Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-08-17
Ridgeiy Brown Camp Reviews The
Life OF Spencer G. Jones.

Retreat has sounded for our comrade
spencer c. Jones, and the light of his life
mas gone out and he has passed to the I'm.
known and eternal beyond What the
reveille revealed to him we do not know
We can only speak of his past and draw
therefrom our auguries of his future.
We have little to do at this meeting
with his distinguished career as citizen
lawyer and official. In all of them his
ability, his industry and his fidelity to
every trust brought the commentator Of
his fellows. his own self-respect and the
admiration of his friends. 1t is to the
warmer tones of his life to which we turn,
to the side Of his nature which was re.
vealed to his comrades. those whom he
loved and who loved him. those with whom
he had shared the dangers, hardships and
disappointmentso of that sacred cause which
was so dear to his heart and ours.
| Spencer c. Jones was born in Rockville,
Maryland, July 3rd. 1896. At 8 years of
age he moved with his parents to Fred
erlck City. Here he grew to manhood,
studied law and entered upon its practice
as his life work. As the mutterings of the
war cloud grew more distinct his sympa-
thy and affections went with the South.
After war began. he was so pronounced in
his craftsmanship that he was several times
arrested as Southern sympathizer and
spent about 8 months in prison in the
Baltimore city jail, Fort McHenry and Fort
Delaware. He then went South and Joined
the Confederacy. There were, among many
others. two things of which he was proud.
One that he was private in the ranks to
fight oppression and coercion. the other
that he was deemed worthy to be indicted
in Frederick county for having "conspired
with Robert E. Lee and other lewd and
evil disposed persons" to levy war against
his native State. He kept copy of this
indictment and loved to show it. For he
esteemed 1t an honor to be In anywise
linked with the great Chieftain of our cause
His career in the army was an honorable
one. He did his full duty and faithfully
performed all the tasks laid upon him.
Than this. nothing nobler can be said.
After the war, while this indictment was
hanging over him. he could not come home,
so he went to Texas and there taught
school for two years. Better counsel hav-
ing prevailed and the criminal prosecution
for treason having been abandoned, he
came back home, and in 1868 opened his
law Office in Rockville. He was afterward
States Attorney, Clerk of the Court of
Appeals. Treasurer of the State, Senator
from this county, and President of the
Senate. In every position, whether politi-
cal or business, he was faithful and true.
His name stands high upon the list of dis
tinguished citizens of his native State.
When our Camp was formed, he was one
of the charter members and for the whole
Of his after-life he was its ardent support
and loyal son.
To us. his comrades and friends. he was
always the same considerable, helpful,
generous, genial and loving He conceived
the plan and was a most helpful assistant
in the building Of the monument to our
departed comrades. which adorns the pub
lie square in this town. No old COnfeder-
ate ever failed to find friend in him. The
years in their rapid flight bear with them
year by year those whom we have known
and honored and who have blessed their
day and generation. and so this honored
citizen, faithful steward of every trust and
beloved friend on April 1, 1915. fell asleep.
This association cannot last much longer.
One by one we too must hear the sounding
of Lights Out" and close our eyes in our
last sleep. We thank God that there are
none to take our places. The sons and
grandsons of those who followed the stars
and bars are today. side by side and heart
to heart with the sons and grandsons of
our opponents. giving their life's blood for
the stars and stripes as the symbol of
united and loyal people. Our memory Of
the great conflict is no longer tinged with
bitterness as we discuss the causes Of our
differences. We have only time for gentle,
tender memories for those tried and true
comrades who were loyal, brave and trust
worthy here and who transpassed on to be
reviewed by the great Commander beyond.
And so today our hearts are full of low
ing thoughts as we recall the CHEEKY pres
ence. the warm grasp Of the hand. the
pleasant smiles. the hearty greeting and
the ever present, helpful sympathy of our
departed friend. He has passed over the
river and we believe he is resting under the
shade of the trees, and we hope ere long
to meet him there. when we shall again
hesr together the morning call and share
again together the duties OF our citizen
ship.