CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES, fourth born child, son of Wiley E. and Elizabeth H. (Talley) Jones, was born April 14, 1843, in Henry County, Tennessee. He died February 12, 1929, at Alex, Grady County, Oklahoma. He is buried in the Paoli City Cemetery, Paoli, Garvin County, Oklahoma, next to his wife, Sarah Luganie Jones. Cornelous married Sarah Luganie Jones, daughter of James Madison Jones and Matilda (Cook) Jones, January 2, 1868, at Alvarado, Johnson County, Texas. Luganie died April 21, 1897, and is buried in the Paoli City Cemetery, Paoli, Garvin County, Oklahoma. Cornelous and Luganie had eleven children. They were: Eudocia Mabel (1868, died in infancy), Lee Wightman (1870-1957), Martha Viola (1871-1960), Mary Ruth (1873, died in childhood), James Elmo (1874, died in childhood), Otis Hartswell (1876-1929), Charles Cornelous (1878, died in childhood), Arlie Luvida (1881-1965), Lula Alice (1883), Emmett Bascum (1886-1972) and Elizabeth Esthel (1890).
Cornelous was a veteran of the Civil War. He served in the Confederate 12th Cavalry of Texas, mustered in as a Private at age nineteen in Capt. Wm. J. Neal’s Company, 4th Regiment Texas Volunteers, at Camp Hebert near Hempstead, Texas, Oct. 28, 1861, by W. J. Neal, for a period of twelve months. Miles traveled to 194 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 195 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
rendezvous: 260. Valuation of horse: $140. Value of equipment: $15. Horse’s name: Maco Mano.
This company subsequently became Company C, 12th Regiment, Texas Cavalry. The 12th was also known as the 4th and as Parsons’ Regiment, Texas Cavalry. It was mustered into the service of the Confederate States October 28, 1861, for a period of 12 months, and re-organized May 1862. In the field it was also known as the Dragoons and Mounted Volunteers. Cornelous was 4th Corporal, Company C, 12th Regiment, Texas Cavalry, and appears on the Company Muster Roll for September 1 to December 31, 1863, dated December 19, 1864, enlisted October 28, 1861, Hempstead. Texas, by Lieutenant Sparks for a period of 3 years, last paid by Captain Terrell, to August 31, 1863, present.1
Cornelous Coats did not like his name and preferred to be officially known only by his initials, “C. C.” He was better known by his nickname Trick, or the combination of “C. C. Trick.” He was a lance corporal in Company C, Parson’s 12th Texas Cavalry, during “The War for Southern Independence” more commonly known as The Civil War. Company C was known as The Slashers. Part of the time he served as a scout which means he was a point man that scouted out the territory ahead to determine where the enemy was and its strength.
Cornelous rode his personal horse 260 miles to rendezvous at Camp Hebert near Hempstead, Texas, in October 1861. His horse was named Maco Mano (a derivative of Spanish “mucho mano” meaning “good hand.”) Trick rode Maco Mano all during the war, and afterwards when he was a drover and guard on long cattle drives from Texas to the railheads in Kansas, and during some close scrapes with Indians on those drives. Trick liked Maco Mano very much and in his later years often got teary eyed when talking about his Maco Mano.
1 (SOURCE: From copy made in te R. & P. Office, War Department, August 1903, of an original record borrowed from Mr. W.H. Getzenhauer, Waxahachi, Ellis County, Texas.)
Cornelous got his nickname Trick while in the military service of the Confederate States of America. The following was told years ago by his daughter, Arlie Luvida (Jones) Roller, Don’s grandmother, and recorded as best as he could remember:
My Dad’s name was C. C. Jones, but he’d rather be called Trick which is a nickname he got during the Civil War. Sometimes he was a scout and had to go ahead to see where the enemy was and how many there were. He sometimes got too close and would almost get caught, but would pull some kind of trick to get away. After several of these close calls he came to be know by the other men as The Tricker. After a time it was shortened to just Trick.
He was also known as The White-Headed Kid. Years after the war was over he had a chance meeting with an older man who was a guest at a dinner. During the conversation about the war the old man said something about the White-Headed Kid. Dad told him, “That was me.” The old man said, “Then you are Trick.” Dad said, “Yes, I am Trick, but who are you?” The old man wouldn’t tell Dad who he was. He said he had done some things in his life that he was not proud of and he did not want his family to know about them, but that before he died he would tell Dad who he was. About a year later a rider came to Dad and told him the old man had consumption and was on his deathbed. He asked for Trick to come see him. So, Dad left right away to go see the old man, but he didn’t get there in time. The old man died before he got there. Dad never knew who the old man really was, and for the rest of his life he was troubled about whom the old man was as he often pondered about the mystery.
