The Colorado statesman., 1912-07-20
NOTED COOK DEAD
Mrs. EmeIlne Jones, Original Maker
OF Saratoga Chips, Expires After
Lingering lllness-Caterer Gross
Tells Of How Services of Cook Was
Sought by Presidents.

New York-In the death of Mrs.
Emeline Jones, who died at her resi-
dence, 314 West Fifty-second street,
after an illness of several months du.
ration, the country loses cook widely
known for her culinary art, and whose
services were greatly sought after by
presidents of the United States and
wealthy citizens. She enjoyed the
distinction of first bringing Saratoga
chips to the attention of the public
Mrs. Jones attracted attention be-
cause of her appetizing terrapin stews,
| croquettes and mince pies Both Presi-
| dent Cleveland and President Arthur
after having eaten food prepared by
this celebrated cook, sought to engage
her services as head cook at the White
| House, but to no purpose
The funeral of the deceased was
held from the Church of st. Benedict
the Moor, the Rev. Father O'Keefe Off
ciating.
In speaking of Mrs. Emeline Jo1es
as famous cook and caterer, w. E.
Gross, one of New York's Oldest cater
ers, comments as follows:
"One of the best female cooks OF
New York City passed away. The
Rev. Father O'Keefe celebrated a sol.
emn requiem mass for the repose of
her soul Mrs. Jones came from Bal
timore, Md, about forty years ago. A
very little is known of her early life,
but she soon launched out as a pro-
fessional cook, succeeding Mrs Muir
ray, and in a few years became IA
nous among the wealthy families of
this city as president of the Public
Walters of New York, when | became
acquainted with her. She was OF a
cheerful and sunny disposition and en-
deared herself to all who came in con-
tact with her. Many of the caterers
of those days sought her services, and
the demands upon her were so great
that she Immediately procured and
taught assistants to help fill her or.
ders. One of her apt pupils. Mrs Fan
ME G. Jarvis, gives her credit for the
skill she acquired and is today her
worthy successor.
Mrs. Jones was the originator OF
the Saratoga chips, which became a
| staple article of food at the various
| business resorts. The late President
Arthur, through Aleck Powell, sought
her services to cook at the White
House, but she declined the offer
/ John Chamberlain secured her serv.
ices at a large salary at his club
houses In New York. and at Point
Comfort, Virginia. The steward OF
John DAILY, NOVEL; Newman, later sue
ceeded in giving her position at John
Daly's house at Long Branch Mrs
Jones was famous for her terrapin
stew, croquettes and mince pies.
wall, the baker of Sixth avenue,
in the winter season engaged the serv-
| ices of Mrs. Jones to make his mince
pies and rolls. At that time cooks
had to make rolls and bread for their
parties and dinners. Most of the
wealthy families procured their pies
cry down town.
Mrs. Jones' assistants were kept
busy filing orders. Colored cooks and
caterers did most OF the work in those
| times, and she took delight in making
successful such caterers as the Van
Dykes, John Lucas, Hiram Thomas,
Nathaniel Johnson, Moses Lewis, Ho-
ratio Butler, VIM. Smith, James w
| Mars, T. Mccarthy, VIM. Heydiger,
! John Brown, Vernon C. Murray, my
self and many others. Most of the
colored cooks came from Baltimore
and Philadelphia and settled in New
York
"A prominent wealthy merchant of
this city gave me an order to procure
cook to serve dinner at his home,
and to get the best, as he wished to
entertain the late President Cleveland
and his wife. Money was no object.
engaged Mrs. Jones. She served
President Cleveland so well that he
offered her large salary to cook for
him, but she had to refuse the offer.
There was tradition at that time
before the advent OF the French and
Italian cooks that colored cooks were
| the best.
Mrs. Jones always received her or
ders carte blanche, and made up her
menus.
Cooking is fine art, and if many
of our young women of today were to
take 1t up we would have many more
than we have and not depend upon
delicatessen stores. Mrs. Jones lately
suffered so that she could only take
orders and send out assistants. | will
miss her greatly.
She leaves, Ielearn, sister and n
nephew. The French Cooks Society
faithfully cared for her during her i'll.
ness. and had charge of her remains
for burial"