Description
There died at Platte City last Saturday night one of the oldest citizens, a colored man, Granville Gaines. In antebellum days Granville belonged to General Richard Gaines, who for many years ran the old Gaines hotel, a large 2 story frame building that stood on what is now the southeast corner of the court house square.
Here Gran was the trusted servant of his master and was the chief porter and general manager of the hostelrie. He was married to “Aunt Patsy (Patsey)”, a colored woman owned by Judge E. H. Norton.
After the death of Mr. Gaines in 1860, Judge Norton purchased “Uncle Gran.” Granville then became overseer for Judge Norton.
Gran and Aunt Patsy were known far and wide by the people of this County; and like all old family servants of antebellum days, were generally liked and respected by the white people of the community.
In 1861 Judge Norton set them free, purchased and gave them a home in Platte City where they have since lived.
We remember when a boy, when playing with the white and colored children of Judge Norton’s family, we never stood in awe of Judge and Mrs. Norton, but Gran and Aunt Pat were personification of power, when they said anything we white and black children “just moved.” When we stoned the turkeys, left the ice house door open, got into the melon patch or other childish pranks, it was always Uncle Gran and Aunt Pat that sallied down upon us, knocked the young pickaninnies helter skelter and made us shiver with frightful threats which the good old souls had no idea of carrying out. And many and active kindness did we receive winner boy from this worthy couple.
But the old man grew feeble and after suffering for several weeks, last Saturday night he laid down his saw and buck and passed away to a quiet rest. He was one of those links that binds us to the times before the war, when we had our white and black “uncles”, our white and black “mammies.” The older people can understand this feeling, the new generation cannot appreciate it.
Gran was a good old man and was respected by white and black, and many of both colors followed his remains to their last resting place.Date(s) of Creation
1/29/1892
