New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-16
VERY OLD MEN.

rr,, our xrrD TRIIs SOMETHING ABOUT CENTE-
v,p,,Ns-rwo AGED PENNsYLvANIANs-A DIN
NrR WITH CAPT IAHRBUsH on THE oNE HUN
DRIED AND EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH
DAY.
20 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR; A Pennsylvania gentleman called yesterday
IN say that Simon g. Troop, the Legislative Rip
Van Wrinkle referred to in Fridays TRIBUNE,
was appointed one of the judges OF Monroe
County. Penn, by Gov. Geary, after he had passed
his s0th birthday. and he now discharging the
duties with marked ability. He added that the
climate of that portion of Pennsylvania contributed
to the longevity of its citizens. George Labar.
a resident of Monroe County. is 112 years
old. Mr.. George Trivle of Daleville is the oldest
landlord in the State of Pennsylvania, having kept
tavern ever since licenses were granted by the Gov
ernor of the State, and is now, at the age of 100
years proprietor of the hotel at Dalevle. The ages
of these two veterans. as Mr.. Gilmore assures US,
ore both well authenticated.
And yet there is an opinonated Englishman,
whose name / do not remember, making all sorts OF
efforts 10 discredit Capt Lahrbush, who COM
petes his lOSth year to-day Fortunately, the
existence of unquestionable evidence of the fact
that Capt. Lahrbush was an officer in the
British army before the commencement of the pres
ent century destroys the base upon which the Cap
tains ssssilant endeayors to erect superstructure
Corroboratve evidence Of the accuracy of Capt
L's memory, the truthfulness of his state
ments and the integrity of his charac-
ter is found in his daily converse
ton Those who know him best and see him most
frequently entertain doubts concerning his age
The accuracy Of his memory in relation to events
which occurred ten years before and fifteen
years after the beginning of the present
century is perhaps the most remark
able trait in the character Of this very re-
markable man. In illustration, take the following
incident. Capt Lahrbush accompanied me one day
last Winter to the residence of my cherished friend
the late Hugh Maxwell. In the OF a long
conversation about tho wars in which Capt.
Lahrbush had served, the latter was de-
scribing a campaign in India toward the
close of the last century Mr. Maxwell inquired II,
at that time he became acquainted with an officer
bearing his name. Capt. l.. replied that he re-
iuembered Lieut-Col. Maxwell in India, but
chat he did not make his acquaintance
until several wears afterward, when sta
toned at the Cape of Good Hope where Col.
Maxwell came to enjoy his 'leave." Mr.. Maxwell
asked why the officer used up his leave" at the
Cape, instead of going home. Capt. Lair
bush replied that officers serving in In
dia could 20 no further west than the
Cape Of Good Hope without loss of pay. Mr. Max
well then requested ms granddaughter 10 DTlns
a letter from his library. that letter being
from Mr.. MSxwell's uncle, written at the
Cape of Good Hope, and. bearing the date
Indicated. exactly verified Capt. Lahrbush's
statements. Lieut.-Col. Maxwell had for economical
reasons passed his leave of absence from the army
at the Cape, which place, on account of its salubr
GUS climate. was favorite resort fol-
British officers. Capt Lahrbush recently
received a message. by a NewYOrk lady who
had been residing time in Paris from the Count
de Waldeck. who remembers him while both were
at Madras in 1893 The Count although two years
older than Capt Lahrbush enjoys good physical and
mental health.
Capt. Lahrbush enters upon his 1O9th year in good
health and spirits He is a member of the Rev. John
Cotton Smiths church, where, on the corner OF
Fifth-ave and Eleventh-st, he is regular attend
ant. He dnod with us to-day as is his fire.
ouent habit on Sunday, and If those who
cavn about his age could have listened
TO bis conversation for an hour or two would have
had their doubts removed His familiar description
of most of the cities of Europe. India. Australia
Jamaica etc. etc. prove him to have been not only
q Qreat but most observing aud intelligent traveller
He speaks the French German, Dutch, Spanish, and
Portuguese languages.
twas quite a luxury. he said, to meet, as he did
the other day a Hollander a conductor on Third
ave- car, with whom he had pleasant conversation
In that language l. W.
Re,o- York. March 2, 1874