This is from Volume 1 and it was in the miscellaneous articles. Notice the newspaper at the end of the article. PATRIACH PASSES AWAY Uncle Jasper Collins, Jones County Oldest Citizen, Answers the Last Call Man of Strong Character and Resolute Purpose Uncle Jasper Collins, the oldest and best known of the original settlers of Jones County, died this morning of heart failure at the home of his daughter, Mrs. JL Shows, in the Kingston section of Laurel, and the remains will be carried to Moselle this evening on train number 7, and will be interred at the family burial grounds there tomorrow morning about 11 oclock. Mr. Collins has been showing increasing feebleness for year. He came to Laurel last Wednesday to visit his children here. Yesterday he had an attack of heart trouble and was desperately ill, but survived until this morning, when the end came. He was rational to the last and in the midst of several of his children and loved ones answered the last summons. No man has left a deeper impression upon South Mississippi than this strong hearted and courageous pioneer, who has been for the greater part of the century a leader of his people. Born 5 miles west of Laurel, at the Rosa Bush place, on November 1, 1827, he has spent all the intervening years in this county, except for a single year when he lived at Gulfport. He has always been a leader of his people, from a time beyond the memory of any living man, and has been foremost in all public movements in Jones County, and always ready and willing to help his friends and neighbors, not only with advice, but with all the means at his disposal. Determined and uncompromising in his convictions, he has not hesitated to defend what he thought was right at any time, even though in the minority, and in opposition to strong forces. Through it all, he lived a useful life, meeting every obligation upon him, and paying every did he ever owed. Mr. Collins married Gatsey Powell, the daughter of John H Powell, at the time probate judge of Jones County. By her he raised a family of nine children, all of whom survived him, the youngest being at the time of his death 42 years old. The names of these children, in the order of their age, are as follows: Mrs. T J Lyon, of Mico, Jones County; Mrs. Martha A Melvin, of Sandersville; HC Collins, of Moselle; Mrs. JL Shows, of Laurel; Mrs. SE Shows, of Moselle; JW Collins, Postmaster, Ellisville; Mrs. PV Glanton, of Petal; US Collins, deputy chancery clerk, of Laurel; LR Collins, of Biloxi. Two brothers, WJ Collins and Newt Collins, both of whom live in Texas, survived him. Another brother, Stacy Collins, died there recently. Mr. Collins was a member of the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with the Ellisville Lodge, and was a member of the Burrus Universalist church. For several terms he was a member of the board of supervisors of Jones County,but held no other public office. For 41 years he has lived on a farm west of Moselle. He was the oldest native resident of Jones County at the time of his death and there was no man more familiar with the events in the early history and settlement of South Mississippi. The deceased was one of the most remarkable men our county or state ever produced. He was one of those brave and hardy pioneers who carved the Mississippi River States of our great Republic from the wilderness. When Mr. Collins was growing up there, wolves, deer and other wild game roamed an almost unbroken forest, and the Red Man had not been all removed. When he was born not a mile of railway was built on our continent, and all modern conveniences undiscovered. Mr. Jasper Collins was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a just and kind neighbor. He was ever noted for his independence of action and great force of character, and when he believed that a cause or principal was right, he espoused the same and heeded not public censure or applause. His word was as good as his bond, and falsehood, deceit and treachery strangers to his breast. He had the confidence and respect of all who knew him. An old landmark has been removed from our midst, and his place will never be filled. The race of man to which Uncle Jasper Collins belonged was of the past century. A good and just man has been taken from us, and his people mourn. BURIAL SITE To get to their burial site, take Hwy 11 from Petal to Moselle; turn left onto Moselle Oak Rd; go across the RR tracks; turn onto Moselle-Ovett road going NW. Go several miles to Union. The most noticeable thing there is the Union Cemetery on the right. Otherwise there are just a few rundown buildings on a corner. Turn left onto Augusta Rd there & go 0.6mi. On the left will be a grassy one-lane old road behind a rusty metal gate. Walk 100 yds down that road. The graves are fenced off on the right. They are not being cared for at all. Jasper J. Collins, 11/1/1827-8/19/1913 Gatsey Powell Collins 3/30/1830-3/11/1913 It is a dual grave & under their names is inscribed: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Also in that cemetery is Ulysses S. Collins 12/11/1867-12/27/1941. Jones County News August 19, 1913
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:18:58 +0000
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