Cornelous never officially surrendered to the Federal Army after the Civil War. He and thirteen others made their way to Mexico rather than surrender. After a period of negotiation with the Federal authorities, it was agreed they would be paroled and could return to the United States and could keep their guns and horses. 196 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 197 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
He worked for a while as a “drover” and a guard. He made several cattle drives from South Texas across Indian Territory into Kansas. Afterwards he came home and settled near what is now Egan, Johnson County, Texas, a small community about twenty miles south of Fort Worth.
Luganie’s parents were James Madison Jones and Matilda (Cook) Jones. James Madison Jones was of illegitimate birth and a half-breed of Cherokee descent. He was a Methodist Circuit Rider preaching the gospel to several communities south and southeast of Fort Worth, including the community of Egan. Matilda Cook was born in Northern Arkansas on the Trail of Tears, the daughter of John Randall Cook. He was Scot and half Cherokee. He died on the Trail of Tears from Alabama to Indian Territory. John Randall Cook’s wife is unknown, but it is thought she was a full blood Cherokee.
Cornelous died February 12, 1929 and Luganie died April 21, 1897. They are buried in the Paoli City Cemetery, Garvin County, Oklahoma, side by side located in the southeast section of the northeast quadrant about thirty-two paces due east of a large pair of cedar trees in the southwest section of the northeast quadrant. The inscriptions on their headstones are:
MRS. LUGANIE JONES GRANDFATHER
WIFE OF C. C. JONES
C. C. JONES APR. 14, 1843
BORN SEPT. 10, 1848 FEB. 12, 1929
DIED APRIL 21, 1897 CONFEDERATE VETERAN
Following is a presentation Don gave March 21, 1995, at a meeting of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Stonewall Jackson Camp #901, Denton, Texas, about C. C. Trick Jones, 4th Corporal, Company C, Parson’s 12th Texas Cavalry Regiment, CSA:
I recently became interested in learning more about the Civil War, because my great grandfather participated in that war. My interest was sparked by my research in family genealogy for my wife and me. While researching the genealogy I learned that my great grandfather served in the Civil War. I did not start my research early enough. Family members who could provide a great deal of information are no longer living. A lot of old letters and documents were not saved, and those that were have been destroyed by fire.
My great grandfather, Corneilous Coats Jones (he preferred C. C. Jones) served in Company C of the 12th Texas Cavalry Regiment, also known as Parson’s Texas Cavalry Brigade. I knew very little about my great grandfather’s service to the Confederacy. Several years ago I obtained a copy of his military record. All I knew about him was in his military record, U.S. Census records I have researched, and family stories.
Shortly after I became a member of this Camp, Gary Sweet recommended a book to me entitled “Campaigning with Parson’s Texas Cavalry Brigade” which I read. Not being a student of the Civil War I asked members of this camp about things in the book I did not understand.
In one of these inquiring sessions with Gary Sweet and Bruce Cunningham it was suggested that I research what I could on my ancestor and give a presentation to our Camp on what I found as part of a future program. Gary loaned me a book entitled “The Ragged Rebel–A Common Soldier in Parson’s Texas Cavalry.”
I read both books and I’m going to tell you what little I know about my great grandfather, C. C. Jones, and his service in the Texas 12th Cavalry and after. Also, I will relate to you some of the things I found interesting and enlightening from the books.
The book, “Campaigning with Parson’s 12th Cavalry,” is a compilation of letters and a personal journal written by Henry Orr while in the service of the Confederacy. The Introduction to the book states: “If Henry Orr, a young farmer in Ellis County, Texas, in 1861, had not had a sense of history and some 198 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 199 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
literary ambitions, a significant addition to the history of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department would have been lost. He inspired his sister, Mary, to preserve his journal and the correspondence of the four brothers who fought during the whole war for Texas and the Confederacy.” I enjoyed this book because the person who put it together presented the journal and letters exactly as written, with misspelled words, misuse of grammar, etc. with very little annotation and explanation.
The book, “The Ragged Rebel,” is a biography of David C. Nance from a place called Heath Branch in Ellis County. The book is liberally annotated and was very interesting and informative with some very unusual happenings to this young man. Though this book is very good and provides a great deal of insight, it nevertheless is a scholarly biography, and a lot of the author’s perspective creeps into the narratives.
