The Brief Tale of Carson Jones

 
 

 

This flintlock blunderbuss pistol, most likely of late 18^th century Spanish design was purportedly the property of Zebulon Jones. Jones was a wealthy plantation owner and it is believed that the pistol had been a gift from a visiting South American businessman.

One day, a young “house” slave by the name of Carson “Jones” was cleaning in the master’s study. As was his habit he had removed the flintlock from its’ case to dust it. Carson always enjoyed cleaning the flintlock because he greatly admired the craftsmanship and the feel of the weapon in his hand. Carson knew that slaves were rarely allowed to handle weapons, but never considered his cleaning as a real infraction of the rules. Unfortunately, Mr. Zebulon Jones chose that moment to enter the room. Mr. Jones was horrified seeing his weapon in the hands of his slave, and bellowed in anger and shock. Carson was so surprised and frightened that he reflexively pulled the trigger of the pistol which was always kept loaded. The shot came nowhere near hitting Zebulon Jones, but so unnerved him that he had a heart attack and died right on the spot. Carson Jones, knowing that his life would soon be forfeit if he did not leave immediately, fled the house with weapon still in hand. Although, search parties and dogs hunted the runaway slave for several days he was clever and eluded them. Moving only along the river and backtracking frequently in the water where the dogs could not track him, he made his way slowly northward. He knew his only hope was to find the so-called “underground railway” that slaves from some of the surrounding plantations had told him about. Carson had heard of the secret meeting place for the railway. It lay some fifty miles distant, but Carson had been taught the ways of the forest by his mother who was part Indian, and he knew how to survive. Although he found the meeting spot fairly easily he was forced to wait for a long time before anyone showed up. However, two days later a party of fellow escapees did finally arrive. He later remarked that he had never felt so alone in all his life. It was a difficult and often perilous trip, but one month and nearly 1500 miles later the group passed over the border into Canada and freedom.

Meanwhile, Jones had kept the flintlock pistol with him and when he crossed over into Canada he held it once again in his hand. In his telling of this story he said that he just laughed until he cried and fell down on his knees to thank the Lord for this strange and wonderful instrument of his deliverance. and he determined to keep the weapon as a kind of good luck talisman. Though he kept this pistol as a treasured item and passed it on to his children, along with this story, the weapon was never fired again.

Mr. Carson Jones’ and family returned to the United States during the Civil War. His son, also Carson, served in Company E, 4th US Colored Infantry at Fort Lincoln.  He served with the distinction. 
Transcribed this day of January 9, 1904 by Jeremiah Tilton. This story was told to me by my dear friend Carson Jones Jr. aged 75 years, on the above mentioned date in the city of Atlanta, Georgia  

Story by Alexander Herwitz
This story is fictional.  Any relationship to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Attached above is an actual photo of Company E.  Below is the weapon that inspired this story and was created by me from a grey plastic toy.  I used several layers of mixed media paint and painting effects to achieve what I hope looks like the real thing.  I then mounted it on blue velvet.