The daily gazette., 1875-10-29
The Oldest Lifting Man.
NEGRO WHO WAS GROWN WHEN THE
REvoLU rIoNARY WAR BEGAN.
From tho EashYtre Amarican

A NEGRO WHO WAS GROWN WHEN THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR BEGAN.
From the Nashv''e American.
MILAN, Tenn, Sept. go, 1s75.-You re-
Gently published an account of O revolu-
tionary soldier ia years old, which in
onces me to write you the following ac-
count OF old Fortune Snow, who is one
handred anu trenty-sir years Of age. I
visited him on the 9th of July, 1862, and
learned from him his story. When I. in
company with friend, approached the
house. fifteenth amendment, 62 wears
old, came out and said his "grandpap"
was in the house. Snow soon made his
appearance, tripping down the steps as
nlmbly as q boy, without even a stick.
he said lie was born in Georgetown, S.
=, and was twenty-five years old when
the Revolutionary war began. He was
married at twenty, and became the faith
er OF til teen children, the youngest of
whom, II daughter SO years of age, died
two years ago. He belonged to Captain
Snow, who sci 7ed under General Mari
on. Old Fortune served with his master
through the war, and in nearly every
battle shouldered bis gun and went in
front, yet has never received a pension,
II the government" loved the negro as
WEI as it loves his vote, the old man
"Ou'u De cared IOr.
He moved from South Carolina to near
Mobile, and lived there tiftv years. At
the death of Captain Snow, ne gave Mr.,
Chapman-bis in-law-SJOO to sup
port old Fortune for the balance of his
days. This man Chapman lived forty
seven years, and died, and left the old
negro stu hale and hearty. Snow sub
sequently moved to Gibson county. in
this State, and settled near Picketts-
vile, about six miles west of Milan.
On examination with the opthalmo-
scope, l found his eyes perfect in all
parts. The otoscope revealed healthy
condition of the organs of hearing. He
told me he went totally blind at the age
OF ninety and remained so Tor two years.
Hi5 halr, white as wool, all came out,
Subsequently his sight returned and a
new growth of hair made its appearance,
which IS now about half gray. He never
suffers with toothache, not having an
unSound tooth in his mouth-nor any
other kind. He enjoys good health, new
er wore spectacles nor took q dose of
medicine from q doctor.
opened his Bible at the eighth chan
ter OF the book Of Revelations, which he
read loudly and distinctly without glass
es. lie says he loves to fish and hunt,
and can shoot birds and squirrels with
out the aid Of glasses. He is very pious
and believes strongly in the Good God
as he calls Him, who, he said, took him
safe through the Revolutionary war"
He reads his Bible and prays a great
deal. He has been strongly urged to GO
to the Centennial, but has refused all
solicitations, and says IF the folks want
to see him, let EN- come"
This venerable colored person recently
emlgrated to Mississippi with a larg,
body OF negroes, who took the train at
Humboldt, where hundreds of the citi-
zens visited him to see the Oldest man
living. Many probably will doubt this
statement, but a conversation with him
would convince any one of its correct
ness; besides, there are hundreds Of re-
sponsible persons who would corroborate
what have given above.
n.rrD-