Derrickson - Charley - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

There are few more picturesque pioneer characters in the state than "Uncle Charley" Derrickson, who lives on the line between Montgomery and Boone Counties. "Uncle Charley" will be remembered here as one of the chief witnesses in the James murder trail, which took place a couple of years ago. James shot the old man after having killed Pannel Beckner. Charley's description of his experience was pathetic and very tragic to him. A special from Darlington says: "Uncle Chrley" was born a slave nearly a century ago but unlike old "Uncle Ned" he has still "Woold" on the to po fhis head. His aged wife who died two years ago was also born in slavery. Uncle Charley not only bought his own freedom but that of his wife, long before the emancipation proclamation was issued. "I paid $400 for that old nigger," he was fond of saying during the lifetime of his wife. WHen he came north he chose to be a farmer, and for many years he has lived on one spot, making frequent visits to surrounding towns. It is a familiar sight here to see him walk down the middle of Main St, singing a hymn, his dog following closely behind, as witnessed by 2 or 3 generations of Darlington and Thorntown citizens. Although he is 98 years old or more he is still given to song, while he is possessed of a religious fervor rarely ever found outside the colored camp meetings of 40 years ago. He has been a preacher in his day and he is one of the best entertainers because of his naive way of putting things. After coming north and settling in a Quaker community, a white woman taught him to read the Bible when he was 40 years old. He is a pronounced Democrat in politics, one of his Democratic neighbors through continued kindness having much influence over him. Some years ago, he was an unwilling figure in a murder scrape and he carried some of the shot from the gun which killed another man while 'Uncle Charley" was standing near. His testimony proved to be the richest intellectual feast ever provided in the Montgomery County courthouse. Uncle Charley now lives with his son-in-law and he frequently walks to town about four miles away ........ (sorry, it was cut off) – kbz