Deacon William Jones
DEACON WELL KNOWN IN NEWPORT
One of the more interesting people in Northern Kentucky at the turn of the century was Deacon William Jones. A Kentucky Post account on Dec 20, 1900, said Jones moved to Newport about 1870 and through his friendly manner and dapper appearance, quickly became known in the city.
He worked as a messenger and maintenance man
for Newport National Bank and over the years saved enough money to buy his own
house. He was best known, however, for his volunteer work preaching the
Gospel to prisoners in Newport Jail. The 1900 newspaper story noted that
he had visited the jail every Sunday for the past two years.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 9 July 1895, page 6
William Jones, a colored preacher, was arrested yesterday by Marshal Webb, charged with a breach of the peace and disorderly conduct. He will have a hearing before Squire Pickett on the 13th inst.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, 13 August 1902, page 8
Bro. Deacon Jones, the colored evangelist, will hold service at the colored camp meeting Thursday evening, Newport. His subject will be "Death, Is This You Feeling Around the Temple of This Old Body?"
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 1 January 1903, page 3
Deacon Jones, the noted colored preacher of Newport, lost his left eye Wednesday, and it will cost him $4 to have it replaced. He had a glass optic which was a very good match to his sound eye. In making a profound bow to an acquaintance, the artificial eye dropped to the sidewalk and broke to pieces.
The Deacon is janitor of the Newport National Bank Building at Fifth and York and has preached a number of celebrated sermons. The bank officials will get up a benefit for him to purchase another good eye. The Deacon will close one eye in the future when speaking to friends with his bow almost to the ground.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Tuesday, 27 October 1903, page 3
William, better known as "Deacon" Jones has resigned as President of the Booker T Washington Colored Republican Club in Newport, and Nelson Robertson has been elected to fill the vacancy.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 27 April 1904, page 5
Deacon Jones, the celebrated colored evangelist preacher, will preach at the colored church on Columbia st. Newport, Thursday night. His new subject will be "The Beautiful Train" Brer Jones is a favorite in Newport and interests his hearers.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 26 August 1907, page 5
The congregation of the Corinthian Baptist Church, colored, Newport, will give a camp meeting in City Park. The opening takes place this evening. Mayor Helmbold has granted permission to the church to use the City Park as a meeting place.
Rev William Jones will be in charge. The meetings will continue two weeks.
Deacon William and Emma Jones Family
Deacon William Jones 1920 Obituary