"Uncle Jerry" Harris was living in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, in 19001 and 1910.2

     To have lived throughout the administration of every president of the United States is a feat which perhaps can be claimed by but one man in the entire nation. That man is Uncle Jerry Harris of Dallas, old-time slave negro, now nearing his 130th birthday.
     Uncle Jerry was born on Christmas Day in 1789, just a short time after George Washington was elevated to the presidency and he was ten years old when the "Father of His Country" passed beyond.
     He is living with his son-in-law and daughter, W. T. Staples and wife at 1131 Hutchins avenue. When he came to make his home with them seven years ago, at the age of 123 years, he took his first ride on a railroad train. He is blind now, but at that time, he could see better than most younger men, and every mile of the trip was thoroughly enjoyed.

87 Years in One House.
     He lived for 87 years in one house on "Old Massa's" plantation in Louisiana, and throughout that time, was never further than six miles from home. He has been contented all his life to work hard on the plantation, remain amid the simple surroundings of pre-war days, smoke his cob pipe and occasionally take a drink of good "likker."
     Although 70 years old when the Civil War began, Uncle Jerry entered the fray by the side of his master as his body servant and stayed with him, as he explains, "until the worthless niggers went to makin' trubble on de fahm." He was then sent home as overseer of the great plantation, and by a firm application of iron, handed discipline and a liberal use of the blacksnake, he maintained order until the emancipation proclamation and the surrender of Lee's army, finally freed the negroes of the south.
     During all his years as a slave, this old-time darkey was the trusted servant of his masters, of whom he never had but three. He was placed in positions of responsibility, and he saved many a negro from unjustifiable punishment, and caused many of them to receive the punishment to which they were entitled.
     "My word was always taken by the master," he says. "When I told him a negro was innocent, he was never whipped. When I told him he was guilty, he was always whipped."

Remembers All the Wars.
     When asked if he remembered the War of 1812, Uncle Jerry said, "I remembers all de wahs. Dey tried to get me in 'em, but I allus stayed on de fahm." He was a man perhaps older than a majority of his soldiers, when Napoleon met defeat at Waterloo and was exiled to St. Helena.
     The thing that impresses Uncle Jerry more than all else in his long life, is the historic morning when "the stars fell." This was in November, 1833. He relates that it was on Sunday morning and he, with a number of other negro men, were out in the pasture preparing for a hunting trip. The trip was cut short abruptly by this strange phenomena, and the aged darkey says he was sure, at the time, that the world was coming to an end.
     While he has lived contemporaneously with every great man and statesman produced in the United States, Uncle Jerry has seen but few of them, and knew none of them. His has always been the simple life of the farm. He was satisfied to remain in one place, do his honest days' work, and live happily in the little world that surrounded him. He never learned to read or write, and his knowledge of history and events is based solely upon things told him and happenings which he witnessed, and which left a lasting impression upon him.
     He would be living in Louisiana today, but for the fact that the last of "Old Massa's family drapped off," he says. From other sources, it is learned that when his last master, Asbury Abner, died, he bequeathed the negro to a son, with whom he lived, both as a slave, and as a free man, until the son died at the age of 97, some years ago.
     Uncle Jerry was then taken in charge by some white friends who cared for him for some years, until his advanced years and feebleness made it imperative that he be given constant attention. Louis McDade, prominent Louisiana planter, then made a special trip to Dallas to see the daughter of the aged negro and arranged for him to come here.
     His first master was Caleb Harris, and he was born in Middle Tennessee, not far from what was later the home of President Andrew Johnson. At the age of 25, he was sold to Jim Bryan of Mississippi, where he lived 11 years. Bryan was killed in an accident, and when the estate was divided, Uncle Jerry was sold to Asbury Abner, of Bossier Parish, Louisiana, in which family he remained as a slave and a charge for 87 years.

Journeys on Foot.
     The march from Tennessee to Mississippi was made by Uncle Jerry, in company with other slave negroes, on foot. He was transferred in the same way from Mississippi to Louisiana. This was the day before the coming of the steam railway, the electric light and the telephone, and the old darkey still regards them as some sort of mysterious inventions not for the use of men of his type.
     For the great mass of negroes, he believes slave days were the happy days. He says that a negro who was honest and would work, usually fared well under his white master. He has but little respect for the extravagant ones of the young generation, which he characterizes as "wuthless niggers."
     His observation has caused him to believe that the present day negroes, and some of the whites, shun hard work and try to live off their wits. He has but little patience with present "nigger" sassiety, which he describes as being an affair in which a negro man induces some negro woman to make the living for him.