The various counties comprising the Texas 12th Cavalry had different designations. They were:
• The Hill County Volunteers – Company A
• The Freestone County Rangers – Company B
• The Johnson County Slashers – Company C
• The Bastrop County Rawhides – Company D
• The Ellis County Grays – Company E
• The Ellis County Eutaw Blues – Company F
• The Kaufman County Guards – Company G
• The Ellis County Rangers – Company H
• The Williamson County Bowies – Company I
• The Limestone Mounted Rifles – Company K.
My great grandfather was from Johnson County and was in Company C, also known as the Slashers. When anything is mentioned in the books about The Slashers, I assume that my great grandfather must have been involved. I was told by two of his granddaughters that he never talked about his war experiences. One granddaughter told me that he kept his personal things in a trunk, including his papers, letters, documents, enlistments, discharges, etc. This would have been great, except his trunk was kept by a granddaughter whose house burned forty years ago destroying the trunk and its contents.
Like many Texans, C. C. Jones was born in Tennessee near a place known as Jones Mill in Henry County near the Kentucky border. In 1850 his father, Wiley E. Jones, moved the family from Tennessee to what is now Johnson County near the community of Egan. In January 1852 Wiley E. Jones, acquired a land grant from the State of Texas and to this day the grant is known as the Wiley E. Jones Survey. Wiley Jones was a rancher and did some small amount of farming. Young C. C. Jones grew up at home in the saddle and was very familiar with the firearms of the day.
I know very little about his life experiences until he was mustered in at age 19 as a Private, in Capt. Wm. J. Neal’s Company, 4th Regiment Texas Volunteers, at Camp Hebert near Hempstead on October 28, 1861, by Capt. Wm. J. Neal. His record shows he traveled 260 miles to rendezvous, his horse was valued at $140, his equipment was valued at $15, and his horse’s name was Maco Mano. His record shows a company muster roll for: “C. C. Jones, 4 Cpl., Co. C, 12th Regiment Texas Cavalry for Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 1863, dated Dec. 19, 1864; enlisted Oct. 28, 1861 at Hemp. Tex by Lt. Sparks for 3 yrs., last paid by Capt. Terrell on Aug. 31, 1863.”
The rest of what I know about C. C. Jones is mostly family folk lore related to me by several of his still living granddaughters. He lived to the age of eighty-six. He died October, 1929. When I was very young my mother took me to visit her grandfather the summer before he died. I was too young to remember the visit.
Since C. C. Jones never talked about his war time experiences, I’ll extrapolate from the two books. On Monday, July 7, 1862, he probably was near Brownsville, Arkansas, at Parson’s Cache River encampment when a skirmish line encountered a Federal advance guard. A three-hour battle ensued, which was pretty much a standoff between the two opposing forces. I assume C. C. Jones was involved because Captain William J. Neal, commander of the Slashers (Company C), was killed. Henry Orr also mentions that “Dave Nance was wounded in three or 200 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 201 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
four places then taken prisoner, but finally gave the enemy the dodge and got away.”
Soon after he entered the military service in September, 1861, Henry Orr started a journal in which he made almost daily entries for about nine months. He noted routine camp events, the weather, rumors, illnesses and deaths among the troops. Sometimes at greater length, he described his feelings about the war. The following introduction to his journal was written shortly after he first went to camp:
“The storms were gathering dark over the land; we had dissolved our connection with the Federal government and declared ourselves no longer under Northern domination but a free and independent people. This enraged our northern foe, and they declared they would bring us back unto the Union by suppression and subjugation, for the ties connecting us could not be dissolved. This was proclaimed by the authorities of the Federal government and by fanatics and the press throughout Lincolndom, and an approaching storm was clearly manifest. Hostilities soon commenced on the shores of Carolina. War now became inevitable; the gallant sons of the South, with the principles that glowed so brightly in the hearts and lives of their Revolutionary sires, began to lay aside their domestic pursuits and prepare themselves to go forth to battle for their rights–homes and firesides–and drive the invader from our soil. Companies were organized to prepare for the conflict. Old men and young, the farmer and mechanic, the minister and the clerk, indeed all classes began to enlist in their country’s defense.”
I noted that nowhere in Henry Orr’s writings did he ever mention “slavery.” The Orr Family and the Nance Family from Ellis County were not slave holders. The Wiley E. Jones Family of Johnson County brought an elderly slave woman (Mammy) with them from Tennessee to Texas. No where in Henry Orr’s statement giving the reasons for going to war does he mention slavery. Contrary to what I was taught and what is still taught in our schools, it is evident these young men did not go to war to keep slavery. If they had been approached with the prospect of going to war for the purpose of keeping slavery, they would have declined the prospect. I also noted the few times Henry Orr wrote about encounters with people of African descent, he always referred to them as “Negros” and always spelled the word with a capital “N.”
