"Jerry," Well Known Figure for Generation Dies at the Infirmary

 Marietta Daily Times, April 15, 1912

This morning at 2 o'clock Jerry Haggins, colored, died in the County Infirmary after an illness of several weeks with gangrene. The trouble which resulted in his death was caused by his being frozen in a small hut in which he made his home for the past 15 years.

In the death of "Jerry," one of the best known characters of this vicinity passes. For years and years he had been a familiar figure on the streets of Marietta and but few people who have lived in the city, particularly among the business men, for any length of time did not have a speaking acquaintance with him.

There is no one in the city who knows much of the early history of Jerry. He always shunned anybody who attempted to pry into his personal affairs, and it is said that he became angered if any person asked his age.

About the only facts that he disclosed to any persons was that he was born in the South and that he was a slave before the Rebellion. Near the close of the war, or shortly after, he walked over the mountains to this part of the country and crossed the Ohio River at New Matamoras. After living there a short time, he came to Marietta where he made his home the balance of his life.

When he came to Marietta he was a man of indeterminate age. During the early part of his residence in this city he worked for Swift & Fuller in a blacksmith shop which was situated in the rear of what is now the J. W. Dysle Co.'s drug store on Front Street.

When a young boy, he had lost one of his legs through "white swelling." He was a very large man, being something over six feet tall and had all his life been very powerful. He was respected by all who knew him, for thought he had his faults, he was a law abiding citizen in almost every way.

"Jerry" was a person who appreciated the many favors which had been done for him, and so long as he was able he was a hard working man. A prominent man said this morning that, when a boy, he was compelled to pass the blacksmith shop in which Jerry was employed, but on account of his stature and the fact that he was physically disfigured, the boy was scared of him and always gave the shop a wide berth at all times. One day the lad's father took him to the shop, and shaking from head to foot, the youngster shook hands with Jerry. From that time forth, the boy no longer feared the big man, for the latter spoke so kindly to him and always treated him so well that the two became fast friends.

During the past few years, Jerry had been incapacitated so that he had been unable to do work of any kind. He was forced to spend much of his time at the county infirmary, but during warm weather he always wanted to come away from the institution.

One day Charles G. Dawes met Jerry on Front Street and shook hands with him. After releasing his grip from Mr. Dawes hand, Jerry found a dollar in his palm. He had received money from various people, but this was the first time that he had ever received a dollar from anybody. He was completely overcome with gratitude and sincerely thanked his benefactor. After Mr. Dawes had passed on, Jerry remarked, "I don't know who that gentleman is, but I do know he is a gentleman and I'll vote for him sure."

As far as is known, Jerry had no living relatives. His funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon from the chapel in Oak Grove.