The New York herald., 1875-11-26
ANOTHER CENTENARIAN GONE.

Information was received the Coroners' Office pes
erday Of the death OF Catnarine Donovan at No 40
Greenwich street, in the l04th year Of her age a
HERALD reporter the above address verify
the fact Of death at such extreme age and TO elicit
any other items OF interest. Arriving at tumble
down looking building the corner of Canal and
Greenwich street. woman standing in the door was
and asked she knew Of the death Of Catha
rine Donovan.
eyes sirn she replied, 81 with her just before
she breahod her last Come up and take look al the
corpse Her daughter and granddaughter are at her
side now.h
Following his GOOD natured but loquacious guide 10
dozen Fights of winding stairs, which creaked and
moaned every step, the reporter found himself at
last in a wretched garrett poverty stricken In the
extreme aud telling too plainly the story OF the strug
giles Of its inmates with want In little apartment
just large enough to hold humble cot and two
wooden chars lay the inanimate form OF the aged
woman. A scrupuously clean white spread over
tho remains, her hands were crossed and on little
stand the head of the bed were some tapers
ready to be lighted Several friends we're gathered IN
and around the doorway, sympathizing with the mar
ried daughter Of the deceased The latter when ques
toned said that her name was Mrs hurly, ana that
she resided ~ the corner of Houston and Washington
streets Her mother came TO this country about thir
teen years ago and although she had no means OF tell
ing she thought she must have been 10 years
old When told that at the Coroners Office the records
stated that she born in the county Of Cork Ireland
IN I773 which would make her only lO3 years old
she said, "Well, sir. o'im no scholard meself, but
always thongh she was over 100 years ovid when she
simple, but graphic language, the following story
''Nother lived here with my brother Dam that's Dan
Donovan. For over three years she has laid on the
bed where you see her now deaf and blind To make
her hear anything would have put mouths
close her and call az loud could; but she
had her to the last Only the night before she
died she said May God help my souls for you sec sir
she was Christian, and there's no doubt but she's
well rid Of this life We'll, on Wednesday evening,
about half past was sent for by brother Dan, who
said mother dying didn't think it could be so,
for She had been helpless SO long I'm thankful that
wa q There
US here-Mr and Mrs. Murphy, Dan and myself and
daughter About seven O'Clock She died Quietly with
out speaking word, and while my little daughter
was kneeng down by the bedside saying the Litany
OF the saints. We didn't send for the priest or
the doctor; for last summer when Father Edward
called he said that she was deaf and blind and must
soon die OF old age, and nothing could be done
for her you're looking AZ the candles we're Irish
as you can seei ana t custom with US 70 light them
at the heads Of friends or relatives when they die
We're poor Or we would 20 more but IT'S comfort 70
know that when mother did die she had her children
her side DO of comfort 10 help her Il anything
neededn Tears were IN the eyes Of the poor
creature she told her story and ever and She
would stop, and from little rosary which she held in
her hand would say prayer The sun went down
before she had concluded and as the tapers were
lighted casting dul and yellow light the sunken
and shriveed form IN the corner tew of those that
gathered there chanted their Hal harys ond
pater nosers while others rocked and moaned, bewa
ing the departed
Later in the evening presented or those
scenes which, incougruous though Il might appear
the uuin tated locker thoroughly characteristic
q belonged n
and about the narrow apartment at the top Of the
building where the poor woman died gathered the
friends OF the family. Although like prison CELL with
It's bare whitewashed walls there no lack OF hight
for on a table we're hve lighted candles Tho body
had been In the few hours which elapsed since the re-
porers first visit encased in a neat colin on tho lid
Of which was a silver plate in the design Of a cross.
The inscription read "Catharine Donovan, aged 100
years Died 1875"
Tho daughter of the deceased sat AZ tbe head ~ Tho
casket and Immediately behind the table Oh which
were the tapers On one end Of the table was plate
OF snuff and on the other some smoking tobacco Tho
conversation OF the curious throng turned naturally
enough on tho virtues Of the departed and the hapni
ness which she must now enjoy after 50 long a life
made Up the most part q care and sorrow earth
There WAS no lack Of hospitality wthal for simple a.
the refreshments were, every ono was made welcome
do You smoke, siry" was almost the FIRST question
asked the reporter eHered and having answered in
the Affirmative, char va placed ior him close 70
the coffin.
''she looks beautiful, don't sho sir n, And indeed
she did look beautiful for the urTOws in the cheeks
which time had marked were smoothed awa - thonrh
tho loving hands which bad minRteFed 70 the iast
wants of the aged pilgrim had been blessed with divine
grace
said one friend to Mrs Hurry
''No thank you Kindly; its the last .night poor
mother will want anything from my bands and IN
stay; but do you 80 home, Kity, and have an eye
about the place.
'Can we oder you anything 70 drink sir2n tho 70.
porter was asked. Take sup and welcome; it'u do
yez good.
And 50 the wake continued until midnight.
and probably long into the small hours or tie morn,
ing The men smoked in solemn silence the women
ohatted and best they could uttered words Of con.
ISOLATION The children fuI OF e--for there were
many OF them present-ooked on and a. the candle
light fell upon their innocent little faces wondcrmont
a. tho scene was stamped upon every feature They
formed contrast 10 the awfay real picture OF
death In old age which they were Witnessing
The reporter having biddeu the guests goodby, was
lighted down through reEety winding soircaaes 70 the
street. feeling that after oil there Was far food FOR
serious thought than tor leyty in Irish wake The
funeral will take place today, at two O'Clock r NJ, and
The re"ains win be inferred u Calvary CemeterE