In a letter dated August 21, 1862, Henry Orr wrote: “On Sabbath morning, August 3rd, three hundred of our regiment and forty of Johnson’s Spy Company attacked about 200 of Col. Edward Daniel’s lst Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, on the east bank of L’Anguille River fifteen miles below the military crossing at Hughes Ferry about good day on the morning of the 3rd and killed about forty, wounded forty-three (their own report), and took sixty-three prisoners. They had a good many Negros with them; about 40 of them were killed and 120 captured; also about 150 horses and 200 mules; thirteen wagons, and over 200 guns, a good many pistols, and a great deal of ammunition. Our loss was two killed and nine wounded, one of whom has since died. We attacked them on two sides. They fought bravely for a few moments, thinking we were Missouri troops. But they couldn’t stand against Texas.”
I noticed the Texans were especially fond of their horses and went to great lengths to see they were fed and cared for. They fancied themselves as “cavalry” and took pride in that fact. Henry Orr’s horse was named Jeff. C. C. Jones’ horse was named Maco Mano. Both horses survived the war. C. C. Jones had his horse a number of years after the war and in his elderly years always spoke very affectionately and sometimes a little tearfully about his Maco Mano. Henry Orr often wrote about casualties among the horses as well as among the troops. A few days after the battle at Cache River he wrote a lengthy letter home telling about the battle and asking his father to tell Lieutenant Payne that Muggins was killed in the battle. Muggins was Lieutenant Payne’s horse. He was home in Ellis County recovering from injuries. In another letter Henry Orr wrote: “We have a pleasant encampment one and one-half miles east of Cotton Plant village. We get plenty of corn for our horses. Dixie (Robert Orr’s horse) has got over his founder. Jeff’s (Henry’s horse) foot is about well, and they are looking tolerable well.”202 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 203 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
In a letter from Camp Burford, Arkansas, dated November 4, 1862, Henry Orr wrote: “We have been cooking some this evening and preparing to start on a scout in the morning. It will be composed of 25 men from the Slashers, Blues, and our company, aggregate seventy-five; will be gone some five days. From what I have lately heard, I think we are going about Batesville, though don’t know for what purpose.” I assume C. C. Jones may well have been a part of this scouting party. Henry Orr wrote in a later letter that on Wednesday morning November 14, 1862, they started on an expected scout “. . . Wednesday night two miles below Claredon. Thursday morning turned east towards Trenton. Traveled about twenty miles by two o’clock when rather unexpectedly our advance guard and the enemy found themselves close together. The Fed advance fired at ours hurting no one; our boys getting a fair view of the Blue Jackets, about 1,500 strong, thought best to give back. So our little band of Blues, Slashers, and Rangers of eighty-odd dodged into the bushes. They discharged one “big gun,” formed line of battle, and marched that way awhile, but we kept out of reach. We passed round and down to Spring and Big Creek within about twelve miles of Helena. The Yanks moved on towards Clarendon, then turned northward and went to Moro and divided there, one division going the Spring Creek road, the one we were on, to Helena, the other via LaGrange and down the St. Francis River. They fired at some of our pickets on the way but without effect. They had a flanking party on each river, so we did not think proper to ‘bushwhack’ them as we could not do so advantageously. In the evening (Saturday) Captain Lusk of Carter’s Regiment came to us and said he had received a request from Sanders for us all to join him at LaGrange, and we would bushwhack the Feds there. In a few moments we were in our saddles and on the way to LaGrange as fast as our war steeds could carry us. After a seven-mile heat, we found ourselves near the village. Their pickets fired on us and got for town. We formed a line of battle, and Captain Lusk and Haley were considering the propriety of charging them in town, when Lieutenant Bowman of Lusk’s scout (of eighty men) ordered a charge, then Lusk’s squadron proper spurred and raised the yell. We followed in hot pursuit. They charged up the lane and fired on the Feds and wheeled and came back a-kiting, hollowing for all hands to retreat. So but few of our squadron got a shot. The Feds sent their singing missiles at us as we got away, wounding several of Lusk’s men, but fortunately no one was killed. They turned loose their battery on us, but no one was seriously hurt by it. Their powder and grapeshot must have been mixed, for it fell around and rolled off the horses like hail—hit some but only bruised a little. There were about 100 of them. They shelled the woods, but we all came out straight. We traveled about six miles and camped. The Feds left the next morning.”