Can't Understand Drouth.
     Having lived for so many years in Louisiana, and being used to his occasional drink, Uncle Jerry could not understand when Dallas went dry, and it is a source of still more wonderment to him that now the nation has gone dry. He says, and his statement is borne out by the daughter, that he never drank to excess, but like so many white men of pioneer days, he had come to regard his "mawnin' toddy" as a necessity. His cob pipe is his constant companion, and he says that he has been smoking when he could procure the weed for more than a hundred years. He does not subscribe to the modern theory that smoking shortens a man's life.
     His recipe for a long life is hard work, plenty of sleep and a "mind that don't trubble yuh." Uncle Jerry believes that a stricken conscience and worry cause premature deaths.
     Many facts concerning his life have been secured by the family in which he lived for so long. It is further borne out by close examinations made by white men familiar with historical events during various periods in America. None of them have been able to confuse the old darkey in any particular, and all who have talked with him are convinced that, though he might not be exactly 130 years old, as he claims, he must necessarily be far past a hundred.

Expects Many More Years.
     Until six weeks ago, he was able to get about the house with the aid of a cane. At that time, he was stricken with a severe attack of rheumatism in the legs, and for some time, was bedridden. He is now able to sit in his chair and contentedly smoke his pipe. He does not believe that his time is rapidly approaching. He seems to think that he has many years yet to live, and takes considerable interest in neighborhood happenings.
     His mind, when discussing events of the long ago, is active and virile. The every-day happenings, however, are soon forgotten. Like many other aged people, he is living in the past, over again the days on the old plantation when everything was provided, when he had no worries, when he was earning his own way and was a charge on no person.

Family Need Assistance.
     His son-in-law, W. W. Staples, is a hard working negro, not less than 65 years old. When he is able to work, he is attached to a city street gang. But, his health has been bad of late, and he has not been able to put in much time. His aged wife is broken down from the long vigil over her father's bedside. A niece has been called in to assist, which she is doing at a great personal sacrifice. When seen last week, the negro workman said that pay day was some time off, and that the family did not have three meals ahead in the house, and no money. All that he has saved has gone to care for his aged charge.
     He has been advised man times during the past few years to appeal to the federated charities and the welfare board for assistance. He has, to this time, refused to do so. He declares that he has always been able to make his own living, and that he feels it his duty to care for his wife's aged father.
     He now realizes, however, that he has gone to the end of his resources. During this week, he was induced by H. C. Carroll of Holland's Magazine to put the case up to the welfare board. Early in the week, he is expecting a visit from officials of that organization. He was hopeful they would do something to ameliorate his financial condition. He declared, however, that he did not want one penny until a thorough investigation was made and the authorities convinced that his cause was meritorious.
     "I have always held the respect of the white people, and I still want it," he said. If they can help me now, I will never forget it."
     It has been suggested that charitably-inclined people, who desire to investigate the case on their own initiative, should do so, and furnish assistance to Staples, who, himself, for a time, was a slave negro, and who always remained true to his old-time white friends.

Married Three Times.
     Uncle Jerry has been married three times, two of which was in slavery time. Four children were born to him in slavery, but he knows nothing of them. Perhaps they are dead, for they would be around the century mark in age, if living now. He has another daughter besides the one with whom he is living, but the burden of caring for him has been thrown on Staples and his wife.

     "Uncle" Jerry Harris, former negro slave, thought to be the oldest man in Texas, was found dead in bed Tuesday morning at his home, 1121 Hutcheson [Hutchins] street. Old age is given as the cause of his death. He was 131 years old. The body has been turned over to the People's Undertaking company. The inquest was held by Judge Sam Barnett.
     "Uncle" Jerry was a native of Tennessee, but was taken to Louisiana by his owner at an early age. He had lived in Texas for seven years, making his home with his daughter, Harriet Staples.
     Until a short time ago, "Uncle" Jerry was able to move about unassisted. Following an attack of rheumatism, however, he was confined to his chair. His mind was clear, up until a short time before his death.