Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-21
VENERABLE.
NashvilIe's "OIdest fnhabitant.''

"lake q Seal iQWalu O<iO nS'
The speaker was very old lady, with
shrunken form, but yet had a very intelli-
gent face. The invitation was addressed
to q reporter on this paper and cit.
official who had kindly offered to conduct
him to the residence of Mrs. Powell, who
is, perhaps, the Oldest person in Nashville.
81 have heard of you, and took the liberty
of calling upon you" exclaimed the reporter
as he took a seat.
sim obleeged to you--Tm very much
obleeged to you," replied Mrs. Powell.
1t was not an attractive looking room. In
one corner stood bed, upon which was
thrown 8 criltch belonging to Mrs. Powell
who sat at one side Of a fire place, with d
very uneven hearth made OF rough stones.
her daughter-in-law and little grandson sit
ting opposite her. A bright fire made of
drift wood warmed the room.
allow old are you?
'They say I'm 105 years old. was about
five years old when
GEORGE WASHINGTON GAINED AMERICA,
but | remember that time mighty we'll
We lived near Richmond then, and | re-
member the day the battle was fought
They commenced a shootin' in the mOrnin'
and grandmother commenced prayin' and
| did too, for thought the time had come
for all of us to pray. My grandfather was
a Baptist preacher; he preached for every
body aud everywhar and they didn't put
him in the army until the night before that
big battle was fought. He was in that,
and then they let him come home the next
morning. They was mighty hard up for
men that time"
Referring to the changes whichhad taken
place in Nashville since she came here fifty
five years ago, Mrs. Powell said ''Why,
down thar by the Sulphur Spring you
couldn't have seen dog as fur as across
this room on account of the buck bushes
and cane. | 'spect thar was no houses on
the south-side of Broad street. The court
house was made of logs, but as the town
improved, they improved thar courthouse.
| reckon I'm the oldest woman in this
town, but reckon | have mighty good
health considerin' my age is up so high.
I'M MIGHTY HEARTY
bout my eatin'.
"Do you remember the names Of any Of
the men who did business in Nashville
them"
''Well, thar was Daddy Clemmens and
MIR. Breed. mar was a man Dy the name
of Hill was keepin' store this side Of
the Observation-Disclosures did become of
that man, never did know. He was a
mighty clever man."
Mrs. Powell said she had been married
three times, her first husband being named
Tibbett, her second Powell, and her third
Dennis. She has had ten children, but
only one is living and this one she calls
her baby, though he is fifty-seven years old.
She is certainly remarkable woman, and
looks hearty enough to last several years
yet.
As the city official and reporter left the
house they met another very old woman
carrying basket.
give ordered load of wood to be sent to
YOU" said the city official.
''Well l haint got it yet" was the reply
of the woman with the basket.
''It'll come around all right either this
afternoon or Monday"
''WeQ now, I'd heap ruther see that
wood than to hear so much talk about it."
GLOW is your sister," asked the city dig
nitary.
''She amt well, and nuther am /. I've
got stitch in my back some way or nuther.
Say, send us that wood as soon as you
kin, fur I'm out looking fur chips now"
and she walked off.