May 9, 1863, Henry Orr wrote from Silver Lake, Arkansas, that: “Colonel Dobbins and a portion of his regiment had a little fracas with the enemy down towards Helena last week. Killed upwards of twenty and took thirty-three prisoners without loosing a man. Lieutenant Haley and twenty Slashers start down there on a scout this morning.” In a letter several weeks later Henry Orr wrote: “We have all drawn the regular cavalry sabre. Colonel Parsons has appointed Harper Goodloe drillmaster. He performs admirably, Parsons having drilled him for the above purpose. The boys are all learning fast. ‘Red’ Williams tells us the time is coming when it will be necessary for us to be proficient in sabre exercises.” It would be several years after the war when C. C. Jones would have occasion to make good use of his sabre in an encounter with Indians.
As the war entered the summer of 1863 shortages and hardships were taking a toll. Horses were at a premium, and rumors abounded. Henry Orr wrote home: “Whenever the war closes, the government will be compelled to repudiate her debts, for our country cannot pay the interest on it then. I would advise you to pay off all you owe with Confederate money, for it may depreciate in value Saturday.” Again, he later wrote home: “I am sorry to learn that Confederate money is depreciating in Texas, that there is such a spirit of speculation, and that the people are becoming greatly discouraged at the prospect 204 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 205 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
of the war. I fear that speculation and want of confidence in our government will yet ruin us. I have ever believed that if our people are united and have the interest and welfare of the country in view that success will crown our efforts.”
In June, 1863, Henry Orr wrote: “The 1st Squadron (Weir’s and Kizer’s) have been armed with Enfield rifles. I wish they would arm the regiment that way and let us go on the Mississippi River to harass the transports.”
May 14, 1864, from near Keatchie, Louisiana, Henry Orr in a letter to his sister wrote: “Had I opportunity I could write a little volume of interesting incidents connected with our first month’s life in the valley of Red River, but one event crowds fast upon the heels of another that they appear stale or out of date in a week from the time they transpired. The enemy came out in force on the 5th and drove our brigade several miles, retreated that night, but came out again Saturday and drove them back again a few miles farther than on Thursday. I have not ascertained the loss. William Price was killed. Some five or six of the company were wounded. Lieutenant Hall of Company C was killed and Lieutenant Haley wounded.” I assume C. C. Jones was engaged in this skirmish since he was assigned to Company C (the Slashers).
By July 1864 troop commands were in disarray, supplies and ammunition in short supply, and rumors were numerous. The most frequent rumor was that Parson’s brigade would be dismounted to fight as foot soldiers. The Texans had considerable disdain for the notion of being dismounted. On July 10, 1864 from Bayou Rapids, Louisana, Henry Orr wrote: “Again we have reached the valley of Red River. Struck camp eight miles above McNutt’s Hill. Day after tomorrow we move upon Cane River. Madam Rumor now says that we are going to Lanesport, but judging from our late experience there is no telling where we will turn up next. We have been traveling for five to eight miles per day, but our horses have not minded as the grass in the fine timber is coarse and tough. Another like trip would dismount us all. Rumor says the notorious conduct of the 12th has been reported to Shreveport Headquarters and that we may be dismounted, but they will hardly do it.” In a postscript to this letter he wrote: “Morning of the 11th. A dispatch from Colonel Parsons last evening which states that none of the veteran troops would be dismounted, which settles that question.”
Henry Orr wrote his last letter April 7, 1865, from Wallace’s Prairie, Grimes County, Texas, as follows: “We are encamped in a thicket of timber with a high rolling plain extending far out northward, eastward, and westward, presenting a fine field for the practice of ‘Hardee’ and ‘Phillip St. George Cooke’, the books we study; also pasturage for our horses. Jeff has recovered from his founder and seems to relish the prairie grass very highly. We are well supplied with meal and soon will get some beef which will be relished as we desire a change. It has not fallen to our lot to get any smooth bread yet; would relish some highly. There is a prospect of our returning to Hempstead; hope we may as I prefer active life to being cooped up in the brigade. There has been a thorough organization of our corps and several changes. Our brigade is the fourth and junior one in the division. Parsons assumed command yesterday.”
Parsons Brigade moved from Grimes County sometime after April 7th, and was at Hempstead, Texas, when news of General Lee’s surrender reached the Trans-Mississippi Department late in April. The scene at Hempstead was described by a man named Blessington as follows: “The soldiers were gathered in groups everywhere, discussing the approaching surrender. Curses, deep and bitter, fell from lips not accustomed to use of such language; while numbers, both officers and men, swore fearful oaths never to surrender. The depth of feeling exhibited by compressed lips, pale faces, and blazing eyes, told a fearful story of how bitter was the hopeless surrender of the cause for which they had fought, toiled, suffered for long years. The humiliation was unbearable.”
