Gunsmith and former slave's story worth remembering

As we approach Jan. 15, the day celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory, it would be remiss not to consider other famous African Americans that contributed in so many ways to our shared history and our shared nation. These men and women paved the road upon which Dr. King walked to Washington to proclaim that he had a dream. It's a simple task to explore the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen who valiantly fought in the skies over Europe, Jesse Owens' run to gold in the 1936 Olympics, and one-time slave Frederick Douglass's fight to end that aberration. There's Booker T. Washington, an adviser to presidents Roosevelt and Taft, Sojourner Truth who fought for equal rights for all women, and George Washington Carver who developed more than 300 uses for the common peanut while teaching at the Tuskegee Institute. We should never forget brave Rosa Parks, the melodies of Billie Holliday, or Sarah Breedlove who, by 1919, was one of the first female self-made millionaires in the United States. These, as well as many others, are written in the pages of our continuously developing country; but, like so much of history, many who contributed have all but been lost to the misty past. One of those is James Monroe Jones. Born a North Carolina slave, Jones' father purchased his family's freedom and moved them from those terrible shackles to settle in the little town of London nestled in the free state of Ohio. James Monroe Jones then proudly earned a degree from Oberlin University and returned to his new home town where he began a career as a gunmaker. He moved to Chatham, Ontario, Canada to continue his work where he became the only black gunsmith in that country. That is where a young slave boy who became a college educated free tradesman crossed paths with royalty; or at least, he almost crossed that path. Edward, Prince of Wales and a collector of fine firearms, was making his first official visit to Canada and was persuaded to divert part of his trip to visit the town of Chatham. He was told that a local, well renowned gunsmith had built a pair of finely constructed gilt derringer handguns especially for the Prince. Though Canada was a free country, race was unfortunately still a factor. In this case, Prince Edward accepted the invitation but he was not informed that James Monroe "Gunsmith" Jones was a black man. A political panic developed about what should be done. Confronted with the issue and with a very impatient Prince Edward, it was decided. The Mayor of Chatham informed the royal's entourage that there had been a change in the travel plans. The gilded guns were produced by "contaminated hands" and could not be gifted to the royal family. Prince Edward left, never having met Gunsmith Jones, one of the finest gunsmiths in North America. Chatham's mayor had made an embarrassingly unforgivable mistake and local papers were not shy about pointing out the blunder. Both of the derringers, as well as a James Monroe Jones engraved silver platter were subsequently presented to the Prince by his mother, Queen Victoria and are now on display in Windsor Castle. Jones eventually moved to western Canada and married Emily Francis, later moving back to Chatham. By 1860, the town's black population had grown to be nearly 30% of its residents, due to its being a hub on the Underground Railroad and the number of prior slaves escaping the fractured not-so United States. He continued his gunsmithing services and produced many fine firearms, some of which are now displayed within Windsor, Chatham, and U.S. museums. His final years were lived out in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he died in 1906 at the age of 85. James Gooding, publisher of The Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting, named James Monroe Jones as "one of six Canadian gunsmiths who had the skill… to be compared with the best in the world." Edward, Prince of Wales, later became King Edward VII. I believe that he grew to regret missing that coincidental meeting with Gunsmith Jones to accept a brace of gilt-adorned pistols and to meet one of the world's most skilled craftsmen that he so much admired. "Our true nationality is mankind." — H.G. Wells Along the way The state of Ohio features a diverse landscape — with rolling hills, winding streams, and a Great Lake — and for 75 years the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has been charged with the protection and conservation of that landscape. This year, the department celebrates this milestone with special programming, a look back at the agency's history, and special events. "ODNR is dedicated to protecting all the natural wonders that make Ohio the heart of it all," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. "For generations, a staff of passionate people have worked at ODNR to accomplish this mission and keep Ohio beautiful for both residents and visitors." Throughout its history, ODNR has served to safeguard Ohio's trees, native plants, geological features, mineral resources, wildlife, and waters. The department has also worked to capture the joy of the great outdoors through many recreational endeavors such as blossoming our Ohio State Parks and nature preserves, growing state wildlife areas, and blazing new trails in Ohio's forests. This feat has been accomplished through the dedication of hardworking people in the department and its many divisions: Engineering, Forestry, Geological Survey, Mineral Resources Management, Natural Areas and Preserves, Oil and Gas Resources, Parks and Watercraft, Water Resources, and Wildlife; along with ODNR's offices of Coastal Management, Law Enforcement, and Real Estate and Land Management. "Celebrating ODNR's 75th anniversary means looking back at all the incredible achievements this department has made, but it's also about looking toward the future," ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "Just as we've done for 75 years, ODNR will continue to work on projects the state can be proud of." Step outside •When I was in school or participating in a scouting, the mention of a field trip always got me excited. It was a break from the norm, an opportunity to explore or visit someplace new. I'd forgotten that feeling but it was recently rekindled in an unlikely place – the Findlay, Ohio, Steak and Shake restaurant. Colleen and I stopped by for a quick bite and a group from Heritage Assisted Living were playing bingo in the dining area. We found out that the manager, Jill Lippert, had taken it upon herself to offer this opportunity. Heritage accepted, Jill bought a few small prizes (what's bingo without prizes) using her own cash, and the games were on! Jill told me that she hopes that more care facilities take advantage of her offer to visit Steak and Shake for a friendly game. She hopes that such visits become a regular occurrence. This wasn't corporate's idea of selling milkshakes and burgers; she said that absolutely no purchase was necessary. It was about offering once active folks a field trip, a chance at breaking the norm, an opportunity to explore. It was Jill's idea of giving back, of living a philosophy she'd read about in a good book. What a great role model for the shop's young employees … and for the rest of us. If you are associated in any way with a local assisted living center, or have an idea that could help her efforts, Jill would love to hear from you. Maybe a game of bingo is in your future! Contact Jill at 740-751-3806. "And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day." — Dr. Seuss. •Thursday: Trap and Skeet Practice, open to the public. 4 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. •Jan. 10: Wildlife Council Meeting, Wildlife District 1 Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. Council meetings are open to the public and begin at 6 p.m. Proposed rule changes and Division of Wildlife updates are heard and reviewed at these meetings. •Tomorrow: Trap Shoot, 1 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186 •Jan. 14: 50-Bird Trap Shoot, Fostoria United Sportsmen, 1324 N. U.S. 23 Fostoria. Practice traps open at 11 a.m., program at noon. Contact Danny Bryant at 567-278-1956. •Jan. 20: Strengthening the Dad/Daughter Relationship 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A workshop for male caregivers and their girls in grades 6-8. Join Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) for a fun and empowering event for girl dads and their daughters to strengthen connection and communication. Adults learn simple strategies for empowering and communicating with their girls while they get to meet others of their own age and interests. ROX, 1335 Dublin Road, Suite 18A, Columbus. Cost of event: $50. Visit www.rulingourexperiences.com. Contact sarah.schott@dnr.ohio.gov for pre-registration/information. •Jan. 21: 50-Bird Trap Shoot, practice opens 11:30 a.m., program begins 12:30 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. Public welcome. Contact: Sandy Thomas, sandthm@aol.com Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com