The Gentlemen of Jones can trace its beginings back to 1952, (according to David C Canegata unofficial historian of the Group) In those days a small group of friends use to meet on a regular basis to discuss the topics of the day, or upcoming events of interest to them. LLoyd Canegata, Arrol Stelle, Cedric Canegata, and David Canegata were those men. The men would usually meet at a local grocery store by the name of O' Reilly's Owned by Arnold O Reilly and have these discussions along with a "Cold One"
It was at one of these very meetings, that a man by the name of Minard Jones came on the scene. Minard Jones, was a Vocational Educator, at the Christiansted, High School. Minard would occasioanlly join the men for a cold one, and discuss the topics of the day. A few years later, Minard opened up a cocktail lounge, called Jonesey's Cocktail Lounge. Subsequently the Men moved from Oreillys to Jonesey's Lounge. ( The Lounge was Located in the Courtyard beneath the Old Moonrakers Night Club )
Durign the Christmas season of 1952, an Old Timers Parade was Scheduled for the Town of Fredriksted. This parade was significant in two ways. It was the 1st Christmas Festival parade to held in the town of fredricksted, which has now become a long standing tradition. It was also the first appeareance of the Top Hat and Coat tails, which has also become a long standing tradition of the Gentlemen of Jones.
Durign one of the regualr meetings at Jonesey's Bar, Arrol Steele and the Canegata brothers, decided to form a troupe and enter the upcoming parade. The agreed on a costume of Top hat and Coat tails, along with a walking stick. One of the members was dressed in a hand made Gendarmes outfit ( Police Officers at the Time ) They paraded down the streets of fredricksted with great fanfare, followed by Lloyd Canegata's jeep "Melinda" loaded with refreshements and driven by Cedric Canegata.
At the end of the parade, when the participants were asked to go on stage to recognize their respective troupes, panic broke out amongst the men, as they had no idea what to call themselves. At this moment of suspense, an ephifanny happened when Rexford Hodge (a colleague of the Group) stood up and uttered the words, "The Gentlemen of Jones" to the parade officials. It was by this name that the group would be forever called.
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