A. M. Dechman, a member of Parsons Brigade, wrote in 1883 that: “On May 23rd, 1865, our distinguished Brigade Commander Colonel W. H. Parsons called the Brigade as soldiers together, and as we felt for the last time, then with a touching and saddened address to his gallant Brigade 206 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 207 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
announced the end of this great and unequal struggle, bidding us to retain our arms and horses and to return to our homes, to be as faithful there in upholding our rights as we had been in the field of battle. Our ranks broken, we wended our sad and weary way to our homes.”
Henry Orr reached home on May 24, 1865. Shortly thereafter, he wrote the following final entry in his journal: “At home again. Blessed word! Were no regrets associated with the return, unbounded would be my gladness. Ah! Deeply do I deplore the circumstances under which I come–not as my soul yearned to come, under the genial rays of the sun of Independence and the soul-inspiring anthems of Liberty–but after the demise of all my bright hopes for Southern nationality–after the Southern sun had sunk behind a portentous cloud to rise perhaps no more forever–when gloom, thick and appalling, sat upon our countenances and sank deep into our hearts. Oh! Saddening reflection and humiliating to every true Southern that our efforts, all our sacrifices have proved abortive, and that we must look for mercy to an enemy whose vile and atrocious deeds of cruelty and inhumanity have transcended those of the most barbarous nations of the heathen times. Can we forget the past? Can former friendship be restored? Time must note the potency of mutation in its rapid revolutions. Heaven grant that better things are in store for us than the present promises and that our future may not be altogether void of sunbeams.”
I am certain these same sentiments were shared by all of the men of the 12th Texas Cavalry Brigade, including my Great Grandfather, C. C. Jones. These are not the words of racial bigots as the so-called “politically correct scholars” would have us all believe about the Confederate soldiers and the cause for which they fought. These were young men fighting for the same cause their Revolutionary forefathers fought for, freedom. Freedom from an intrusive and tyrannical government. We would do well today to emulate their efforts in a peaceful way to preserve that freedom. All three of these young men, Henry Orr, Dave Nance, and C. C. Jones were deeply religious and thoughtful men. They endured hardships we can’t even imagine to defend a cause near and dear to their hearts, and which we must endeavor to preserve.
Family folklore has it that C. C. Jones and thirteen other members of his unit never surrendered to the Federals. They kept their horses, saddles and guns and fled to Mexico. After a few years they negotiated a return to the United States and were paroled. C. C. Jones and some of his companions rounded up a herd of wild longhorn cattle in south Texas and drove them north across Texas, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), and to market in Kansas.
C. C. Jones made several longhorn cattle drives as a drover and guard. On a return trip to south Texas he and his companions were set upon by a band of Indians intent on stealing their horses. In the melee that followed C. C. Jones was hotly pursued by an Indian twirling a lariat to snare and pull him from his horse. Just as the Indian dropped the lariat loop, C. C. Jones leaned low in his saddle such that the lariat slide over his back. The Indian was not deterred and spurred his horse closer to try to knock C. C. Jones from his horse with a small club. Just as the Indian struck out with the club, C. C. Jones drew his old cavalry sabre and struck the Indian squarely across the face. C. C. Jones first thought he had knocked the Indian from his horse, but he saw the Indian clinging to the under side as the horse disappeared into a small ravine. Thus ended the pursuit.
Years later many photographs were displayed of the Indian Chief, Geronimo, showing a large scar on his face. In later years C. C. Jones often wondered if he was the one who put that scar on Geronimo’s face.
After a few years C. C. Jones quit driving longhorn cattle and returned to his father’s ranch in Johnson County. Shortly thereafter he married an Indian woman of Cherokee ancestry. They drove some cattle to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) to claim land for her head right and to start a ranch. A lawyer’s office in Tahlequah (the Cherokee capital) conveniently burned destroying all her documents. The lawyer became land wealthy, and C. C. Jones and his wife became “sooners.”208 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 209 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
C. C. Jones was a rancher and farmer in what is now south central Oklahoma. He and his wife, Luganie, had eleven children. My grandmother was the eighth child. Luganie died in 1897. C. C. Jones never remarried. He lived at various times with his several children in his later years. He spent many hours in quite solitude in the shade of a favorite pecan tree. He never talked about his war time experiences, but my aunts tell me he was a very philosophical and religious man frequently calling on his lifetime experiences when giving grandfatherly advice to his granddaughters. He was a respected elder in the community. He died October 1929 at age 86 and is buried at Paoli, Oklahoma. His headstone reads: “C. C. JONES APR 14, 1843 – FEB 12, 1929, CONFEDERATE VETERAN”.
