Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

446

IPIONEER HISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY

After the first year some of the soldiers were sent home as invalids. One I remember most distinctly was a captain. What his
disease was that unfitted him for duty did not interest us much,
but what he brought back as a trophy from the South took our
fancy and was a source of amusement to us kids. What was it?
A colored boy, a contraband about twelve years old named Joe
Darey. His songs, dances and other capers was our movie show
for years to come. Joe lived a life of single blessedness and died
at a ripe old age. In after years when I had reached manhood
and he was an old man he told me something of his life on a plantation in Virginia, how he never heard from his brothers and sisters until forty years had gone, then by accident he heard that a
colored man-a cook in a hotel in this city-bore the same name,
his visit to this man, and how he recognized, after forty years, in
this man a brother. I wish I could describe Joe's quaint speech
as he told me how he made himself known to his brother.
Another man I recall was Captain James Jeffcrics-Capt. Jim.
Ile was an architect and builder. HIe designed and built the D. L.
Case home on North Washington Avenue, now the home of Judge
Weist. I remember his wife and four growing boys. He had
everything to make a man happy, a good business, excellent wife,
four sons that would in a few years help him, but his patriotism,
his duty to his country had, he thought, the first claim, so he left
all and went. His body long ago has crumbled into dust in an
unmarked grave in the southland.
Next picture I remember was on a bright sunny morning,
April 9th, 1865. What a day of rejoicing, of feasting, of display
of flags and bunting, of band playing and marching of Reform
School boys, etc. Why? General Lee had surrendered and the
war was ended. Political foes met and rejoiced together, family
quarrels and neighborhood rows were forgotten and everybody
rejoiced.
The laboring man, who had not tasted fresh meat or drank any
coffee for six months, bought some and feasted that day. In four
days our rejoicing was changed to mourning, for our beloved
President had been assassinated and lay dead in the White House
at Washington.
For thirty days our flags and decorations were draped with
crepe and the people mourned. I will never forget the memorial