Hearts of Gold

J. McHenry Jones (1859–1909), was an educator, orator, and activist. A descendant of African American tradespeople and farmers, Jones chose a career in education. He became the principal of the Lincoln School in Wheeling, West Virginia, and then later spurred more than a decade of growth at the West Virginia Colored Institute (now West Virginia State University) as the Institute’s president. Overshadowed by a modern fascination with Booker T. Washington, Jones not only remained independent from the Washington machine but also carved out niches in state and national Republican party politics, African American societies like the Grand Order of the Odd Fellows, and interracial religious organizations like the Epworth League. Although the multi-talented Jones reportedly authored a handful of novels, critics have located only his 1896 Hearts of Gold, a rich story of Black life at the turn into the twentieth century. John Ernest is Chair and Professor of English at the University of Delaware. Eric Gardner is Chair, Braun Fellow, and Professor of English at Saginaw Valley State University.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction by John Ernest and Eric GardnerHearts of GoldAppendicesAppendix A: The Speech of James McHenry Jones, Wheeling’s Magnet Colored Orator, Seconding the Nomination of George W. Atkinson for Governor, at Parkersburg (1896)Appendix B: Jones’s speech to the British Grand United Order of Odd Fellows 1897 Annual ConferenceAppendix C: Advertisement from the Charleston AdvocateAppendix D: Jones, “The West Virginia Colored Institute” (1907)Appendix E: Jones, “Biographical Sketch of S. W. Starks” (1908)Appendix F: Jones, “The Epworth League and the Enthronement of Christ” (1909)

“ The first of a projected series of out-of-print West Virginia literary works by African American writers. An extensive introduction and six appendices provide fascinating context for a love story set among convict coal miners in West Virginia.” - Appalachian Heritage