“The Civil War is not ended: I question whether any serious civil war ever does end”. — T. S. Eliot
Following is a typed transcription of a letter to C. C. Trick Jones written November 30, 1927, by Alice Jones, daughter of Trick’s nephew Jack Jones:
Egan, Tex.
Nov. 30, 1927
Mr. C. C. Jones
Alex, Okla.
Dear Uncle.
Guess you thing (think) we have quit you. I’ll admit we have neglected you shamefully, but seems like it just can’t be helped. This leaves us all up and doing fine.
Got all our crops gathered, sold and spent. Didn’t make very good, but things could be worse.
Today is one of the windiest days I ever saw. We are awfully dry down here.
Wish you could come to see us some time soon. We haven’t yet got hold of that man that had uncle Zeek’s address. Guess it was all a mistake.
Saw Lee McClure the other day and she is as fat as she can be. Uncle Trick, we still love you if it has been a long time since we told you so.
Well, another old man has passed on to the great beyond and that is Old Grandpa Booth (Preacher).
Jack has started to clean off the old Jones Grave Yard again. He will sprout it off then burn it off. It sure does need to be worked off. He fixed up the fence.
Well, Uncle Trick, as news is scarce I’ll close for this time ans (answer) soon and I’ll do better next time.
Love to all
Jack, Alice and Evelyn
The Jones Family Cemetery is located on the Gentry farm in the Wiley Jones Survey in Johnson County about six miles south of the small town of Egan, Texas, on a gravel road. Egan is located on FR-917 where it crosses the Santa Fe railroad tracks approximately five miles west of the intersection of FR-917 and I-35 about twenty-five miles south of Fort Worth. The cemetery is situated on a small tree covered hill about one hundred and fifty yards east of the gravel road.
For years the cemetery was in a very badly run down condition. Cattle were permitted to roam the cemetery for a number of years, and many of the headstones were knocked over, dislocated, and broken. Many of the large old cedar trees were cut down for commercial purposes.
In recent years Ms. Doris Lanfear of Cleburne founded the Johnson County Cemetery Association with the purpose to restore and maintain all the old cemeteries in Johnson County using jail inmates for labor. The Jones Family Cemetery has been fenced and 210 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 211 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
restored by the association. Access is through the Gentry farmyard. Ask for permission to visit the cemetery. Texas law specifies that a person cannot be denied access to a cemetery even though you have to cross private property.
Following is a transcription of a letter from C. C. Trick Jones to his daughter, Arlie (Jones) Roller, my grandmother. The original letter was found tucked inside the pages of an old and terribly damaged Bible that belonged to Arlie. It was handwritten in pencil on yellowing and fading paper. Don took the liberty to correct misspelled words and correct grammar in the interest of making it more readable and still retain the flavor and meaning.
Oct. 8, 1928
Lindsay, Okla., Route 1
Dear Arlie and Kiddies:
I got home alright. Had good luck all the way till I got home. Met Walter and Bill in Bradly and they brought me home. I opened my grip and it was stuffed full of baby clothes, but don’t you tell old Pady about it. She will be laughing all over the place. I did not get the woman nor the babies, but I went back next morning and got my grip and the people in Bradly sure had the laugh on me, so no one was hurt and all things now are right.
After I got home I felt like a young man one day. I was walking around and over the field when all at once I turned blind, had a fit and down I came, and if I had not been able to get up I guess I would have been lying there yet because the place where I fell in they never would of found me till the buzzards found me.
I commenced taking a trough of liver medicine. I believe I was the biliors (bilious) human I ever saw. I am up now and feeling fine. My little Kiddies liked to have had fits and they are not done wallering over me yet. I haven’t seen any of the folks yet. Only Walter and Bill.
Everything (everyone) that is big enough to pull a lock of cotton out of the boll is in the field. I don’t believe there will be a bale of cotton in the fields in this country 30 days from now. Emmett will finish picking this week. He will have 2 bales. His late cotton did not make anything. The weevils got it all. His broomcorn did not make hardly anything. The rest of his crop is good.
Now, I will bid you good night and go to bed and dream of streets lined with “Babys and fountains of Cheery Nobles.”
Good morning. Everybody is well and in the field. My bean farm is putting on another fine crop and you will not get a bean if you do not come after them for I am not going to send them to you. Ha, ha. I will eat them and think of you when I am eating them. That will make you feel good. I will send you dizpies (?) last letter.
Tell Pady I never heard from the letter she wrote for me to the eye glasses company at Chicago.
