New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-08
M King IS dead;
[D SOLDIERS SAD.
Born in Slavery and Escaped
at Age Of 10

mes king, iamlllarly Known ABOUT
city for years as Jim, and one OF
most picturesque figures in the G.
r., died at the Soldiers Home in
oton carly this morning. lie had
/ IN failing health for some time,
his death was momentarily ex-
led. Word Of the demise was tele-
fPhed to members of Stanley Post.
sh. r., and the news was received
"a profound regret. 1 Tie :uneral
i be held from the home in Noroton
O'Clock Saturday afternoon. Bur-
Evil be in the cemetery attached to
EEinstitution. The deceased is sur
| Id by q brother, John King, en-
Fed as a barn man at the IL. X.
llSer company He Nas about sew
F-five years of age.
Tim King has passed away, 70 the
OF tie taps OF the Great General,
his memory will be revercd in this
for many years to come. Many OF
cityS leading citizens Wt>o nave
kured to manhood, remember back
almost o decade the impressive
n Of the deceased as he headed the
ks Of the G. A. r. Oh Memorial
IL
b procession TO the cemeteries to
ce on the graves of their departed
|oradcs, their tokens Of rcmem-
|Ince.
The life Of Jim" King was 1illed
In many interesting episodes. but
In hts lips never emarated any
ng which bordcrcd on braggodocio,
hough his intimate friends have,
ling times when Jim" became re-
hiscient, learned of his early life
Heb was burdened by his sale with
"mammy' and brother into slaV-
!. To one of his most Intimate
binds "Jim'' unfolded Il. tale of his
tly life, which was given to Her.
| reporter this morning.
Born in Hampton, Virginia, KING
Eh his ''mamny" and brother lived
| the estate of a slave owner whose
butation at that time secured for
HI the unenvia BILE reputation OF pc
the ciueiest man in the state k1ns
teiyed no education and was forced
work from early morning until late
night, and when the break between
j North and South came. Jim
ttched every movement made by the
,-anks' to whose cause he was
'ong adherent.
Runs Away at Nineteen.
At the age of nineteen in the face
thrashing to be administered Tor
me slight infraction of the rules OF
Ie master, he stole away with very
tie clothing, and headed north for
e Yankee lines. Jim" in speaking
the occasion, always referred to 1t
..yery dark with no mortal IN
xht." Soon after his escape his loss
az detected by the master and ne,
ded by other slaves, started IN pur-
1T of fugitive. BY hiding in under
.ush, King managed to outWlt MS
lrsuers and when daylight arrived
] was on the banks of the James nv
whose stream was raging on &C
,unt Of the heavy rains. His goal,
,wever. Law across the river, and, de-
ing the consequences, Jim plunsea
|. and Immediately started one OF the
ardest battles with death not except
y the musket fire of the Confeder-
Is.
Fate evidently decreed that the
IA of Jim King to join the Union
nv would not be carried along
.imrose path, for on success1ullS
aching the other side of the shore'
lakes were his next enemy. But a
lort fight caused the grass proWlers
/ seek refuge, and the rest OF the
in to the Union headquarters was
ithout particular incident. Because
ing was youthful in appearance ana
nall in physique, the commander OF
le army at first demurred against the
Visiting of the boy" SO sincere was
Jim that the commander relenteu
id agreed to take him along. -.
Under the alias, montgomery
ing first saw service with the Ninety
bird New Y ork Regiment ana la'er
Z Joined Co. F, Twenty-Third Unlteo
Lates Colored Troops, remaining WITH
lem until he was mustered out at
razus Brazus, dSantiago, Texas, NO
ember 80, 1865. The quiet life OF the
william failed to have it's charm for
Jim" and, hislnext entry into service
as in the navy in which he re-
laine4 two years, receiving an honor
BILE discharge.
slim Comes North.
After a short stay in Washington,
}. G., King decided to come north
nd in 1867 he secured work with q
armer in West Hartford, named
ternberg The Nutmeg State APP
called to King, and in 1872 he re-
1rned south to bring his NANNY
nd brother John to what he called
Gods Country" His "mammy' anc
rother later settled in Plainville
when speaking Of Old Glory, Jim
yould BEEN with smiles and say, tina
lorious ole flag, that meant freedom
or NV dear ole nanny
Shortly after the close OF the CIV
Var a demonstration was held il
D. c., in honor of the VIC
orv. and Jim was one OF the hrs
Isitors to arrive in the capital to wit
ess the sight. Jim" later referee
: President Lincoln as IAN old mar
hin as a toothpick. Later when n
old his NANNY of seeing the pres
dent she cried GLORY Hallelujah.'
For many years, King was employe
bout the city at odd jobs, carpe
cleaning being his speciality Joinln
stanley Post, G.. A. r., in 1884, n
vas one of it's most enthusiastic mem