The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-05-24
A Shepherd Hero


lonaires, philanthropists. priests, ac-
tors. artists, poets, reformers, auth
ors, editors, railroad masters, ship
owners. bankers, merchants, lawyers
and others whose deeds of heroism
and sacrifice challenge the martyrs
of all ages. Among them was one
OF Gods noblemen, Vermont shep-
herd, c. c. Jones, of Fillmore
Farms" After the cable ship gath
cred the floating bodies and started
for Halifax, the first name flashed
through space was &c. C. Jones"
Thank God. his wife is spared the
lifelong torture of those whose loved
ones sleep under the green waves,
never to rise till the dawn of the
Resurrection mora.
How they'll miss him at the ring
side. He was picturesque charac-
ter-different from the rest.
All gatherings of shepherds well
coined him Associations always
sought his advice on knotty prob
lens. Many a presiding officer
would solicit the opinion of Jones.
A timely suggestion aided by his
drol wit, saved many an embarrass-
ing situation for the chairman
Others talked much and said little;
Jones talked little but said much.
His sound advice on breeding ques-
! tons, fair and association manage
ment, was sought alike by laymen
and officials. AS an impromptu
speaker at any kind of a sheep meet
ing he had no peer in the country.
Always modest, he seemed unconsci-
Gus OF his influence among his fel
low flock men G. c. Jones was a
master breeder and feeder, not only
of sheep but all other kinds of stock
While at Fillmore Farms he import
ed and raised only Dorsets. His
expert knowledge of all mutton and
wool breeds was everywhere recog-
nized. Mr.. Jones had the happy fac
ulty of selecting sheep that pleased
buyers. No manager of great es-
tate was more beloved by his en-
ployees, in whose welfare he always
took a warm interest His views
we're liberal and his charity broad
Mr.. Jones took a keen interest in
the larger affairs of sheep husban
dry, and no one regretted more the
| baneful influence of tariff agitation
He was disguised with political man
ipulation of the wool industry, and
hoped il would soon end. His heart
was with the growers in their battle
for protection. In his last letter to
us were these words. 81 am as deep
ly interested as you yourself in the
sheep industry in America. ! am at
any and all times ready and willing
to do what | can to promote the
same"
Mr.. Jones was a great mixer. He
knew the sheep men were gregarious
folks by nature and liked the genial
smile, hearty hand clasp and word OF
cheer, and he was always ready 10
respond Among his warm friends
he was known as prince OF good
fellows, and as raconteur he had
few equals. There was, howeeer
none of the bar room shepherd atmos
phere about him. He was a true
gentleman, and had the respect OF
every man he knew.
Charles Cresson Jones was born
in 1866 at Darby. suburb OF Phila
delphia. Penn His father, Stacy
Jones of Philadelphia. was an emf
nent physician and the author OF a
large number of valuable medical
works. Charles was educated for
the same profession, but Ill health
| forced him to seek a milder climate
| He engaged in sheep and cattle
ranching in Western Texas and Ole
Mexico. after which he returned tC
! New England and married Ida, daugl
ter of d. NJ. Garfield. He bought anC
operated a large plantation in Vir
ginia. and later owned and farmed {
choice tract in the Berkshire section
| in Massachusetts, Among the large
estates he managed was the John ID
Rockefeller place at Cleveland, o
Mr. Jones was high Mason and wa
buried at Bennington with all thu
honors accorded TO a member OF tina
order
Charles Jones had a strange pre-
monition of the tragic fate tina
awaited him. For weeks before h
| lelt flilmOTe ne tOlu tue DOlS III
heart was not in the trip To hi
assistant. Charlie Brettell. he re
marked "I1l never return. My book
and accounts are all in good shape
and | want you to take charge o
them He made an unusual choic
selection OF English sheep, skimmin
the cream from the most noted Dol
set hocks. While in Great ,Britai
he engaged an English woman an
her daughter to take charge OF tn
Jones household at Fillmore. The
we're on the Titanic and Sunday ev,
ming he invited them TO his stat,
room. where he showed pictures G
beautiful Fillmore Among the pho
tographs was a fine likeness of Mr.
Jones AS they took their leave, Nj
Jones said. 81 want you TO take al
other look at my wife; I'll never sc
her again. but you will"
A New York gentleman who wa
with Mr.. Jones during the next awfl
four hours. described wildly to Fill
more friends the scenes enacted o
the decks Of the giant steamship b.
fore she took her last plunge. Nj
Jones was particularly calm an
worked like a Trojan assisting th
sailors In loading and lowering Oh