Well, yesterday I got a box out of my mail box. It had been broken open, but I don’t think any thing had been taken out. They sent me one of the best eye testers I ever saw and when I get my glasses if they are as good magnifiers as the tester. . . 1
Following is a transcription of the original land grant to Wiley E. Jones, C. C. Trick Jones’ father, by the State of Texas as recorded at the Johnson County Courthouse in Cleburne, Texas.2
No. 87. Preemption Vol. 19
In the name of the State of Texas
To all to whom these presents shall come known, Ye I, H. R. Runnels, Governor of the State aforesaid, by virtue of the power vested in me by law and in accordance with the laws of said State in such case made and provided, do by these presents Grant to Wiley E. Jones his heirs or assigns forever, Three Hundred and Twenty acres of land situated and described as follows, In Johnson County in the Lower Cross Timbers on the Waters of
1 (This is at the end of page 4. The rest of the letter is missing.)
2 (The courthouse has since burned. The original document may have been destroyed.)212 William E. “Bill” Davidson Family 213 CORNELOUS COATS “Trick” JONES
the North Fork of Chambers Creek about 8-1/2 miles N. 75° E. of Buchanan by virtue of preemption Certificate No. 11 issued by the Clerk of the County Court of Johnson County by order of said Court on the 2nd day of February 1857 Beginning on the East line of a Third of a League surveyed for Wm. McClure 490 varos North of his S.E. Corner at a stake from which a Post Oak 15 in. in dia. bears N. 57-1/2’ W. 80 varos. Thence N. 60 E. with the South line of Geo. S. McIntosh–assignee of S. M. Williams Survey, 1200 varos to a stake from which a Post Oak 10 in. dia. brs. S. 67-1/2 E. 5 varos another 11 in. dia. brs. N. 30 E. 7 varos. Thence East 509 varos to a stake in Glover’s West line from which a Black Jack 5 in. dia. brs. S. 88-1/2 E. 2 varos and a post 20 in. dia. bears N. 79º W. 3 varos. Thence South with said Glover’s West line 1368 varos to a stake from which a post 13 in. dia. brs. S. 25-1/2 W. 18 varos another 12 in. dia. brs. N. 33 E. 10 varos. Thence West 1548 varos to a stake from which a Post Oak 18 in. dia. brs. S. 20 E. 5 varos another 10 in. dia. brs. S. 75 W. 5 varos. Thence North 768 varos to the place of beginning. Hereby relinquishing to him, the said Wiley E. Jones and his heirs or assigns, forever all the rights and title in and to said Land heretofore held and possessed by the said State, and I do hereby issue this Letter Patent for the same.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the State to be affixed as well as the seal of the General Land Office.
Done at the City of Austin on the Seventh day of June In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty-nine.
Francis M. White H. R. Runnels
Commissioner of the Gl. Ld. Office Governor
Filed for Record Nov. 1st 1859 at 9 O’clock A.M.
Recorded Dec. 15th 1859 at 4 O’clock P.M.
Jas. H. Tosbett, Clerk
__________________________
Following is the obituary for C. C. Trick Jones published in The Lindsay News, February 15, 1929, Lindsay, Garvin County, Oklahoma
AGED MAN PASSES
C.C. JONES LIVED NEAR LINDSAY 41 YEARS
HAD COLORFUL CAREER
C. C. Trick Jones passed away Tuesday, February 12, 1929, at the home of his son, Emmett, on Route 1 northwest of Lindsay, aged 85 years, 9 months, and 28 days; his death was hastened by an attack of influenza. The funeral was held Wednesday, interment being in the Paoli Cemetery.
The deceased is survived by seven children, vis: Wight Jones, Blanchard; Mrs. Eugene True and Mrs. Walter True, Alex; Mrs. D. E. Roller, Maysville; Emmett Jones, Lindsay; Mrs. Mat Smith, Norman; and Mrs. C. B. Fry, California. All were at his bedside when the end came, save Mrs. Fry. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones died in infancy.
Mr. Jones was born in Tennessee and moved to Texas at the age of 12. He entered the Civil War at the age of 17, as a member of the 12th Texas Brigade, 12th Command, under General Parsons. Following the war Mr. Jones served for two years as a member of the Wild Irish Scouts under Captain Keenan. He crossed the plains of Texas under the leadership of Joe Bell and had some exciting experiences in fighting Indians who were under the command of Geronimo, etc. We hope in the near future to publish some of this history.
Mr. Jones and family came to this vicinity 41 years ago, and made their home here the remainder of their days. Mrs. Jones died at Purdy in 1893.1