Death
There are few persons in the Uni
ted States more interesting than
James II. Jones, the negro who sery
ed throughout the civil war al
bodyguard and personal servant L
Jefferson Davis, president Of thu
Confederate States of America
Probably there is no man who hai
adhered with greater tenacity to Z
promise than this aged man. who
time after time has refused tC
disclose the secret OF where he hic
the great Confederate seal, just be
fore Richmond was evacuated. al
though museums, patriotic societies
and public-spirited individuals have
offered him small fortunes for his
knowledge
Made to take a solemn oath by
President Davis that he would hide
the seal in some spot where IL could
not be found, and never disclose
its whereabouts,th the negro has been
true 10 his trust and he declares
that there is not enough money
in this world to tempt him to break
his trust with Mr. Davis. Jones
who Is a part Cherokee Indian, is
a stanch Confederate, probably
/ for no other reason than Jefferson
Davis was the head of the cause
| Regarded hishly by employer. hon
ored by Mrs. Davis and treated as
a friend by the children OF Presi-
dent Davis, all Of whom. with one
exception, he has carried TO their
last resting place in the family plot
in Richmond, the suggestion that he
give, or sell. the secret, brings tears
of righteous indignation into the old
mans eyes Bent almost double
with age. and barely able to walk
from one end OF the room to the
other. and well nigh penniless. he,
however. had his reward for his 10y
atty in the friendship OF the most
prominent Southerners in the United
States Senate today
Through the influence Of these
friends he was appointed to the sta
tionery room in the Senate wing OF
the Capitol, and although his health
has prevented him from attending
TO his duties for over two years,
he has been allowed indefinite sick
leave on full salary
Jones was born a free negro
more than 50 years ago. His child
hood was spent in the town OF his
birth. Raleigh. ~ c., where he lived
until the death of his father. James
II. Jones Then leaving his mother
who was almost pure-blooded
Cherokee Indian, he started In to
earn his own living.
While working in the old 81
/ Charles Hotel, in New Orleans. in
1859 Jefferson Davis took a liking
TO him and engaged him as personal
servant and bodyguard. From the
/ first day of his employment Mr.
Davis imposed the utmost conf
dence in his valet. and though Jones
/ had been called a trusty servant
by many of his former employers
he never enjoyed quite as much con-
fidence as that which Davis placed
in him. It was this which brought
about, he says, his great faithful
ness to the Confederate leader.
From the moment that the first
gun OF the civil war was fired at
Fort Sumter until he was released
from Fort Monroe. where he had
been imprisoned with his employer,
Jones never left his employer. ex-
cept. on the one occasion. shortly be-
fore the fall of Richmond. when Mr..
Davis sent him with Mrs Davis and
the children, together with about
$13, 100000 to Charlotte. N. c. Az
ter taking Mrs. Davis and the chill
dren there he hauled the mon
ey around in a freight car, he says,
from place to place, through the
South until he was relieved of his
charge by Capt. Parker. near Wash
ington Ga.
After he had been relieved OF his
charge in Washington. Ga. he re-
turned will all haste to Richmond
where he helped President Davis
prepare for the last flight. They
fled from the fallen Confed-
crate capital together. generally
travelling by night. Mr.. Davis and
his servant encamped on the night
OF May 8, 1865, not far from irwins
Vile. Ga. The next morning when
breaking camp. Jones packed Mr.
Davis cane, which Mr.. Davis was
going to abandon, though he car
ried it all through the war
When they were captured in lrwins-
Vile May 1O,Jones managed to keep
the cane and carried it with him
to Fort Monroe, where both were
imprisoned.
When he was released from the
prison Jones took the cane 10 Mrs.
Davis. He continued to visit Mr.
Davis until the latter's release from
Fort Monroe, about two years later
Shortly before Mr. Davis death
Jones served him for some time at
his last home in Beauvoir. Miss,
leaving his service later
When President Davis body was
carried In state from Beauvolr 10
Richmond, Jones drove the hearse
through the principal cities enroute
at which places services were con-
Quoted in the dead leaders honor
He also drove the hearse in the Hol'
lywood Cemetery funeral at Rich
mond.
Shortly after the funeral MIS-
Davis presented him with the cane
which he had saved, The cane.witf
the handle bound with a thick Sill
yer band, bearing the inscription
ITO James II. Jones, in recognition
of his faithful service. from Mrs
jefferson Davis" he still treasures
Washington Post.
ROAD BUILDING