Bexar County Texas Archives News.....Jefferson August 17, 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Renfrow jrenfrow@swbell.net June 15, 2008, 5:38 pm San Antonio Light August 17, 1883 JEFFERSON. -------- Franklin Fagins, Body Servant to the Father of Democracy, Talks With the Light Commissioner -------- He Gives Some Interesting Reminiscences of the Life and Death of the Famous President. -------- The LIGHT commissioner was introduced to an old negro, named Franklin Fagins. He is an old man, small sized, grey haired somewhat pale and feeble, but looking remarkably well for a man who is 83 years of age. At the present time he is a farmer in Atascosa county, but years ago he was body servant to President Jefferson. In giving details of his life he said he was raised at Mount Cello, Albermarle county, Virginia, where Jefferson lived. When he was old enough he was made body servant, and when talking of his dear old master, as he called him, tears came into his eyes. He described Jefferson as a very kind and humane man, especially to negroes, and said that he always saw them properly housed and cared for. This kindness, then uncommon, made the negroes love him. There was no escapes, all loved to be near him and they would have laid down their lives for their dear old master. His manner was calm, his temper even and he did not remember him using an unkind word. Jefferson would occupy his time walking, riding, writing and fishing, but what he seemed to enjoy most was to sit in his big arm chair and think. Sometimes during the thinking spells he would light a cigar, but he was not an excessive smoker. He took great interest in the Challisville university, and frequently drove over there in his coach and six horses and still more frequently entertained the people from the college. He remembered the President’s death and was in the room when the spirit of the father of Democracy passed away. He felt then as if he had lost his father. He was present at the funeral. Jefferson was buried in a grand coffin, purchased from England, which was glazed in such a way as to allow the body PRESERVED IN ALCOHOL, to be plainly seen. Fagins saw the body four months after interment and he looked as natural as life. After this Fagin was transferred to other service. He came to Texas 30 years ago. When the emancipation of the slaves was declared he became free. When asked if he was in favor of emancipation he said: “If I was a young man I would prefer being free; as I was an old man, over 70 years of age, it was bad for me, for I had no one to take care of me. However, with the aid of the Lord I have got on very well.” And this is true. Since he became free he has married a wife, got a family, and has a profitable little farm. When asked his opinion of questions affecting the colored folk Fagins said he had none. He minded his own business and let other folks deal with politics. Here the old man touched his hat respectfully, bade the commissioner good day and walked off to attend his team. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/bexar/newspapers/jefferso132gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/txfiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb