Spalding-Pike County GaArchives News.....Jack Reid Returns To Griffin Home September 11, 1903
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lynn B. Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 August 30, 2007, 7:39 am

The Macon Telegraph September 11, 1903

Views The Grave Where He Was Supposed To Have Been Buried Seven Years Ago

Identified By Old Residents Though He Had Been Absent Thirty Years

A Life Crowded With Adventure

Griffin, Ga., Sept. 10. - Griffin was treated to a sensation today. Jack Reid, 
at one time handsome, debonair and the possessor of a large fortune, came back 
to view the grave he was buried in about seven years ago.

The history of this wanderer would fill a folio, for it passes knowledge to 
even keep up with his escapades and adventures for the past thirty years. He 
was born near Griffin in 1839, his parents being John and Sarah Reid of Pike 
county. As a young man he inherited a splendid fortune, which he immediately 
blew in the swagger fashion of the times. Drink, hard luck and everything 
drove Jack from his associations and he fell from the prestige of his family 
by marrying a lady who was probably the truest friend that he has ever had.

When he arrived here he walked into the bar of Reid & Gordon and called for 
Mr. Reid. When confronted by that gentleman for the first time, Mr. Jim Reid 
said: "I don't know who you are, but I'm talking to a Reid."

"You are," was the reply, "and I am Jack Reid, that for the past thirty years 
has been living in South America and Mexico and who was reported dead in a 
Texas jail."

When Mr. Reid recovered his breath he sent out for all of the oldest 
inhabitants to identify the missing dead - alive man, and without hardly an 
exception he proved himself to be the man.

When all had come in and a crowd was around the veteran, Henry Reid, a negro 
blacksmith, was sent for to identify the stranger. One glance was sufficient 
and the negro said, with outstretched hand, "Howdy do, Marse Jack."

"Why, Henry, you --- --- scoundrel, I haven't seen you since I sold you in 
Mobile for $300 to raise money and you ran away and came back the next day."

"You! you! dat sho' is Marse Jack." and the ex-slave and master indulged in 
reminiscences for a number of minutes for the benefit of the crowd.

Jack Reid is supposed to have been buried in the Citizen's cemetery here about 
1896 [?], having been taken from a Texas jail. He explained that by saying 
that his partner died and he allowed him to be buried as Jack Reid.

In the meantime he has been in hard luck, and yet he shows the traces of a 
gentleman.

[Transcribed 8/30/2007 Lynn Cunningham]

Additional Comments:
At Oak Hill Cemetery, Spalding County, Georgia (buried with his parents)
John Brewer Reid, Jr., b. 29 July 1844, d. 19 Jan 1879

Jack Reid's mother was Sarah Freeman Blanton Reid. Her will leaves a clue as 
to the "splendid fortune" left to her son:

Abstracts of Will Book A (1852-1880)
Spalding County, Georgia
Sarah F. Reid
Written 12 Oct 1860
Probated 5 Oct 1861
Pg 69
Husband: Not named.
Children: Mary E. Reid, John B. Reid
Neice: Elizabeth M. Winship, daughter of Elizabeth Sallie Reid Winship
Mary E. Reid to receive a separate bequest of money from $10,000.00 railroad 
stock as a portion of her share in her father's estate. Balance of estate 
divided equally between Mary E. Reid and John B. Reid. Niece received a negro 
girl, Julia (about 5 years old), during her life time and at the death of 
Elizabeth said negro will go to Sallie Reid Winship.
Extr: William M. Blanton
Wit: Thomas G. Hunt, Richard W. Williams, Sarah F (?)

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/spalding/newspapers/jackreid2337gnw.txt

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